Listen to the Universe is a fun group exercise to explore how we focus our attention and interpret what we experience. Listen to the Universe is a fun group exercise to explore how we focus our attention and interpret what we experience. How it is played: Ask for a volunteer and ask them to leave the room. Brainstorm possible tasks for the volunteer while the volunteer is out of hearing distance. Start with a fairly easy task the first time. Ideas for easy tasks might include: taking someone's shoe off, picking up a pencil, or opening a window. Bring volunteer back into the room and let the fun begin! The group claps when the volunteer comes closer to performing the task, and stops clapping as the volunteer gets further away from the task. Each move the volunteer makes that approximates the task will have "clapping feedback" from the group, until the volunteer finally does the task. Do it again as many times as you enjoy and while energy is still 'up.' Before you begin: Prior to starting the game, demonstrate how it works: pretend you are volunteer 'X' who went out of the room (where you couldn't hear) while the group decided that your simple task is 'Y' when you returned to the room. Start walking into the room and have the group clap louder as you get closer to the task, then stop clapping as you get farther away. This will help the group get a 'feel' for the game. This game originated from the Alternatives to Violence Project. This game and 149 other fun NVC related exercises are avaialble in the GROK Facilitation Manual along with other fun learning tools from GROK, Inc.
