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Artist of Light; Drawing from Within
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Artist of Life; Drawing from Within: On Birthing Truth
by Patti Lightflower
“First there is a mountain then there is no mountain then there is.” ~ “There is a Mountain” by Donovan
In breaking news, it was reported earlier that a neverbefore-seen island suddenly appeared off the northeast coast. This report has now been updated to include Little Grain Mountain on the same coast vanished at precisely the same time. More information coming as investigations are taking place!
“…for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say until this mountain, remove hence to yonder place and it shall move, and nothing shall be impossible to you,” said Jesus. ~ King James Bible, Matthew 17:20
Is this a paradox? A mind puzzle or a testing of the strength of our belief in ourselves? Can it be true that with enough faith in self, and in the source that tells us it is so, if only we just believe it, we can do the seemingly impossible?
In this world of diverse individuals there can be a complete spectrum of viewpoints and opinions. Some perspectives will be related to the size of the mustard seed. It’s so tiny, therefore only a tiny bit of belief would be needed. Should be easy enough to muster. But, what about disbelief? How big or small does that need to be to defeat the vision?
Maybe it’s not only about size. Plenty of room here for discussion and taking alternative views. I’m pulled into thinking about the mentality of the mustard seed. It has no doubt that it will become a mustard plant. None. No less, does the human embryo develop into a human being with or without expectations for moving mountains.
With an assortment of possibilities how do we find out what is the truth? Ruling out personal biases, agendas, attachments, as well as the feelings one gets when being accepted with exalted praise or flattery into a group, or of being excluded and shunned when you don’t fit in or go along. “Lay not that flattering unction to your soul. That not your trespass but my madness speaks.” ~ Hamlet
A truth doula is one possibility. Birthing truth. There is such a thing. It was named and defined in ancient Greece by Plato and inspired by his teacher, Socrates. It’s called “dialectic” or dialectical thinking. It has branched off into various philosophies over time, but here I’d like to stay with its root meaning. The word doula incidentally comes from around the same place and time attributed to Aristotle, Plato’s student. It originates from a Greek word that translates to ‘female slave’. Here, a slave to truth.
Dialectics relates to the fact seeking, inquisitive communication between at least two people with opposing viewpoints. The word comes from the French word dialecte which is an art of dialogue and questioning without attachment and emotions, but with reason and logic. It’s a form of debate, with polite questioning and offering of perspectives. It’s making a sincere effort to go behind each person’s current view to see what can be birthed if they try to understand what might be the same in their opposite views and explore the paradox. A paradox is when opposites can both be true at the same time.
If the conversation is quickly reduced to passionately held positions being pushed upon the other to accept because it’s your truth, and their truth is just as passionately held, then neither have reached truth. What they have are viewpoints and opinions. Truth needs to be birthed in a way as to remove the dividing factor of anger and deep negative emotions carried inside but projected onto others who think differently.
It’s healthy for ourselves as individuals and as groups, large and small, to find a way to accept and respect our diversity. In a circle containing a complete spectrum of individuals, there is always someone opposite of you. We are not all meant to be on the same page and if we are pushed to be, who chooses that acceptable page?
There isn’t a wealth of information on the internet about the approach to using a dialectical method for having a meaningful, compassionate and understanding dialogue with others while staying objective and open when sharing from the subjective, personal self.
I have a couple of books in my personal library I’d recommend that helped me in my research. An excellent resource is “The Philosopher’s Toolbox” (A Compendium of Philosophical Concepts and Methods) by Julian Baggini and Peter S. Fosl.
“Living with Paradox” (An Introduction to Jungian Psychology) by Anne Singer Harris, is another good book. Ms. Harris states “Jung’s theories are founded on the principle of paradox.”
I’m drawn to words like serendipity, coincidentally, and synchronicity. I tend to think things happen for a reason and that patterns, cycles and a connecting of the dots allow us personal insight and guidance for our life’s journey.
From out of nowhere, it came to me to read the Cheshire Cat’s conversation with Alice in the children’s classic story, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll. I don’t remember when I last read this story and wondered why my intuition was guiding me in this direction. Yet here it was. An example of a polite conversation about different viewpoints including a paradox, and maybe a dash of madness.
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”
Alice didn’t think that proved it at all; however, she went on “and how do you know that you’re mad?”
“To begin with,” said the Cat, “a dog’s not mad. You grant that?”
“I suppose so,” said Alice.
“Well then,” the Cat went on, “you see a dog growls when it’s angry, and wags its tail when its pleased. Now I growl when I’m pleased and wag my tail when I’m angry. Therefore, I’m mad.”
“I call it purring, not growling,” said Alice.
“Call it what you like,” said the Cat.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ~ Lewis Carroll
We need to talk with each other and birth the truth together.
Peace and Love to all.
Patti Lightflower
