~ Harper Lee
Have you heard the story about the blind men and an
elephant?
A group of blindfolded men all touch an elephant to learn what it is like, to find out find it is. But each one feels a different part, such as a leg, a side or a tusk. Then each speaks about what is before them. They realize they are in complete disagreement. And they argue, each believing he is "right."
They are all "right" in a sense because each is describing his own experience and what he is able to sense. From another perspective, none are right because they are far from understanding the whole, or what an elephant truly is.
Like all good parable stories, this one offers wisdom.
May we remember, that none of us has full understanding about anything. With that wisdom, may we share our
views and listen to one another with curiosity and respect.
For peace, with love,
Charlene
PS - One way for us to build better understanding is to say to one another something like, "Please tell me your story. I want to understand how you have come to hold this opinion." Or, something to that effect.
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WISDOM: May we hear its soft voice.
(from The Twelve Gifts of Birth)
