Speaker: Sarah Bachelard, Theologian, retreat leader and WCCM teacher
The possibility of dialogue, questioning and honest disagreement can often seem unattainable today. Is a contemplative response possible?
Sarah Bachelard: We're familiar with dispatches from the culture wars, the battle of identity politics, the growing impatience many feel with taking time to understand those who have radically different views. All of us at times struggle to be generous in our listening and there are some who deliberately foment misunderstanding. We see the destructive effects of this and sense that a contemplative response may have something to offer. Well, I think it does, but I don't think it's simple or an easy cheap panacea. Given the deep roots of our differences, the pain and frustration many feel with entrenched privilege and the fear associated with any social change, there's no quick fix. So if we're seeking to become capable of real listening and conversation, real mutuality and maturity, it's not gonna be enough to make some generic appeal to non dual consciousness. Somehow we've got to discover both personally and communally what it means to go through and not around our anxieties and divisions. In these talks, I'm hoping to share some reflections on all this, including some of my struggle to deepen my capacity for authentic dialogue. I'm hoping we can learn from each other's experience and that our conversation will help us all to participate in freer and more generous ways. If you can join us, we'd love to have you with us.
