Perfect the Practice of Working Through Dissonance. Intercultural dynamics inherently include conflict and dissonance. Without intentional practice in working through dissonance, conflict all too frequently erupts in subtle micro or overt macro violence.  Over the years, our monthly sessions have evolved to include reflections on power dynamics, class privilege, hate crimes, racism, and genocide.  We draw upon resources, such as those from the Southern Poverty Law Center, to navigate these challenging topics and  work through conflict and guilt towards authenticity in intercultural relationships. In Western settings an emphasis on reasoning, analysis and mounting a logical argument with self-expression prevail. So what happens to individuals who come into these environments from a cultural background that emphasizes listening to the authority figure or relying on intuitive knowledge? Do these individuals have to adapt to the prevailing pattern or are there other options? 

Our 2022 retreat in New Jersey featured the fundamental contribution of immigration to the intercultural dynamics of that region. We prepared by reading immigrant narratives and visiting Ellis Island and the New York City Tenement Museum. We met with an immigration lawyer and a representative from an immigration advocacy organization. In an evening gathering, a small group of recent immigrant guests shared their personal reasons for deciding to immigrate, their journey, and their gradual settling in.  These  experiences challenged the meta historical narratives of the US and our constructs of immigration. We felt the dissonance of our complacency in the face of our new friends’ heart-wrenching stories. Emotionally transformed by listening to them, we view our responsibilities to community differently.   .   

A Way of Life . We aspire with each gathering to move beyond our self conception and experience as intercultural people towards the adoption of global intercultural behaviors as a way of life. We recognize this global intercultural work as a continuous journey of discovery which involves addressing barriers to adapting such a way of life.  We are committed to facilitating global intercultural learning in our families, neighborhoods, and broader communities. We have experienced how consciousness raising and intercultural bridge building can radiate out through connections to others locally and around the world. As we explore further and practice working through dissonance, we appreciate that we can only change the world one encounter, one relationship, one family, one community at a time.  We invite other kindred spirits to create their own Global Intercultural Circle and join us on this aspirational  journey.