How do you navigate difficult conversations? During these divisive and tumultuous times, it can be hard to communicate productively with others, especially with those whose perspectives differ significantly from our own. Whatever the topic, whatever our viewpoints or theirs, there’s typically nothing easy about these discussions. And often the parties walk away feeling unheard, along with some mixture of feeling frustration, anger, sadness, resentment, grief, defensiveness, loss, overwhelm, or other uncomfortable emotions.

In this brief post, you will not find all the answers. Like many of us, this writer struggles to build rapport and bridges of connection during difficult conversations. Learning how to create constructive discussion on difficult topics is a process. Here are a few key ideas:

It can help to begin with awareness about how you’re showing up for a discussion.

One way to do this is to be mindfully present—to be right here, right now. Mindful presence can help us slow down, focus on this moment, and observe our experience (whatever it is) with greater calm and compassionate, wise attention (King, 2018). Mindfulness can help us create spaciousness within ourselves. According to mindfulness teacher, Sharon Salzburg:

“The quality of kindness gives us the ability to take........

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