Connecting with 'Conscious Conversations'
Izzy Gimm - Website and Social Media Manager
At a time when the world feels more divided than ever, Chaplain and Director of Lux Center for Church and Religious Leadership John Huxtable hosts Conscious Conversations as a safe and welcoming space for students to come together, confront complex topics, and find common ground. “The real hope is to help us engage in a manner that is respectful and civil in our agreements as well as disagreements,” said Huxtable.
Conscious Conversations provides students a space to discuss issues that range from politics and religion to social justice, identity, and mental health. Huxtable begins each session with a guiding principle: everyone deserves to be heard, and that understanding does not require agreement. He introduces the night’s topic, sets ground rules for respectful dialogue, and then opens the floor for students to share their perspectives and respond to proposed questions.
Questions like, “What issue in your community are you most focused on and is most important to you?” and "What is your purpose/mission that drives you in life?” are asked at the beginning to help find initial commonalities and form comfortability. Participants are encouraged to listen fully and respond thoughtfully, challenging themselves to engage without judgment or defensiveness.
Designed to encourage open-minded discussion on often polarizing topics, the program can help students connect, share, and listen with empathy and respect. “I hope that we can continue to grow the conversations and dialogue. As we do so, it is a hope that what we learn in those dialogues will be used to help facilitate meaningful and civic dialogue in conversations outside the structured program,” said Huxtable. “This program seeks to help us all to understand that diverse views are a blessing and gift to helping us grow and appreciate one another.”
Huxtable hopes to see more students join for conversation biweekly on Tuesday’s at the Weeks House as recent participant numbers increase.