Re: Wisdom LO871

Michael McMaster (Michael@kbddean.demon.co.uk)
Fri, 21 Apr 1995 20:28:27 GMT

Replying to LO854 --

In the wisdom conversation, I'm reminded of my favorite scene from "Dances
With Wolves." Its a council process and I forget what they're discussing
but its important - like whether or not to attack the white man. The
wisdome that is displayed is in the listening - and in the speaking that
will not rush to a conclusion. There's a lot of silence and a lot of
counsel to "wait until its obvious". The only speaking besides this that
demonstrates the wisdom is a certain ability to capture the essence or
spirit of what is happening and to let it be, let it develop.

I don't know where compassion comes in. I think that if we listen in this
way and don't commit until commitment isn't necessary, then we will also
have compassion in a practical sense. (In the same sense that one of the
great modern thinkers said on his death bed, "I don't know if we can all
love each other. But we certainly could try being kinder to each other.")

What do I mean, "until commitment isn't necessary"? What I mean is that
if we listen long enough and profoundly enough and if we wait until what is
wanting to happen shows itself (or evolves in the dialog), then what is
wanting to happen will happen quite naturally and we won't need this
"commitment thing" whatever that is.

And I think that wisdom will, occasionally, commit before it seems time.
(Just so we don't get too settled in "which is the _right_ position.)

-- 
Mike McMaster      <Michael@kbddean.demon.co.uk>
    "Intelligence is an underlying organisational principle
     of the universe.  The 'logos principle' is hidden and
     perceptible only to the intelligence."   Heraclitus