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 %DISCERN AUTHENTIC INTEGRATIVE AUTHORITIES MERITED 030819
%HONOR RESPECT SUPPORT REVERENCE VIRTUE DIVERSE GOD 030819
   %COMPLEMENTARY INTEGRITIES DEMONSTRATIONS BEINGS 030819
  %META JUDGMENTS IDEALS VALUES PRINCIPLES ENVISION 030819
  %BEWARE EXCLUSIVE DOMINATION POWER CONCENTRATIONS 030819
%NEGATIONS DENIGRATIONS CRITICISMS CONTENTIOUS LOVE 030819

     In what ways and according to what principles, ideals
and values --- can  we  reliably  discern  which  of  many
authorities most merit our respect, honor, and support?

     1.  It is good when multiple, diverse and independent
authorities  are  in agreement;  or at least  are  not  in
contentious disagreement.

     2.  It is good when there is agreement on the part of
multiple  authorities from within diverse: times,  places,
cultures, races, religions, professions, political groups,
etc.

    3.  It  is  good  when there is agreement  among  many
complementary ideals,  values, principles and values;  and
it  is  a  sign for caution  when  there  is  disagreement
between complementary: ideals,  values, principles values,
etc.  The whole truth is paradoxical in complementary ways
which seem contradictory to different people.

     4.  Beware of  the  affirmations  of  people who are:
isolated,    estranged,    sick,   dis-eased,    diseased,
contentious, coercive,  violent, domineering,  unbalanced,
prejudiced, judgmental, technocratic,  narrow,   negative,
and overly-specialized.   When we are with such people ---
we need to seek  to understand  the  true  roots  of their
distresses.

     5.  Beware of people who are more often  critical and
negative in their orientations;  than they are integrative
and affirmative in their orientations.

     6.  Beware  of people who expect and demand constant:
uniformity, conformity and formalities.

     7.  Beware of people who are constantly  fearful  of:
diversity,    creativity,    spontaneity,   and   personal
authenticity.

     8.  Beware of  people  who are always quoting ancient
authorities  and  never  making reference  to  the current
experiences of people who are now alive, vital, authentic,
and lively.

     9.  Beware  of  authorities  whose  affirmations  and
recommendations   are  incoherent;   i.e.,    lacking   in
integrity.

     10.  Honor authorities whose affirmations demonstrate
integrities   which  are  both:   personal  and  communal;
abstract and concrete; existential and ontological, etc.

     11.  Honor  authorities  who  are often  involved  in
constructive relationships with people of diverse:  races,
cultures,  religions, economic-strata, educational-strata,
etc.

     12.  Honor  authorities  who  regularly  demonstrate:
civility,  hospitality,  sympathy,  empathy, authenticity,
intelligence, common-sense,  sophistication,   simplicity,
humility,  justice,  and mercy.  The more they demonstrate
such virtues,  the merrier.

     13.  Honor  authorities  who  demonstrate  liberating
ways  to transcend the provincialisms of isolated:  times,
places,     cultures,    religions,     political-parties,
educational-specialties,  professions,  doctrines, habits,
traditions and rituals.

     14.  Spend time with people who regularly demonstrate
simple common sense  and intuition, as well as with people
who   regularly  demonstrate  learned  sophistication  and
academic erudition.

     15.  Spend time with people who regularly demonstrate
that  they  are growing in at least one  significant  way.
Beware  of people who regularly demonstrate that they  are
NOT growing in any significant way!

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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