Thu, Sep 21
|Baha'i Center
Open Tables SEPTEMBER
At an Open Tables gathering, individuals from diverse congregations come together for fellowship and dining; with the goal of building relationships based on our shared humanity that go beyond the divides of tribalism.
Time & Location
Sep 21, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Baha'i Center , 3514 Marvin Rd Charlotte 28211
About the Event
We are so please you'll be joining us on Thursday, September 21 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Baha'í Community of Charlotte located at 3514 Marving Rd, Charlotte 28211. If you wold like to help assemble school supply pouches for CMS International Center please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes earlier.
Our theme of discussion will be EMPATHY and these are the questions we will be addressing:
- How do you feel when someone else truly understands what you are going through?
- How have you been able to tell that someone understands what you have experienced or felt?
- What helps you understand what someone else is experiencing or feeling? What gets in your way?
- How do you stay fully present and attentive when deeply listening to someone?
- In what ways has empathy for another person prompted you to take action? Explain.
Please review the conversation guidelines below before you come. Other than that, all you need to do is show up ready to be authentic and curious.
- Be curious and listen to understand. Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. You might enjoy exploring how others’ experiences have shaped their values and perspectives.
- Show respect and suspend judgment. People tend to judge one another. Setting judgement aside opens you up to learning from others and makes them feel respected and appreciated. Try to truly listen, without interruption or crosstalk.
- Note any common ground as well as any differences. Look for areas of agreement or shared values that may arise and take an interest in the differing beliefs and opinions of others.
- Be authentic and welcome that from others. Share what’s important to you. Speak from your experience. Be considerate of others who are doing the same.
- Be purposeful and to the point. Do your best to keep your comments concise and relevant to the question you are answering. Be conscious of sharing airtime with other participants.
- Own and guide the conversation. Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation as a whole. Be proactive in getting yourself and others back on track if needed. Use an agreed upon signal like the “time out” sign if you feel the agreements are not being honored.
Want to some more help understanding the “why” behind each agreement? Click here to unpack the Conversation Agreements.