During the self-mediation, Actor-participants℠ who feel they are feeling comfortable and/or making progress toward resolving their conflict are instructed and are expected to ping their tea cups with their respective Conversation Partner℠ to signal to their partner they are experiencing progress and/or comfort in their talks. The pinging sounds are made in the spirit of “cheers!” It is expected that parties will be pinging their tea cups frequently and the pinging will create an atmosphere that will be characterized by a light and celebratory tone.

Prior to the mediation event, Actor-participants℠ register with the Convener of PingingTea℠ and agree to adhere to basic stated expectations. They will be signing basic releases of liability, human subject and media permits, as needed. They will be provided with specific guidance to pace their mediation experience and enter the self-mediation with awareness and skills. The audience will be briefed about how their observation-meditation may be enhanced.

The self-mediation/clinic/Engaged Conversation℠ will last thirty (30) minutes. If parties reach agreement before the allotted time is over, they can move around and sit with the audience/attending public. The Actor-participants℠ can also opt to stay at their respective tables. If parties feel the need to stop their self-mediation, they are free to walk out of the event.

The audience plays an important meditative role during this half-hour period. The silent and meditative experience focuses on the Actor-participants℠’s body language, from which the audience derives meaning. The audience plays a particular effect on the dyads as their presence may cause Actor-participants℠ to feel pressured to reach some degree of attunement or agreement.

After the self-mediation ends, Actor-participants℠ will be invited to stand on stage and voluntarily debrief their experience with the audience who will have the opportunity to ask questions of the process, not of the content of the mediation. Any disclosures by the Actors-participants℠ will be deemed voluntary.

As a relational aesthetics clinic, there is no right or wrong conclusion to the performance of PingingTea℠ and any respectful outcome is welcome.

After the event is concluded Actors-participants℠ are polled to share their experience. Results will be shared with survey participants.

For a recent review of PingingTea℠ see The Georgia State Seminar.