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<DIV><FONT size=1>Chris....</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT size=1>As I read your graciously generous posting, I smiled as I have
several pages of similar notes. How ever-willing that self-critic is to
jump right in there just when I think I've achieved a mind free from
doubt. At that point my attempt to just hold my ground requires the
"inflatable shoes" to become lead shoes.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Your stunning description of silence resonates. On my
own and with groups I share meditation, silence (although often stormy) is
welcome. Yet in working with groups I fall into mindreading — as I sense
others are uncomfortble with the silence, the host in me who is conditioned to
insure that everyone has a good time wants to fill in the space and
silence. My knowing is that this is manipulative and closes space — still
it offers over and over.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>The following story arrived on email — I offer
it.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>An old man, a boy and a donkey were going to town. The boy rode on
the<BR>> > donkey and the old man walked. As they went along they passed
some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was
riding.<BR>> ><BR>> > The man and boy thought maybe the critics were
right, so they changed positions. Later, they passed some people that
remarked,<BR>> > What a shame, he makes that little boy walk." They then
decided they both would walk!<BR>> > Soon they passed some more people who
thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride. So, they
both rode the<BR>> > donkey.<BR>> > Now they passed some people that
shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey. The boy and
man said they were probably right, so they decided to carry the donkey. As
they<BR>> > crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he
fell<BR>> > into the river and drowned.<BR>> > The moral of the
story?<BR>> ><BR>> > If you try to please everyone, you might as
well<BR>> > kiss your ass good-bye.</DIV></BODY></HTML>