A Dream Worth Having

MI conversations bring warmth and light even on the coldest of days

Martin Luther King's vision of the Beloved Community is a dream worth having, though it has always been with a struggle, and implemented with fits and starts. As many of us face a cold and harsh day today, it might be nice to be reminded that every Motivational Interviewing conversation is like a glimmer that brings warmth and light into the world.

Both Martin Luther King's concept of the Beloved Community and Martin Buber's "I-Thou" emphasize deep, authentic connections between people. King's Beloved Community envisions a society rooted in justice, equality, and love, while Buber's "I-Thou" focuses on genuine, respectful, and mutual relationships. Both ideas advocate for seeing the full humanity in others and fostering a spirit of unity and mutual respect.

Many of us find that taking a Motivational Interviewing approach is a form of love. Bill Miller writes about this love when he describes agape, chesed, and loving-kindness, all concepts sharing the quality of non-possessiveness.

Love is wanting the best for the other person,
as they define it for themselves. - Erich Fromm

Non-possessive love has a power to effect change.

Gandhi described power of non-possessive love in the idea of satyagraha, sometimes translated as “truth-force.”

In 1959, ten years after Gandhi was killed, King went to India to study the ideas of agape love, satyagraha, and non-violence, and to support the Indian people in their struggle for independence. He wrote:

Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity. In a world since Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation. - MLK

King’s Speech in India

The practice MI fosters and evokes the beloved community in every interaction.

Each empathetic exchange contributes to a spirit of generosity and kindness. By practicing OARS with a spirit of loving-kindness, we help create that community, embodying the ideals of agape and chesed.

Every time we give empathy and practice OARS in a conversation with the spirit of generosity, we are practicing this non-possessive love, and helping to create that Beloved Community.

And the best part, that part that might be a cause for Hope, the skills of Motivational Interviewing, satyagraha, and loving-kindness can be learned and mastered, bringing non-possessive love into every relationship.

As many of us face a cold and harsh day today, it might be nice to be reminded that every Motivational Interviewing conversation is bring warmth and light in the world.

I'm curious if anyone else sees connections here?
Who else gives you Hope on a day like today?

Sky

PS - MI Practice Continues every Monday and Friday at 12 Noon (nyc time)

Hear King’s Speech in India - NPR

Bill Miller's book "Lovingkindness" explores how compassion and empathy are central to motivational interviewing. It aligns beautifully with Martin Luther King’s vision of the Beloved Community and Buber's "I-Thou" philosophy, emphasizing authentic, non-possessive relationships. Integrating these ideas can create a powerful framework for building connections and fostering mutual understanding.

embodying Bill Miller’s ideals of agape and chesed. Motivational interviewing is a testament that these conversations can be learned and practiced, bringing non-possessive love into every relationship."