The Last Supper

Pyrotheology has currently birthed four Decentering Practices. Practices designed to destabilize and disrupt us in a way that brings about personal and political transformation. The first of these is The Last Supper.  Originally inspired by Stacy Title's movie of the same name, the aim is to interact with, and be destabilized by, others whose political, religious, and/or social views diverge from our own.

The format is straightforward. Roughly a dozen people gather in a room for a meal. A guest is invited to address the group, someone with views and opinions that would likely differ from most of the people attending. The guest is introduced during the starter. Then, during the main meal, they give a short talk. Over dessert, people ask questions and interrogate some of the ideas that have been presented. Then, during coffee or after-dinner drinks, a wider discussion ensues. 

The event is playfully called The Last Supper because, if the presenter does not prove convincing, it could turn out to be their last supper. 

There are very few guidelines for the evening, but some “dinner manners” are recommended. The original Last Supper events had three that were printed on coasters and placed around the table. The first encouraged everyone to participate. The second asked that people try not to dominate the conversation, while the third invited everyone to be open to see the world in a different way. 

The power of The Last Supper comes from making it a regular practice. One event will simply be a fun evening. But a series of events can weave together in a way that can bring about real change of the type we have been describing.

Peter can run all day workshops designed to help you plan and run decentering practices. If you'd like to find out more; click the button at the top of the page.