2004-9-9 14:15:00
It's funny now that I have hindsight, but when I first participated on web discussion groups I had the idea that they would be much more peaceful places than live discussion groups.
Why?
Because in a live discussion strong emotions often surface and people will speak impulsively, sometimes saying angry or thoughtless things they do not mean. This then sets others off doing the same thing causing anger to escalate.
Whereas when we write we have time to carefully form our thoughts and if we call the other person an SOB we have time to reflect and then delete the obnoxious word so our thoughts presented will be as if the negative word was never said.
It also seemed logical to me that when something insulting was stated in a web discussion that less offense would be taken.
Why?
The same reason. In a live discussion we react immediately to the insult and sometimes have a misunderstanding about it. Because of reaction without time to think we have wrong interpretation and feelings sometimes get out of hand.
On the web we can read an insult and take some time to think about it. One can reread the before and after and get a more accurate interpretation and take some time to think so our response is reasonable and measured.
It is interesting that reality turns out to be somewhat different than the projection of it.
First, it seems that the extra time we have on the web to absorb, think and measure is not put to use by many. Instead, many react just as strongly after having time to think as they would in person. In fact some react more strongly. Why? Because (for some) the extra time to think is extra time to foment negative emotions rather than to add extra reasoning.
This fomenting principle was what I left out of the equation when I first compared web discussion to live discussion. Because of this, emotions probably get just as out of hand on the web as they do in person. About the only advantage of the web is that it is impossible to come to blows because of the distance. Also, a few mentally polarized people do actually take the extra time involved in writing to project themselves in a more reasonable manner than in a live discussion.
That said, this illustrates that an original idea as formulated by the mind usually either has flaws in its construction or ideas about it's implementation.
An idea itself may represent a flawless ideal, but by the time it is expressed in the world of form some of the ideal is lost. Then as it is implemented many errors are demonstrated. It is only after many attempts at trial and error, and then learning from mistakes, that relative perfection is finally obtained.
Let us take the divine idea of brotherhood and equality for human beings.
This is an ideal that will eventually be achieved, but our attempts at it so far have been a disaster. For example, totalitarian communist regimes have been set up to implement this idea by using wrong methods. Humanity is examining the results of such error and is preparing for new steps in this direction that will be less harmful. It may take a million years or more, but eventually the ideal will be achieved where the individual and the whole will benefit through equality to the maximum degree.
When I came to this list as a teacher I did so with few preconceived notions. There were a number of situations for which you cannot plan so my plans were simple. Teach the highest I know in the hope that lights will gather and participate.
That's about it.
Did I have ideas as to how to handle discord?
No.
I didn't even think about it, feeling it is best to deal with such as it comes along.
Did I have ideas as to how to deal with opposing philosophies?
No.
I didn't even think about it, feeling it is best to deal with such as it comes along.
Instead of planning for specifics I tend to deal with general principles. My strategy as a teacher is basically this.
(1) Teach the highest I know.
(2) Seek to stimulate soul contact
(3) Answer all pertinent questions to the best of my ability.
(4) Be as tolerant as possible to opposing ideas.
(5) Treat members kindly unless they are openly hostile. In this case a judgment
must be made.
(6) Reexamine things periodically as the group unfolds and make adjustments.
(7) Seek to make the list a gathering place for lights.
From my point of view, nothing has changed from the beginning. I still try to stimulate soul contact as a prime objective along with the other items. People come and go, but periodical conflict and highs and lows continue and will continue.
This list has more conflict and may feel less safe than some others because more ideas are presented here and we try to give maximum tolerance toward expression, even disagreeable expression.
On the other hand, there are many lists with three times the membership of this one that has only 10% of the number of postings. Such lists have little conflict for there is little food for thought to even provide fodder for conflict.
I would rather have a small lively group than a large one weighed down with inertia.
I do not see success or failure with this group measured through the numbers of members. We do not yet have enough members to make much impact on the world. The main benefit so far has been the stimulation of ideas, concepts and teachings that will have an impact on the world and will survive all of us.
When the members of this little group have all moved on to higher spheres these writings will remain and be the fodder for the sprouting of much good in the world.
Many are aware that Larry keeps archives of my writings, but we do more than this. We also edit and archive all the postings to the group so they will be available to the future. Marilyn handled this effort for years and now Chrissie has taken over and has been putting in many hours in preserving our little place in history. We owe a lot of thanks to both of these members.
For those who enjoy this list and seek to continue on it let me offer this advice. Accept the fact that neither the members nor the list is perfect. There will be times when there will be differences of opinion, presentation of controversial teachings, rudeness and conflict between members. Things will arise that we haven't planned for that will be dealt with at the time. After they are dealt with there will be some improvement, but not perfection.
If a member cannot accept this basic statement then he will be alarmed any time there is a new conflict or problem. If he accepts the statement then he will roll with the punches (truism), remain unruffled and concentrate on learning and sharing rather than that which distracts from the goal.
As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand. Josh Billings (1818 - 1885)
Copyright 2004 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved