". . . how to actually meet up with Otherness and sit down to a spicy dinner." That is the question. Thanks for asking it. I found myself thinking of Trywoodie Camp, Susie, if that ring's a bell? I think pluralism was the point.
I have my own private memories of Trywoodie when we all went there on New Year's Eve 1968/69. It was quite a crew as you can imagine. Details off the record.
What you have said applies to more personal levels of communication as well. We tend to not want to reveal that we may be profoundly different in some way than friends/acquaintances/colleagues, even some of our family members. We are taught, consciously or not, to seek what we have in common and leave it at that.
I am moved by what you've written, Susie, and agree with most of it. I want to share the one sentence with which I disagree: "Without living through suffering of one’s own, there can be no capacity for compassion. " True understanding and empathy might be hard if we haven't experienced something that causes the suffering we witness, but compassion is born into us, I believe. Ever heard a cat crying out your window? If there was a child around, I am going to bet that the child wanted to rescue that poor crying cat! Sending gratitude and love -Pam
Thanks, Pam. I believe you are right that compassion is born into us. But it seems to be a latent capacity that needs to be brought forth and nurtured. Identifying with other people's suffering as a consequence of our own is a powerful force, like what happens to people who become wounded healers.
Thank you, Susie, for sending this profound observation out into the world. The lack of compassion and empathy for others is so glaringly obvious all around us.
Yes.
". . . how to actually meet up with Otherness and sit down to a spicy dinner." That is the question. Thanks for asking it. I found myself thinking of Trywoodie Camp, Susie, if that ring's a bell? I think pluralism was the point.
I have my own private memories of Trywoodie when we all went there on New Year's Eve 1968/69. It was quite a crew as you can imagine. Details off the record.
Thank you Susie for your thinking and writing and your consistent invitations to mochin d' gadlut....big mind.
Maybe the opposite of that (small mind) is the origin of my claustrophobia.
What you have said applies to more personal levels of communication as well. We tend to not want to reveal that we may be profoundly different in some way than friends/acquaintances/colleagues, even some of our family members. We are taught, consciously or not, to seek what we have in common and leave it at that.
I agree and would add that seeking commonality seems like a good thing. Trouble comes when we keep our true selves hidden.
Brilliant
Thanks for all your careful reading of my work and for your ongoing support.
I am moved by what you've written, Susie, and agree with most of it. I want to share the one sentence with which I disagree: "Without living through suffering of one’s own, there can be no capacity for compassion. " True understanding and empathy might be hard if we haven't experienced something that causes the suffering we witness, but compassion is born into us, I believe. Ever heard a cat crying out your window? If there was a child around, I am going to bet that the child wanted to rescue that poor crying cat! Sending gratitude and love -Pam
Thanks, Pam. I believe you are right that compassion is born into us. But it seems to be a latent capacity that needs to be brought forth and nurtured. Identifying with other people's suffering as a consequence of our own is a powerful force, like what happens to people who become wounded healers.
Max and I both posted this on Facebook, figuring that if even one person reads and values it, then it was worth throwing it out there.
Much appreciated.
He's gotten one rave review so far. None for me yet. But one is that drop in the bucket.
Your perspective and your writing are so important Susie. Thankyou.
a drop in the bucket...but who knows?
It impacted me
Yes. Thank you Susie.
Thank you for being there, Anna.
Thank you, Susie, for sending this profound observation out into the world. The lack of compassion and empathy for others is so glaringly obvious all around us.