On Dialogue

Feb 11, 2015

Dialogue is at the center of SEED’s educational practice and philosophy. It is because of this that the meaning of “dialogue” and the particular history of how dialogue came to be practiced at SEED bear considerable explanation. I begin by introducing the particular context and meaning in which David Bohm used dialogue and briefly explain some of the central components of Bohmian dialogue. Next, I articulate some of the philosophy and practice of Plains Indian talking circle and the circumstances that brought together Bohm and Little Bear; discuss how that led to the SEED dialogues; and explain the unique hybrid of Bohmian dialogue/Native talking circle that is practiced at SEED today (as well as how the SEED hybrid is distinguished from Bohmian dialogue). I conclude the chapter with the relevance of dialogue for SEED and for the emerging consciousness in the larger society.