Chapter 3: Calling the community together for consultation (paragraph 1)

When any business of importance is to be considered in the monastery, the abbot or abbess should summon the whole community together and personally explain to them the agenda that lies before them. After hearing the advice of the community, the superior should consider it carefully in private and only then make a judgement about what is the best decision. We have insisted that all the community should be summoned for such consultation, because it often happens that the Lord makes the best course clear to one of the youngest. The community themselves should be careful to offer their advice with due deference and respect, avoiding an obstinate defence of their own convictions. It is for the abbot or abbess in the end to make the decision and everyone else should obey what the superior judges to be best. To get the balance right it should be remembered that, whereas it is right for subordinates to obey their superior, it is just as important for the superior to be far-sighted and fair in administration. (Para. 1 of Ch. 3 of St. Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Although St Benedict is talking about obedience under a superior, I think that in essence he describes open and respectful dialogue among people with common concerns. The fruits of meditation, in terms of non-judgmental listening and authentic speaking, are powerful tools that it seems to me the world sorely needs.