Upon looking around this human world of ours one might detect the existence of certain communication difficulties.
Some of us see value in practice for better dialogue.
The United Nations, major church organizations, and our State Department are institutions in which people have taken time to learn to practice better dialogue. I believe that the practice of effective dialogue can be very beneficial to you and I, to our families and our friends.
I believe that effective dialogue is dialogue which leads to the development of a common consciousness among us. It is dialogue designed to bring us to understanding rather than to agreement.
Showing posts with label understanding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label understanding. Show all posts
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Your True Story
Mostly I'm interested in my story. However, I do believe that your understanding of your history makes you more powerful too. Attending to your history puts you on a high road to understanding and power.
I believe that your story hooks you up. It gets you together. It connects you to your family, your people, mankind, and the world.
Your history is about truth and reality. It begins with awareness and alertness; awareness and alertness not only to the world around you, but also to yourself, your motives and feelings, your inner self. It continues with better observation of your own experience. It gets on the road with conscious improvement of your interpretation of your observation.
You don't have to have a favorite color, but you may find it useful to know more about what you find attractive. Yourt aunt Sara's love life? Your cousin Jake's Career? Small airplanes? Your left foot? A passage from the Bible? Saints? Kings? Find out what interests you today and find out more about it. Get its story;its history. Your self is likely greater than you believe it is. Exploring that which attracts you may enliven that self.
Today I was attracted by Og. Og may be the name of a giant in a kids story I heard log ago. I believe that following my attraction to Og can increase my power and understanding today. To each his own, right?
My imagination, like yours, is a very valuable tool. However, imagination is what it eats. I try to feed mine on truth and reality. Much that I taste I do not swallow. I find that flavoring my history with goodness and reality is to my advantage. Badly fed imaginations may sicken. However, just getting some information that seems good in mind and letting your mind get used to it being there may be a good start. You can hold something in mind for a time without taking it as real or true, can't you?
Your mind is not exactly the same as mine or as anyone else's. Minds differ in a variety of ways. One mind wants, needs, and benefits from information that consists of doubly or triply validated fact before it is given much time in mind. Another mind wants, needs, and benefits from gathering bits and pieces of information which seem to begin to define the parameters of an attractive area.
My mind tends to work a bit like the the outer limits defining way I suggest above. I am grateful that it works at all.
Now, I find that there has been an Og called a giant in places besides a kid's book. Or, it seems, was: an Amorite king of Bashan; a person of the time of Noah; a canaanite; a neighbor of Shihon and Hesbond. I have discovered that there are those who believe that Og may be related to Magog, Gog, Ogma, ogham, Ogias, and, perhaps, Mago.
I have also learned that translations of ancient works have sometimes confused the idea of big men and great men, with men who were physically much bigger than other men.
Then again, I find that learned men have found evidence that man-like beings well over seven feet tall walked the earth for 400,000 years.
Og data may provide me with a seed that will grow into a tree of power and understanding. An acorn grows to a mighty oak. A tiny mustard seed grows to be a plant of considerable size. Still it may take a whole lot of good evidence to form a vital seed.
Knowing that I find much joy at being where I can see wild flowers bloom is probably a greater thing in my life than any Og can be.
You are your best historian. Even so, you can learn much from the great historians, giants among men. One of those great historians is Herodotus. Herodotus is a dead Greek, but he is still a great historian. He read, but he didn't like to very much. He would travel far to hear a good story or to see for himself. I suspect that he knew that his ongoing inner story was intimately connected to the whole world of all time. He may well have known that it extended beyond world and time.
Your history begins with your personal history. Your personal history is very important. The history of your thoughts, feelings, and doings color your understanding of everything. Those thoughts, feelings, and doings of yours tints the world of each of us. Your motives, experiences, and observations make up your history and the way you see your life. May you enjoy the understanding and power of your truth and reality. Make it a good story.
I believe that your story hooks you up. It gets you together. It connects you to your family, your people, mankind, and the world.
Your history is about truth and reality. It begins with awareness and alertness; awareness and alertness not only to the world around you, but also to yourself, your motives and feelings, your inner self. It continues with better observation of your own experience. It gets on the road with conscious improvement of your interpretation of your observation.
You don't have to have a favorite color, but you may find it useful to know more about what you find attractive. Yourt aunt Sara's love life? Your cousin Jake's Career? Small airplanes? Your left foot? A passage from the Bible? Saints? Kings? Find out what interests you today and find out more about it. Get its story;its history. Your self is likely greater than you believe it is. Exploring that which attracts you may enliven that self.
Today I was attracted by Og. Og may be the name of a giant in a kids story I heard log ago. I believe that following my attraction to Og can increase my power and understanding today. To each his own, right?
My imagination, like yours, is a very valuable tool. However, imagination is what it eats. I try to feed mine on truth and reality. Much that I taste I do not swallow. I find that flavoring my history with goodness and reality is to my advantage. Badly fed imaginations may sicken. However, just getting some information that seems good in mind and letting your mind get used to it being there may be a good start. You can hold something in mind for a time without taking it as real or true, can't you?
Your mind is not exactly the same as mine or as anyone else's. Minds differ in a variety of ways. One mind wants, needs, and benefits from information that consists of doubly or triply validated fact before it is given much time in mind. Another mind wants, needs, and benefits from gathering bits and pieces of information which seem to begin to define the parameters of an attractive area.
My mind tends to work a bit like the the outer limits defining way I suggest above. I am grateful that it works at all.
Now, I find that there has been an Og called a giant in places besides a kid's book. Or, it seems, was: an Amorite king of Bashan; a person of the time of Noah; a canaanite; a neighbor of Shihon and Hesbond. I have discovered that there are those who believe that Og may be related to Magog, Gog, Ogma, ogham, Ogias, and, perhaps, Mago.
I have also learned that translations of ancient works have sometimes confused the idea of big men and great men, with men who were physically much bigger than other men.
Then again, I find that learned men have found evidence that man-like beings well over seven feet tall walked the earth for 400,000 years.
Og data may provide me with a seed that will grow into a tree of power and understanding. An acorn grows to a mighty oak. A tiny mustard seed grows to be a plant of considerable size. Still it may take a whole lot of good evidence to form a vital seed.
Knowing that I find much joy at being where I can see wild flowers bloom is probably a greater thing in my life than any Og can be.
You are your best historian. Even so, you can learn much from the great historians, giants among men. One of those great historians is Herodotus. Herodotus is a dead Greek, but he is still a great historian. He read, but he didn't like to very much. He would travel far to hear a good story or to see for himself. I suspect that he knew that his ongoing inner story was intimately connected to the whole world of all time. He may well have known that it extended beyond world and time.
Your history begins with your personal history. Your personal history is very important. The history of your thoughts, feelings, and doings color your understanding of everything. Those thoughts, feelings, and doings of yours tints the world of each of us. Your motives, experiences, and observations make up your history and the way you see your life. May you enjoy the understanding and power of your truth and reality. Make it a good story.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Islamic Ways
There is strength in our understanding of the past to help one from the present to a better future. There are Islamic men of the past pointing to an Islamic way to thrive in the present Islamic reality. There is Mohammed and the Qur'an. There is also much more.
Europeans stood on Islamic learning to get where they are. I have a Spanish friend who said that Europeans wouldn't have pants if it weren't for the Uma. The very word for word for pants may be of Islamic origin.
Learning is needed. Learning that enhances deep understanding is needed. It is needed by and for all equally. Equality of personal value is an important and a very Islamic concept. Am I wrong?
I'm just 'this guy.' I'm not Islamic. I look to be a secular person; yet I can say that God is everything to me. God is greater.
People of much of the world learned the value of the understanding of history from people of Islam.
Europeans' knowledge of trade, mathematics, medicine, chemistry, philosophy, geography, seamanship, navigation, politics, law, banking, agronomy and more began with people of Islam.
It is not wrong to feel pride in Islamic learning of yesterday and today. We know, of course, that learning is much more than memory.
Europeans stood on Islamic learning to get where they are. I have a Spanish friend who said that Europeans wouldn't have pants if it weren't for the Uma. The very word for word for pants may be of Islamic origin.
Learning is needed. Learning that enhances deep understanding is needed. It is needed by and for all equally. Equality of personal value is an important and a very Islamic concept. Am I wrong?
I'm just 'this guy.' I'm not Islamic. I look to be a secular person; yet I can say that God is everything to me. God is greater.
People of much of the world learned the value of the understanding of history from people of Islam.
Europeans' knowledge of trade, mathematics, medicine, chemistry, philosophy, geography, seamanship, navigation, politics, law, banking, agronomy and more began with people of Islam.
It is not wrong to feel pride in Islamic learning of yesterday and today. We know, of course, that learning is much more than memory.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Opening Notes on Civil Discourse
My present notions of civil discourse include the following:
Civil discourse is talk for public and individual good. It is a respectful way of talking among equals. It is a way of talking in which the worth and judgment of the participants is a given. It requires personal modesty and an appreciation for the experience of the other participants.
Civil discourse is engagement in conversation intended to enhance understanding, It is a way to enjoy productive talk about facts, evidence, observations, and interpretations in a tolerant and courteous way.
I discussed many techniques and methods of dialogue in my Magic Table blog which are highly useful i civil discourse. A principle purpose of 'dialogue' as described in those Magic Table posts was to bring the individuals in groups of various sizes to share common meanings. That dialogue was meant to bring individuals closer to common understanding. One might consider that dialogue as an important subgroup of civil discourse.
Consider:
Who is interested in learning techniques of dialogue?
What are the more useful techniques of dialogue?
Of what use may knowledge of civil discourse be in these days?
Is there a set of categories which support civil discourse and rational inquiry?
Civil discourse is talk for public and individual good. It is a respectful way of talking among equals. It is a way of talking in which the worth and judgment of the participants is a given. It requires personal modesty and an appreciation for the experience of the other participants.
Civil discourse is engagement in conversation intended to enhance understanding, It is a way to enjoy productive talk about facts, evidence, observations, and interpretations in a tolerant and courteous way.
I discussed many techniques and methods of dialogue in my Magic Table blog which are highly useful i civil discourse. A principle purpose of 'dialogue' as described in those Magic Table posts was to bring the individuals in groups of various sizes to share common meanings. That dialogue was meant to bring individuals closer to common understanding. One might consider that dialogue as an important subgroup of civil discourse.
Consider:
Who is interested in learning techniques of dialogue?
What are the more useful techniques of dialogue?
Of what use may knowledge of civil discourse be in these days?
Is there a set of categories which support civil discourse and rational inquiry?
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Young Couple
Your contentment as a couple can get better by using a bit of a dialogue process I call Equality. It's a serious process, but it feels game-like to some. Couples usually feel comfortable with it.
To begin each partner takes five similar pieces of paper and writes a word on each of them. Each piece of paper will contain one word. Each word will be different from the other. Then the pieces of paper are folded and put in a bag or some other container. Later, one piece of paper will be drawn from the container and read aloud.
The words are best if they relate in some way to your relationship. However, it is not necessary that they do so. Words like: baby, father, sex, wife, play, relationship, work, money, fun or any other words you choose are okay.
Partner one draws one of the ten pieces of folded paper from the container and gives it to partner two to read. Partner two reads the word and partner one takes about a minute to say what he/she is reminded of by it. Partner one can say what he or she feels about the word or may define it. After partner one takes a minute to talk about the word (its good to use a timer), partner two talks about the word or about what partner one has said about the word. After partner two talks for a minute its time for partner one to talk for another minute. They continue talking by turns of a minute each until they have nothing more to say about the word at the time. Then partner two draws a word and gives it to partner one to read and they continue as before.
It is usually good to set a time limit of between twenty minutes and a hour. It is better to set a limit that is too short rather than too long. One session may be fun, but it takes five or six or more to be really helpful.
Remember to talk about the word that is drawn and never about each other.
Be kind, play fair, and be honest. BE HONEST.
Let me know how it is working out.
To begin each partner takes five similar pieces of paper and writes a word on each of them. Each piece of paper will contain one word. Each word will be different from the other. Then the pieces of paper are folded and put in a bag or some other container. Later, one piece of paper will be drawn from the container and read aloud.
The words are best if they relate in some way to your relationship. However, it is not necessary that they do so. Words like: baby, father, sex, wife, play, relationship, work, money, fun or any other words you choose are okay.
Partner one draws one of the ten pieces of folded paper from the container and gives it to partner two to read. Partner two reads the word and partner one takes about a minute to say what he/she is reminded of by it. Partner one can say what he or she feels about the word or may define it. After partner one takes a minute to talk about the word (its good to use a timer), partner two talks about the word or about what partner one has said about the word. After partner two talks for a minute its time for partner one to talk for another minute. They continue talking by turns of a minute each until they have nothing more to say about the word at the time. Then partner two draws a word and gives it to partner one to read and they continue as before.
It is usually good to set a time limit of between twenty minutes and a hour. It is better to set a limit that is too short rather than too long. One session may be fun, but it takes five or six or more to be really helpful.
Remember to talk about the word that is drawn and never about each other.
Be kind, play fair, and be honest. BE HONEST.
Let me know how it is working out.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Self-Awareness
I suspect that some self-awareness is good for me, perhaps very good.
Maybe I can stir my interest in developing self-awareness by trying to stir your interests. Perhaps in trying to persuade you I can persuade myself.
The process of gaining self-awareness has seemed a bit revolutionary to me. I'm not sure why. Maybe it has something to do with my understanding of 'self' seeming slippery.
Anyway, I am convinced that ignorance is a great danger to me and to all mankind. Awareness seems akin to knowing, understanding, illumination and the like; so may stand in opposition to ignorance. Awareness also seems like that alertness which keeps me from falling into a hole.
Configurations of energy have a growing part in my understanding of being. Energy seems to be a part of self. Are you thinking a bit more about self-awareness yet? I am.
Maybe there are some questions which can motivate us to act on our stirrings of interest. Motivation seems to be a component of self, doesn't it. Stirring is an evidence of energy, isn't it?
Are you thinking of something to say about self-awareness?
What might we say about 'self,' 'awareness,' or 'self-awareness?'
How is motivation connect to self? How is it connected to awareness?
Some people think of questions like these are attractive little doors you can open and look through to new and beautiful happenings. Some people thing of them as part of a string that they can take hold of and follow to healthful doings and understandings.
What suggestions have sages of old made about self-knowledge? How does knowing differ from awareness? How is it the same?
Why might expanding our awareness be good for us? How might that include self-awareness?
What process of evolution might we note in our life. What revolution? What patterns of activity might we note in our life?
What part might our understanding of 'opposits' play in our life?
What sort of reality can we see through pairs of opposites?
What does awareness have to do with creativity?
How might we observe a creative process within ourselves? Why would we think that there is one to observe?
What does creativity have to do with awareness.
Instead of motivating myself I may have overwhelmed myself. Well, just in formulating these questions I have stimulated a flow of meaning around their 'subjects' and objects.' Maybe if I sit down with one of them for a time I'll come to see an attractive little door or the end of a little string to follow.
Maybe I can stir my interest in developing self-awareness by trying to stir your interests. Perhaps in trying to persuade you I can persuade myself.
The process of gaining self-awareness has seemed a bit revolutionary to me. I'm not sure why. Maybe it has something to do with my understanding of 'self' seeming slippery.
Anyway, I am convinced that ignorance is a great danger to me and to all mankind. Awareness seems akin to knowing, understanding, illumination and the like; so may stand in opposition to ignorance. Awareness also seems like that alertness which keeps me from falling into a hole.
Configurations of energy have a growing part in my understanding of being. Energy seems to be a part of self. Are you thinking a bit more about self-awareness yet? I am.
Maybe there are some questions which can motivate us to act on our stirrings of interest. Motivation seems to be a component of self, doesn't it. Stirring is an evidence of energy, isn't it?
Are you thinking of something to say about self-awareness?
What might we say about 'self,' 'awareness,' or 'self-awareness?'
How is motivation connect to self? How is it connected to awareness?
Some people think of questions like these are attractive little doors you can open and look through to new and beautiful happenings. Some people thing of them as part of a string that they can take hold of and follow to healthful doings and understandings.
What suggestions have sages of old made about self-knowledge? How does knowing differ from awareness? How is it the same?
Why might expanding our awareness be good for us? How might that include self-awareness?
What process of evolution might we note in our life. What revolution? What patterns of activity might we note in our life?
What part might our understanding of 'opposits' play in our life?
What sort of reality can we see through pairs of opposites?
What does awareness have to do with creativity?
How might we observe a creative process within ourselves? Why would we think that there is one to observe?
What does creativity have to do with awareness.
Instead of motivating myself I may have overwhelmed myself. Well, just in formulating these questions I have stimulated a flow of meaning around their 'subjects' and objects.' Maybe if I sit down with one of them for a time I'll come to see an attractive little door or the end of a little string to follow.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Learn from One Another
I have been thinking about us.
Lots of things about us have come to mind. Learning has come up most. Thoughts of instruction, education, and teaching have arisen.I've thought of ways of knowing and understanding.
I have consciously and unconsciously resisted learning from time to time. Most often I have been pleased to learn, pleased to be taught. I think that often man of us would be pleased to learn, to be taught, to be educated, to be instructed.
We desire the power, the knowledge, the understanding, the skill.
Many a husband could learn to better educate his wife about a thing or two. I think that he could learn to do it in a way his wife found acceptable, perhaps even a pleasure. I am sure that a father has a skill he can help his child to develop. The child would love to receive the father nurtured skill.
A wife can find an area in which her wants instruction. She is capable of learning to instruct him in a way that honors him. A mother can learn to teach her child something in a way that is pleasing to her and to the child.
A father and a mother can learn to more appropriately applaud a child's respectful attempt to help a sibling learn.
A family member might learn to encourage a grandparent to share skill or knowledge wit another family member.
You have some willingness to learn, so do I.
Like brothers and sisters we can help each other to the power, knowledge, understanding, and skill.
Lots of things about us have come to mind. Learning has come up most. Thoughts of instruction, education, and teaching have arisen.I've thought of ways of knowing and understanding.
I have consciously and unconsciously resisted learning from time to time. Most often I have been pleased to learn, pleased to be taught. I think that often man of us would be pleased to learn, to be taught, to be educated, to be instructed.
We desire the power, the knowledge, the understanding, the skill.
Many a husband could learn to better educate his wife about a thing or two. I think that he could learn to do it in a way his wife found acceptable, perhaps even a pleasure. I am sure that a father has a skill he can help his child to develop. The child would love to receive the father nurtured skill.
A wife can find an area in which her wants instruction. She is capable of learning to instruct him in a way that honors him. A mother can learn to teach her child something in a way that is pleasing to her and to the child.
A father and a mother can learn to more appropriately applaud a child's respectful attempt to help a sibling learn.
A family member might learn to encourage a grandparent to share skill or knowledge wit another family member.
You have some willingness to learn, so do I.
Like brothers and sisters we can help each other to the power, knowledge, understanding, and skill.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Eveyen Morozov
I may be returning to my childhood reading faults. I remember reading a neat book about a guy with a bow and arrow. I tried to tell someone about it, but was having trouble. I couldn't recall or had never learned the title of the book nor the name of its author. I was ask for the name of the guy. I couldn't name the protagonist. It was Robinhood or something like that.
A Russian thinker has written a book in English
about the effect of human manipulation of the internet on their world.
With lots of wonderful examples from the way the world of nations, NGOs,individuals are using the internet, he seems to be suggesting that we have a lot to learn about using the www effectively.
One of the points he may be making is that principles and assumptions ought to be well clarified before Internet tools are applied to policy.
He is trying to help us remember the value of first principles and first assumptions.
Practical suggestions he seems to be making
include:
1. know yourself
2. know your audience
3. know your objective
2. know your tools
3. clarify the knowing among yourselves.
A flying review of what people are saying about the book on the Internet makes me think that Morozov probably feels he is attempting to communicate with ants.
A Russian thinker has written a book in English
about the effect of human manipulation of the internet on their world.
With lots of wonderful examples from the way the world of nations, NGOs,individuals are using the internet, he seems to be suggesting that we have a lot to learn about using the www effectively.
One of the points he may be making is that principles and assumptions ought to be well clarified before Internet tools are applied to policy.
He is trying to help us remember the value of first principles and first assumptions.
Practical suggestions he seems to be making
include:
1. know yourself
2. know your audience
3. know your objective
2. know your tools
3. clarify the knowing among yourselves.
A flying review of what people are saying about the book on the Internet makes me think that Morozov probably feels he is attempting to communicate with ants.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
School of the Natural Order - Official Site
School of the Natural Order - Official Site
Vitvan is dead, but his teachings are not.
His writings are for a student; they are not easy.
There are understding people at Home Farm who can empathise with a with a student.
There are people who support the daily birth of the School of the Natural Order.
I feel a joyous gratitude for the teachings, the student, and the people who understand and support.
What' it all about? Everything.
Does it help to know that the learning is often about a process of love and reality.
Vitvan is dead, but his teachings are not.
His writings are for a student; they are not easy.
There are understding people at Home Farm who can empathise with a with a student.
There are people who support the daily birth of the School of the Natural Order.
I feel a joyous gratitude for the teachings, the student, and the people who understand and support.
What' it all about? Everything.
Does it help to know that the learning is often about a process of love and reality.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
"Political?"
We don't need a 'party' to be politically organized. We don't need a 'union' to be politically organized.
We do need a better understanding of what 'political' means.
We do need a better understanding of what 'political' means.
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