Think of an issue that makes your blood boil.
Now imagine meeting with someone on the opposite side of the issue. Could the two of you talk without throttling each other?
Yes, you could. It requires not only practical techniques, but the pursuit of dialogue as a way of life.
Why Can’t We Talk? Living the Way of Dialogue in a Shouting World, which is currently in the writing stages, prepares thoughtful people of faith to talk with civility and compassion. (Read an excerpt here.) With a blend of spirituality and self-help in the tradition of M. Scott Peck, the book:
- Examines key obstacles to dialogue, from fundamentalism to 10-second commercials
- Explores the spiritual ground from which healthy dialogue springs, including such vastly misunderstood concepts as humility and conversion
- Describes how communion with the Divine helps us till that ground
- Shows how to cultivate a “heart for dialogue” by engaging the world around us
- Lays out essential rules for dialogue—and how they work in an imperfect world
- Proposes a new approach to dialogue on one of the most divisive issues of our age
Currently I’m seeking an agent and a publisher for Why Can’t We Talk? If you know of one who might be interested, please let me know. In the meantime, feel free to check out that excerpt.
Read an excerpt