Reflections on Conscious Communication: A Critical Process for Transitional Societies?

What kinds of interventions best contribute something of value — to learning and capacity — for people within a transitional society? In the private and public sectors, profit and non-profit organizations, there is a need to promote effective action which leads to sustainable development. This requires complex understandings, vision and strategic design. In this paper, I reflect on issues which I feel are pertinent for people seeking to learn and make a positive impact in periods of transition. I consider links between thought and communication, advocate the need to integrate awareness and action through “conscious communication” and identify three different approaches to communication which have influenced my thinking. In the process, I touch on some overlaps between modern schools of thought on communication and ancient wisdom on conscious action. My purpose is to stimulate alternative, possibly provocative, perspectives in the potentially powerful domain of communication. This potential is often limited by superficial understanding or simplistic formulae. Yet understandings of a more deeply conscious communication open up profound and pragmatic means for actively participating in the reformulation of transitional societies.