Since we already have ways that we habitually relate to others, we have to be
honest with ourselves and decide if we truly WANT to find a more effective means
of interacting/relating and what we WANT to achieve with it (to what
end/result/goal). (Are the ends and the means really any different from each
other?)
Is this "Living Way" any better than any other way? Is it any more
effective than how we normally relate? What do we hope to achieve with this
"Living Way" of relating?
Question #1
With regards to the way that we interact with others (either in general, or
in some specific relationship)
What do you (really) WANT?
(see the list below for some possibilities to
consider)
(are your desires and wants consistent with a "Living Way" of
relating?)
Hypothesis #2
If my end/goal/desire is not "Living" than neither can my means be.
For example, If I desire to "Impose my Belief", then I will likely
look upon this "Living Way" of relating as merely a means to an end of
"Persuading others to my Belief."
Question #2
Given that we think that our "Desires" are consistent with this
"Living Way" of relating, why don't we relate this way more often?
In other words, why do we keep getting dragged down into wants, motivations
and reactions that are inconsistent with a true "Living Way" of
relating?
In discussing this question, I invite us all to examine our desires.
Note: You can address the questions or question the Hypotheses, or both, as
you desire!
(Partial) List of Possible
Desires / Wants / Motivations
Group 1
o To obtain security, love, freedom (derived from a painful sense of lack).
o To get more "Stuff" to fill this craving.
o To get knowledge for oneself alone.
o To be acknowledged, (as clever, or good, or important, or wise)
o To profess one's status or level of attainment, to be validated by one's
peers.
o To be Right (and seen as such by our peers).
o To Win the debate.
o To just make it go away.
o To make a particular result manifest, because we Want that result! ("Gotta
Get what I want and need !").
o To Fix the problem (or person).
o To make another person "behave", or treat us in a certain way.
o To Destroy Error wherever we see it.
o To Fight the Devil, to Slay the Dragon, to Defeat the Adversary.
o To Impose Order in accordance with your beliefs, or the beliefs of your
Tribe/Culture/Religion.
o To Defend one's own position, belief, truth, values.
o To Defend the Tribe, Culture, Herd, Hive, or Social Order which you are
invested in.
o To Escape from an unpleasant situation.
o My will be done!
Group 2
o To share enjoyable conversation.
o To share in a mutually enjoyable activity.
o To listen openly and dispassionately.
o To express Tolerance for All.
o To exchange ideas and discuss logically.
o To see the (logical/scientific/physical/psychological/meta-physical) mechanism
behind phenomena.
o To enjoy beauty, laughter, aesthetic pleasure, physical pleasure,
psychological pleasure without attachment to such.
o Just Relax and Chill.
Group 3
o To seek knowledge for the sake of sharing.
o To Listen Mindfully in order to Understand (Love) the other.
o To See the "Face of the Beloved" behind All Masks of
"Appearances".
(and experience the joy, and playful laughter that results)
o To Surrender to the process of "Becoming", wherever it may lead.
o To Surrender to THAT, which is at the core of our being.
(Source/ Higher Self / God / Christ / Love, whatever IT is).
o To consciously Contact and Unite with one's innermost Source/SELF, whatever IT
is.
o To Become (Security, Freedom, Love, etc..) in accordance with the Source's
Desire.
o To Become an unrestricted Expression of this One Source (One Will).
o To help others contact this Source and thus become more them SELF, whatever
that may be.
o Thy Will be done.
