AN APPROACH

There is something to be learned about human nature by watching an encounter between wild animals and us.  I give you a picture;  park bench or a place in the woods, a good book, a thermos of something refreshing.  In the stillness, something begins to happen.  Birds and small animals begin to come closer, going about their business as they do. A quick motion, a pop or bang sends them scurrying off. So we return to our book and after time, they overcome their hesitence as we offer no threat, and they feel safer.  You get the idea. It is a prescription for approaching other people's ideas.  I share it hoping it answers a question.  How?   The stillness and quiet is a language to connect.  It doesn't overcome. It doesn't make one any smarter or braver. It is a way to connect. Remove the tendency to judge and criticize and something happens.  Tyically people are guarded.  Being trusting is seen as a liability a moral weakness. I must admit, piety is no anecdote. Creatures like us trust our senses and experiences. I am a stranger to the world, so people must make assumptions based on their past experience. Threat, maelevolent, dangerous, so be cautious, wary.  It makes sense to men like me, that trust is earned not assumed.  Respect is earned, not assumed. Reputation is hard earned and easily ruined. The patience required to change assumptions is just enough, not a second more or a second less. Control is inside the mind. For the  rationalist in us, it explains a great deal. Not to go into the darkness about this here, when we are talking or teaching, sharing a point of view, subtlely helping listeners lower their guard has many benefits. Why not? Connections- isn't that a part of what we do?