master of education program
What is dialogue?
The process of communication that balances inquiry and advocacy is called dialogue. At TIES, we focus on a particular form of dialogue that is described by physicist and philosopher and scientist, David Bohm. Bohm’s inspiration for the dialogue process was strongly influenced in his relationship with philosopher, J. Krishnamurti.
Listen.
Pause.
Clear away personal assumptions.
Respond without judgment while…
Sharing personal perspectives and experience.
THE NATURE OF DIALOGUE
Since 1987 the process medium driving all TIES events, both online and in person, is dialogue. Here is a brief overview of our perspective on dialogue as synthesized by TIES Founders Marsha Snow Morgan and Philip Snow Gang.
Dialogue is our container for…
- the emergence of shared meaning
- increasing awareness of our own and others assumptions
- increasing sensitivity and willingness to “listen
- the creation of space between our reaction and our response
Some suggestions on the nature of dialogue
- Dialogue starts from a willingness to be tentative about what you know.
- The focus of dialogue is on “what is” rather than on ideas and opinions.
- Dialogue is letting the issue unfold in affection and mutual respect
- When a reaction arises, neither suppress it nor defend it, but stay with it and let it unfold in the mind and in the group, keeping it constantly available for observation and questioning
- Dialogue is “being together” and “seeing together” in an unfolding relationship
- Dialogue is not “agreeing or disagreeing” nor is it convincing or arguing.
DIALOGUE PROCESS
Dialogue is a way to create a new culture of meaning.
It involves new habits of being with a group and of being with your self.
The purpose of dialogue is to pursue collective learning and shared meaning.
