http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-zen-of-public-speaking.html
The Zen of Public Speaking
From Ode Magazine
I remember clearly the first time I was asked to speak in public. It was for a high school English class, and the teacher requested we speak about a topic we felt passionate about. I choose to speak about kindness–why it matters and how the quality is acquired. My voiced quivered, I blanked out a couple of times, and when I looked at the teacher, his face was contorted with confusion and pity.
Twenty five years passed before I again dared to speak from the heart while in front of a group. In college, graduate school, and in the workplace, I was often asked to teach or present on a particular topic. Focusing on knowing my material so that I’d never be at a loss for words, I learned to perform well, but felt like a bit of a fake. I longed to show my authentic self, and in the process to empower others to do the same. Yet when asked to do something as simple as say a few extemporaneous words about myself in a group my throat would constrict with panic.
The joy of authentic speaking returned after I learned a practice called “Relational Presence” at Speaking Circles International, an organization with trainings in both The Netherlands and the United States and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. [See video below]
Lee Glickstein, the founder of Speaking Circles and my trainer, explained the fundamentals of the practice: “Give full neutral eye availability to one person at a time, and look at that person as if they were the only one in the room.. When the speaker is looking at one person the others feel the sense of relationship presence. It builds their trust and draws them in.” In essence, Lee explains we are tapping into the oneness that already exists between speaker and listener.
I walked up to the front of the room to try the practice. Looking into the sparkling blue eyes of a woman in the front row before taking a deep breath, I felt the urge to communicate; words emerged in a flow and my body felt light. I was on a journey with my listeners. Instead of running from the fear of speaking in front of a group, and losing contact with the present moment, I leaned into my fear and felt its energy. My listeners also seemed energized, aware of our act of co-creation in the present moment.
When I sat down I felt as if I’d discovered a lost part of myself, as well as a new way to relate and communicate personally and professional. Had I learned a new method, honed a skill? Lee summed it up explaining, “This is a spiritual practice with extraordinary professional benefits.”
For more information please visit www.speakingcircles.com.
Do you fear public speaking? Have any bad experiences or good tips to share? Feel free to below.
Ode, the magazine for Intelligent Optimists, is an international independent journal that publishes positive news, about the people and ideas that are changing our world for the better. Click here for your FREE issue.
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4 comments
add your comment »Ken,
I agree totally. And Toastmasters was my way to go. Although I have never had much of a problem speaking publicly, Toastmasters helped me immensely in 'polishing' my technique and hence making me much more effective.
Thanks Megan.
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I entered Toastmasters to attempt learning public speaking after a personal tragedy happened that I wanted to speak about. It took me three months to get enough courage to stand up in front of others but the club atmosphere had different things that helped. I can not think of anything that I personally would recommend more than to learn public speaking. The self-confidence increase is tremendous. Leadership abilities increase and enjoyment of life grows with the ability to communicate with others. I brought up in one speech that it's like weight lifting. Imagine lifting a large amount of weight and then think about how much easier it is to lift a lighter weight. That is comparable to talking in front of an audience and then talking to just one person. I honestly could never bring up enough good that goes with public speaking.
Congratulations Cissy on doing public speaking professionally. I had pushed hard when I was in Toastmasters and eventually became president of a club that had tremendous talent. Although I won quite a few speaking awards I found it hard to dedicate myself to going up to the level you've achieved. One of the better speakers brought up to become a good speaker write a book. That wasn't in my life's plan but I have been putting effort into writing these past few years and can see the point to that. Along with the public speaking the writing leaves me feeling more confident about subjects and making a point of view.
Thanks for sharing this article Megan
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Great article!
Those (rare) people who do do NOT find it difficult to get up in front of a large group should, however, remember to do it well. Just because 'you' find it easy, doesn't make it necessarily a 'good' presentation.
Keep eye contact, don't turn your back, speak clearly, be succinct, don't use vernacular, use Powerpoint as a support not your primary delivery, etc..
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Truly excellent. I speak in public professionally all the time and I can attest to this being true. Do try it! :)
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