Please tickle my heart and my mind
Early this morning a friend texted me something which he knew would challenge some of my political views. Other friends frequently challenge me to think outside of my tiny box of thoughts.
Also, this morning I listened for the third time to the October 11, 2018 conversation between Krista Tippett, host of On Being, Erick Erickson and Sally Kohn. Mr. Erickson is “editor of the conservative blog, The Resurgent, He’s the author of Before You Wake: Life Lesson from a Father to His Children.” Ms. Kohn “is a progressive columnist and political commentator for CNN…. She hosts the podcast, State of Resistance. She’s the author of The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity.”
I listened to this particular conversation for the third time because:
I urge the reader to listen and then to listen again to this conversation. I will warn the listener to be careful as they might like these three people. Indeed, there is much to like and even admire about all three of them. I am not surprised that I do since I have long experienced liking and respecting many of those who believe that the road to healing in this country; the road to spiritual growth is a much different than the one I often envision.
A part of me takes great comfort in the illusion of being right or knowing the moral/ethical path to take. For example, I cannot imagine taking the life of another person and, yet, as I read again of the millions of people being killed – of the genocides – during WWII I am hard pressed to articulate a response which did not require or involve stopping those doing the mass killings and other forms of abuse with violence. I know, of course, this may be limited vision on my part. I can easily, from the perspective of this distance, identify preceding behavior of all the parties which could have been kinder, more just and much less arrogant. Yet, once one reaches the point of the gas chambers can non-violence really work?
I have many passionate opinions, hopes and some would say illusions and delusions. I desperately need to believe that all of us are better than our worst behavior. I need to believe that there is a kernel of solid goodness beneath the fear which underpins much of the behavior that I find unkind or even unacceptable. Yet, I am not arrogant enough to believe that I alone have been chosen to bring the absolute truths to those others who may think that they have been chosen to bring absolute truth. Knowing this, I can still get trapped in my opinions and beliefs and in my need to be right- to believe I know what is right!
Perhaps when we tickle each other minds from a place of love we can each come closer to creating a place which is kinder, more accepting of differences and similarities, and see a way to take the next step of this journey together.
Please, everyone, keep tickling my mind and heart. I will also promise to tickle yours.
Written October 18, 2018
Early this morning a friend texted me something which he knew would challenge some of my political views. Other friends frequently challenge me to think outside of my tiny box of thoughts.
Also, this morning I listened for the third time to the October 11, 2018 conversation between Krista Tippett, host of On Being, Erick Erickson and Sally Kohn. Mr. Erickson is “editor of the conservative blog, The Resurgent, He’s the author of Before You Wake: Life Lesson from a Father to His Children.” Ms. Kohn “is a progressive columnist and political commentator for CNN…. She hosts the podcast, State of Resistance. She’s the author of The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity.”
I listened to this particular conversation for the third time because:
- The first time I listen I mainly hear the words and the chatter in my head.
- The second time I begin to hear or read beneath the words and the chatter in my head.
- The third time I begin to like and appreciate the person who is talking or writing which increases the chances of “hearing” them.
I urge the reader to listen and then to listen again to this conversation. I will warn the listener to be careful as they might like these three people. Indeed, there is much to like and even admire about all three of them. I am not surprised that I do since I have long experienced liking and respecting many of those who believe that the road to healing in this country; the road to spiritual growth is a much different than the one I often envision.
A part of me takes great comfort in the illusion of being right or knowing the moral/ethical path to take. For example, I cannot imagine taking the life of another person and, yet, as I read again of the millions of people being killed – of the genocides – during WWII I am hard pressed to articulate a response which did not require or involve stopping those doing the mass killings and other forms of abuse with violence. I know, of course, this may be limited vision on my part. I can easily, from the perspective of this distance, identify preceding behavior of all the parties which could have been kinder, more just and much less arrogant. Yet, once one reaches the point of the gas chambers can non-violence really work?
I have many passionate opinions, hopes and some would say illusions and delusions. I desperately need to believe that all of us are better than our worst behavior. I need to believe that there is a kernel of solid goodness beneath the fear which underpins much of the behavior that I find unkind or even unacceptable. Yet, I am not arrogant enough to believe that I alone have been chosen to bring the absolute truths to those others who may think that they have been chosen to bring absolute truth. Knowing this, I can still get trapped in my opinions and beliefs and in my need to be right- to believe I know what is right!
Perhaps when we tickle each other minds from a place of love we can each come closer to creating a place which is kinder, more accepting of differences and similarities, and see a way to take the next step of this journey together.
Please, everyone, keep tickling my mind and heart. I will also promise to tickle yours.
Written October 18, 2018
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