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What is Dialogue?

Bohm Dialogue is collective attention to thought. Participants sit in a circle, without facilitation, leader, or agenda. Without purpose other than to give attention to what arises, the group seeks a flow of meaning or coherence which may—or may not—emerge. There is no obligation to do anything, to come to conclusions, or speak; one may participate verbally or silently. David Bohm suggested that dialogue “is an empty space, where anything may come in—and after we finish, we just empty it. We are not trying to accumulate anything.” (See On Dialogue, by David Bohm, edited by Lee Nichol, 1996.) The Process Because the topics or nature of ideas shared are spontaneous and the talk seemingly aimless, the process is always exploratory. Some dialogues reveal a coherent flow of thought which yields a sense of the ineffable dynamic of human connection in communication. Other dialogue meetings may highlight a less satisfying awareness of disparate and non-negotiable assumptions in participants. In Theory David Bohm (1917-1992) and colleagues Donald Factor and Peter Garrett developed dialogue as a leaderless, agenda-less large group inquiry into the motivations, assumptions, and beliefs underlying our thought and communication. Bohm observed that the attempt to explore the limits of thought exposes a coalescing of understanding, through the words, play, frustration, and periods of silence in the dialogue. Bohm intended that dialogue groups in the microcosm could develop a subtle ability to unfold collective insight—and could thereby contribute to social, cultural, and global understanding of divergent views in the macrocosm. (On Dialogue, 1996.) What Dialogue is Not Bohm defined dialogue (pointing to the Greek roots of dia: through, and logos: word or meaning) as the flow of meaning between us rather than an exchange of viewpoints back and forth. As such, dialogue is distinct from discussion group, rhetorical or persuasive exercise, or the intellectual or academic seminar. Bohm Dialogue is also distinct from other groups such as Quaker meeting, T-group training, deconstruction, Rodgerian encounter, or therapy work—although aspects of spirituality, therapy, or sensitivity may emerge during the process. While participation is helped by being informed about Bohm’s ideas regarding dialogue and other theory, it is also possible to closely observe and understand dialogue through experience.

• DIALOGUE: A Proposal by David Bohm, D. Factor, P. Garrett
  
  
• Members Write About Dialogue

How to participate in Dialogue

1. The required communication skills in dialogue are:
   • active, engaged listening
     
   • quality, open questioning technique
     
   • disclosure of feelings, biases, and assumptions relevant to the subject and to the relationships of those in dialogue.

2. The need to achieve a solution is suspended early in the dialogue in favor of hearing each other and learning about each other. Advice-giving is an inappropriate behavior in dialogue.

3. Dialogue can only take place in a power equal environment among colleagues.

4. Power equality is achieved when all parties surrender their need to be dominant or to win their point. There is no win-lose in dialogue.
   

           —Based on works by David Bohm and Peter Senge

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.
  
  
• You can participate by verbally or silently sharing perceptions.
  
  
• Dialogue is letting the issue unfold in affection and mutual respect.
  
  
• When a reaction arises, neither suppress nor defend it, but suspend it 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.