It provides a swift, easy way for people to voice their inner responses to the situation. The structure of the exercise helps participants both to listen with total receptivity and to express feelings and thoughts that might usually be censored for fear of judgment or adverse reaction. The sequence of sentences moves from thoughts or viewpoints to feelings, then to possibilities that tap new energy and ideas. The exercise lasts approximately 15-20 minutes.
People sit in pairs, face to face and close enough to attend to each other fully.
One is Partner A, the other Partner B. They are asked to sit in silence until the exercise begins. The facilitator again speaks each sentence, with Partner B repeating the sentence and completing it. For the completion of each open sentence, the facilitator allows a few minutes - or longer if the momentum is strong. A clap or a small bell may be used to bring the group to silence, where they rest a few seconds before the next open sentence.