Better Communication through Mien Shiang
One of the original purposes for a Mien Shiang Institute eNewsletter was to answer questions that come up with regularity from a wide spectrum of students, clients and friends. A familiar question popped up last week while I was in Belize with my beautiful new ‘sisters’ of the Belizean Grove.
Could Mien Shiang be ‘manipulative’?
Earlier in the day I had given a quick lesson on the Three Zones of the Face. This is a great way to determine at first glance whether someone makes decisions based on thoughtful analyses, or based on what makes sense to them especially in terms of saving either time or money, or based on their emotions and instincts. (click here to learn more about the Three Zones of the Face in the Articles section of our website) “Are you ever concerned that by teaching face reading, you are teaching people to be manipulative?” asked one of the women who had been especially interested in face reading.
That’s an excellent question and concern and I always appreciate the opportunity to have this discussion. One reason I teach Mien Shiang is to give people a better understanding of themselves and of others. From there we can achieve clearer and deeper communication in all of our relationships.
Understand what people feel and think
If you can look at a person and know right away whether his or her decisions are led primarily by feelings or by thoughts, you can consider that person’s needs more completely. People will hear your point of view more fully if you appeal to their natural instincts. When talking with a ‘feeling’ person, it would be unproductive and frustrating (for both of you) to make your point with analytical approaches. Conversely, if you can determine at first glance that someone is ‘in their head’ most of the time and needs facts and figures, you will understand that they will not appreciate nor even comprehend your emphases on emotions and instincts.
If you are a ‘thinking’ person it is tempting to communicate with everyone else in the same way. But you will have deeper, richer, truer relationships if you can tailor your communications to suit each and every person so that they grasp your exact meaning and objective.
Good intentions create better communication
When your intention is to foster better communication and relationships, you are not manipulative. Of course there are always a few who will use a great tool such as Mien Shiang to be just that. But we cannot let that stop us from sharing such a valuable resource. And remember, the better you get at face reading, the quicker you can spot those people!