1. Admitting Uncertainty about “Illness” and “Reality” is Essential for Dialogue
Presenter: Ron Unger

2. What happens if we confront people about an emotionally charged belief?
Usually they “dig in” and resist us
If instead they submit to us, is that necessarily better?

3. What happens to internal dialogue once people think of themselves as “mentally ill”
Person loses interest in learning from or being influenced by any parts of themselves seen as being sourced in the “illness”
The focus shifts to attempts as suppression
These attempts can backfire badly

4. If we don’t frame it as “illness” how can we define it?
There are lots of more open-ended terms
Conflict
Difficulties
Confusion
Distress
Even “disorder”
We can frame ourselves simply as experts in creating conversations and explorations about such things

5. What are YOU certain about?

6. Can we know, and not know, things at the same time?
Yes
Once we accept both that
We have lots of apparent “knowledge”
We also can’t be sure how much of it may be wrong in some way

7. Summary In real dialogue, Each party needs to
our own experience meets the experience of the other,
In a way that informs,
But does not overpower
Any of the parties to the dialogue
Each party needs to
Be open to being influenced by the other
While also able to avoid being overwhelmed and overpowered by the other

8. The “Renewal Process” 1. Construct system breaks down
Common cause of that: trying to solve a
problem not solvable within existing constructs
2. Temporary suspension of constructs
Encounter with the “transliminal”
3. Construct restructuring
If done under high stress etc., errors are more likely, leading to getting attached to defective constructs, and/or back into…..
Success! If done under low stress and/or with luck etc., the process can result in new vision that enriches the person & possibly the culture.