2018-12-22: Bridge Divides
Topic: How Might We Bridge the Political Divides?
Links
You can sign up on Facebook events. Also invite friends to the event.
VIDEO
Empathy Circle: How Might We Bridge the Political Divides?
Video on YouTube and on Facebook
"This was my first empathy circle and it was an experience for me. I liked how well everyone listened to each other."
This was my first empathy circle and it was an experience for me. I liked how well everyone listened to each other. The reflections generally sounded on. I was also surprised at how difficult it was to speak for me. It felt like work, at the same time it felt worthwhile. One of the speakers talked about taking the Empathy Tent out every week and how some of the people who came up were emotionally disturbed or whatnot, and they just wanted to be listened to. I imagine it’s softening the edges. I like the idea that is can have a cascading effect.
"I was also surprised at how difficult it was to speak for me. It felt like work, at the same time it felt worthwhile."
" I definitely learned something. I think I pick up something every time I do that. "
I’ve been in a few of these and it’s about the same. I’m a little cranky today, and I decided to reflect that. I try to be objective as much as possible, but also express my subjectivity because that is part of my experience.
It’s a little difficult to repeat what people have to say to me sometimes, especially when I am half awake and I don’t like how they phrase things and I want to use my own words or whatever. Because reiterating words used in certain ways, is like me subscribing to their ideas, but again that is part of the rules, your supposed to reflect back what they say. So I definitely learned something. I think I pick up something every time I do that.
"This one was probably more contentious … than any of the ones I’ve been in. So I am just so appreciative of how the process helps hold everything together."
I enjoy them as always. This one was probably more contentious … than any of the ones I’ve been in. So I am just so appreciative of how the process helps hold everything together.
"I’ve been to quite a few and really enjoyed it. I like meeting new people and being exposed to new ideas."
I’ve been to quite a few and really enjoyed it. I like meeting new people and being exposed to new ideas.
"I found it very valuable and I have more hope because of the simplicity of this. You don’t have to read a book, you don’t have to practice, you just follow suite."
This is my first Empathy Circle so, I thought I was just going to listen - be in a fish bowl situation. But I am really really grateful. I found it very valuable and I have more hope because of the simplicity of this. You don’t have to read a book, you don’t have to practice, you just follow suite. It felt good, I felt heard and got to share things that I don’t usually share in my bubble of liberalism.
I really enjoyed the circle I was able to attend. May the New Year be filled with authenticity, understanding and connection.
What a privilege it’s been to be with Ben, Bill and Meagan, and Gail and to listen to them and speak with them and have my words reflected back so accurately and kindly. It's great to be alive today and I am grateful.
― Bob Brown
" I’m glad we are doing this and I think that there can’t be a better world without this hard work. It’s difficult and sometimes painful, but worth doing I think."
I feel pretty raw. I worry about the lack of racial diversity and I feel like we are tossing around … I feel weird about discussing things in such a way that affects other people's lives so strongly. I’m glad we are doing this and I think that there can’t be a better world without this hard work. It’s difficult and sometimes painful, but worth doing I think.
"It helped me develop my thinking more about some things I’d like to share in the future as well. "
It was pretty non contentious in our group because I think we are all skew somewhat more similarly politically. But it was nice to just get some things off my chest that I have been wanting to bring up in an Empathy Circle for a while. It helped me develop my thinking more about some things I’d like to share in the future as well.
― Meagan
