Episode 30: Bahá’í Approaches to Depolarization (Part One)

An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization building on what we've been learning over the past few episodes from the world's leading luminaries in this discourse.
Part One explores what we can do to limit the influence of toxic polarization in our own lives and how we can best regulate our own behavior so we don't unintentionally contribute to the problem.
Show notes:
Dr. Peter Coleman's Polarization Detox Challenge: startswith.us/pdc/
Gary Friedman: understandinginconflict.org/t...
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
8:09 Five Principles for Depolarization
10:26 Polarization as Social Pollutant
21:41 An Etiquette of Expression
29:10 Training for Depolarization
31:32 Closing Thoughts

[@TheVafa95]

Excellent

[@SocietyBuilders]

Thanks for your kind comment.

[@cnelson1844]

Well done! Such an important topic at this point in time. It's so easy to get caught up in the passionate intensity of an issue and unwittingly become a driver of polarization - even as a Bahai.

[@SocietyBuilders]

Thanks! So true.

[@TheVafa95]

If we adhere to the spiritual remedy, rather than characters or actors causing those actions, we tend not to get into polarization. What do you think?

[@SocietyBuilders]

You’re right. Learning to transcend actors is definitely one good tool for depolarizing. Look to the argument and not the person. Thanks for your comment

[@anniebootboot]

Timely and informative video. One point of critique, however, is your use of the phrase: Chaos actors. Perhaps elaborate on 1. who do you mean these chaos actors are, and 2. which foreign or domestic corporations do you speak of.
It is indisputable that the Universal House of Justice as of present day, stands in Haifa- not too far away from the mass slaughters happening in the West Bank and Gaza. The Baha'i Faith predates the Zionist State & is in a precarious geographic location so I understand why it would be unwise to speak out against Netanyahu's government. However, it would be just as disinegnous (and even misleading) to say something like *chaos actors* and not elaborate on who you are talking about during an ongoing war.

[@SocietyBuilders]

Thanks for your interest. My reference here was to the interview with Dr. Lisa Schirch in episode 26 who highlighted how a few foreign government are engaged in systematic efforts to divide us - by fanning the flames on both sides of divisive issues. I don't think we need to specify who these are in this podcast (there is a lot of research on that front) - it's more of a call to be careful that we don't get sucked in. Thanks for your comments.

[@TheVafa95]

The purpose of the talk is: As individuals we learn to recognize polarizing forces that are acting on our mind. However to bring about unity, we need to bring our thought patterns and actions in line with spiritual principles taught and practiced by Abdu'l-Baha. That is all.

[@anniebootboot]

@@TheVafa95 I know that. It was a genuine point of critique meant in good faith