Dip your Toes into Clarity

Ulrike Krasemann
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

I’m visiting my friend Maria Hinterauer, an Austrian mediator who lives with her husband and kids in the Salzburg Mountains. While discussing our plans for the next few days, Maria says that she’d like to go swimming in the early mornings. Enthusiastic on the one hand, I feel a slight resistance in me and casually mention that I’ve brought my yoga stuff to Salzburg. Maria, having a sensitive instinct, picks up on my implicit message and gently asks me what time I like to do yoga in the mornings. Suddenly, the scales fall from my eyes and I realize: I can meet both needs at the same time. Maria helped me out of my one-way-street with her question.

Later in the afternoon, Maria is talking to her 4-year-old son about our plans for the next few days. She notices a touch of resistance in his body language and digs deeper in order to find out what’s really important for him. Eventually it comes out that it’s togetherness. With a gentle questioning technique she finds out who Jonas wants to spend time with. “Tomorrow,” Maria turns towards me, “Jonas wants to spend some time with you alone. Would that be okay for you?” Nodding my head, I’m fascinated by how easy it seems to be to find out a kid’s needs. After clarifying the need, we’re able to discuss the formalities - the right time and place for our play date.

Still fascinated by Maria’s attentiveness, I want to know how she manages not to forget herself. “Well,” She points out, “when I know what I want and what’s important for me - like the swim yesterday - I’m crystal clear in my communication. With this clarity I ‘allow’ people to be clear too by voicing their own personal needs. Empirically, there is always a consensus for all.”

After 3 intensive days with Maria, I feel clear, peaceful and released. No wonder Maria calls her method “released communication”. Thank you, Maria.

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(Proofread by Sara Gee: www.saragee.com)

Ulrike Krasemann

Written by

Passionate observer & freetime photographer • mindfulness blogger • coach • consultant • aesthete • lover of yoga. www.raeuberleiter.me

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