What we’re about
The Open Dialogue is created for anyone who is seriously interested in self-discovery and transformation. Questions of importance to attendees are brought to the group. There is no limit to the scope of questions that may be asked. Here are some examples: the meaning of life and death, our purpose on earth, the existence of time, the content of consciousness; why we carry anger, fear, greed, sorrow, disappointment, jealousy, competitiveness, violence; how to bring greater awareness into the practicality of our lives, if transformation must take a lifetime or can a happen immediately without effort, the role of a guru or teacher; why love eludes or disappoints us, why relationships begin and end, how to satisfy the longing in our hearts.
In dialogue, each person shares their personal experience, reactions, and observations to the topic in question. The exchange takes place as an exploration rather than one person trying to prove his or her point to the other. Through exploration each person may come to see the biases, habits, and conditionings that rule his or her life. It is through such observations and insights gained that these limitations are naturally released and transformation takes place.
Dialogue is not a short-term fix, a feel good experience (it may or may not feel good), another teaching or path to follow. These is no guru or teacher. My role as facilitator is to serve the group so that it may penetrate whatever is being discussed with greater depth and clarity. In that light the facilitator may be challenging by putting to question theories, opinions, and beliefs that may normally remain under cover, accepted without question, often hiding below our awareness, but impacting every aspect of our lives. Attendees should be aware that there may be times that the foundational structure of their lives may come to question. So, if one is going to attend, understand that everything is grist for the mill and subject to question. Nothing remains sacred, untouched, or beyond question in dialogue.
My focus in life is to observe and know myself better. After multiple spiritual experience (see my bio) I've come full circle that if I can observe myself clearly, there is no need for books, teachers, guides, practices, and all the other stuff that is being circulated today. Dialogue is the tool by which self-observation is made keen. And, in my view, to observe ones self clearly, to see clearly, is the action of love, love that is unlike the love we typically feel, a love which cannot be found anywhere but within ones own heart.
