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  %ESSENTIAL MYSTERY HOLY RELATE GROUND BEING OTHER 921224

     Our  relationships  with each other and how  well  we
resolve  conflicts  with  each other depend  significantly
upon how we relate to the essential mysteries of  reality,
to that which is essentially holy in  reality,  and to the
ground of our being.

     People who believe  and/or act as  if  there were  no
essential  mysteries  in  reality,  as if  there  were  no
essentially holy realities/relationships,  and and  as  if
there were no ground of our being---find it  impossible to
relate  in  healthy  ways to other persons as  persons  of
integrity  within  communities of integrity.  They try  to
avoid  encounters with any reality  which  is  essentially
mysterious,   is  essentially holy,  or is essentially one
with  the  ground  of our being;  and so they cannot  meet
other   people   in   I-Thou   relationships   which   are
characterized by openness,  honesty,   integrity,   trust,
respect,  admiration,  presence, security, and risk.  They
fear such encounters as threats to their beliefs.

     Some  people  approach other persons  in  essentially
objective and manipulative ways;  and are themselves often
treated  in  essentially objective and manipulative  ways.
Life for them is  essentially a contest to see who can get
the greatest advantage at the least cost.  They do not let
their lives be touched by any mystery,  any holy being, or
by  the  ground of their being.  They keep their  distance
from anything which they cannot control;  and pretend that
they  can  control any and every reality which  makes  any
difference to them.  To maintain their impression of being
successful  in  their efforts,  they narrow the  scope  of
reality  with  which  they  are  willing  to  enter   into
relationships;   and  lose touch with much of reality  for
that reason. In their objectivity they become as objects.

     In contrast,  there are other people who are open  to
the  essentially  mysterious aspects of reality,  to those
realities  and relationships which are  essentially  holy,
sacred,  and  the ground of their being.  They are open to
the encounters,  perceptions,   insights,  revelations and
relationships  which  are the essence of truly living with
balanced personal  and communal integrity.  They engage in
true dialogue, conversations, communications, and intimacy
which  are central to being true to themselves and to each
other as persons of integrity in communities of integrity.
They are not in control of themselves or each other,   and
do  not try to be in control of themselves or each  other.
They seek to be in touch with each essential mystery, each
essentially  holy  being and relationship,  and  with  the
common   ground  of  our  being;   of  whom  we  are   all
expressions.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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