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How to create a welcoming and free space for dialogue?
David Bohm, J. Krishnamurti, and several other pioneers on creating forums for dialogue and exploring dialogue as an attitude and process, did not do it easily. Dialogue, is in fact, one of the hardest things for human beings of the 21st century to be a part of, because we are already the sons and daughters of cults, opinions, political parties, ideologies and so on. We are mostly 'dollys' (clones) walking around propagating the same old wine without an internal process of dialogue and without a willingness to be part of a larger dialogue.
Since, dialogue expects the participants to leave all their wants for a specific goal it doesn't seem so inviting or glamorous. When I started this small collective in South India called 'Chai Kadai' (which literally means tea shop) my idea was to develop a space where people can explore and experiment with creating these spaces through art, design, literature, etc.
As any questioning journey, the depressing days are uncountable. But, the wonderful days when we watch something get created stands apart in memory. TED for me is such a space. Where ideas flow freely, get picked up on their way and flow freely again. However, TED being primarily in English, makes it extremely difficult for me to take it to many in my city.
Having thought about creating a TED event, there is a certain intimidation of class that sets in when we gather ten people in front of a mike and thousands to listen. It is a good sharing platform, but where is the space for dialogue, for all those "not-so enterprising ideas".
Anyway, I have personally been exploring how to create a physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally free and safe space for dialogue. I would like to speak to architects, designers, academicians, artists, or just anyone to understand the process of dialogue better for myself and our collective. I hope creating such a space is not merely a utopian dream, but a possibility in small scale in many numbers. This is our dream.
Benny boy
sometimes silence is taken for consent.
keep speaking til they hear you; you go girl.
also if your willing to assert exactly how you feel about a thing, thats what will get you there the fastest in my opinion. emotional honesty
Samyuktha PC
Benny boy
Nicholas Lukowiak 50+
I would like to say most people want to be socially literate, they want to fit in easily with anyone. What stops this are subcultures and sub-subcultures involving fashions, musics, ideas, and/or overall degree of "band wagon" personality, in my opinion.
If you want to get along with people, look around first, be quiet. See how the people who are being looked at the most are behaving, and prepare to act! "Fake it til you make it" Is my favorite quote. It can mean two things.. One, you fake it and pretend to be it, until you are caught or stop faking... or two, you fake it, until you are it!
Universal rule of thumb, talk as much as they are talking unless they welcome it.
Samyuktha PC
Nicholas Lukowiak 50+
Thank you.
Samyuktha PC
Nicholas Lukowiak 50+
What is the pop-culture of the group or person in which you want to associate with? What are the trends? The styles? Etc.
Usually people have friends that are in the same interest areas as they are, this tends to be tainted by those whom wish to use others for benefits.
Simply, if you do not know anything about the other group or person from signals or information. You are just going have to ask a lot of questions. If you want you can demonstrate sincere intention/interest and that would more than likely make them accept you as you are bringing positive emotions. .
Samyuktha PC
Ed Schulte 50+
way for HUmans. And has been well acknowledged . It is called "Heart" (and it is NOT and anatomical / physical heart) or more complete...the "Psychic-Noetic Heart."
Rumi
There is a way
between voice and presence
where information flows.
With disciplined silence it opens
with wandering talk
it closes.
Thomas Jones 100+
If you like Rumi, I think you'll also like Hafiz (Khwāja Šamsu d-Dīn Muḥammad Hāfez-e Šhīrāzī)
The Truth has shared so much of Itself
With me
That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel,
Or even a pure
Soul.
Love has
Befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And freed
Me
Of every concept and image
my mind has ever known.
Ed Schulte 50+
yes and Yunus, Ibn Arabi, Rabia, Attar ....and onwards..... as the depth of these poets are opened to so to will their other brothers and sisters
wrt your choice of poem ,
yes, this points out the common connection between sufi and early Christian esthetics. Thank You.
It was that connection which prompted me to question Dr Waikowicz at her TED talk
http://www.ted.com/talks/lucianne_walkowicz_finding_planets_around_other_stars.html
does hold this research as a concept of “Parallel” or “Multiple” Universe,? ( linking it with the friendly debate in last months SciAm.)
If Ibn Arabi or Yunus Emire where to be in the conversation they would reply, "both and neither" for the very same Hafiz as said his "thruth has shared so much of itself......I am freed ...of every concept"
I will close off with this Rabi’a
In love, nothing exists between heart and heart.
Speech is born out of longing,
True description from the real taste.
The one who tastes, knows;
the one who explains, lies.
How can you describe the true form of Something
In whose presence you are blotted out?
And in whose being you still exist?
And who lives as a sign for your journey?
- Rabi’a al Basri [1]
Samyuktha PC
Thomas Jones 100+
Good question. I only have a moment so this will be brief.
Effective dialogue, like many things, requires skills. Skills can be learned and taught.
One excellent source of a particular set of skills is the book: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg.
Another skill, as you mention, is creating the right kind of environment. In our company, we literally celebrate mistakes. When one of us makes an honest mistake, everyone else applauds.
Focussing on "creating" also helps.
Samyuktha PC
I will definitely check Rosenberg's book. What we try do with Chai Kadai is to create a space for dialogue for contemporaries from various backgrounds, class and political differences. As far as working in a organisation or office, what you suggest should definitely be there. I don't see it anywhere.
Focusing on creating like you say, I agree a lot. Probably, that is why I trust theatre a lot as a process, something that creates, and something that offers that space.
Thank you
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Samyuktha PC
Are you talking about translation and subtitles? If that is so it is still hard for me to take it to many schools and colleges. They'll find it very hard to follow. Anyway, if you are supporting other languages I am extremely happy.
Regards,
Sam
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Samyuktha PC