AureliZEN: 4 – The Art of Deep Communication «

AureliZEN: 4 – The Art of Deep Communication

January 1, 2025 AURELIS, Communication No Comments

[For an introduction to the AureliZen series, goto AureliZEN: a Seminar Series for Deep Growth.]

Communication beyond words

Most people think of communication as the exchange of words. We speak, we listen, we respond. True communication is far more than this. It happens also through presence, attention, and openness.

We have all experienced conversations where many words were spoken, yet little was truly understood. On the other hand, we have also had moments where a simple glance, a gesture, or a moment of silence conveyed more than any words could. Real communication is about understanding and being understood, and it is at the heart of all meaningful human interactions.

In this seminar, we go beyond surface-level conversation. We explore how to connect deeply with others, how to communicate beyond words, and how to use communication as a tool for motivation, leadership, and personal growth.

This approach aligns closely with the principles of deep autosuggestion, where real transformation happens at a level beyond conscious processing.

Parallel communication: A new way to connect

Traditional communication follows a linear model: One person speaks, the other listens, then responds. In reality, communication is never purely one-way. Even when one person is speaking, both are engaged in a continuous exchange of meaning, energy, and understanding.

Parallel communication is a different way of seeing this process. It is not about taking turns but about moving together in an interactive flow, like a dance:

The speaker and listener are deeply connected in real-time.
Attention is just focused on the entire experience of the interaction.
The conversation grows from the shared presence of both people.

This is why some of the most profound moments of communication happen in silence — when both people are deeply tuned into each other.

YogaZen practice: hand-in-hand movement

To physically experience this kind of connection, we practice a simple YogaZen exercise:

Two participants sit or stand facing each other, placing their hands together with the lightest possible touch.
One person begins a gentle, slow movement, and the other follows.
After a moment, both close their eyes, and the movement continues naturally, without force.

This exercise shows how communication is not just about control but about flow, awareness, and presence.

The deeper level of communication

Most of what we communicate is not spoken:

Subtle shifts in posture.
Micro-expressions on the face.
The rhythm of breathing.
The energy we bring to an interaction.

These elements convey more than words ever could, yet we often fail to notice them. Real communication happens at this subconceptual level, below conscious awareness.

This is why deep communication requires open attention — the ability to perceive not just what is being said but everything that is being expressed beneath the surface. It is the foundation of AURELIS coaching, where the focus is on guiding a person not by imposing answers but by deeply understanding their inner world.

YogaZen practice: Eye contact and presence

This exercise helps cultivate deep attention and presence:

Two participants sit facing each other, making soft, natural eye contact.
The goal is not to stare but to simply witness the other person without judgment.
Participants observe how their own inner reactions shift during the process.

This practice reveals something powerful: true communication is not about saying the right thing. It is about being fully present with the other person.

The difficulty of true listening

One of the greatest challenges in communication is truly listening.

Much of the time, we listen only to prepare our response.
We quickly categorize, interpret, or judge what the other person is saying.
Instead of staying open, we unconsciously filter what we hear through our own perspective.

Deep communication requires something different: listening without immediately forming an opinion. It means being comfortable with silence, with pauses, with allowing space for the other person’s thoughts to unfold.

YogaZen practice: Silent communication through posture

Participants sit in a relaxed position, eyes closed, and try to ‘say something’ only through their posture — without words, without movement.
The goal is to experience how much we communicate, even when we are silent.

This exercise helps us realize how our presence itself is a form of communication.

The power of showing yourself

Real communication requires openness. If we hide behind masks or defensiveness, we block true connection.

The paradox of openness: The more we allow ourselves to be seen, the more trust and understanding we create.
This does not mean oversharing. It means being genuinely present in a way that invites the other person to do the same.

Reflection: How often do you communicate not just with words but with your full presence?

Open attention: The foundation of deep communication

The most important communication skill is also the most difficult:

Open attention means truly listening without immediately reacting.
It requires slowing down our mental processes and staying with the experience rather than rushing to interpret or respond.
It is a form of meditative awareness — allowing space for real connection.

This is why open attention is one of the most powerful and transformative skills in both personal and professional life.

YogaZen practice: Balancing attention through physical balance

Participants stand on one leg, finding a stable balance point.
This physical balance mirrors the mental balance required for deep listening.
Every time they become distracted, they gently return to presence.

This practice reinforces the idea that open attention is like balance. It requires steady focus, gentle adjustments, and a willingness to remain present.

The invitation to experience deep communication

Communication is not just about transmitting information. It is about creating a shared experience.

In this seminar, participants will:

Experience the difference between ordinary conversation and deep communication.
Learn to listen in a way that goes beyond words, reaching into presence and meaning.
Discover how communication can become a meditative practice that transforms both personal and professional relationships.

The best communicators are not those who speak the most but those who create space for deep connection.

Final reflection: What happens when you stop trying to control communication — and instead simply allow yourself to be fully present with another person?