Jana Spangler
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 | 7:30-9:30 pm
It is often difficult to have topical or meaningful conversations with people who do not share your world view. Many opt to avoid particular subjects with these people, only to find that connections tend to suffer. Through small and large group discussion, we will learn to recognize what is getting in the way and explore tools and strategies to communicate with others in a more meaningful way.
GATHERING AT:
Home of Ed and Kristen Iversen
3582 Oak Rim Way Salt Lake City, UT 84109
If there is no parking to be found near the home you can also park in the “park & ride” lot on the NW corner of 3900 South and Wasatch Blvd. Oak Rim Way is just east of the intersection on the north side.
You’re invited to bring some finger food to share
THE DISCUSSION:
Those of us who have experienced a faith transition know of the difficulties that faith challenges can cause to relationships. Why is it that speaking to someone who believes what we once believed can be so terribly challenging? You would think it would be easier to access understanding of the other’s point of view having been in their place, sometimes in the not-too-distant past. But developmental research has shown that this is often not the case. As our consciousness expands, we tend to reject the very world views we most recently held, but no longer do. Likewise, those at earlier stages of development tend to be rejecting and suspicious of those at later stages of consciousness. And what about people from entirely different cultures or religious and political backgrounds? Sometimes, it feels like civil discourse is dying a painful, ignominious death in today’s world. Everyone seems to be fighting for the higher moral ground and the chance to prove everyone else wrong. Social media hasn’t helped with this phenomenon. Bridging the world views that divide us requires a level of awareness and mindfulness that is not widely taught in our churches or our society. Together, we will explore the mechanisms that limit our ability to really hear and acknowledge another’s differing point of view and discover ways to practice deeper humility, curiosity, and better listening skills to enable deeper understanding and more meaningful connections across seemingly irreconcilable lines of development and ideologies.
ABOUT JANA:
Jana Spangler is an Integral Professional Life Coach. She works with Symmetry Solutions, a therapy and wellness organization founded and owned by Natasha Helfer Parker. She specializes in coaching individuals and couples who are affected by faith transitions. She loves helping her clients work through identity and relationship struggles and to find deeper and more expansive spiritual paths. She is a frequent presenter at retreats, conferences, and symposia on subjects of framing healthy faith journeys, boundaries, self-awareness, and deepening spirituality and has been a guest participant in several Mormon-themed podcasts. She is a student at The Living School under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, studying contemplative wisdom traditions and contemplative engagement in the world.
STUFF TO STUDY:
