Oof, this is such a good question, especially in the context of your fantastic discussion around trust: "What do you do when you live among people who make little secret that their worldview necessitates your [or your neighbor's] non-existence, or at least only existence within very narrow confines acceptable to them?"
It comes back to the paradox of tolerance too. It all feels quite daunting to be honest, but I appreciate your words and ideas nonetheless.
I really like the concept of tolerance as a paradox. I think you've really identified what so many struggle with because it *is* a paradox when you run into really extreme views.
I guess this is a journey many of us are on together.
"It starts with a willingness to dehumanize another, to decide that they’re not worthy of your compassion."
That's something I struggle with. It's one thing to stop reading a particular author or going to a filmmaker's movies because they turn out to be an asshole for any number of reasons, and something else to not even want to be in a neighborhood with someone because they fly an ugly flag, or have an awful bumper sticker on their car. I need to be better about it, if for my own sake.
I mean, it's in there because it's something I struggle with not just frequently but pretty much constantly. There is at least one person I physically see and often try to avoid every single day and I know that until I find a way to live with that person and many others and *still find beauty and joy in life,* I can't do as much good for the world as I'd like to believe.
I hadn't really thought about relating that sentiment to stopping readings authors, etc., but you're right, it's completely different. It's like what that monk Brother Steindl-Rast said about disagreeing completely with someone's views, and even fighting something they want to do (his example was cutting down rainforests but I think ugly flags and bumper stickers qualify because they're there to promote a reaction), while fully affirming their right to exist. We have to live with one another, somehow. It doesn't mean we have to immerse ourselves in someone's art or thinking simply because it's out there, much less promote it.
I love this exploration of trust--that last quote by Rushworth: “The trust is what it’s all about, and we can’t create a policy around that. We can’t institutionalize that. It’s something we have to live, and we have to want to live it.” To want to live it, in spite of, because of, is such a powerful reminder of what that small action holds in weight. 💜
"To want to live it, in spite of, because of, is such a powerful reminder" is something I'm going to try to keep uppermost in my mind.
This was a hard one to work on, and it wasn't until I read that from Rushworth that I realized it's probably because our relationship with trust has been broken for a really long time.
Oof, this is such a good question, especially in the context of your fantastic discussion around trust: "What do you do when you live among people who make little secret that their worldview necessitates your [or your neighbor's] non-existence, or at least only existence within very narrow confines acceptable to them?"
It comes back to the paradox of tolerance too. It all feels quite daunting to be honest, but I appreciate your words and ideas nonetheless.
I really like the concept of tolerance as a paradox. I think you've really identified what so many struggle with because it *is* a paradox when you run into really extreme views.
I guess this is a journey many of us are on together.
"It starts with a willingness to dehumanize another, to decide that they’re not worthy of your compassion."
That's something I struggle with. It's one thing to stop reading a particular author or going to a filmmaker's movies because they turn out to be an asshole for any number of reasons, and something else to not even want to be in a neighborhood with someone because they fly an ugly flag, or have an awful bumper sticker on their car. I need to be better about it, if for my own sake.
I mean, it's in there because it's something I struggle with not just frequently but pretty much constantly. There is at least one person I physically see and often try to avoid every single day and I know that until I find a way to live with that person and many others and *still find beauty and joy in life,* I can't do as much good for the world as I'd like to believe.
I hadn't really thought about relating that sentiment to stopping readings authors, etc., but you're right, it's completely different. It's like what that monk Brother Steindl-Rast said about disagreeing completely with someone's views, and even fighting something they want to do (his example was cutting down rainforests but I think ugly flags and bumper stickers qualify because they're there to promote a reaction), while fully affirming their right to exist. We have to live with one another, somehow. It doesn't mean we have to immerse ourselves in someone's art or thinking simply because it's out there, much less promote it.
I love this exploration of trust--that last quote by Rushworth: “The trust is what it’s all about, and we can’t create a policy around that. We can’t institutionalize that. It’s something we have to live, and we have to want to live it.” To want to live it, in spite of, because of, is such a powerful reminder of what that small action holds in weight. 💜
"To want to live it, in spite of, because of, is such a powerful reminder" is something I'm going to try to keep uppermost in my mind.
This was a hard one to work on, and it wasn't until I read that from Rushworth that I realized it's probably because our relationship with trust has been broken for a really long time.
It paid off and was such a good read. Grateful to have spent time with it today.
That is very kind, and generous. Thank you 🧡
Trust makes life possible. I love that idea and will hold onto it today.
🧡🧡🧡