Peacebuilding | Reverend Gary Shapiro

21 Nov 2016

Four Questions Toward Bridging the Divides

Rev. Gary Shapiro Peacebuilding dialogue, listening, questions, relationship-building 0

The key to beginning to bridge the huge social and political divides that the election results brought out so starkly is to engage and build relationships with each other rather than continue to attack and defeat each other. To do that, it is essential that we first listen to each other, with true curiosity, and as compassionately and non-judgmentally as possible. We need to listen to the thoughts, feelings, concerns, and needs of each other, but even more importantly, to listen to each other’s STORY – what experiences has someone had that have led that person to what they believe and how they act. In this way, we can hopefully find common ground and a shared path to go forward, even if we don’t agree on beliefs and policies. At the very least, we can lessen the sense of alienation and demonization that is so polarizing our country now, and create a deeper understanding and compassion for each other. That certainly doesn’t solve all the problems and conflicts, but it can create a foundation for more constructive relationships and engagement, and, ultimately, reconciliation. While it is comforting – or satisfying – at this time, depending on which side of the divide you are on, to only relate to those who think like you do, it is essential that, eventually, we reach out across the divide to build connections.

There are several organizations out there dedicated to bringing people together for constructive and relationship- More

20 Nov 2016

The Power of Listening

Rev. Gary Shapiro Inspiration, Peacebuilding caring, listening, understanding 0

“I suspect that the most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. … When people are talking, there’s no need to do anything but receive them. … Listen to what they’re saying. Care about it. Most times caring about it is even more important than understanding it. …

A loving silence often has far more power to heal and connect than the most well-intentioned words.”

– Rachel Naomi Remen (from Kitchen Table Wisdom)

19 Nov 2016

A Safe and Caring Place to Hold and Nurture Each Other Right Now

Rev. Gary Shapiro Announcements and Events, Peacebuilding circle, gathering, healing, listening, reaching out across the divide 0

This past Sunday a colleague and I facilitated a post-election gathering for over 2 hours at my local Unitarian Universalist Church, near Hartland Vermont, to talk about what’s going on for each of us in the aftermath of the presidential election and to look at some possibilities for moving forward. 21 people were there – a good attendance for such short notice

The primary objective of the gathering was to provide a safe and caring space for people to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns about the election results, particularly in regards to the huge political divide and social polarization that the results highlighted. In so doing, we wanted to lessen the sense of aloneness that many of us feel, as well as to facilitate healing and to encourage a sense of hope and connection among people, regardless of any differences between us. (The whole community was invited, included those who were happy about the election results).

1 Feb 2016

“And I’ll Give You Hope, When Hope is Hard to Find”

Rev. Gary Shapiro Inspiration, Peacebuilding 0

Vaclav Havel – the Czech poet, activist, and former President – once wrote, “Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. Hope is not a prognostication – it’s an orientation of the spirit. Hope… is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good…. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out. It is hope that gives us strength to live and to continually try new things, even in conditions that seem as hopeless as ours do, here and now. In the face of this absurdity, life is too precious a thing to permit its devaluation by living pointlessly, emptily, without meaning, without love, and, finally, without hope.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about hope these days as I hear the troubling news about a place so far away, yet so close to my heart. Burundi, a small country in East Africa, is currently experiencing deadly politically-motivated violence that has left its population fearful and insecure. It’s the latest wave in a recurring cycle of political and ethnic violence that the people of Burundi have suffered from since the country’s independence over 50 years ago. Back in the 90s, hundreds of thousands were killed. And now once again, people are dying, being thrown into jail, or forced to flee the country. There are clear reasons why this is happening, especially the president’s staying in power after completing his two terms in office (the maximum allowed under the constitution). But the bottom line is that innocent men, women, and children are suffering, and right now there’s no end in sight.

I have a personal connection to Burundi, so the sad situation there resonates particularly strongly for me. In 2013, More