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The Value of Argument
The fun starts when one's beliefs are no longer threatened, but refined by opposition. Joseph ________________________ 01 Aug 2001 Argument (and conflict) becomes a negative thing when it is cut short out of fear, attachment, or from a lack of faith in the process. Thus, all parties are denied closure and healing, and it sets things up for another round of even more escalating conflict. Here is a fishing analogy, showing the process taking place when arguing over some issue: A statement is made (or act committed) which stirs people up. Thus the calm waters of conformity are disturbed as the bait is dropped into the pool. [K17]. Fish begin to gather around the bait, swimming in circles around it. Some attack it, some desire/admire it, some take it and run off in a direction of their own choosing, leading the other fish off in chase. Yet the fisherman waits in silence for the fish to run themselves out, and for calmness once again to return. Then the fish is pulled out of the water and digested to reveal a principle. Once we have arrived at a principle pertaining to our problem, we then have an opportunity to apply the principle, either as a basis for action, a means of understanding, or as a new seed thought for meditation. However, jerk the hook out of the water too soon, and we may have either no fish or snagged the wrong fish. This may explain some of the frustration certain members feel when the process of arguing is cut short or shut down or prematurely curtailed, and thus there is no resolution/revelation/realization, but just a temporary truce. The more interesting the bait on your hook, the more fish come out after it and the more the water is going to roil before it calms down. A good fisherman must learn to trust [K11] the process. Otherwise, one will be forever jerking the line and scaring away the fish. I've been on this list on/off for some 5 years now, and I've learned to trust the process, no matter how choppy the waters may appear at times. Another fishing secret: If we're feeling bad and thinking about the "one that got away", we're likely to miss the big one that's nibbling on our line right now. RL ________________________ Good post! Probably one of most difficult perspectives to maintain, is to penetrate the " personality presentation" of the principles and let the truths/observations speak for themselves. IMO, one of the most beneficial changes that overtakes the occultist is an overhaul of the " spiritual digestive system", what is and what isn't important/ substantial becomes the issue of discrimination ; things that are not an ideal or principle seem to , more frequently, simply fall away. Kevin ________________________ Red Lion, IMO, you made some profound observations in your last post---too long for me to hook this on to. You touched on real lessons learned in this forum that are seldom observed/mentioned/valued. Such as:: About "jerks" who jerk the line too soon and lose the fish
(lesson). Fishing 101! Joseph |