As you continued the thread on organizational "meditation", Michael, I
kept having the image of a Quaker meeting where the practice is to sit
together in silence until one is "moved" to speak. Others then allow that
message or thought reverberate in the silence until another person is
moved to speak. I am not very familiar with the practice except at a
distance, but it seems to me to be a fertile ground for emergent learning,
knowledge, and wisdom. The community becomes the voice for that which is
beyond the reach of an individual alone.
My own thoughts of this approach in action keep circling an image of a
clear, still pool of water into which a pebble is dropped or a leaf falls.
The value is not in the event itself so much as it is in the perception of
the whole process of stillness to movement and back to stillness again.
This then brought to mind a verse from the Tao Te Ching which I
particularly appreciate.
I could not find my favorite translation, but here is one that comes close
to it...
On the Wise Ones of Old (remember that this was written 2,600 years
ago...)
The wise ones of old had subtle wisdom
And depth of understanding.
So profound that they could not be understood.
And because they could not be understood,
Perforce must they be so described:
Cautious, like crossing a wintry stream.
Irresolute, like one fearing danger all around.
Grave, like one acting as guest,
Self-effacing, like ice beginning to melt,
Genuine, like a piece of undressed wood,
Open-minded, like a valley,
And mixing freely, like murky water.
Who can find repose in a muddy world?
By lying still, it becomes clear.
Who can maintain his calm for long?
By activity, it comes back to life.
He who embraces this Tao
Guards against being over-full.
Because he guards against being over-full,
He is beyond wearing out and renewal.
(From _Tao: The Three Treasures_, by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)
Cound this in some way also describe the "learning" organization?
-- Tobin Tobin Quereau <quereau@austin.cc.tx.us>