by Sam M.

February 2019

Having intrusive and persistent negative thoughts about myself and others. Brooding on past sins, real and imagined. Losing interest ever so subtly in my former favorite pastimes, and having less mental energy for everyday responsibilities.

Before Focused Listening, my world was gradually darkening in an unfamiliar way. A recent retiree from high-paced communications work, I had no learning disabilities and no history or diagnosis of mental illness.

My first one-hour session alleviated some of the pressure that had been building up, suggesting that it might help. One week of daily sessions convinced me that it was helping. My intrusive thoughts diminished, and when they did arise, I was better able to dismiss them, to redirect my thoughts to a positive track. My interest in fun activities increased; my mental energy for daily life returned. At some point in those early days, it seemed that a switch suddenly had been thrown in my brain, changing the channel of my thoughts.

In addition to the Focused Listening, over time I made two other changes, at Laurna’s recommendation:

• First, I went back to the audiologist to get refitted for hearing aids, after having given up on them several years before. The improvement in my hearing is noticeable but not dramatic.
• Second, I added occasional background music to my living space, increasing my exposure to sound energy in an otherwise quiet environment.

Over the course of a few months, my physical energy improved along with my outlook. I made plans for new creative projects: photography, writing, videos.

Then, an extended road trip interrupted my daily listening schedule and I let it slide even after I was settled again. For a while, things were fine. Then, even with daily use of the hearing aids, the old patterns of thought returned. I found myself putting off the activities and projects that should give me joy.

And so I returned to Focused Listening. Again, one session was enough to start me on the path to recovering my mental equilibrium, making it easier to maintain the discipline of daily listening: a virtuous circle.

Focused Listening lets me be more myself, and live in a brighter world.