Start a dialogue group with Trac5 on founder Mark Siljander's book, A Deadly Misunderstanding. Invite your friends and community into this grass-roots movement for peace by engaging in this growing conversation.

“[This] insightful book ... offers a blueprint for breaking the log jam of dissention that contributes to so much conflict today.”

— James A. Baker III,
61st U.S. Secretary of State, Chairman Iraq Group

“An astonishing piece of work... In a quietly passionate voice that speaks to our hearts, Siljander shows us how we can go from diversity to unity and from conflict to peace.”

— Ayatollah Ahmad Iravani, Ph.D.,
Director for Islamic Studies and Dialogue,
Center for the Study of Culture and Values,
Catholic University, Washington, D.C.

Why Dialogue is Different

“Interactive communication or dialogue refers to interacting in ways that build shared meaning, rather than colliding in ways that foster disagreement, frustration and confusion.” “In a discussion we break things down, fragment the whole, analyze the pieces, and seek to convince others of our insights. You recognize discussion by its competitive nature. If you are only listening in order to prepare your own counter-arguments, you are involved in a discussion.” (The Henderson Group, Tips for Effective Dialogue: Dialogue vs. Discussion)

“Dialogue is a delicate process. Many obstacles inhibit dialogue and favor more confrontational communication forms such as discussion and debate. Common obstacles including fear, the display or exercise of power, mistrust, external influences, distractions, and poor communication conditions can all prevent dialogue from emerging.” (Wikipedia, Dialogue)

“Dialogue is the creative thinking together that can emerge when genuine empathetic listening, respect for all participants, safety, peer relationships, suspending judgment, sincere inquiry, courageous speech, and discovering and disclosing assumptions work together to guide our conversations. It is an activity of curiosity, cooperation, creativity, discovery, and learning rather than persuasion, competition, fear, and conflict. Dialogue is the only symmetrical form of communication. Dialogue emerges from trusting relationships.” (EmotionalCompetency.org, Dialogue: Thinking Together)