More dialogue

The word communication implies sharing to come to some common ground. The word conversation implies being together, getting along, chatting. The word discussion implies examination and has in its etymology smashing or shaking apart. The word dialogue on the other hand is a little of all of these, but brought to a level of formality, significance and meaning by the hearing of the words by a third party. So, actors on stage engage in dialogue – they speak amongst themselves – and the audience overhears. Politicians are in dialogue with each other, and the world reads their reported words; behind the scenes they may converse together, but this is not part of the formal dialogue. There is also the implication with the word dialogue that the parties are representatives of larger bodies. Hence the actor represents the character who in turn represents any similar person in a similar scenario, and the politician represents his country and his government department. Dialogue also demands that each party be strong in themselves and clearly state their case, but then it also demands that each listens intently to the others and hears the others and allows that hearing to adjust their own position. Good active dialogue creates the perfect space for each party to see their own position, and the position of others, more clearly and more compassionately. Strong but flexible. Strong but mobile. Being truly alive means that you and your actions are in constant dialogue with life. If you do what you do strongly (without indecision) and manage to remain open then it doesn't really matter what you do because life will answer you and regulate you equally strongly. A good responsible teacher will give you two things: the means to become strong in yourself, and a fluid flexibility that allows you to shift and change painlessly whenever life demands. This is your ground – your natural process. It is all you need to engage your own destiny. Then God is your only witness.