“Wage peace with your listening.”
from the poem 'Wage Peace' by Judyth Hill
You've likely heard the traditional story about the blind men and the elephant. In this version of the tale, no one can see the elephant because it's in a dark room:
"Those who wanted to know something about this exotic beast had to feel it with their hands. The first person went into the darkness and felt the elephant's trunk and announced, This creature is like a water pipe. The next person felt the elephant's ear and asserted, No. It's like a giant fan. A third person felt the elephant's leg and declared, That's not true. This animal resembles a pillar. A fourth person felt the elephant's back and concluded, Not at all. It's like a throne.
Different points of view produce different opinions. If someone had brought a candle, they would have all felt like fools."
Melissa Pritchard, A Solemn Pleasure: Imagine, Witness, and Write, p. 163
I certainly don't claim to have all the answers, but I have seen more parts of the 'elephant' than many people:
- After living in Washington, DC for nearly two decades, I've spent the past few years moving back and forth from my in-laws' house in the Virginia suburbs to my hometown in upstate New York.
- I've studied in France, worked in Japan, and taught English to students from all over the world.
- I'm WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant), but a couple of my close family members are multiethnic and identify as people of color. We've been having a series of discussions about the protests for social justice and the misunderstandings of many white people about the meaning of #blacklivesmatter.
- I began studying sign language this year, and it's been eye-opening to learn about the history of discrimination against d/Deaf individuals. (Pause for a moment to think about 'hearing privilege.')
Letting Go of Negative Assumptions
Far too often, we start with an assumption about someone, and then look for evidence to support it.
In a traditional story from China, a man suspects that his ax was taken by his neighbor's son:
"He looked just like someone who would steal an ax. [...] In his actions, movement, and his bearing, it was plain that he had stolen the ax."
Then the man finds his missing ax.
"When he saw the neighbor's son again, he found that his actions, movement, and bearing did not seem at all like someone who would steal an ax."
Deng Ming-Dao, The Wisdom of the Tao: Ancient Stories that Delight, Inform, and Inspire, p. 180
The only times I've gotten negative comments on the Mindful Teachers blog or social media have been visceral reactions against posts about Christian mindfulness. I was stunned by the snarkiness of anti-Christian comments and anti-mindfulness comments. It wasn't mindful, it wasn't Christian, and it certainly wasn't kind or compassionate.
As my colleague Dr. Irene Kraegel puts it,
"We are too often reacting to caricatures of one another rather than taking the time to actually know one another’s perspectives." (See 'Can Evangelical Christians Practice Mindfulness?')
Listening to Each Other
Conflict resolution expert Donna Hicks believes that treating each other with dignity is the key to deescalating tension.
"The simple act of saying to a person, 'Please say more about your experience,' instead of rushing to 'you're wrong,' completely shifts the dynamic of a conversation. The person, instead of being put on the defensive, can now feel seen and heard. Nothing is lost by asking for more information. Whatever the response, it will enrich your understanding, and the person will feel more understood because you asked, because you showed that his or her perspective matters to you."
Donna Hicks, Dignity: The Essential Role It Plays in Resolving Conflict p. 85
You might be interested in one of these programs that encourage thoughtful discussions sharing different points of view:
- Narrative 4 works in schools and community organizations to help participants "see the world, and ourselves, more empathically through the exchange of personal narratives."
- Ask Big Questions helps "colleges, universities, and organizations to engage students in reflective conversations that strengthen civic habits of listening, civility, and engaging diverse perspectives."
In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Paula Marantz Cohen explains how The Seminar Course Can Save Civility:
"If free speech is now seen by the left as an excuse for hateful and hurtful speech, safe spaces are decried by the right as excuses to shut down disagreement and encourage liberal coddling. The seminar reconciles these warring values. When well-run, it is both free and safe. In this setting, students feel empowered to speak their minds [...] as well as more willing to change their minds."
Here at Mindful Teachers, there's a series of posts by Ira Rabois, author of Compassionate Critical Thinking about encouraging thoughtful discussion and connection in academic classes:
- Mindful Listening: Only If You Listen Can You Hear
- Using Mindful Questioning to Enhance Academic Learning
- Befriending Yourself and Creating a Mindful Learning Community
Conclusion: Setting an Intention for the Year
About the Author
related posts:
ADDRESSING Diversity in Mindfulness Teaching
Case Studies in Microaggressions, Empathy, and Mindful Speech
The Power of Intention Setting for a Mindful New School Year
Real-Life Good Samaritan Stories
Resources for Teachers on Equality, Diversity, and Civil Rights
Songs About Identity, Diversity, and Empathy
Tips, Practices, and Activities for Mindful Communication
