The foundation for how we bring communication skills into our conversations in any context is presence. What is presence? I define presence as embodied awareness. Presence is a synonym for mindfulness, but when we hear that word “mindfulness,” most of us think about paying attention in a cognitive way, because of the word “mind.” I’m paying attention, watching, looking—there’s some separation. It’s a little cold, maybe disconnected. That’s not mindfulness. Mindfulness is about intimacy with experience. It’s a deeply embodied awareness and knowing of life in a very direct way.
Talks
April 20, 2018
| 22 min.
The Role of Presence in Communication
Oren Jay Sofer
![Oren Jay Sofer](https://www.spiritrock.org/uploads/team-photos/teachers/_600x750_crop_center-center_none/Spirit-Rock-Teacher-Oren-Jay-Sofer_2023-10-11-180928_efyy.jpg)
Oren Jay Sofer
Residential Retreat Teacher
Oren Jay Sofer teaches meditation internationally. He holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University and is author of "Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication" and "Your Heart Was Made for This: Contemplative Practices to Meet a World In Crisis with Courage, Integrity, and Love."