BIG TALK

Our first BIG TALK on “Othering” was a profound experience for many of us, as we gathered together from many places, time zones, cultures, religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations to look unflinchingly into the dynamics of “othering.” We started with the understanding that most, if not all of us, have experienced the pain of having our differences undervalued or devalued subtly or in extreme ways. We have been “othered” and felt “othered.” Most, if not all of us, have also “othered” those who are different than us in subtle and not so subtle ways. In this second part of our “othering” workshop, we will use Focusing ideas and skills to continue to take up the great and ongoing challenges of healing at personal, communal and inter-communal levels. We will begin by extending our reflections about the shame that often comes with being “othered” and the guilt in recognizing our own “othering,” while Focusing on the differences between FITTING IN and genuine BELONGING. We will explore the liberating potential of protest and outrage as a step through and beyond being “othered” and “othering.” We will explore how the Focusing Attitude can unfold a larger perspective on identity, difference, dignity and belonging. We will explore conceptually and in a Focusing and Focusing Conversation way the experience of being “othered" and the challenge of journeying through and beyond the residual wounds into our own authentic, fuller and better relational version of ourselves.