FOUR
WINDS DIALOGUE
When
we understand, we are at the center of the circle, and there
we sit while Yes and No chase each other around the circumference.
- Chang-Tzu |
New
Program being developed: STONE SOUP
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Transformative Conversations about What Matters
Dialogue is central to
what we do at Four Winds. We aspire to listen deeply and speak
authentically with each other, with the Natural world and with our
Self. The kind of conversation we are referring to is one
where we consciously use certain practices in order to develop and
access Wisdom. The basic practices are that we:
- Speak from the "I": that is, use
self-referential language that speaks from our own experience.
- Listen with Presence: that is with a quiet
mind and full attention on the speaker. Allow periods of silence
for reflection and integration.
- Suspend and Examine assumptions and judgments
that we hold, and seek understanding of our own thinking and others.
- Inquire from a place of genuine interest and
not knowing.
We think of Dialogue as
a different kind of conversation, one that seeks to encompass many
different points of view and ways of knowing. Its purpose
is not necessarily to find a solution, but rather to reveal what
wants to be known. It is a generative process that keeps leading
to deeper knowing. It is about Thinking and Learning together.
How many times have
we assumed that we knew what someone else needed, how they
felt, what they were going to say? Our world views color
everything we are involved in. They are opaque to us,
but in dialogue, we can learn to see with new eyes, hear with
new ears and think with new understanding. |
We believe that a good
dialogue is the foundation to learning, awareness, understanding
and change. We offer Dialogue groups to the community to give
people from all walks of life the chance to discover and experience
this remarkable way of being together. It is our hope that
by participating in The Dialogue process, we may all contribute
to the peaceful evolution of ourselves and of humankind.
Current
Offerings
Non
Violent Communication (NVC) - a language of compassion.
Practice/study
groups to learn more effective ways of expressing one's feelings
and thinking, and meeting your needs. Also serves to enable
deeper listening and contribute to the well being of others even
when you strongly disagree!
Stone
Soup is a project that is based on the old
story about community making. We will gather together to share
food and conversation about what matters to us.
Services
Mary Beth is available to provide professional
facilitation for your meetings, negotiations and other group process
work that could benefit from thinking and learning together and
an impartial and skilled facilitator. Please call for additional
information.
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