Difference

When is a criticism or a difference of opinion NOT an attack on another person? When can we comment on what each other is doing and saying without being portrayed as an aggressor? How can we open up safe spaces for exchange, discussion, meaningful conversation, exploration, inquiry, learning without being brought down in a hale of verbal bullets, shaming or point scoring?

All these questions are occupying my mind as I am left bewildered by how politics (be it public or private, personal or supra personal) is taking shape in this binary world.

When can power be used in a shared way allowing for all perspectives and voices to be heard so it becomes power with others as opposed to power over others?

When we sit in circle and not across barriers. When we sit on the ground as equals not in heighten states of aggrandisement. When we recognise the need and importance of all living beings - then we can begin to appreciate power-with and the collective wisdom that is accessed and generated from this stance.

To hold differing opinions, to be different from others - does not need to be used as a means to attack or power over others.

Debate, conversation, discussion all involve a speaker or active agent and a listener or receptive agent and in any exchange there is flux and fluidity between the active and receptive states of being. Power can be shared.