ABSTRACT
The conversations documented in this paper start by discussing the prevalent sense of social isolation felt in post-modern society and the profound meaning of true dialogue for those sensing alienation. This moves the conversants to reconsider the meaning of trauma as a function of the values of society. Societies contain and interpret their emotional scars in specific ways, which are transmitted verbally and non-verbally as messages. These messages, in turn, effect the nature of trauma and healing, a process which is culturally, contextually and personally dependent, and hence relational.
Similarly, according to Paul R. Fleischman, every phenomenon – be it matter, energy or communication – is interactional and therefore a relational event. Buddhist teachings, Buber's work and contemporary approaches to understanding relationality are then discussed and differentiated in regard to understanding the dialogue between self and other. A clinical vignette is offered, in which the therapeutic dyad truly co-create thoughts, emotions, poems and wordless meaningful sounds. The conversants wonder what allows for a mutual effort of witnessing and containing, and what prevents these processes, leaving the individual unseen, unheard and alone.
