Protestantism

» pink101 - Worth Quoting

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I thought this newsletter I get was worth quoting here.
"The Existential Living Newsletter
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"How might language create and destroy our notion of existential reality?
"Example
"Imagine two people who have just met sharing information about themselves. What questions might they ask and what predictions might we make about their answers?
"Typical questions might be 'So what do you do?', 'Where do you work?' Later on, values, relationships, aspirations might be explored. Ostensibly, this might indicate reciprocal self-disclosure about each other, based on developing trust and intimacy. However, how might their language indicate an inhibited capacity to see the indefinable totality of each other?
"Discussion
"Language often indicates a fixed notion of reality with nouns used to describe experiences e.g. 'work', 'relationship', 'love', 'social life' etc. However, these experiences are open to change, modification, changing expectations, different perceptions etc. Nouns set up expectations about the nature and essence of those experiences. The 'relationship' becomes fixed and imbued with values, expectations, beliefs and assumptions of what is appropriate, desirable or 'should be'. 'Work' becomes solid with parameters and structure around it, thus limiting its potential to evolve, change and be subject to changing perceptions.
"In making our experiences fixed, we disallow the opportunity to change our perceptions of what they and we are. Thus, instead of allowing a 'relationship' or 'work' to be open to infinite creative possibilities, it becomes limited because we have expectations of what it should be in the first place.
"Scientific Psychology considers human existence to be subject to laws similar to those of the natural world, with personality comprising a relatively stable set of variables which change little over the lifespan. This positivist approach pervades our thinking and results in individual and collective attempts to understand why people behave in certain ways. Existential writers reject the application of scientific reductionist principles, arguing that we cannot posit a nature or essence on a human being and then make conclusions or deductions because the focus is on 'existence'. Cooper (2003:10) says 'The aim of existential philosophy, then, is to develop a deeper and more complete understanding of this existence - the irreducible, indefinable totality that you, me and others are'. Thus, existence is seen as dynamic, evolving and not subject to quantitative measure or analysis.
"Self Reflection Exercise
"How can you become aware of how you deny your own existential reality by changing your language?
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"Firstly, reflect on the extent to which nouns explain your experiences i.e. interactions and the interface between your perceptions and ideals/beliefs. Secondly, exchange those nouns for verbs to expand how you create your reality. Thus, replace 'relationship' by 'relating', 'love' by 'loving' and 'work' by 'working' etc. Verbs expand your potential to 'unfix' your notion of reality and open up the possibilities to create something new - time and time again - to live in the question rather than the answer. They encourage acceptance of the 'otherness of other people' rather than a self-reflexive encounter with our own stereotypes and prejudices."
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" The Myths of Life and the Choices We Have addresses key existential questions and translates these concepts into everyday language that people can understand and apply to their own lives. Through the language of Myths, this self-help book encourages you to re-evaluate your choices and choose the life you want to live now."
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Available online at http://www.lifemyths.com/books.htm
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Thanks
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-- posted by pink101