Voice Dialogue

What is Voice Dialogue?

Developed by Hal and Sidra Stone, inspired by Jungian psychology, Voice Dialogue is a practice for exploring the many dimensions of the self. It’s a simple and efficient method to aid participants to take multiple perspectives and tap into their innate wisdom and compassion.

Through guided self-inquiry, participants are invited to explore their own views, and untangle aspects of themselves that are in conflict with one another. Each voice has its own perceptions and function. Knowing them well we expand awareness of the self, which allows for better integration and dynamic harmony between voices. It’s common to use polarities to explore which aspects of self we readily identify with, and which are harder to recognize and own.

What does it look like?

In a Voice Dialogue session, the facilitator invites participants to speak from specific inner voices – such as the protector, the seeker or the inner critic. When a participant agrees, they physically shift in their seat to mark a shift in identity. The facilitator asks: “Who am I speaking to?” and the participant names the voice – for example: “Desire”. Speaking in the first person – identified exclusively as that voice – they express its feelings and concerns, while referring to their everyday self in the third person.

This identification is key. It allows the voice to be experienced directly, rather than talked about conceptually. Participants don’t need to prepare or analyze ahead of time, they simply respond authentically to the questions asked by the facilitator.

Through responding and listening to the reflections of others, participants learn about the function, qualities and interrelations of each voice. They discover the role these voices play in their minds and lives, and whether they’re prominent or disowned. They identify the concerns of the voice and how the voice relates to the self. It’s common that participants are strongly identified with certain voices and completely unaware of others.

The Voice Dialogue process can be used to explore polarities such as structure and flow, introversion and extroversion, leader and follower, autonomy and communion. It can also be used to recognize and explore nondual voices beyond identification with the personal, such as the non-seeking mind and great compassion. Freely functioning voices which include both self identity and transcendent aspects can also be explored.

[Written by: Rósanna Seigi Róbertsdóttir]

Leaders of Voice Dialogue

Rósanna Seigi Róbertsdóttir

I’m a Stockholm-based journalist, workshop facilitator and Integral Zen monk. For the past seven years, I’ve practiced meditation intensively – an eager student of our boundless nature. I’m also passionate about learning and sharing skills that build robust, vital relationships – the kind that invite us to gracefully, pleasurably embody our uniqueness.

Selected videos from Youtube

Here are a few videos that might help you get a basic understanding of Voice Dialogue.

Upcoming Voice Dialogue Events

These are the Transfomational Connection events that are coming up on Relating Arts.

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Where to learn

There are many places to practice voice Dialogue. These are the places we would recommend that you look at first.

Big Mind, Big Heart

Genpo Merzel Roshi is the founder of Big Mind, Big Heart – a process where Voice Dialogue is combined with insights from Zen Buddhism. Himself and his students teach the practice.

Real Life Programs

Our Real LIFE Programs are intended to help you cultivate attention and awareness, enhance your people skills, and strengthen your life purpose. We are dedicated to supporting your relationship to your life and work with theory, experience, and practice.

Two Arrows Zen

Two Arrows Zen offers continuous Zen practice. Our teachers are transmitted in the Japanese Soto lineage and strongly influenced by the Rinzai tradition. Our training takes place in the modern American West with its emphasis on pragmatic skills and applied practice.

Voice Dialogue International

Voice Dialogue is the basic method for contacting, learning about, and working with the many selves that make up each of us. Experience the evolution of the Aware Ego Process that allows you to embrace all of these selves, have real choice, and live life more fully and consciously.