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FREEDOM OF DIALOGUE
Have you ever had that unsettling feeling that
although you were speaking and others appeared to be listening
somehow you just weren’t being heard? Is it possible
that the other participants in the conversation felt exactly
the same way?!
You are certainly not alone… On Saturday
19th April Eddie O’Brien will be running a fascinating
seminar on Transformational Conversation, a revolutionary
approach to communication pioneered by, amonst others, the
late Professor David Bohm, the world-renowned physicist and
philosopher.
Essentially the Principles of what is sometimes called “Bohm
Dialogue” are:
1. The group agrees that no group-level decisions will be
made in the conversation. "...In the dialogue group we
are not going to decide what to do about anything. This is
crucial. Otherwise we are not free. We must have an empty
space where we are not obliged to anything, nor to come to
any conclusions, nor to say anything or not say anything.
It's open and free." *
2. Each individual agrees suspend judgement in the conversation.
(Specifically, if the individual hears an idea he doesn't
like, he does not attack that idea.) "...people in any
group will bring to it assumptions, and as the group continues
meeting, those assumptions will come up. What is called for
is to suspend those assumptions, so that you neither carry
them out nor suppress them. You don't believe them, nor do
you disbelieve them; you don't judge them as good or bad...”*
3. As these individuals "suspend judgement" they
also simultaneously are as honest and transparent as possible.
(Specifically, if the individual has a "good idea"
that he might otherwise hold back from the group because it
is too controversial, he will share that idea in this conversation.)
4. Individuals in the conversation try to build on other individuals'
ideas in the conversation. (The group often comes up with
ideas that are far beyond what any of the individuals thought
possible before the conversation began.)
(*Excerpts above taken from Bohm’s book “On Dialogue”)
These principles have been used to dramatic effect in some
of the most difficult environments imaginable. In 2006 a Prison
Govenor described the transformations that took place when
a charity called Prison Dialogue introduced these principles
to his prison, formerly described in 2000 by the chief Inspector
of Prisons as the worst he had ever come across:
“Many of the initiatives which will in time transform
HMP Dorchester from the
warehouse for offenders that it once was, to the vibrant community
prison it
aspires to become are being generated by the very staff who
were so
denigrated five years ago. Prison Dialogue has been hugely
influential in
shaping and supporting this cultural change…
Prisons are notoriously difficult places to work, The routines
which shape our daily lives are frustratingly inflexible and
can prevent creativity and innovation Prison Dialogue has
proved to be extremely pragmatic and resilient in working
in that environment. Their presence is fully accepted in the
prison …when we take time to review progress we realise
just how far we have come, I have enjoyed working with Prison
Dialogue over the past year and fervently hope that I will
be able to do so for some time to come.”
I caught up with Eddie, from Clonmel, to ask him who might
benefit from his seminar:
“Dialogue has helped to fundamentally change my way
of relating to life and to other people. Also, at a very pragmatic
level, it has been one of the principle reasons why our Company
has survived the many challenges that it has encountered over
the years. Anybody interested in improving the quality of
the communication between individuals and groups would benefit…
Participants will be introduced to this completely new form
of dialogue, a whole new angle to communication. The seminar
will also explore how certain hidden elements in the overall
thought process can limit and hinder our true potential.”
Eddie believes that the quality of our internal and external
communication may be the most singularly important element
influencing our overall health and well-being. He first encountered
Bohm at a seminar he was giving in the USA in 1989. Eddie
was just finishing his Master’s degee in Psychology
in San Francisco and was very excited to discover a completely
new form of Dialogue. Eddie was quick to realise that the
quality of human communication has such a crucial influence
on the quality of life of both individuals and groups. Shortly
after returning to Ireland he started a Dialogue group in
Waterford.
Over the past 15 years Eddie has given seminars on how this
approach can transform relationships, business and institutions.
We are delighted that he has agreed to make the journey to
Clonakilty, to share his wealth of experience with us. If
you would like to find out more about how the seminar may
benefit you, you can contact Eddie directly on 086 380 6999.
| Upcoming
courses and seminars |
| Transformational conversation
seminar with Eddie O’Brien
Where? The Natural Healing Rooms
When? Saturday 19th April 2pm – 6pm
How much? €50.
How to book? Call Liz or Allison on 023 34748
or book online
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Please feel free
contact us, our reception is staffed six days
a week.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
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