Our Dialogue Principles







We aim to interact safely

with commitment to empathic ground rules.

EMPATHIC DIALOGUE

We aim to connect constructively

with respect for each other despite conflicting worldviews.

We aim to dialogue consciously 

through growing awareness of both: potentials and dangers.

 

 

We envision a rich process of personal growth through:

 

 

ABC STEPS

 

 

C.CHALLENGING OURSELVES: we own the fact that we have the capacity to expand our skills, knowledge and perspectives (if we truly put our minds to it).

A.ACCEPTING REALITIES: we allow the realization that everyone (including us) has blind spots and that our actions can be deeply hurtful to others (even if well-intended).

B.BECOMING AWARE: we review our 'reality' considering that us humans mostly perceive our experiences and viewpoints as ‘truth' (even when we neglect multiple angles).

 

DIALOGUE STAGES

 

3.EXPANSION: actively supporting each other to move beyond our comfort zones & challenging each other with care to see more.

1.CONNECTION: active listening & sharing from the heart.

2.EXPLORATION: active learning about each other’s background, by practicing the art of asking questions & switching sides.

We dialogue and engage with each other in following three stages:

 

1.We indicate that we are hurt and take a Five Second Breather

 

 

HOTSPOT RESPONSES

 

 

3.We speak our truth with awareness and compassion.

2.Before responding, we allow space for another person to intervene.

We respond with care when someone pushes our hot buttons:

 

DIALOGUE SKILL LEVELS

 

3.PRACTIONER: developing conflict transformation skills to collectively process hot social issues in caring and healing ways

1.PARTICIPANT: practicing active listening & intentional sharing to support trust building and deep connections

2.PATHFINDER: strengthening skills to dialogue effectively across differences & growing capacities to move beyond comfort zones

In dialogue we can grow awareness of our human limitations (e.g. blind spots).

The CB community values each person equally

while enhancing dialogue skills on following three levels:

DIALOGUE INVITATION

We invite participants to actively shape our dialogue spaces with us:

 

 

AFFIRMATION: Our dialogues are alive 'Works in Progress'.

 

 

 

ACTION: Please share your thoughts, ideas, and insights with us.

OPENNESS: We are interested to learn from your experiences.

"Our own lives are empowered

by welcoming differences as teachers."

Xoán