The One Who Tried to Save Us

Not every night goes exactly according to plan. Part of exploring humanity means being open to the unexpected, even when the unexpected tries to convert you.

We once invited a Buddhist speaker to share her spiritual history and myths. Now, usually, our guests are there to bridge the gap between traditions. But this particular speaker had a different mission: she was a die-hard optimist who was determined to convert every single person at the table.

It was a masterclass in our Core Agreements. While she leaned into her pitch, we leaned into our radical curiosity. We stayed in the "architecture of the conversation," holding space for her passion without losing our own paths. We didn't debate, and we didn't shut it down; we just kept eating our homemade potluck and practiced the art of deep listening.

It was a reminder that global peace isn’t just about finding people who agree with you—it’s about how you sit at the table with someone who is convinced you’re wrong. We didn't walk away as Buddhists, but we did walk away as better friends, having survived a "sales pitch" with our commonwealth of understanding intact.