Ted
Gold Meritorious Patron
The Dalai Lama Says...
Hubbard said that communication is the universal solvent.
I have had many years to first accept this statement, work with it as such, then backing off, consider its validity. Some 20 years ago I determined the statement to be bullshit. It sounds good, especially if you are selling communication technique. It's catchy. But consider the source: a pathological liar. In attempting to work with his managers using his management system, I found limited communication, and mostly commands. You have, no doubt, heard the old saying about sewage flowing downhill. In attempting to work with his justice system, I found absolutely no communication. My Comm Ev reads like a pack of twisted fact, false information taken as truth, and outright fabrication. Where is the solvent in that?
You could advance the argument that none of that is real communication, as I have done. But in that argument I call "Bullshit!" I am through being reasonable with "the tech" in an effort to make it congruent.
Communication is the universal solvent might be true for a bullshit artist who has the perceived need to be in control and dominant, on a one-way flow.
My conclusion is that, if there is a universal solvent, it is compassion. Compassion is something a bullshit artist won't be able to muster. Compassion says to the other person, "You are not alone in your time of difficulty."
Dalai Lama: "When we wish and seek to help others, our attitude is more positive and relationships become easier. We are less afraid and have less anxiety. Otherwise we remain shy and hesitant, and feel the need to take a thousand precautions before we approach people. When our intentions are good, we have greater self-confidence and are stronger. This is how we learn to understand how precious and valuable kindness is."
As always, I invite disagreement.
Hubbard said that communication is the universal solvent.
I have had many years to first accept this statement, work with it as such, then backing off, consider its validity. Some 20 years ago I determined the statement to be bullshit. It sounds good, especially if you are selling communication technique. It's catchy. But consider the source: a pathological liar. In attempting to work with his managers using his management system, I found limited communication, and mostly commands. You have, no doubt, heard the old saying about sewage flowing downhill. In attempting to work with his justice system, I found absolutely no communication. My Comm Ev reads like a pack of twisted fact, false information taken as truth, and outright fabrication. Where is the solvent in that?
You could advance the argument that none of that is real communication, as I have done. But in that argument I call "Bullshit!" I am through being reasonable with "the tech" in an effort to make it congruent.
Communication is the universal solvent might be true for a bullshit artist who has the perceived need to be in control and dominant, on a one-way flow.
My conclusion is that, if there is a universal solvent, it is compassion. Compassion is something a bullshit artist won't be able to muster. Compassion says to the other person, "You are not alone in your time of difficulty."
Dalai Lama: "When we wish and seek to help others, our attitude is more positive and relationships become easier. We are less afraid and have less anxiety. Otherwise we remain shy and hesitant, and feel the need to take a thousand precautions before we approach people. When our intentions are good, we have greater self-confidence and are stronger. This is how we learn to understand how precious and valuable kindness is."
As always, I invite disagreement.

Though I'll miss seeing the wonderful Oz scenery 

. . . you know, like parked up a blind ally with nowhere to go and nowhere to turn around 