My tiny world
I was recently reminded the world I inhabit on a day to day basis is but a tiny slice of the wider world. Obviously, I always “know” this.
When I enter a part of the world which is not a regular part of my day to day world, I usually have one of four responses.
The first two possible responses are not problematic although they may be uncomfortable. Both provide an opportunity for me to be present with others and with myself. The last two may be problematic because I am likely to automatically retreat to a defensive mode which does not allow for the possibility of touching the heart of the other or allowing the other to touch my heart.
I recall a friend and colleagues telling of coming out of teaching a night class at a local college to make her way to the dark parking lot. A man stopped her and demanded that she hand over her purse. My friend was in a very spiritual space and was able to very quietly, clearly and lovingly say to his heart, “You do want to do this.” He let go of her and allowed her to safely proceed to her car with her purse.
I am not suggesting that being in such a spiritual space is always possible or easy. I am also not suggesting that every person who is different or threatening harm will be able to allow another to touch their heart. I have no evidence that the young man who opened fire and killed many people at a church in Texas the other night would have been able to allow anyone close to his heart on the day of the shooting. All evidence suggests that he was mentally ill and was apparently enormously fearful of facing his own vulnerability (based on his history of anger and violence). I can, however, work towards remaining open to the fact that I have more in common than differences with even folks such as him.
We currently live in a political world which seems to be clearly comprised of “us” and “them”. Both camps seem to find it easy to be critical of the other rather than offering positive alternatives. Even when it seems as if one side may be offering a positive alternative it is received as an anti-alternative. Yet, when I make the effort to discern the base concerns of “the other” they are exactly the same as mine. When I can allow myself to stay focused on those similarities I open the door to connecting heart to heart and, in the process. expanding the tiny slice of the world I inhabit.
Written November 9, 2017
I was recently reminded the world I inhabit on a day to day basis is but a tiny slice of the wider world. Obviously, I always “know” this.
When I enter a part of the world which is not a regular part of my day to day world, I usually have one of four responses.
- I am joyfully excited to be experiencing the electric feeling in the air as I am presented with a new piece of art, a new musical experience, a new scientific discovery or something else which does not threaten me in any way.
- I am overcome with grief or a sense of powerlessness as I witness tragic events which others are experiencing or which are thrust on me.
- I immediately discount the possibility that those in this part of the world has anything to offer me.
- I become very uncomfortable or even fearful because I do not see the possibility of sharing a common humanity and/or because I feel as if I am in an unsafe place.
The first two possible responses are not problematic although they may be uncomfortable. Both provide an opportunity for me to be present with others and with myself. The last two may be problematic because I am likely to automatically retreat to a defensive mode which does not allow for the possibility of touching the heart of the other or allowing the other to touch my heart.
I recall a friend and colleagues telling of coming out of teaching a night class at a local college to make her way to the dark parking lot. A man stopped her and demanded that she hand over her purse. My friend was in a very spiritual space and was able to very quietly, clearly and lovingly say to his heart, “You do want to do this.” He let go of her and allowed her to safely proceed to her car with her purse.
I am not suggesting that being in such a spiritual space is always possible or easy. I am also not suggesting that every person who is different or threatening harm will be able to allow another to touch their heart. I have no evidence that the young man who opened fire and killed many people at a church in Texas the other night would have been able to allow anyone close to his heart on the day of the shooting. All evidence suggests that he was mentally ill and was apparently enormously fearful of facing his own vulnerability (based on his history of anger and violence). I can, however, work towards remaining open to the fact that I have more in common than differences with even folks such as him.
We currently live in a political world which seems to be clearly comprised of “us” and “them”. Both camps seem to find it easy to be critical of the other rather than offering positive alternatives. Even when it seems as if one side may be offering a positive alternative it is received as an anti-alternative. Yet, when I make the effort to discern the base concerns of “the other” they are exactly the same as mine. When I can allow myself to stay focused on those similarities I open the door to connecting heart to heart and, in the process. expanding the tiny slice of the world I inhabit.
Written November 9, 2017
RSS Feed