Audio Overview

Key Takeaways: The Anatomy of Communication

This post, featuring insights from Meristem’s Executive Director, explores the deep connection between our inner and outer worlds and how it shapes our communication. We introduce the concept of “inner movement” (our thoughts and feelings) and “outer movement” (how we interact with the world around us) and explore how our physical body acts as the bridge between the two.

The 3-Step Practice for This Week:

1. The Concept: Inner & Outer Movement. Expand your understanding of movement to include the world around you (outer) and the world within you (inner). The goal is to observe how these two worlds interact and influence your physical posture and presence.
2. The Practice: Communication. Pay attention to the results of your communication. When a message lands well, what was your inner and outer posture? When it doesn’t, what can you learn? This practice is about linking your communication outcomes to your state of being.
3. The Value: I Want to Learn (Curiosity). Ground your practice in a state of curiosity. Your potential for growth is directly linked to your capacity for wonder. Get curious about your patterns of inner and outer movement and what they can teach you about yourself.

Are You Really Listening? How Inner and Outer Movement Shapes Every Conversation

Have you ever said hello to someone and received a warm, enthusiastic response? And other times, said the exact same word and been met with silence or a confused look? The difference often has nothing to do with the words you used, but everything to do with the posture of your inner and outer worlds.

Communication is far more than the words we speak. It is a dance of inner and outer movement, a constant interplay between our internal state and the external world. At Meristem, we believe that understanding this dance is fundamental to personal growth and building meaningful connections. As our Executive Director explains in this week’s video, our body is the bridge between these two worlds, and it is constantly sending messages.

Expanding the World of Movement

Last week, we introduced the concept of movement as any shift in our physical, emotional, or mental state. This week, we expand that idea to explore where that movement comes from. Is it a response to an internal stimulus or an external one? We can think of this as two distinct but interconnected worlds:

• Inner Movement: Everything that happens inside your skin. Your thoughts, your feelings, your internal sensations. It’s the constant stream of your inner life.
• Outer Movement: Everything that happens outside of you. A person walking towards you, a sound in the next room, a shift in the temperature. It’s the world coming at you and moving away from you.

Your physical body—your posture, your gestures, your tone of voice—is the physical manifestation of the conversation between these two worlds. For example, have you ever felt someone enter your home, even when you were in another room? That’s your awareness of an outer movement creating an inner shift.

The Six Directions of Movement

To become more aware of this interplay, we can think in terms of six primary directions of movement. These can apply to your physical body, your attention, or your emotional energy.

By noticing these subtle shifts, you can begin to understand how your inner and outer worlds are interacting.

This Week’s Practice: Linking Communication to Your State

This week, we use this expanded understanding of movement to explore our communication.

Step 1: The Concept – Inner & Outer Movement

Your task is to observe the interplay between your inner world and the outer world. Notice how external events trigger internal responses, and how your internal state influences how you perceive and interact with the world around you. How does your body respond when you feel uncomfortable versus when you feel energized and engaged?

Step 2: The Practice – Communication

This week’s practice is to become a detective of your own communication. Pay close attention to the results of your interactions. The goal is not to judge the outcome, but to gather data.

• When a connection is made: You say hello and get a warm smile back. You share an idea and the other person nods enthusiastically. Ask yourself: What was my inner and outer posture in that moment? Was I leaning in (outward)? Was I feeling open and calm (inner)? Was my body relaxed?
• When a connection is missed: You ask a question and get a blank stare. You try to give a compliment and it lands awkwardly. Ask yourself: What was my posture? Was I hunched over and looking at the ground (inward)? Was I distracted by my own thoughts (inner)? Did my body language match my words?

This practice, as explained by experts in nonverbal communication from sources like Psychology Today, is about recognizing that your body is always communicating. Your inner and outer movements are sending a message, whether you intend them to or not. By observing the results, you can start to make that communication more conscious and intentional.

Step 3: The Value – I Want to Learn (Curiosity)

We ground this practice in the value of Curiosity. At Meristem, we believe that your potential for growth is directly proportional to the amount of curiosity and wonder you can bring into the world. The moment you think you know everything about a subject—or yourself—is the moment you limit your potential.

• Get curious about your patterns: Instead of judging yourself (“I’m so awkward”), get curious (“I notice that in uncomfortable situations, I tend to look down and speak quietly. That’s interesting.”).
• Explore the directions of movement: How does it feel to live in your body when you are focused “up” in your head versus “down” in your feet? When you are focused “inward” versus “outward”?
• Ask questions: When you go for a walk in nature, do you find yourself still in your head, or more in your body? When you are in an uncomfortable conversation, do you feel yourself pulling inward?

Curiosity is the engine of learning. By bringing a curious mindset to your own patterns of movement and communication, you open the door to profound self-discovery.

Conclusion: The Path to Conscious Communication

This week’s practice is about moving from an unconscious participant in your life to a conscious observer. By exploring the relationship between your inner and outer worlds, paying attention to the results of your communication, and staying curious about your own patterns, you are building the foundation for more authentic and effective connection with others.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being aware. It’s about learning. And as always, it starts with you.