Guidelines for group dialogue · A group of nine is optimal for dialogue; however, I have also had good experience with a few more and a few less. · Omit a hierarchy of roles and references to external authorities. · Discipline is needed to assure opportunity for all members to…

What are some of the forces that restrain the practice of transformational dialogue? Here are some of them. · The meaning and benefits of dialogue are not clearly understood. · Participants lack empathy with and respect for others. · People avoid engaging in dialogue based on feelings of weakness. ·…

What drives the practice of transformational dialogue? From multiple sources here are some of the driving forces. For the next post, we will list restraining forces and what might reduce them to let the driving forces move forward. “In dialogue, we penetrate behind the polite superficialities and defenses in which…

Go, go, go, said the bird: human kind Cannot bear very much reality. T. S. Eliot — Burnt Norton There are indications that Eliot was right. However, I believe that seeking and dealing with reality is needed to live up to the potential for which we are ordained. With higher…

What we watch, listen to, think, and remember bind together to create consciousness. Our consciousness is like a symphony orchestra with multiple players combining their talents to create a performance. Our consciousness plays a big role in our capacity for and practice of dialogue. These three-pound brains in our heads…

When engaged in serious dialogue, I become more alert, mentally challenged, and more stimulated by the experience of exploration and discovery. Simply not knowing what the outcome of dialogue might be, but wondering what it could be is in itself stimulating. …

In order to open ourselves to engage in transformational dialogue, we must first overcome an us versus them mentality. …

When emotions are associated with an experience or relationship, a value is added. The brain highlights the experience or relationship, and the memory of it is not only enhanced, but also sustained longer and with more impact. When we practice transformational dialogue and experience positive feelings in that practice, we…

The famous marshmallow test conducted by Walter Mischel surfaced the importance of delayed gratification. Follow-up research indicated that those who could handle delayed gratification were likely to do well in their education in addition to their life pursuits and relationships. Based on hundreds of hours of observation, Mischel concluded that…