FACE TO FACE Most of us do not think about Paradise on earth; we are too knowing, and too cynical because of what we think we know about ourselves and each other. Yet I find the idea of Paradise a useful one, useful for talking about a way in which we might all live together right here, right now. For inherent in this idea is an unconditional acceptance and deep regard for the welfare of one another. In Paradise, we suspend our critical and evaluative thinking about the other and instead practice compassion and empathy. Words can wound, so we consider their effect carefully before we speak. Listening becomes even more important than giving advice, regardless of how spot-on we think that advice might be. Patience with one another replaces the urge to control and to devalue. Hope means believing the best of one another. Paradise is not a place or a time; it is a quality of life based on a sense of unconditionality in relating with one another. It means giving to the other what we are hoping for ourselves, an unconditional welcome, a genuine acceptance, and a gentle celebration of just being together. Such unconditionality is not easy to practice. Rather, it takes courage. First, to believe that one is acceptable and is accepted, and then, courage to act on it in relating with others. It means seeing beyond the “definitions” we can place– in terms of color, age, education, occupation, clothing, political preference – and many more. It means having the courage to ask another to take off the dark glasses, so that we can see and be seen face to face. In such meeting, there is joy. In such living, there is peace on earth.
“…I FIND THE IDEA OF PARADISE A USEFUL ONE, USEFUL FOR TALKING ABOUT A WAY IN WHICH WE MIGHT ALL LIVE TOGETHER RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. FOR INHERENT IN THIS IDEA IS AN UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE AND DEEP REGARD FOR THE WELFARE OF ONE ANOTHER.”