The third thing

Explore the concept

A third thing gives people a common focus while leaving room for different meanings. The book describes reading a poem twice, inviting words or phrases, and then moving to private reflection and smaller groups. A strong selection has room for inquiry rather than one correct moral. A story or Elder interview also has a speaker and context that deserve attention. The facilitator need not tell people what their response should be. A third thing supports shared engagement without making any participant the object of examination.

A practice to try

Select a brief text with room for more than one interpretation. Invite a phrase, private reflection, and optional sharing. Explain the source and close the reflection explicitly.

Explore it in the book

• Chapter 2
• Chapter 13