Conversare – coming up for bold leaps

The many followers of this blog may be pleased to know that there are steps being taken make the process more widely available. Partly through putting the enterprise on a firmer business footing in order that others may ‘join’ and perhaps take it over.

This is to do with both with the place where it has currently been held and to bringing it to the atttention of potential adopters elsewhere. These developments to be reported in more detail soon.  * See indications below.

 

Where Conversare (pronounced Conversari) may have a particular contribution in the wider sphere of conversational gatherings see these two examples, here and here.

Would you appreciate that these, and others of a similar kind, are well and good. And likely to ennable many people to engage in these ‘healing across divides’ kind of activities?

Conversare is rather different in intent. For it was originally conceived about a decade ago and has since being offered continuosly as a way in which people could come to  meet and learn about each other, independent of religious or political beliefs.

On learning of this rather different kind of social process, the head of a large organisation of facilitators, based in Washington, DC wrote to say:

“Very interesting work, Alan!  I think you’re right that the timing is spot-on for Americans to have more semi-structured interpersonal conversations that aren’t necessarily political in nature.”

For the essence of participation in Conversare (con versare – to turn or to dance together)  events is that everybody engages, in pairs of people who had not previously, to learn about each other over a shared meal time.

To break bread together – long experienced as simple and wholesome way of connecting.

In the spirit underpinning the  idea of ‘living in the dance’.  I wonder how having this way of  being in the world as described here appeals to you?

And here is another idea for you to consider:

People great enjoy talking about themselves. They love telling you how great they are, or how hard their life is, or how unfairly their boss treats them, or how hard they are working and how exhausted they are, or…It’s human nature. We care about ourselves and we want to talk about OUR life, OUR problems, OUR relationships, OUR goals, OUR ambitions etc….

So, why not practice being a generous conversationalist generosity? By giving people the pleasure of talking about their aspirations, their problems, their struggles, etc.? Why not give them the pleasure of doing most of the talking? We’ve got nothing to lose and a LOT to gain.

For conversation generosity is the easiest, simplest, and surest way there is to win a friend. Next time you’re in a conversation with someone, just ask yourself: Who is doing most of the talking? You or your opposite? What are you talking about? Only about your life, your problems, your interests? Or mainly about the other persons’ life, problems, and interests? Slow down and let the other person talk if you catch yourself talking too much.

From a source which is now unkown.

The host of Conversare events, outlining the principles and practices on which they are based, will  include mentionng this so as to help all to be aware of it! <smile>

 

*   See indications  here and here  

Looking forward.

Go well

Al (formerly Alan) Stewart, PhD
Social Artist
Senior Fulbright Scholar
Facilitator of conversations that matter and participatory fun
Blog:  www.conversare.net

 

“Whenever we treat each other well good things happen”.
Al Stewart

And here’s a thought to stir your cockles:

“Be yourself. And be it well.”