Vuslat Foundation

🌍 Becoming a Better Ancestor: The Generous Listening Newsletter, Volume 8, Part II 🌱 How do we ensure the choices we make today create a legacy of equity, sustainability, and justice for generations to come? In the second part of our latest newsletter, we delve deeper into this question through stories, reflections, and voices that challenge us to expand our perspectives. 💡 This edition explores: • Indigenous wisdom like the Haudenosaunee principle of seventh-generation decision-making, teaching us to consider how today's decisions impact future generations. • Intergenerational justice championed by youth advocates shaping climate policy and holding institutions accountable. • The power of Generous Listening—to hear not only the voices of today but those of history and the future. We also share an excerpt from Vuslat Foundation Director Merve Çağlar’s speech at the Synergos GPC Retreat, reflecting on The Silence of Ani by Francis Alÿs—a poignant reminder of how past and future are interconnected through acts of empathy and connection. 📬 Dive into the full newsletter for inspiration and thoughtful perspectives on how to become a better ancestor. Subscribe now to read here on LinkedIn. 🔗 Or head to our website now to subscribe and receive the Generous Listening Newsletter directly in your inbox: www.generouslistening.org #GenerousListening #BeAGoodAncestor #Sustainability #IntergenerationalJustice #IndigenousWisdom #ListeningToTheFuture #VuslatFoundation

How can we be good ancestors to those who come after us? In this illuminating TED Talk, cultural thinker and author Roman Krznaric challenges us to step beyond the immediate demands of the present and consider how our choices will shape the lives of future generations. A leading voice on empathy and long-term thinking, Krznaric shares transformative ideas on how we can build a more thoughtful, compassionate relationship with the future. Through storytelling and practical exercises, he introduces the concept of being a “good ancestor” and reminds us that our everyday decisions have ripple effects across generations. His insights encourage us to imagine the needs of those yet to come, and to reflect on the legacy we’ll leave behind. This conversation is deeply tied to the art of generous listening—the ability to tune into the world with empathy, curiosity, and open-mindedness. By listening not only to the voices of others but also to the wisdom of our bodies, our communities, and even the silence of the future, we can align our actions with a vision of sustainability and care. Watch the full video here to explore how rethinking time, legacy, and connection can guide us toward becoming better stewards of the future. #GoodAncestor #GenerousListening #RomanKrznaric #LongTermThinking #EmpathyInAction

What does it mean to be a good ancestor? In a world often consumed by the urgency of short-term challenges, it’s easy to lose sight of the legacy we’re creating for future generations. But what if we could step beyond our immediate concerns and imagine the impact of our choices on those who come after us? In Part I of this month’s newsletter, we reflect on this profound question, guided by philosopher and author Roman Krznaric’s thought-provoking ideas. Through imagination and intentional action, we explore how shifting our perspective can help us build a more thoughtful relationship with the future and better understand the voices of those yet to come. This is just the beginning of the conversation. Stay tuned for Part II, where we’ll dive deeper into the different kinds of listening needed to shape a future guided by empathy, foresight, and connection.

Part II of Volume 7 (our November Edition) of the Generous Listening Newsletter has arrived! In this continuation of our deep dive into Listening to Your Body, we explore the Gut-Brain Connection, uncover the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, and reflect on how the body stores trauma and communicates its needs. If you enjoyed Part I, which featured somatic listening through movement and insights from contemporary dance and athletes, you’ll find even more inspiration in this latest release. The #GenerousListeningBookClub this month also highlights transformative reads on food as medicine, self-healing, and the body’s innate wisdom. Dive into Part II now on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter at generouslistening.org. #GenerousListening #ListeningToYourBody #GutBrainConnection #Ayurveda #Healing #TraumaInformed #Wellness #Newsletter #VuslatFoundation

A few weeks back, Vuslat Foundation attended the ‘Becoming Better Ancestors’ GPC Retreat run by Synergos in Portugal. We were honored to have the opportunity to set our generous listening framework at the very heart of the retreat, inviting attendees to pause and consider their legacy and to ask how they, as changemakers, can ensure that the world they pass on is more just, equitable, and sustainable. "In a world that prioritises speed, instant gratification, and measurable return on investment, thinking long-term is increasingly more challenging. However, never in history have our actions had such potentially damaging consequences for future generations, from the threats of climate change to the risks of artificial intelligence. For philanthropists, the urgency and the actions we take is crucial." The aim of the retreat was to delve into this question together—exploring how to develop positive narratives of what’s possible and embracing the inner work and courageous thinking required to chart a bold course for the future. We opened the retreat by defining the practice of generous listening, asking attendees to reflect on a few key questions: What does it mean to be a good ancestor? How can generous listening shape the legacy we leave? How can we transform our lives and the world through this practice? During a three day program opportunities were provided to connect with nature, body and mind through reflective walks, meditation and somatic practices. New perspectives and new possibilities in philanthropic work were discussed through a curated mosaic of facilitated conversations and interactive workshops, and meaningful connections within the GPC community were fostered through an ongoing weave of inner work, trustful dialogue and deep listening. Below find a short excerpt of Vuslat Foundation Merve Çağlar's opening speech: "I invite you to pause and reflect: Where in our lives are we not listening generously? Whom do we lack the patience or courage to truly listen to? Generous Listening asks us to go beyond hearing. It asks us to listen for what is not said, to listen with empathy, to listen with the intent to understand rather than to respond. If we are to become good ancestors—not just for our grandchildren, but for the planet and all its species—then we must learn to listen generously. What’s remarkable about Generous Listening is that it doesn’t just benefit the speaker—it transforms the listener as well. When we listen to others, we also discover more about ourselves. Generous Listening fosters authentic connections, builds a sense of community, and reduces the isolation so many of us feel. It creates a space where we can belong, and where we can be genuinely heard and understood. But it doesn’t stop with each other. We must extend Generous Listening to the land beneath our feet, to the trees, and to the animals we share this planet with. The future depends on how well we hear their needs today."

Thank you for tuning in to the Generous Listening Newsletter, our monthly bulletin where we aim to share our research, insights and recent reflections on the transformative power of listening in so many aspects of our lives. Previous editions of the newsletter have touched on achieving a sense of inner silence and connecting with our intuition; on listening to our gut, following our true curiosities and finding the confidence to make change even late in life; and on complex family dynamics and using generous listening to navigate difficult conversations with courage. As we enter the month of November, we find our selves thinking of a new mode of listening: that of tuning into the subtle signals and sensations of the body. Our physical bodies hold immense wisdom, and yet somehow, in the course of modern life, we have become disconnected from their powerful messages. This newsletter is all about cultivating a sense of physical awareness, of listening to and better understanding what our bodies have to tell us.

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Part 2 of Volume 6 of the Generous Listening Newsletter has arrived in your inbox, continuing our exploration of late bloomers, career transitions, and the power of curiosity. Dive deeper into stories of those who found their calling later in life, expanded their passions, and thrived through embracing diversity of experience. With recommended readings and reflections, this edition offers plenty of thought-provoking content to inspire your own journey. Be sure to explore the extra resources on pursuing curiosity and range in your professional life.

In your inbox now! 📥📨 The Generous Listening Newsletter: Volume 6 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜 As September brought us back into the rhythm of work and school, we reflected on listening in leadership and at the workplace. As we continued to ponder vocation, this train of thought led us to consider listening to yourself and finding your true calling. Many of us derive our identity from our careers. But what happens when it no longer feels right? When is it too late to change course? In Part I of this month’s bulletin, we explore the value of following our inner whisper and embracing curiosity over mastery. Sign up at 🔗www.generouslistening.org #ThanksForListening #GenerousListening #VuslatFoundation

Volume 5 of the Generous Listening Newsletter launched in September as we wrapped up our summer holidays and returned to the office.This edition explored how listening can transform workplaces into spaces where every voice is heard and where both leaders and employees can thrive.