Contemplative DIALOGUE
|
The Farmington Valley League of Light Offers Contemplative Dialogue Training and Support to help address the polarity and divisiveness of our times.
Have you recently walked away from a discussion with a colleague, family member or community leader feeling frustrated or angry? Perhaps you realized that the other person and you were talking past each other. Consider learning about contemplative dialogue because it offers a skill set that you will be able to start implementing after one training session. |
Contemplative Dialogue is a practice that enhances our ability to engage wholeheartedly with others even in the midst of conflicting opinions and many challenges. This practice provides us with the opportunity to see what is real behind the various ideologies, beliefs and assumptions that we all carry. It is important to note that the method can be successfully practiced in individual encounters or group/organizational settings.
As participants in dialogue, we express ourselves openly and honestly but seek connection by getting to the common ground between us. The method of dialogue teaches us to be more mindful of our own biases and frees us to recognize the validity of the other person’s perspective. The result is not necessarily agreement on all positions but rather mutual respect and deeper connections. This process helps us build mutual understandings that were not possible before we engaged in contemplative dialogue. Particularly in these polarized times, contemplative dialogue is relevant. It offers us many opportunities to improve our understanding of those who think completely differently than we do.
There are four basic components in Contemplative Dialogue:
We will soon publish information on the Contemplative Dialogue offerings we will be providing.
As participants in dialogue, we express ourselves openly and honestly but seek connection by getting to the common ground between us. The method of dialogue teaches us to be more mindful of our own biases and frees us to recognize the validity of the other person’s perspective. The result is not necessarily agreement on all positions but rather mutual respect and deeper connections. This process helps us build mutual understandings that were not possible before we engaged in contemplative dialogue. Particularly in these polarized times, contemplative dialogue is relevant. It offers us many opportunities to improve our understanding of those who think completely differently than we do.
There are four basic components in Contemplative Dialogue:
- Becoming self-aware of how you make meaning and form opinions.
- Engaging with the intent to understand and connect instead of winning them over to your point or simply avoiding conflict.
- Being open and non-judgmental when you express and explore points of view, seeking clarity and a deeper understanding.
- Being mindful of your own emotional reactions, the reactions of the other person and the dynamics of the conversation.
We will soon publish information on the Contemplative Dialogue offerings we will be providing.
|
Our Dialogue Trainers:
Mike Smoolca, a founding member and Chairperson of the League of Light, and Paul Uccello, a League of Light member, have received intensive training and personal mentoring on Dialogue through the Center for Contemplative Dialogue. They have applied their training in various ways in their lives and careers. Both Paul and Mike are continuing their formal Contemplative Dialogue Training and Mentoring by participating together with other experienced CD practitioners in a 9-month Practicum offered by the Center for Contemplative Dialogue starting in September 2019. |
