Agreements for Mindful Multicultural Communication
Adapted from East Bay Meditation Center's Agreements for Multicultural Interactions, and from Insight Dialogue Guidelines
Practice Pausing.
Pausing allows us to step out of habitual thoughts and reactions. This creates space to notice what's arising in you and others. Let there be a pause in between moments of community sharing.
Listen with Your Whole Self.
Deep listening is at the heart of mindful communication. Try to avoid planning what you’ll say when listening to others. If your attention drifts, bring it back.
When Sharing, Focus on Your Own Experiences.
Don't speak for a whole group, or express assumptions about what's true for others. Speak to what's alive in your immediate experience, rather than intellectual sharing.
Tune Out Avoidable Distractions.
Give yourself and others the gift of full presence. Please silence unnecessary devices. If you need to attend to something urgent, please turn off video to not distract fellow participants.
Support Equal Participation.
If you tend to speak often, consider “moving back." And if you tend not to share, know that your perspectives are valued and welcome!
Keep it Confidential.
Take home learnings, but don’t identify anyone other than yourself - now or later.
Understand Intent vs. Impact.
We have good intentions. Yet sometimes our words have unexpected impact. If this happens, try to understand and acknowledge the impact, rather than denying it by focusing on your intent.
Commit to Being Curious!
Be willing to “try on” new ideas, or ways of doing things that might not be what you prefer or are familiar with.
You Can Always Pass.
You can always say “I pass” if you don’t wish to share.