Getting to “Know”: America’s Political Values and Cultures
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“What you are, the world is. And without your transformation, there can be no transformation of the world.” Krishnamuti
We have all experienced difficult conversations and situations where tempers flared. During such a conflagration words are spoken, actions taken, and decisions made which one may come to regret later. Whatever caused the situation, does not get resolved. It may be even become more difficult to initiate interactions with the other person later in yet another attempt to reach an accord.
Many look at the divisiveness within the United States and within the world and wish for some moderation of combativeness and more amenable seeking of political solutions. This may also be the case within families or groups of people who are associated through a common institution.
This colloquy has two purposes. One is to read and discuss the first 21 chapters of Colin Woodward’s book, American Nations. Before those cultures are explored, participants are invited to explore ideas about perception, brain function related to interpretation of perception, and our own cultural and personal ways of interpreting the world and other people. We will do this with portions of two books: Being You by Anil Seth and The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt.
The intention of this is to allow each of us to be able to contemplate how we might, through self-awareness, lower the temperature of our internal responses and remain calm during a difficult conversation. Being calm allows one to see the other’s position more clearly. Each is then able to share one’s truth and, perhaps, find some common ground which may lead to a solution.
Ralph E. Topham is a retired Clinical Professional Counselor and Middle School science teacher. He worked for three years as an Employee Assistance Professional at Vanderbilt University. During this time he created and presented to Vanderbilt employees a presentation entitled: “Having That Difficult Conversation.” He also created a set of audio recordings designed to give the listener a skill set to become centered and calm.
Syllabus/Reading
Overview: The goal of this colloquy is to present information which may allow participants to increase their awareness of our internal mechanisms of and the limitations to making changes. We will then discuss the first half of American Nations and apply these ideas to lower the temperature of political discourse.
Session 1
This session will introduce competing concepts of how our brain interprets the world around us. We will use a portion of Chapter 4 of Being You by Anil Seth. The goal of this session is to explore our own particular model of the interaction of brain/world. We will also discuss concepts related to being aware of the uniqueness of each person. We will also discuss the introduction to The Happiness Hypothesis, by Jonathon Haidt
Session 2
We will explore chapters 1 – 4 of Haidt’s book. This will include: First, an understanding of his concepts; Second, an exploration of reactions to his ideas and the experiments that he uses for support.
Session 3
We will begin our discussion of American Nations by Colin Woodward. Our intention will be to cover Chapters 1-11 or so. We will remind ourselves of the concepts discussed in the earlier sessions and apply them to our reactions and internal biases.
Session 4
We will begin this session with a quick group review of reactions and thoughts over the last week. We will then continue our discussion of Woodward’s book and include chapters 12 – 21. There will be a wrap-up.
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