What's our dialogue practice group good for? Some reminders follow. Some reminders about how the practice is done are also included.
Well, they can be good for the energizing productive participatory democracy,for getting a step beyond getting on the same page together, for being an interesting parlor game, for practice in the use of a foreign language, and for a way of getting to know one another more deeply! It has been said that an important good of this dialogue practice is coming to better understand the words spoken by another in a democratic ambience can a central purpose of a dialogue practice group.
I often consider that a central good of the groups is the development of listening skills and a more profound understanding of that which is being said. It is also pretty good as an opportunity to be listened to, heard, understood, and appreciated.
I have yet to see these groups worked well on line. Their activity seems best when carried on in face to face groups of less than forty. Live contact seems to be much more productively satisfying than does a virtual group. Productive groups are done seated in a circle of chairs. one person speaks briefly and listened to carefully. This process is dealt with more completely in other essays on this site.
As usual come to practice with a variety of expectations which often undergo some change with practice. Most participants begin to know their practice companions and to feel comfortable in short order. Most also come to enjoy being well listened to. Others soon begin to feel some real pleasure in coming to better understand others. Some are surprised and the strength of the satisfaction they feel upon noting that they are listening better. Others find satisfaction in finding that they are better modulating and projecting their voices in this atmosphere.
Later many practicants begin to discover how valuable the rules and practices they are integrating are. They begin to understand the nature of their values and to value them more deeply.
Mostly the practice is simple and enjoyable.The practice is not complicated, but it does need to be practiced in order to enjoy its benefits. There are skills to be practiced and, probably, some attitudes to develop.
The dialogue differs greatly from a gathering of 20 or so wherein ten may be speaking at once, little is heard, listening to much is impossible, and even the thread of a topic may not be maintained. That which is said is little understood or even heard. Participants may find little joy or value in the process.
In the dialogue most of the process is listening and hearing with and active interest in understanding. Also the intention is that each and every participant gets and opportunity to speak and to be heard. This is not a time to "make a speech." But, most often there is a topic and each has a minute or two of quite attentive listeners. Most of our practice will be listening for understanding practice and certainly not a time for planning your response. The practice is mostly listening for greater understanding then is often usual. Understanding may be your reward and you will also have the pleasure of having your words listen to and come to be understood.
I intend to respond to your questions and to your requests for explanations in future posts here.
Thank you for reading.
Richard Sheehan
