Saturday, September 10, 2011

Banter 15 - Muddy water - to stir or let settle?


Sunday, September 18th, 7pm
Usual Place
Bring:  Usual Things

Topic:  Differing beliefs/points of view and why they evoke tension vs. curiosity in (the majority of) people. 



Prep:  Contemplate your most recent instance of being confronted with differing beliefs (p.o.v.) between yourself and another, particularly one where you acted in a tense manner vs. one of calm curiosity.  What happened in your body/psyche/heart/mind/emotions that tension became the response?  Perhaps it was useful?  Perhaps it wasn't completely useful?  Shawna, treasured Banterer, can't come due to travels this time around, but she shared a quote with me the other day that seems the perfect and simple prep for this topic:

"Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and your water is clear?  Can you remain unmoving until right action arises by itself.  -Lao Tsu

Well, not very often, but sometimes.

Or another version of it that I just found:  "Muddy water, let stand - becomes clear."  -Lao Tzu (600-531 BCE)

If other quotes, poems, stories, etc. arise related to this topic, please email them to the group.

See you in a week,
Sabine

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