Introduction
Thought creates our world, and then says 'I didn't do it.’
David Bohm
Mindfulness courses traditionally follow the mindfulness practices with an enquiry, which invites participants to share what they noticed. In Coming to Our Senses the practices are followed by what are called a ‘dialogue’. We use the word ‘dialogue’, in a very specific sense, as defined by the eminent physicist David Bohm.
What if enquiry could become a creative movement for awareness of the creative movement of awareness!
In the book, On Dialogue which is linked to in the additional materials drop down menu, David Bohm writes -
“I give a meaning to the word “dialogue” that is somewhat different from what is commonly used. The derivations of words often help to suggest a deeper meaning. “Dialogue” comes from the Greek word dialogos. Logos means “the word,” or in our case we would think of the “meaning of the word.” And dia means “through” – it doesn’t mean “two.” A dialogue can be among any number of people, not just two. Even one person can have a sense of dialogue within himself, if the spirit of the dialogue is present. The picture or image that this derivation suggests is of a stream of meaning flowing among and through us and between us.
This will make possible a flow of meaning in the whole group, out of which may emerge some new understanding. It’s some- thing new, which may not have been in the starting point at all. It’s something creative. And this shared meaning is the “glue” or “cement” that holds people and societies together.”
David Bohm was an eminent scientist who studied physics under Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer. In the additional materials dropdown, you’ll find a link to a fascinating film about his life.
Dialogue in Practice
Dialogue is not a rigid format for conducting inquiry after mindfulness practice. Instead, it is a dynamic, evolving process. It unfolds organically, allowing sharing to emerge from silence—much like the Quaker tradition of sitting in stillness until someone feels inspired to speak. While there is no obligation to share, groups often benefit from reminders about the principles that foster true dialogue:
Suspension of Assumptions: Participants are encouraged to set aside their assumptions and judgments, opening space for exploration without immediate critique or defense.
Deep Listening: Active, attentive listening is key. Participants truly hear others without interrupting or preparing responses while someone else is speaking.
Equal Participation: Dialogue is a collaborative process without hierarchy. Every voice is valued equally, creating a sense of shared exploration.
Awareness of Thought Processes: Bohm emphasized observing one’s own thoughts and reactions. This self-awareness helps uncover biases and conditioned responses.
Group Insight: The aim is not to reach conclusions or consensus but to deepen collective understanding. Insights emerge from the shared process rather than individual arguments.
These principles establish a space for mutual exploration and discovery, which Bohm believed was fundamental to genuine dialogue. For a deeper understanding, we recommend reading Dialogue – A Proposal by David Bohm, Donald Factor, and Peter Garrett.
The Unique CoArts Perspective in 'Coming to Our Senses'
In Coming to Our Senses, we integrate an additional layer into dialogue: the CoArts frame of reference. In theatre, communication extends beyond words, involving the whole body, space, and environment. Everything on stage is designed to convey meaning—a language of "total communication."
If, as we propose in CoArts, “this is all theatre,” then everything within the dialogue space communicates meaning: the temperature, the subtle fluctuations of bodily sensations, the quietest sounds, the micro-movements of speakers and listeners. This approach invites not only the suspension of assumptions and beliefs but also of disbelief. When “all the world’s a stage,” we cultivate a heightened awareness—a perspective that might be called ecstatic.
Ecstasy and the Self
The word ecstatic comes from the Greek meaning “standing outside oneself.” If all the world is a stage, can we suspend disbelief in the idea that the self is a fiction? In other words: What if all there is, is this—and it’s not happening to anyone; it’s just happening?
While teachers of Coming to Our Senses are not expected to impose this perspective on participants or enforce a sense of ecstasy, they might experiment with this possibility within themselves. At appropriate moments, they can also invite participants to explore this playful perspective.
A Creative Movement
In this light, dialogue transforms into a creative movement of awareness—a process that invites awareness of awareness itself. It becomes not merely a tool for inquiry but an art form that aligns with the creative flow of existence.