This True Story Offers a Tool for Community Healing

In partnership with MennoMedia, Women's Voices now regularly features book reviews by women for women's groups in addition to continued storytelling, faith-inspired reflections, and ministry spotlights.

I began to read The Art of Radical Listening: Revealing Collective Wisdom for Change by Patricia Plude, D.Min., with curiosity. What is Radical Listening? The preface hooked me into reading more, because the author states, “Well-meaning people with huge hearts often do not recognize their privilege and how it influences their behavior and ability to relate.” This brought me to attention, because I consider myself to be someone with a huge heart who is involved with activities that I hope make a difference in the world.

This book not only discusses Radical Listening but also tells the story of Dr. Kinari Webb who had a vision for healing hurting communities and the planet. She founded Health in Harmony, and then a sister organization, Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI), which work with rainforest communities in Indonesia and spread out to other countries around the world. One cannot help but be in awe and inspired by Dr. Webb’s vision and what she has been able to do by partnering with others.

Each component of Radical Listening is thoroughly discussed in a chapter of its own. Beginning with the first chapter, the reader is taken on a deep dive into the definition, analysis and practices of how to listen effectively with purpose and intention. It all begins with interbeing, or the idea that “we are, because everything else is.” Once we are grounded in this idea, we can then become really present to the act of listening. Presence leads into another body-centered practice of rapport. Then we turn to our intellectual skills of remembering and reflecting. Finally, we tune into our bodies again, as we learn how to listen to and through the emotions of ourselves and others. Also included are directives for practice.

One reason this is an effective tool for change is that Radical Listening is a way to interact with communities in an anti-colonial way. The dominant culture of our municipalities, churches, and schools — and the political systems of our country — presume that we know what is best for others, including the most vulnerable communities, and that we can make decisions on their behalf. Radical Listening first and foremost considers the community and its needs and requests. They need to speak with their own voice, but what they say needs to be heard and responded to with the skills of presence, rapport, remembering, reflecting and engaging heartfelt emotions. Indeed, equipped with Radical Listening skills, we do not need to go to other countries to make a difference. We can work in our own communities, and the results could be life-changing. 

Throughout the book, I found many pieces of life-affirming ideas and bits of wisdom. I particularly was interested in the author’s explanation of bodywork, which includes breathing techniques and mindful play exercises. I think that Mennonite women in general, especially those of white European descent, often do not engage in spiritual body work. How many times do worship services or church meetings include moments of deep breathing, connecting with our feelings and our bodies, or listening with our whole selves? My experience with congregations that are not racially diverse is that they are quite stoic and serious; logic and reason overtake any heart or feelings. If we really listen with our whole bodies, then body movement is important to any gathering where listening is involved. 

The story of Dr. Webb and Health in Harmony needs to be shared widely for its impact on our planetary health and the health of Indigenous communities around the world. The tools of Radical Listening skills need to be studied and learned for our own health and those around us. My hope is that we integrate this tool for change sooner rather than later.

Peggy Stein

Davis, CA

Retired Educator

First Mennonite Church of San Francisco

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