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Posted by josef on 4/15/2011, 10:56 am, in reply to "Re: words"
24.32.223.x
--Previous Message--
: greetings josef,
:
: It seems that adding words in response to
: your words is the dance of communication.
: Since i can't read your body language all
: that is left is words, at least here that
: is.
:
: Perhaps, what we all are doing here is
: sharing our experiences through words. You,
: like me, maybe, tend to prefer sense over
: analysts.
:
: Hopefully, sharing your spirit of direct
: experience.
:
: P.S. Perhaps rat is missing the zen that
: comes with silence??
:
: in peace,
: gar
Hi, gar,
Communication largely depends on words, no doubt. (But not entirely! A touch, a hug, a smile, grimace or punch in the nose all speak volumes.)
Considering the sea of words that is "civilization" I wonder at what's being communicated. Much is direct manipulation meant to influence...advertising, political speeches, editorials, and a lot of what takes place in relationships, too.
I think this is where the Taoist principle of non-contrivance is most useful for me; being aware of when communication is contriving (trying to manipulate, influence, in some way to some purpose).
A lesson in self-knowledge to be aware in my own communication, choosing sincerity and respect over manipulation. An ongoing self-lesson, the desire to influence is a sneaky one. A sense of humility grows in learning this.
A lesson in being alert to seeing the agendas (often amusingly overt) in words from others and other places, being smart and alert, not susceptible to being duped, conned, manipulated or persuaded without valid cause. A sense of integrity in this.
I live in the South where talking endlessly about anything is raised to an absolute art form. In society today everywhere people with cell-phones jammed to their heads. So much talking! My own preference is for fewer words, this is the only place I 'talk' much, but the subjects discussed are the ones that engage me. How we handle the business of words really reflects, I suppose, our focus and interests, and perhaps even character. For one so suspicious of words, I love them greatly, read a lot, love their color, flavor, vivid ability to touch us and teach us.
Words...strange symbols that have taken over the world! Reminds me of that old radio hoax about the attack of the killer tomatoes. :-)
Out of words, for a while, (finally),
josef
154
"The Tao is basically utterly open. Utter openeness has no substance. It ends in endlessness, begins in beginninglessnes".
-Li Daoqun
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