This month’s Restorative Justice Dialogue Circle invited community members into a deep exploration of listening as a core skill for navigating conflict and bridging division. Together, we examined how restorative listening practices can strengthen relationships, support accountability, and contribute to more connected and resilient communities.

The circle offered a space for reflection on what it means to truly listen—not to fix, debate, or correct—but to understand. With a focus on practical tools and relational insight, participants explored how listening can serve as an active, healing practice in times of tension or disconnection.

Laura began the session by grounding the group with a land acknowledgment and the importance of listening and centering Indigenous voices as part of reconciliation. After introducing the circle team, the group was guided in setting shared agreements to create a space of care, respect, and mutual support—key elements in cultivating trust and safety. The Restorative Justice team introduced the topic with a powerful quote by Henri Nouwen on listening as a form of spiritual hospitality. This quote framed listening as an act of deep presence, humility, and relational generosity.Participants introduced themselves and responded to the opening question: “What is one thing you do to support your wellbeing?” This round created connection and affirmed the importance of self-awareness in listening well to others.

Reflections and Dialogue

What does it mean to truly listen?

Participants shared rich insights, highlighting that:

• Deep listening invites us not to be alone in how we’re feeling.
• It creates space to be heard and seen, without judgment or fixing.
• Truly listening is about following up—checking in, showing care beyond the moment.
• Mindfully attending to others with full presence.
• Listening builds empathy and bridges isolation.
  

When Have You Felt Truly Heard?

In a smaller group discussion, participants reflected on how being heard—or not heard—impacted their sense of safety, connection, and trust. For many, these moments were healing and transformative. For others, it surfaced what is needed to feel listened to: non-judgment, spaciousness, care, and intention.

How Did It Feel to Be Heard?

This round invited participants to reflect on the emotional impact of the listening exchange. Many shared that being heard allowed them to slow down, soften, and feel more connected to others.

Key contributions included:

• Asking people what they need, not assuming. Do they want an ear or practical support?
• Creating opportunities to hear diverse voices, especially those often marginalized or overlooked.
• Moving beyond the dehumanizing tendencies of social media—toward face-to-face understanding.
• Deep listening is not about fixing but about witnessing, connecting, and modelling community care.
• Practicing humility and curiosity instead of judgment.
• Recognizing that listening itself can be a powerful act of disrupting division and repairing disconnection.

Jessica shared insights about the impact of trauma on the brain and how deep listening can help regulate our nervous systems, foster safety, and support coregulation. When we listen with care, we help calm not only the other person but ourselves.

Participants closed by sharing one thing they were taking away from the session. Responses included a renewed appreciation for silence, inspiration to listen more deeply in daily life, and a sense of hope that communities can grow closer through intentional dialogue. Fig read a powerful quote by Ernest Hemingway, reminding us that “Listening isn’t just about waiting for your turn to speak; it’s about absorbing what someone else is sharing and making them feel heard, valued, and understood. It’s about connecting on a level deeper than surface conversations, because when you truly listen, you open a door to empathy and genuine connection.

The session reinforced that listening is not a passive act—it is a powerful tool of transformation. In times of conflict and division, practicing restorative listening offers a path back to connection, understanding, and collective resilience.

We are deeply grateful to all who participated and look forward to continuing this journey of learning and relationship-building together.