Well... since this topic is about breaking out of the old paradigm, it seemed appropriate to also take on a new face. Hope this also handles some of your questions about not being to read the previous version as easily.
Now, that said, this topic is a step forward from of our previous two discussions entitled:
Complete Genius -- The Whole Truth
and
The Paradigm Conspiracy
In the last rounds, through all of our various commentary and quite fascinating explorations, the topic has evolved to a recognition that much of our economic, political, religious, social, and healthcare systems are based upon a strongly-held paradigm of "the natural world and we as people are not whole and are in need of fixing and must be kept under control and some form of supervisory management." Many in the previous topics have expressed that this view has led to much of the dysfunction in or societies, as well as the pain and addiction we experience as individuals, families, communities, and in our national and world scenes. Our current world condition, many have suggested, is merely a glaring symptom of this underlying cause.
As has been expressed previously, we are looking to strip away our facades and get philosophically naked together (pardon the imagery). But a level of bare, bold honesty is what we're looking to evolve to next.
As a segue from the last round, I'd like to add the last comments made by BKO, whose profession enables him to see as closely as any of us, perhaps, the effect of the worldview which we've described. He expressed:
***************
"We can produce great numbers of studies and intellectually parse the data to create stacks of elegant conclusions, but no matter how high we build them, none of them will make us one whit wiser. Smarter perhaps, but not wiser. If we wait to for “proof” [i.e. that we are out of balance and harmony with a deeper reality of holism -- comment by CH] (another one of our cultural addictions), we will fail. Where is that change going to occur? Are the politicians going to do it? Are the corporations going to do it? Are the religions? The universities? The answers to those questions certainly aren’t difficult to see. Conversation is stimulating and helpful, but until we’re willing to start looking at the assumptions we’ve made about the way we live and what we’re entitled to, nothing will change. And if that change occurs, it won’t occur in the distant halls of power. That change will happen right out at the end of our own noses, and it will happen because we got up this morning and grew the balls to say “ENOUGH!”.
***************
And so, in the spirit of his question, what is it you believe we can do to really address this situation? How can we say "Enough" in ways that will make a difference -- or maybe even more powerfully, as Gandhi said, how can we "Be the difference we want to see in the world" ? What does being a difference look like for you?
We've got a real collection of bright minds here so let's get out of the proverbial box and follow Einstein's axiom in that we cannot solve a problem using the same thinking it took to create it.
Your thoughts? Comments?
Many thanks,
Christopher
P.S. As always remember that to see the comments in a separate window, click on the "Comments" link. To see the comments in the body of the topic, click "Links to this Post"
Views of those commenting have not been checked for accuracy and do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog publisher or his associates.
Cool new face on the blog! I really like it Christopher!
ReplyDeleteAnd hey... here's to my gang of brainiacs... I think everyone contributed some very deep, meaningful comments... a lot of which I'll be re-reading numerous times...
So now we have the chance to jump into even even more interesting territory... and I'm inviting you all along with our groovy host... to take a dive into these deeper waters with me.
Love you all big time,
JJ
This is a bit challenging, because I am wishing to go beyond simply listing the basic things that we all know we can do (treat the people around me as valuable respected contributors to my life and my work). I am sure I can do better at that -- and that it is a very important piece of this equation, without which, most of what we else we do is lacking.
ReplyDeleteFor me though -- the more daunting task is looking myself squarely in the eyes and asking whether I am part of, enable and support the larger underlying paradigm (of greed, scarcity and therefore the need for control). I know our organization works very hard to espouse meaningful values -- and yet, we also make decisions that at times compromise those values.
I'm going to need, as Anna suggested, to spend a little time over the next few days in deeper reflection, my friends. This is no easy mirror in which to stare.
Respectfully,
Ellio
Ellio, you have cut straight to the heart of my intent and brought some useful refinement to the idea. Your statement re: "... asking whether I am part of, enable and support the larger underlying paradigm (of greed, scarcity and therefore the need for control)..." feels like a very effective distillation of the questions I have been working with myself. That's just the level I was hoping we could engage on. And you are right, it's a very difficult mirror to look into. But worthwhile, I hope. Thanks as always for your incisive thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI won't claim that being reprimanded in front of this group was easy, but the way it was done and the real openness you all shared in allowing me to re-join as soon as I was ready to contribute, was something I've not quite encountered before.
ReplyDeleteI'm a brassy gal -- anyone who knows me will tell you that. But I think I've allowed that to rationalize a lot of angry behavior that derailed conversations and projects or made it much more difficult for them to move along smoothly.
So thank you -- Anonymous, Christopher, BKO -- and my apologies and thanks to Shayla.
I felt I needed to say all that so that I could say, that this conversation has been one that's stayed with me. And here's what I notice for myself. Ellio says it's easy to treat people well -- clearly that hasn't been my history. So I think there are two very real things I can do to address BKO's question:
1. Start treating everyone like they matter (and stop acting like it's all about me -- Trinh's comments made me really look honestly at myself)
2. Notice how greedy I am -- how entitled. I've been shocked these last few weeks to watch myself and listen to what I say. Damn! I've got some straightening out to do.
I don't suppose I'm as alone in this department as I feel right now. But either way, I know I have a lot more to learn from you all -- and from life.
Sincere thanks to all,
Tarah
To Tarah:
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back in the mix. Thank you for your honesty and reflection. And to answer your last question, let me tell you how "not alone" you are. A large portion of the human race is in the same boat with you (myself included).
And to all:
As I had the genuine joy of spending the evening last night with three wonderfully genuine souls, we all arrived at a conclusion similar to that described by KBF and others in our previous topic: The pace of life has become utterly insane -- entirely too fast -- and creates the illusion that if we don't continue to run at this very "busy" pace, we'll lose out.
There is a tremendous need for us to SLOW DOWN in our lives, in terms of how we make decisions in business, in our relationships, in the pace at which we move and breathe.
And slowing down, to me at least, often feels a bit scary -- because when I slow down, I also become present enough to realize just how crazy the pace and life I've been leading often is.
Thanks to the soul crew last night and to all of you for your comments that continue to make me search more deeply as well.
Christopher
I am very pleased to see the conversation approaching the deeper truth of which we must understand. Taking time to contemplate and consider deeply the implications of our actions, our thoughts, and of our very life is something that the world around us does not often value.
ReplyDeleteThis old man has learned through much difficult experience that allowing my busy mind to drive the cart through the streets of life, always ends most regrettably.
But stopping and replacing the driver with the deeper source of All Being, that is a wise decision that must be made daily (sometimes multiple times throughout a day because the busy mind is a crazy tyrant that is often difficult to keep in check -- he thinks he knows how to guide my life -- but he is sorely mistaken).
I am looking forward to more of the good thoughts from this wise group of people.
Thank you for hearing my words,
Trinh
Well lads and lassies, after allowing my ever-growing ego to soak in its own sauce for a week, I've decided that taking offense to the slight re-direct by our kind host, is foolish.
ReplyDeleteNow, that being said, I do tend toward academic rambling, so don't be too strict with this old chap. He does the best he can.
Truth be told as well, my own response to last topic's re-focusing is a most pristine example of why we can't get along in the world. I want it my way, dammit! And I want to be seen as valuable and important -- or better yet, of real significance.
It takes a fair measure of humility, especially for the many of us here who have been schooled and cast to be the brilliant minds of our times (no laughing, please). But seriously, to take a step back and examine the underpinnings of the hallowed halls of academia, science, politics, religion, and the likes could seem like jousting at the ultimate windmill.
At this point in my life, however, I am inclined to mount my trusty steed (if his knees don't buckle under my weight) and canter off to do battle with the established paradigm.
So, with that in mind, my fearless bloglings, I pose a question for one and for all:
What will it (or might it) cost you to face the truth about your holy cause (be it science, religion, the creative arts, your favorite charity)? Might it be possible that when we take a deeper look, we may find that the tentacles of the beast have indeed interwoven themselves into every corner of our lives? If so, then what?
(I realize that I have just set forth three questions, but I trust you'll forgive me.)
With a twist on the parting words of the wily Trinh, may I say thank you for accommodating my cheeky, but pertinent commentary,
The Rotund One
JJ, (you know I love you, my friend, but), instead of emailing me the request to respond to KBF's questions, I would very much enjoy your response.
ReplyDeleteI have given this topic a great deal of thought over the last few weeks and this is what I have come to realize:
KBF, BKO and others have led us down this path of seeming intellectual exploration toward what is now more akin to an existential reexamination of our own longstanding anthropology. And the closer we come and the deeper we delve into this topic, the more confronting it becomes.
For example, to answer one of KBF's questions, I don't think there is any doubt that the "tentacles of the beast" have woven themselves into the fabric of our lives. I think the real question is the latter one (similar to the one BKO posed at the conclusion of our last topic) -- and that is, now what?
For me, presently, that response primarily takes the form of the everyday actions and interactions in my life. And I agree with Tarah, that while I'd like to pretend that how I deal with all of the people throughout a day is sufficiently and officially respectful, I believe there's a bigger opportunity at hand.
If each of us is, as was suggested in an earlier topic, a hologram (or a unique, whole within a whole -- and thus in possession of uniquely important perspectives of the larger whole) then what am I doing to truly create an environment where truth-telling becomes safe; where we can genuinely draw out the ideas, concerns, and pathologies of one another in such a way that we can begin to right this ship before it tears itself apart on the rapidly approaching (albeit melting) iceberg? I believe that those are the very questions that we must live with each and every day.
I also agree with Ellio that we need to begin to voice concern and appropriate protest regarding the larger-scale issues as well, but I want to highlight the need to diligently deal with the day-to-day. If we do not act holistically as we approach this challenge, I think we will simply be falling back into the symptomatic approach most of us found to be less than optimal in regard to the healthcare solutions we explored.
Enough for now. I would appreciate some feedback, as this topic is densely layered in such a way that peeling back the layers on one's own is really quite impossible.
With kind regards,
Silvio
Silvio, yes, what ever we can do to encourage the lovely JJ to share her mind with us would be most satisfying.
ReplyDeleteBut to your real point, good man. I want to hearken, ever so cautiously, back to some of my own previous comments (realizing how gauche it is to be self-referential). When we were examining the effects of a dominantly left-brained society (in terms of current and historical power structures), it was postulated that this may have occurred simply because of the increase in chaotic complexity in our world as civilizations formed and became more complex (and industrialized -- which brings up an entirely other and yet un-discussed aspect regarding our species’ increasing lack of contact, connection, and respect for nature that has spawned other significantly deleterious effects of their own).
If we are reasonably certain that the pace, complexity, and chaotic nature of life are indeed the stimulants for left-brained dominance (as opposed to balance) and the lop-sided effects thereof, then slowing ourselves down, getting off the utterly ridiculous timetable and reactive nature of our business and political structures (particularly in the West), is of utmost importance.
In the years of experimentation and study I have led and participated in pertaining to the often right-brained activity we label as "creativity," I have become convinced that finding ways to slow the brain down is essential in order for us to find new and lasting solutions for any problem (let alone ones as complex as we are now facing in our age). This lowering or slowing the operational frequency of the brain may also help slow the pace at which we make colossal mistakes that ripple through the ages.
Time in nature and in contemplation, it seems to me, should be a requirement prior to forming or implementing critical decisions. But to our most respectable Ellio’s earlier point, who among us will have the courage to tell the big machine that it must operate more slowly?
Each of us may choose to take more comptemplative actions ourselves, but I am keenly interested in how we might also institutionalize such behavior so as to benefit from its fruits on a consistent and ever-broadening basis.
I'm full of surprises, I confess. Having gone from the intellectual to, as my American friends derisively call it, the “warm and fuzzy” all in one commentary may seem to solidify your notion that this old fart has become irrelevant. But I assure you, I am not being the least bit humorous when I suggest that Mother Nature may be one of our own best remedies.
With a sincerity that is all too rare for a master of stubbornness,
KBF
All right boys... I'll stick my neck out.
ReplyDeleteI listen to KBF's confession... and Tarah's... and I begin to realize that how I participate in this blog is very much like how I partiicpate in life (big surprise, right?).
Being the youngest... by far... as most of you know... of my cool brainiac posse... and as the one who does the real behind-the-proverbial-scenes work to keep that group knit together... I feel a real risk in going outside the boundaries publicly... I mean, c'mon... you all know I do it in the safe ways (how I dress, my hair... my California-speak)... but to say things that may contradict your point of view... or the status quo of our organizations... feels risky.
So... Silvio... when you say we need to create an environment that's safe to speak our minds... YES! is my answer. But to that point... to be freakishly honest... how often do you hear people in our organization say... "I don't want to make a career-limiting statement"? It's become a literal cultural icon for our organization.
We're not even going to begin to be able to think about approaching the "big machine"... until we have... as BKO said... the BALLS to create safety... and respect... in our own backyard.
Bottom line to me is this... until we can walk our talk... we're just so much hot air!
And that's why I thought it would be better to have somebody else respond... (career limiting moves aren't my favorite cup of tea).
I do love you all, in spite of being scared and pissed off right now,
JJ
Your point is well-taken, JJ.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am aware, as indicated in my previous comments, that a safe environment is needed in order for real change to take place, I did not realize the level of fear and restraint created by varying degrees of the opposite trend that we are apparently creating (and of which I am clearly unaware to the degree needed).
My words may seem empty as I say this, but it's also critical that we get the level of honesty that you've just demonstrated. And while I can't expect people to "stick their necks out" if they genuinely fear having them chopped off, I would like your risk to be acknowledged, for I can see it took some courage for you to speak your truth.
Let's talk more about this offline as well, but for the benefit of this gathering, I think we are seeing right in front of our eyes, how the paradigm of control, of which Christopher spoke, has been playing out right under our noses.
With humble respect,
Silvio
JJ, thank you for being so forthcoming. What you've said, based on my experience, is very true. And Silvio, you're one of the reasons I continue to do business with your organization. I know it must be difficult to realize that you (like all of us) have been playing into the hands of small-mindedness, but the fact that you're open to change and that we're all here having this conversation is quite remarkable as well.
ReplyDeleteI know I mentioned this earlier, and don't want to be a one-note samba, but what we're discussing right now -- our inter-connectedness; our impact on each other; the ripples of our actions on the greater whole -- this is where the real work begins. We must be willing to see how we are part of the broken system; where we have allowed it to drag us down; or imprison us with limited thinking and choices.
The alternative -- continuing down the road we're on -- is madness. For anyone who has even had a glimpse of this wholeness, unity, or inter-connectivity of which we speak, you know that there is a strong draw to manifest that experience more and more in our lives. And tilting at windmills may be what will happen if we start at the top -- at the macro-cosmic level -- before handling all of the micro-details in our own lives. But let's not make it either/or -- let's do both -- with integrity and with the honesty to admit and acknowledge our own fallacy and participation in the thought conspiracy.
Much love and respect to all,
Shayla
In full agreement with KBF's comment about the tackiness of self-referential statements, may I nonetheless say that I'm greatly impressed by the amount of balls being displayed in these last posts? :):)
ReplyDeleteYour comments have provoked a few questions. I like posing questions to you folks, because they're what I'm thinking about myself, and I learn so much from reading the answers you are kind enough to give. As I get farther down this road, I'm finding myself drawn more and more to sitting in the questions and less and less to leaping for answers.
1- Could our inability to change things at the macro level, even as they hurtle faster and faster toward the cliff-edge, be caused by the fact that we haven't faced KBF's "tentacles" as they apply to our own lives and acknowledged that we ourselves, as individuals, are tacitly supporting the status quo, as JJ and Silvio point out, by staying in dysfunctional structures for CYA purposes, even as we see them going way wrong? Are we fighting to preserve our luxury seats while forgetting that they're all in the first car of a runaway train?
In other words, for you science heads, are we thinking arithmetically rather than geometrically, or even better, holographically?
2- Could the collective blindness we are so appalled by be caused less by stupidity, and more by speed, greed and overwhelm?
3- Are there ethical or moral limits to our entitlements? How much is enough, REALLY?
4- Again, per Silvio and JJ, do any of us remember how to tell the complete truth, all the time, just because it's the truth, and for no other reason? What might happen if we had to adjust our lives and our organizations to that? Because I am the luckiest person on earth, I have someone in my life who requires that of me, without exception or variance, and lovingly gives it back, and there aren't words to describe the miracles that has done in my world.
Please keep this up, all. It's most heartening.
BKO, thank you for keeping us on focus and for detailing the real fundamental questions or opportunities presented in this topic. It's very helpful for those of us who have become somewhat confused in the midst of this examination (confusion = not wanting to know what we really know, but don't want to see).
ReplyDeleteHere are my responses to your questions:
1. Yes. All of what you said is certainly valid and true. I also believe that as Shayla said, we need to approach both macro and micro.
2. Yes. Our speed is based on a fear of lack; of being overrun; of survival. And yes, we are pushing the accelerator to the floor and rushing toward the cliff, somehow thinking that faster will enable us to perhaps launch ourselves over the chasm, instead of into it.
3. As long as we are in the frame of mind that we clearly are as a collective -- and likely as individuals as well -- there is no such thing as "enough." We always crave more, because we are leaky cups that have allowed ourselves to become trapped in the illusion of our own insufficiency.
4. No. Truth-telling (the real, full open-hearted, open-minded truth) is not only not valued, but in fact has become positioned in our companies, families, churches, business, and government as a dangerous liability. And yes, you are very lucky... many of us are part of a lose confederation of an agreed upon lie.
All of this is quite confronting, because as I write this, I realize that to begin to truly, truly begin to alter the path and habitual patterns we have adopted, feels risky -- very risky at a core survival level.
That's the truth for me right now. As I take the baby steps to begin to change, I have hope that this perception might change or that I will at least begin to be able to more effectively manage the shifts and changes that might occur.
Sincerely,
Anna
A big Amen, Anna!
ReplyDeleteYou described verbatim my feelings and answers... with perhaps one addition [though it sounds like your process has already engaged as well]... and that is, I feel like I've gone through a door over the last month... and it's closed behind me... there's no going back.
So yeah... I'm scared shitless actually... but I'm trusting the big Cosmic Love Machine will guide me if I'll just slow down and shut up long enough to hear it... feel it... and respond to its urgings.
More out there than ever,
JJ
"The truth has always been the truth, even when we have pretended it was not. So now that we know of its existence why fear what has always been so."
ReplyDeletePerhaps I'm not as in touch with my own inconsistencies as some of you might be. Or it may be that due to my position or stage in life I am not affected in the same manner as some of you. Nevertheless, I am not really understanding why embracing the truth; being fully open and honest; and seeing the "whole" picture feels so risky.
ReplyDeleteInsights anyone?
Peter N
Peter, I don't know you and I don't mean this as a challenge (I am still a little self-conscious about my past reputation with you all) -- I'm just wondering how common it is for you to hold yourself and others to the complete truth all of the time. I'm wondering how many people are that fully open and raw, it would seem, consistently.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have a question for myself and others as well -- and that is, is telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth always appropriate in every situation? And is it a requirement for us to live in wholeness?
It seems to me that there are times when the truth (or full truth) may not always be best. I'm also a little confused. When I was challenging Shayla, people seemed to be unhappy with what I said. But I was just speaking the truth from where I stood in that moment. So what's the difference between what we're saying now? What am I missing?
Curious about the rest of you feel,
Tarah
Tarah,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic question! PERFECT! I haven't quite finished thinking about what all of you have said in the last few days, so I won't try to put it all down now, but I just wanted to say how happy I am that you brought your tough mind back to the table. You're cutting right to the center of things, in other words, asking "how do we do it?" I don't think anybody knows completely, but I definitely think it's right where we need to be working. Your question dovetails perfectly with some stuff that's been nagging at the back of my mind, so it'll help. And I look forward to what the rest of you have to say.
More later. Thanks all.
Hi Tarah,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, great questions.
Second, let me answer the questions which arose in your last paragraph (while I'm still contemplating the more thought-provoking questions you asked in the earlier part of your commentary).
As the host of this blog, and in cooperation with those who jumped in with me at the beginning, we set up some ground rules for interacting here. They're pretty simple:
Expressing one's opinion is fine. Criticizing another person for their point of view or going after someone because they have a viewpoint different from your own is another matter (and is what we're not willing to allow).
An easy way to tell whether you've crossed that line or not is simply to ask yourself whether your comments have become directed personally at another member of our blog community instead addressing the general subject or topic at hand.
Hope that helps provide some clarification for you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me via the email in my profile.
Thanks!
Chris
Very interesting conversation. Excellent questions. This makes me smile with contentment.
ReplyDeleteI am also wondering if there may possibly be a reason why we find it difficult to tell the truth fully. Perhaps it is because we are out of the habit or maybe never learned.
To tell the truth does not mean that one must be callous, harsh, or hurtful. Speaking difficult truths with great compassion, love, and sensitivity can bring much trust and a deep bond between people.
But when the truth is not welcome and there are possibly unfavorable consequences connected to speaking with honesty, then people learn to tell half-truths or avoid truth, often when it is needed most. Eventually the whole world begins to accept that the lie is more important than the truth.
I now answer a question requested by young Tarah. Much of my answer will be words you should ignore. It is unfair to ask, but you must sort through much foolishness to find a small piece of wisdom that might serve you.
You are, as Master BKO has spoken, one with a tough mind and a keen eye. It might be useful to look closely to the hurt within you that at times turns to a hidden anger that accompanies your word of the truth with a harshness that may not allow your message to be as well received by others.
Every voice is important. Each one's passion for the truth most admirable. And with practice we all learn better when the tough hand is required and when a soft hand will better guide the oxen out of muddy ditch.
Thank you for being patient we me,
Trinh
It seems to me that there’s been a lot of thought and personal introspection going on around this topic. Recognizing this, I’ve taken a step back and really pondered this subject more personally. Here’s what I’ve come up with as a result (which is also a further response to Tarah's questions and Trinh's latest comments):
ReplyDeleteThe truth often creates discomfort because it signals a need for change. Whether it's our body providing us with feedback regarding our diet or lifestyle; whether it's our spouse telling us that our habitual way of showing up in the relationship is not working; whether it's a new scientific vista signaling that we've been building theories on a false premise; or the condition of our world indicating that we're careening seriously off-course -- our first and seemingly natural reaction to such messages of truth is to seriously discredit the messenger and the message.
The whole truth often calls for us to step beyond our comfort zone (often radically so). Therefore, since we all too often base our value and worth upon the silly, but addictive need to be right, accepting a more encompassing truth that seemingly may invalidate our world view, leaves us with the perception that the truth is our enemy. Hence someone's wise saying (I cannot remember to whom I should give credit):
"The truth is an enemy to the ego. For in accepting the entirety of the truth, the ego comes to realize the fictional nature of its own existence and the significant diminishing of its own importance in the grand scheme of things."
It is, I believe, a daily practice to maintain the willingness, the know-how, the compassionate ability, and the discernment to know how, to whom, and just when to share the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (and thus the added phrase, “So help me, God”).
Truthfully (as much as I know how in this moment) yours,
Christopher
The problem with truth for so many of us is that it is irrevocably subjective and rarely unbiased. What is true for me may not be true for others. And the difficulties related to evaluating whose truth is THE truth often appears to confuse things even further. A so called fact, for instance, may not be a fact unless the method and descriptors happen to be the same for all interpreting it.
ReplyDeleteThat said - I personally believe speaking ones own truth is the best way to true healing and growth and warmth and kindness. It may be uncomfortable and painful (as Chris mentioned) to hear truth both from ourselves and from others, but I have yet to experience a time when I heard or noticed some uncomfortable truth and didn’t benefit from it in terms of personal growth (granted, sometimes the process lasted a few years).
I am not saying that it is all peachy and glorious. I have encountered this particular thing in my life enough to know that some of the most challenging, nasty and unforgiving issues have shown up through so called truths from others, and – at times – from the depths of my own brokenness. For me it has developed into something much like the adage about democracy. Truth may not seem to be such a great idea at times, but it is what we have, and it works better than other alternatives.
I would like to issue an invitation to all of us -- call it an experiment. Let's take on the challenge of telling the truth, fully and completely for one week in each and every instance we encounter. I like what Anonymous has said -- that it is better than any alternative. And as Christopher and Trinh suggested, telling the truth can be a very compassionate act when it is done in love and with sensitivity.
ReplyDeleteAnybody willing to consciously take this invitation on? If you think you already do this -- then notice how you do it consciously; and how it is received; and if you could have delivered the message with greater consideration, timing, or love.
All in favor, say, "Aye."
I'm feeling nspired in this moment,
Silvio
Silvio, you're on. I'm willing to up the ante and say let's just go for it the rest of the way out, but one week is a great start.
ReplyDeleteOne observation from my own experience as a recovering dissembler and bullshit artist is that once I started seriously addressing the places where I wasn't living or speaking truthfully, one of the first things I found was that I was talking a LOT less. Ouch. That has certainly changed how I attend to my choices when I find myself talking too much.
Well... since I already got started by going off on Silvio earlier... I might as well keep going. The compassionate, with senstivity part... that could be amply challenging as well.
ReplyDeleteHere's to the truth,
JJ
Most asuredly. And I agree with BKO -- one week is a great start, but I want to consciously make this standard practice.
ReplyDeleteAnna
I'm in too. Now -- assuming most or all of us are in -- what I'd like to ask is:
ReplyDeleteSince the truth, as stated by Anonymous, is subjective -- or at least partial (it's one perspective). How might we also create an environment around us that fosters truth-telling so that others can share their perspectives and perhaps broaden our horizons and our understanding of what the "truth" is? In other words, how can we facilitate wholeness in ourselves and others?
How can we create a level of safety that encourages and rewards people for speaking honestly? How can we teach each other to include the compassion, sensitivity, awareness of timing, and so forth -- so that our honest communications are heard as a desire to help each of us grow vs. as an attack?
I've been standing aside for a while waiting to see how long it took us to come full circle on this topic. I could be wrong, but I believe we're back to where we started -- and I am referring to back to where we were in the wellness topic.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that we drill a little deeper, but then come back to the inevitible point that Anonymous raised. Truth is relative -- subjective -- dependent upon perspective -- upon a set of arbitrary measures that determine the validity of the truth.
Religious truth may be dependent upon the words (or bastardized teachings) of a leader long dead; Scienctific truth may be dependent upon an equation or a theory whose creator long dreamed of defining reality (not concretizing it); Personal truth is based upon whatever myth we create (or carry on from generations of people who believed their myth was, in fact, reality).
It would seem that in searching for wholeness, we are chasing are tails right up our own behinds. How can one possibly describe the picture that one is in?
So I ask your help my friends. Where does one go from here?
Respectfully,
Ellio
Look at me being all feisty and stuff... but while I get your point... Brother Ellio... I think you may have short-changed this process.
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing and feeling an entirely different level of honesty... frankness... and willingness on all of our parts to look at the fact that we have been living various agreed upon lies... personally and as a collective.
I'm not saying I know where to steer this friggin' boat either... but I'm damn-straight hoping my hero Christopher and his crew do... because this is a conversation that needs to be had... over and over again... in a whole helluva lotta places.
Still the Rockin' Science Girl,
JJ
JJ, not sure if this is a heroic move, but I'm going to use your comments as a segue to a new topic that will hopefully allow us to charge off on a new, but very relevant course.
ReplyDeleteBesides, it seems a good time to chase our tails from a different direction and to do everything we responsibly can to keep Ellio from accomplishing the cranial rectal insertion to which he referred.
So please, enjoy the commentary in this topic and then join us for your next comments in the topic:
"Genius Fiddling While Rome Burns -- What Might Africa, The Middle East, and Global Warming Tell Us About Our Personal and Collective Mind?"
See you all there!
Christopher