Remember, Jesus never said, “You must be right!” or even that it was important to be right. He largely talked about being honest and humble (which is probably our only available form of rightness).
.. Such admitted poverty in words should keep us humble, curious, and searching for God. Yet the ego doesn’t like such uncertainty. So, it’s not surprising that the history of the three monotheistic religions, in their first few thousand years, has largely been the proclaiming of absolutes and dogmas. In fact, we usually focus on areas where we can feel a sense of order and control—things like finances, clothing, edifices, roles, offices, and who has the authority. In my experience, I observe that the people who find God are usually those who are very serious about their quest and their questions. It is said that asking good questions is a sign of intelligence. But Western culture has spent centuries admiring and promoting people who supposedly have all the answers—which, too often, they have read or heard from someone else.
Krista Tippett and David Whyte on Becoming Wise
Krista Tippett, host of award-winning NPR program “On Being“, and poet David Whyte discusses several of the life-sized concepts addressed in Tippet’s book, _Becoming Wise: an inquiry into the mystery and art of living._
In 2014, Tippett received the National Humanities Medal at the White House for ‘thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence.’ Her radio program, On Being, “shines a light on the most extraordinary voices on the great questions of meaning for our time. Scientists in a variety of fields; theologians from an array of faiths; poets, activists, and many others have all opened themselves up to Tippett’s compassionate but searching conversation.” Whyte has been a guest on her show.
In _Becoming Wise_, Tippett distils the insights she has gleaned from years of luminous conversation into a coherent narrative journey, over time and from mind to mind, into what it means to be human. Critics say the book is “a master class in living, individually and collectively. Wisdom emerges through the raw materials of the every day.”
Quotes:
- Beauty is that in which when in the presence of, we feel more alive.
- Questions elicit answers in their likeness.
- Poetry is language for which we have no defense. (not facts)
- Humor is a virtue. It is a better way to live. A more joyful way to live.
- Have the courage to be vulnerable to those with whom we passionately disagree with.
- We have an illusion that we can build a fortress where we are invulnerable.
- Relationships (like marriage, children) inevitably involve heartbreak.
- This “Can do” American spirit, that we’ll just power through and duke it out, won’t work.
- Our education system encourages us to develop the quick premature answer, which robs us of our empathy
- We are wired for empathy, but not when we’re fearful.
- Virtues and Rituals are the spiritual technologies and muscle memory.
- Growth comes from weaknesses gracefully expressed
- You can’t really converse with anger.
- Anger is what pain and fear look like when they show themselves in public
- We don’t know how to dwell with human pain or fear.
- We get so titillated about our machines getting intelligent, when we should be pursuing knowledge and wisdom for ourselves.
- I would challenge the idea that we need to have common ground to have conversation (other than that we are human).
- You don’t have to like people to extend hospitality.
- Tolerance is too small a word. Tolerance is a baby step towards pluralism. Tenderness and Power, Fierceness can go together.
- We are a developing nation.
- 1950s it was revolutionary to elect a Catholic. We’ve only been at this for 60-70 years.
- Tolerance is about enduring difference.
- Kindness can feel wimpy, but kindness can be powerful and can make someone’s day. Kindness is instant gratification on both sides.