I was delighted by Bill Harris's analogy of using christain sacrament of
communion as one might use the talking stick . It was exactly the analogy
I thought of when reading Bill Braun's query. Because many of us come
from the Christian tradition, we recognize quickly that the larger meaning
of communion can be missed, even damaged, if one uses for a 'quick fix" or
as Bill H. says so well, to demonstrate "how this novel ceremony gave them
a feeling of a common bond"
The deeper principle here is one that is threaded throughout our journeys
to become learning organizations: i.e., a discipline to always look at
the whole, not just the part.
Many of us know more of Christianity than we do of Native American
spritual traditions. Therefore, we instantly see how taking communion out
of context could be offensive as well as harmful to the spiritual practice
over the long term. Because we do not already know Native American
traditions, we do not see the harm, and so, often, proceed without qualm.
But, if in all our work, we have the discipline of always striving to look
at the whole, not just the part, we are at least equipping ourselves with
a habit that can provide us with an early warning system when we may be
unintentionally doing damage. When a new practice that seems helpful
comes our way, we can honor those introducing it to us by inquiring into
its origins, context and meaning. In this way, we are less likely to do
harm. Being continually mindful of our relationship to the whole, as well
as the parts, seems to be a lense that is especially essential when
diverse systems and cultures are trying to communicate with one another.
Marilee Taussig
610-892-7278
mtaussig@dawn-treader.com
--Marilee Taussig <mtaussig@netreach.net>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>