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Wupen Talking Sticks
Do you ever get the feeling that when you talk or have something to say that no one is listening? Do you listen when someone else is talking or are you just waiting to jump in with your own views?
The American Indian solved this problem many, many moons ago by introducing an often sacred
Talking Stick at their council meetings.
The American Indian Talking Sticks took many shapes and designs and were often decorated with feathers and animal furs, but all had the same purpose.The person holding the stick had the floor. He (or she), usually the tribe leader spoke first. After the leader was satisfied that all present had listened and grasped what he was trying to convey, the talkings stick was passed on to the next one that wanted to speak or was passed to the person next to the leader and so on. Because only the person holding the stick was allowed to speak others in the group could pay more attention to listening rather than thinking of what they wanted to say.
The talking stick also can be useful in modern times. A talking stick can be a family tool or educational tool to teach children and adults to listen but also feel the power to speek when it is their turn to hold the talking stick and know that they won't be interrupted while speaking.
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