Co-visioning Update 2 And Invitation
Issue #67: Communication Dojo Newsletter
Dear friends of the Communication Dojo,
Dear friends of the Communication Dojo,
Justin and Carol here. We are deeply grateful for your input, creativity, and support. We have heard a lot of voices (and hope to continue hearing more!). We had our second and third community dialogue on Oct 7th and 10th and have received more entries in the survey (which is still open to new input). We want to share a summary of what we’ve heard, how we’re making sense of it, and what to expect on Tue (Oct 21) and Fri (Oct 24).
What we’ve heard in the last two weeks since last newsletter:
Attractions:
On T-group practice:
“T-group was a rare space which was genuinely unfacilitated (except holding the time container, generally). I think that’s an amazing opportunity to surface group dynamics that are usually subsumed within a formal structure. I found the group members overall willing and able to be with challenge, with curiosity and compassion.”
“An aspect of continuing with the group for several years was the warmth of being witnessed, and witnessing, as we grew and developed.”
I see it as a way to practice having conversations that I would usually avoid.
“I’m very grateful for this space and the extra work done by Carol and Justin for making this happen.”
“[T-group practice] felt alive with a wonderful group of (on-off) regulars and the inflow of new participants contributing to that vitality.”
“Carol is a welcoming leader/orienter.”
“Carol and Justin really do offer a space that feels like a gift, to someone who wants to explore authentic communication and relating. I would recommend it to people who are capable of holding themselves through some level of activation, e.g. people who already have an established mindfulness practice.”
“If you’re interested in personal growth, this is a great space and tool!”
On Bohm Dialogue:
Bohm dialogue is a rare space for practicing “slip(ping) out of the ordinary limited way of being to the undivided.”
Reflecting on our practice in the last few years, some of us feel that we are still in service and connected to the original intentions of the Bohm Dialogue, and that we want to put Bohm’s ideas into practice both in the Dojo and outside.
Bohm Dialogue is a space for us to practice seeing the whole, before we define what is a problem and how to solve it.
On the Dojo in general:
“I get a sense that the Dojo is vibrant”
“I want this space to continue.”
I really enjoy the practice and the community as it is.
“The Dojo is an online learning lab for exploring your behaviors, perceptions, patterns, and those of others”
“When I think of the Dojo, I think of a space for us to learn more about ourselves, our patterns and inviting others to be a mirror for the self.”
Shadows:
On T-group:
Time restrictions of practicing in work hours. “I don’t want to go back to work/class with puffy eyes or abruptly unresolved conflict.”
I don’t like online settings
Time of day doesn’t work for me
Time commitment of a single Dojo session from start to finish feels intimidating.
“Lack of deep community/longtime friendship with any members.”
“I worry [new people] would feel intimidated and insecure about not knowing the very specific language and NVC format of feedback we use… even for exceptional communicators I know.”
Follow-up on a previous anonymous piece of feedback:
We have received input from others regarding the original anonymous feedback on male dynamics in T-group practices (for details see our last newsletter). One person shared her experience that resonates with the original feedback, while another person suspected it may have less to do with male dynamics and more with cliques in the group (and they happened to be males). We are open to hear more input and sense-making from you all. We’ll keep reporting back on this thread, if there’s more that wants to be surfaced.
On Bohm Dialogue:
Bohm Dialogue practice can often feel confusing due to its unstructured nature.
“Are we just in an echo chamber? Are we just navel gazing? How might our practice have an impact (directly or indirectly) on the larger world?”
On Dojo as a whole:
I worry if we change the Dojo too much it will lose what I once loved about it.
I don’t know why Justin and Carol called for this meta Hike.
I feel disconnected from this meta-reflection process, and I don’t know how to support it.
Ideas for changes and/or future directions:
On T-group:
A possible change in future T-group sessions: in our “Tea time” after the practice, we could do a focused debrief on specific topics such as power dynamics or belonging.
On Circling:
A cross-pollination opportunity: someone has just started an online peer-led circling community. It’s basically a WhatsApp group to help people self-organise online circling practice.
“Circling is the most compelling practice in my life. It is essential for me to have practice spaces with experienced practitioners only - otherwise the same beginner issues take up all or most of the space. As one gains experience, the possibilities for development become infinite.”
On Bohm Dialogue:
“What should be done to keep the most crucial parts of [David Bohm’s] world view available to next generations?”
How might we make our current Bohm dialogue group more open and welcoming to new participants?.
On Dojo as a whole:
We could establish in-person Dojo practice networks in various cities around the world
“I’m caring about how we welcome new people.”
“What if we Birthday Circle Justin and Carol” to understand the deeper reasons why they called for this Meta Hike?
How are we making sense of the above?
Based on the current conversations (including survey input), we make it to mean that many people still see vitality and value in both T-group and Bohm dialogue spaces. The way we practice still honors the principles/essence of those practices.
That being said, there are many places that we can adapt and tweak. For example, we can have new practice sessions on the weekends or evenings that work better for those who have 9am-to-5pm jobs. In the near or far future, there might be self-organized in-person groups at various geographical locations. We can also look into how we might better welcome new people and check in with them. Moreover, there’s always space for us to keep honing and refining each practice space and keep asking honest questions about its purpose, process, impact, and subtle or not-so-subtle dynamics.
Last but not least, some have said that they still don’t understand why Carol and Justin called for a pause in the practice and invited a meta hike instead. Some are not clear how to show up and support the reflections and co-visioning process. It may even feel like a waste of time for some folks. We take this to mean that a conversation is needed to surface the deeper needs/aspirations/motivations for Justin and Carol.
What’s happening next?
Our meta hike so far has helped Justin and Carol to gather more evidence (that’s beyond our perceptions and hunches) for the vitality of the Dojo. It helped to clear some emerging doubts in us. At this point in the meta hike, we both feel energized to continue as co-gardeners of the Dojo for our next hike (unless we hear feedback that asks for personnel changes).
Between now and the end of Nov, we want to continue inviting feedback, ideas, dreams, and aspirations. We won’t finish incorporating all suggested changes by the end of Nov. We hope to incorporate some (not all) suggested changes in our practice spaces and overall operation, starting from the first hike in 2026. We will keep integrating changes and experimenting with new ideas as we go throughout 2026 and beyond.
One of the major changes we are currently exploring is joining forces with the Practice Dojo at Intentional Society. Together, we may build an operational structure that can support more relational practice spaces and make it easier for people to host and participate in a wide range of practices. Such an operational structure could be embedded in a fiscal sponsor based in the US and able to receive grants and donations. It will be an organizational entity that is independent, but affiliated with Intentional Society. This exploration also takes into the account the financial and non-financial sustainability of the Dojo in the next few years and beyond. James, Ola, Justin, and Carol will keep exploring the possibility of such a change and keep reporting back to you all in the next newsletter and the incoming conversations on Tues and Fri (detailed schedule see below).
More specifically on this Tue (Oct 21), as suggested by Jorge at our last conversation, we plan to do a birthday circle on Justin and Carol. Birthday circle is a form of circling, which spirals into the deeper layers of the inner world of the person at the center of the circle. Everyone is welcome to the session and to ask any questions. The purpose of the circle includes 1) to understand why Carol and Justin called for a pause in the practice and invited a co-visioning process instead, 2) help us articulate what feels missing, and 3) help the system to see its deeper layers…
What to expect on Tue:
We will do a birthday circle around Justin and then one around Carol
We will have a sense-making round at the end.
[If we have time] We will give you a quick update on our exploration with James and Ola from Intentional Society. Your feedback at this early stage is highly appreciated.
[If we have time] We can continue to build on our 1st co-visioning session, and invite your input (hopes, needs, dreams, and offers) about a specific practice space (T-group, Bohm dialogue, sandbox, circling, etc) and/or the Dojo as a whole.
On this Fri (Oct 24), Carol will be at a retreat. Carol will soon email those who typically participate in Bohm Dialogue to discuss what conversation wants to happen and when. If you would like to join the email thread, please email Carol at jxcarol2001@gmail.com.
Upcoming Sessions, Zoom Link, & Survey Link
Same zoom link for all sessions: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82222075148
Co-visioning session, Tue, Oct 21, 12pm-1:30 Pacific Time
Co-visioning session, Fri, Oct 24, at 10:30am-12pm PT [There may be a time change for this session. Email Carol if you want to be updated]
Here’s the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/W257nkZBqzhpXP7b9
In Gratitude,
Justin and Carol