On Dialogue [Kindle Edition]

David Bohm, though primarily a physicist, has been described as one of the 20th centuries most original thinkers. In books such as "Thought as a System" and "Unfolding Meaning" he explores ideas about how thinking is not a neutral reporting of the world, but an active process that shapes our perceptions of and participation within the world. In "On Dialogue" he explores the implications of this for communication, and in particular the ways in which individuals, groups and societies tend towards self-deception, by not taking into account the way their own thoughts have formed their perceptions. The idea of 'dialogue groups' is proposed as a means of examining this process of (mis-)communication, and becoming more aware of the role played by our own thoughts and reactions to other peoples thoughts and actions.

This book is very much a working proposal: ideas and suggestions open for consideration, rather than a finished program. Indeed, the very idea that one could propose such a finished program of 'how to communicate' is against the very spirit of Bohm's suggestions. Primarily a collection of essays around a common theme, this will be of interest to those with an interest in Bohm's philosophy, as well as those who are interested in the ideas of 'dialogue groups'.

In this short book (under 150 pages) David Bohm discusses the urgent need for dialogue in the modern world. The book is a collection of short essays and talks conducted by Bohm. It is written in plain english, largely free of technical jargon, making it a very accessible and enjoyable read. He gives excellent examples accompanying the points that he makes, making this book enjoyable as well as easy to digest and the points easy to recall to memory.

It is common for communication to be 'monologue disguised as dialogue', where each person speaks to portray the correctness of their own view, rather than to learn from others and reconsider their own assumptions. Bohm explains how this condition has arisen with such force in the modern world. He explains why it is essential for genuine, open dialogue to take place, between individuals, societies, cultures and so forth, and he also demonstrates how dialogue can take place, what the difficulties are and how they can be overcome. Bohm's vision is not for his opinions to 'trump' alternative views, but for there to be a genuine openness where people (including himself) can identify their own taken for granted assumptions, through dialogue with others. Only then can we break free of our own pre-judgements and assumptions, and see that our views are not simply 'right', but are only a particular lens through which to see the world, conditioned by our own experiences.

The core theme of all Bohm's philosophy is wholeness and fragmentation. For Bohm, the belief that the world is naturally fragmented into specific identifiable objects, which are straight-forwardly 'reflected' in our language is the central cause of confusion and social/personal conflict in the world, because different languages and practices fragment nature in different ways. It is better to see all objects as abtractions, belonging to our thought processes, rather than as being inherent distinctions in nature itself. In short, Bohm sees all reality as one whole, and all distinctions we make are representations reliant on our thought processes, which are themselves abstractions.

'On Dialogue' is an excellent book and very important. I also highly recommend Bohm's book 'On Creativity' - a genuine masterpiece full of insight.

I read this book from two perspectives (1) is it useful for business? (2) Does it present some innovations in modern Buddhist thinking?
Every substantial business holds innumerable internal meetings. The participants will all say that they waste a lot of time in those meetings. Why do they waste so much time? Jack Welch in his book "Winning", in chapter two, "The biggest dirty little secret in business", writes that the problem is LACK OF CANDOR. "People do not express themselves with frankness". "They just don't open up; instead they withhold comments or criticism". "It is absolutely damaging". "Yet, lack of candour permeates almost every aspect of business."
David Bohm explains why this is the case and what you can do about it. The cause is that people hold opinions to which they are attached and when another person expresses another opinion and criticises the opinion of the first person, the instant reaction of the criticised person is to defend his opinion. This leads to an incredible waste of time and emotional energy. Instead the person whose opinion is criticised should suspend immediate reaction and try to understand what the assumptions are on which the opinion of the other person is based and suspend judgement and reaction. Before reacting he should also examine the assumptions on which he based his different opinion. This does require control over one's emotions and thought process.
David Bohm, being a great scientist, includes an amusing story about scientists. Max Planck a German Nobel Prize winning physicist, said about dialogues between scientists: "New ideas don't win, really". "What happens is that the old scientists die and new ones come along with new ideas". If that happens in business, that is no innovation, the company dies sooner rather than later.
This is one of the best books to understand and learn about creating candid dialogues.
Buddhism and new ideas.
The Dalai Lama refers to David Bohm as his guru. They met many times. Some useful ideas you can not easily find in Buddhism are the following.
Buddhism emphasises that you must try to reduce negative thoughts and emotions like, anger, jealousy and greed. Bohm emphasises that you must learn to observe your thinking process including the influence of emotions. Observing the thought process is a step beyond reducing negative thoughts and emotions. Another insight is that thoughts are from the past and so are feelings for which there is no word, he suggests the word "felts". Thinking is a current process that is influenced by thoughts and "felts". Also something you have to watch.
Bohm recommends that that if you talk and listen to other people you have to observe their body language, people do not communicate only with their voice. Candid dialogue depends on the ability to listen, to ask questions, almost more than on what you say.
Bohm explains the importance of coherence. Incoherence means that your intention and your results do not agree. Ordinary light is incoherent, the light goes in all sorts of directions, and if it is coherent it becomes a laser that is very powerful. Most groups are incoherent; the thinking of the members goes also all over the place. If they can think coherently and constructively the group develops enormous power. The power of coherent thinking in a group is an important concept. Coherent does not mean that all follow the leader. It means the group of many thinks creatively as one.
The book actually concentrates on dialogue on the level of society, so you have to modify some of the ideas to fit in a business environment.