This is http://www.essayz.com/a9302134.htm Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words. {Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.} ========================================================== %WISE ROOT COMMUNAL TALK CONFLICT EXPERIENCE ROOT 930213 Wisdom is rooted in communal true dialogue regarding patterns of contradiction between open and honest personal experiences---on the one hand---and repressive prohibitions, taboos, collusions, addictive controls, excommunications, rejections, alienations, etc.---on the other hand. The repression of personal awareness of such patterns of contradiction robs a community of the roots of wisdom. Wisdom is nurtured when members of a community are encouraged by the communal leaders to feed their awareness of such contradictions; so that open and honest dialogue about such contradictions is encouraged through gifts of mutual security. True wisdom can flourish only when we are free to and encouraged to own and know our own personal experiences which contradict conventional wisdom. If we are permitted to own and know only experiences which support conventional wisdom---then we are imprisoned in collusive games of mutual self deception of addicts and their supportive codependents. Conventional wisdom which permits and/or encourages such dishonest games of mutual self deception is not true wisdom. People who see through collusive games of mutual self deception need to be careful that they do not imprudently expose the lack of personal and communal integrity which the games engender. To state what the rules of the games are---is taboo and likely to elicit life-threatening responses. To indicate that the games are being played--- is taboo. To stop playing the games is taboo. It takes a delicate balancing act to honestly have and own the experience of perceiving the collusive games of mutual self deception, to find intimate friends with whom it is safe to be in dialogue about the dishonest games, and to charitably de-fuse the risks inherent in clearly perceiving and describing the dishonest games. Collusive communities dominated by addictive attitudes and patterns of thought do not encourage true dialogue regarding patterns of contradiction between open and honest personal experiences---on the one hand---and repressive prohibitions, taboos, collusions, addictive controls, excommunications, rejections, alienations, etc. --- on the other hand. Such contradictions often expose the lack of personal and communal integrity in the community, its powerful leaders, and in its dominant ideals, values, attitudes, and patterns of perception. The people who prohibit honesty are the primary victims of their own dishonesty and prohibitions; but they also victimize many other people. Others who are victimized need to clarify among themselves what the prohibition of honesty does to personal and communal integrity. Only then is it possible to take all the steps needed to promote healing, reconciliation, and ultimately both personal and communal integrity. (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================