Not A Public Forum

 More about what our dialogue practice groups are and what they are not. Our practice groups are social, but not usually public.

            A public forum is an important place, doing, and happening. A public forum is of great value to a people. It is a place for news and information to be exchanged, and may be a place to convince others of the value of one's positions. It may even be a place for economic or religious contention. Such forums are important tools of democracy, nation, and community.

            Members of dialogue practice groups often support public forums, but cannot be one. The public forum is a place for the practice of free speech wherein the limits are so broad so that it seems that anything goes.

            In our dialogue groups we aim for higher levels of meaning, understanding, and ability to think together. We aim for greater respect and valuing for the assumptions and opinions of others. With appropriate modesty, we aim to better understand the meaning what others are saying for us.

            We like our group to be inclusive. We are interested in sharing peace, meaning, and understanding. In our groups we practice talking among ourselves using rules for, and ways of,  carrying on our talk effectively.

            To beginners our talk sometimes seems purposeless. We seem to have no agenda, to have little authority or hierarchy. However, with our rules, ways, and skills, we limit fear, anger, and contention as we enhance understanding, meaning, and peace. At times we are pleasantly surprised by evidence of a new power of thinking together.

Here on Mago Bill,  you can find more posts about dialogue. But if you are really interested by this post you can click on:

 Dialogue With RCS.  Then click on the blue URL just below.

for Mago Bill
by Richard Sheehan 

 

Our Dialogue

Participate in a dialogue group

                Our dialogue talk is designed to create areas of coherence in the vastness of misunderstanding. Often a major benefit of our dialogue practice is our experiencing the power of collectively shared meaning. Most ordinary talk in our society may be called incoherent. To learn our dialogue talk takes ongoing practice. This practice we have named The Dialogue, Dialogue for Peace, Magic Table Dialogue. The dialogue has which call for practice to develop proficiency. The rules need not be rigid, but hey do point the importance of correct practice.

Aim:

                The dialogue is aimed at learning to think together coherently. Thinking together coherently calls for sustained dialogue. The earliest dialogue may be called a listening practice, but also calls for use of your voice and mind as well as your ears. Thinking together is both satisfying and a great power. We believe that it is worth the effort to practice. 

                This thinking together is a growth and learning process. It occurs consciously and also on a preconscious level. It may occur within us as in our talk to ourselves, or even on an unspoken level. Such talk and thinking may be expected to take on renewed honesty.

                There were times and places when and where this kind of talk was common, but in these days it is uncommon At this time the dialogue of which we speak is rare. It seems to me that it is urgent that more of us practice this sort of dialogue. It is urgent that more of us practice a more effectively honest and coherent communication. By 'we' I mean humanity in general as well as well as those willing to practice the dialogue now.      

Group benefits:                    

                A dialogue practice group benefits when its members strive for diversity and inclusiveness.

                For our own well-being  and perhaps our survival we need to better share our consciousness and become better able to think together. Being able to think together enables us to do intelligently and effectively that which we deem necessary.

            Seems time to close for now. Later we might consider how dialogue supports and strengthens our culture. Another topic might be the set of a dialogue group.

                                                                                    by Richard Sheehan

The Dialogue Game

It's a Practice which Increases your Skill and Understanding:           

 

                Our dialogue talk is designed to create areas of coherence in the vastness of misunderstanding. Often a major benefit of our dialogue is to give us a better chance to experience the power of collectively shared meaning which we have created. Most ordinary talk in our society may be called incoherent. To learn to do our dialogue talk, takes ongoing practice. This practice we have called Dialogue for Peace, Magic Table Dialogue, and just The Dialogue. The Dialogue has rules which call for practice. The rules need not be rigid, but they do call for practice which is important. 

                The Dialogue is aimed at learning to think together coherently. Thinking together coherently calls for sustained practice. An early practice may be called a listening practice, but calls for some use of your voice as well as of your ears and mind. Thinking together is both satisfying and a great power.  We believe that it is well worth the effort.

                This thinking together is a learning and growth process. It occurs on various levels of consciousness. It occurs in one, in mental talk to one's self, or even on unspoken levels. We could just say that a lot of learning goes on in dialogue practice.

                Make comments below. I respect suggestions and am grateful for them.
Your suggestions about how the dialogue might be done online can benefit us.You may place whatever you have to say in the "Comment" area below anonymously, with a pen name, ot just your regular name.

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                Dialogue practice is much like a parlor game. When you hold the talking stick, everyone listens. Your talking time is limited and if you wish you make it very short. You can say, "The word is ______." and "I pass." 

                Thank you for reading.

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                            RCS