The “kitchen table process” is primarily one of dialogue. The intended purpose of dialoguing is to deepen the understanding of the essence – the truth – of something. The people participating work together to develop wholistic imagery – an enlivening working picture of what is at work, what should be at work – in regards to intent… intent which itself is related to life – to the here and unfolding now. Such dialoguing naturally involves some sorting and clarifying, yet more calls upon the serious seeking of role, more calls upon an open heart, than a particular expertise. As images emerge, and clarity of role and direction begin to take form, it is common and wise to test these by reflecting against some previously determined intents. At this time of potential some common “previous” intents are: Will this move us towards wholeness, away from that which divides; will this work for all children – all children of the world?
The aim of the kitchen table dialogue is “Developing common sense wisdom.” Common sense wisdom is a reflection of intent, intent regarding life itself: our intended ways of living, working, being and becoming. Common sense wisdom is complementary to, but distinctive from the more familiar notion of common sense… common sense being more a reflection of life experience, experience gained by a thoughtful engagement of the realities of life.
The hope of the kitchen table process is that we as a people can come together and change the conversation – the very conversation that goes on around our “kitchen tables” wherever they may be. It is as simple as that; and simply the most effective and practical path that each and all can follow. In this way we, as a growing community, can work together to become more and more able to live from intent; and by so doing create the process for developing the nature of leadership called for today.
A commonly recognized void in the world of today – the world of our making – is the clear absence of ethics. To be ethical – to live and work in ethical ways – requires clarity, a clear understanding of intended ways of working… ways both established by ourselves and by the common Source of all. It is through clarity of intention and working at being ethical that we – as a community, as a people of earth – can come together, can work together to “Bring the world of our making into congruence with the world of intent.”
Terry P. Anderson
Philosopher of Potential
