Dialog: The key to creating cohesiveness among groups

Daniel Yankelovich describes an increasing depersonalization in our culture in which we relate more often as objects than as persons. “I believe that a certain kind of dialogue holds the key to creating greater cohesiveness among groups of Americans increasingly separated by differences in values, interests, status, politics, professional backgrounds, ethnicity, language, and convictions.”*

Greek philosopher Plato’s friend Socrates used dialog to challenge people to think. Socrates believed dialog would make people morally better. He found that admonition, persuasion, and mere advice failed to achieve this. Learning occurs when we develop our thoughts into “fertile truth,” according to Socrates. Although he relied heavily on reason to drive transformative dialog, he also acknowledged reliance on a divine inspiration that repeatedly directed him towards the right course of action.

When have you felt you were in dialog? How did that feel? “Dialog often begins with questions. When our questions seek information, we can expect information.

When we seek understanding, the mind must come up with responses not likely found in the storage bins of the brain. As the brain’s neurons move to make connection with understanding kinds of questions, new synapses are activated, and something new emerges. The mind loves to discover. The more it is challenged to do that, the more it seeks to continue that energizing process.” *

I invite you to visit the website alignmentnetwork.org where dialog is at the heart of a new and engaging pathway for spiritual discovery.

· Footnotes: Daniel Yankelovich, The Magic of Dialogue: Transforming Conflict Into Cooperation (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999)

· Irving R. Stubbs, What’s With You and God? Discover How Well You Know God, Amazon.com.