Bohm Dialogue

Purpose

Bohm Dialogue, inspired by physicist David Bohm's insights into thought and communication, is a practice of thinking together. Unlike discussion (which breaks things apart) or debate (which seeks winners), dialogue seeks shared meaning. Participants suspend their assumptions, listen to the flow of meaning in the group, and observe their own thought processes — creating the conditions for genuinely new understanding to emerge.

At a glance

How to run

1. Opening (5 min). Introduce the principles: suspend assumptions, observe your reactions, listen without planning your response, speak to the center of the circle (not to individuals).
2. Check-in (10 min). Each person speaks briefly: What am I bringing into this space? What is on my mind? No responses or cross-talk.
3. Dialogue (35 min). Open the space. There is no agenda, no facilitator steering, and no goal of agreement. Anyone may speak when moved to. Silences are welcome. If assumptions surface, name them: "I notice I'm assuming that..." If reactions arise, share them: "I notice I'm reacting to..."
4. Meta-reflection (10 min). Shift to reflecting on the process: What did we notice about our collective thinking? Where did the group get stuck? Where did something new emerge? What assumptions were suspended or revealed?

Materials needed

• Chairs arranged in a single circle
• Optional: a talking object (stone, stick) for groups new to the practice
• Timer (unobtrusive)
• Printed principles card for each participant

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Treating it as a discussion. If participants start problem-solving or debating, gently redirect: "Can we suspend that and notice what's underneath?"
• Facilitator controlling too much. The facilitator sets up the container but should not steer content. Over-facilitation kills the emergent quality.
• Impatience with silence. Silence is productive in Bohm Dialogue. Rushing to fill it defeats the purpose.
• Expecting outcomes. Bohm Dialogue is a practice, not a problem-solving tool. Its value is in shifting how people think together over time.

Inclusion & accessibility

• The circle format and no-hierarchy principle naturally support inclusion.
• A talking object can help ensure everyone has space to speak.
• Offer the option to pass — speaking is invitation-based, not required.
• Be mindful that the practice may feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable for action-oriented cultures — frame expectations clearly.

Variations

• Themed Bohm Dialogue: Start with a generative question or theme (not a problem to solve).
• Fishbowl Bohm: Inner circle dialogues while outer circle observes, then swap.
• Walking Dialogue: Pairs walk together in dialogue, then reconvene in the circle to share.

When NOT to use this

• When the group needs concrete decisions or action plans — use a different format.
• When trust is too low for vulnerability and assumption-sharing.
• When time is extremely limited — Bohm Dialogue cannot be rushed into 20 minutes.

Source & further reading

• Bohm, D. (1996). *On Dialogue*. Routledge.
• Isaacs, W. (1999). *Dialogue and the Art of Thinking Together*. Currency/Doubleday.
• Senge, P. (2006). *The Fifth Discipline*. Rev. ed. Currency/Doubleday.