From International Viewpoints (IVy) Issue 19 - November 1994
See Home Page at http://www.ivymag.org/
Reflections
By Jim Burtles, England,
Conferences and comments
Recently I was savouring yet another fascinating conference.
I was surprised to hear someone describe it as something very
different
from the event I thought I was attending. To confirm my view I
listened
to several others discussing the program, the speakers, the venue
etc.. For some strange reason they also seemed to have opinions
which contrasted sharply with mine. This posed the question -
Who is out of step, all of them or just me?
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall
I took a look at myself in the nearest mirror, maybe that was
how I was viewing life and thus judging it. There was my reflection
as the handsome centrepiece of the reversed image of the world. I
was not only centre stage but also the principal player. I dwarfed
everyone else and they were all behind me. If the light was right
I could just catch the highlights in my hair - or was that a halo
I ...? So, this Mirror View was primarily self as the yard stick and
yes, they were clearly out of step and of lesser stature.
Whilst this felt very good, I wondered whether it was conducive
to harmonious relationships with these little people. I needed another
perspective.
Through a glass, darkly
Dragging myself away from the mirror, I looked out through a
nearby window and noticed the rest of the world scurrying by, at a
distance and unaware of me. They were vibrant in the sunshine,
I was stuck in the shadow. I began to yearn to be a part of this realm
which surrounded me but somehow eluded me like a distant, waking
dream. This External Diorama was dominant, remote and oblivious to
my needs, thoughts or desires. Most unsatisfying.
Through a glass, undarkly
Seeking a different standpoint I stepped outside and looked
in through the window. A troupe of actors upon a small stage seemed
to be performing for my amusement and entertainment. It was easy
to imagine that this Internal Diorama was unfolding especially for
me, and even under my control or guidance. These were 'my' players
and they were dependent upon me. Magnificent, powerful but lonely
and outside of the game, 'my' game. Unsatisfactory, but I continued
to watch, fascinated but not motivated. Stirred but not shaken.
Suddenly, they put out the lights and I was alone. All I could
see were dim, shadowy figures closing the doors and vanishing. The
window now held a partial reflection of me and the world behind me,
although the world before me had evaporated.
At the picnic
Finally, I wandered away and came upon a picnic; out in the
open air with no glass to obscure or modify the view. Here was
an ambience (atmosphere) where friends were able to share and respect
each others' habits, ideas and presence. They were all equals and
enjoyed tolerance, harmony and communication. No-one was out of step -
everyone was seated. This Panorama seemed to be stable and everyone
was enjoying it, there were no winners and no losers, just cheerful
picnickers.
I noticed some of the latecomers were wearing sunglasses and
I almost began to do some more thinking. For the time being I just
made the observation.
Moral of this story
Can you see a moral there somewhere, somehow?