Knowing and Convincing ©1998 NICOLEA
a) Now, consider another thing, in respect to those people in these early problem-events that you have described, in what way would you say they appeared most real and sincere in what they said and did during that event?
b) At the time when they appeared that sincere, would you say that they presented themselves as confident and knowing? Did they seem more sure, more confident, and more knowing than at other times? Please explain.
c) But for all their acting and appearing, were they, at that time, really knowing? Is it not possible that they themselves have been convinced that appearing in that way is what it means to be a knower?
d) Will you please describe the times when you, too, use that way of appearing in your relations with others. Please explain as fully as you can.
e) Or, on the other hand, in order to avoid appearing as any kind of knower, have you kept your own level of knowing incomplete? What does that mean?
f) Would you say that you have waited for scenes similar to that past scene before you allow the appearance of "the knower" within you to emerge? Please explain.
g) As you review those scenes in your life when you play a "knower," are you, in a similar way, trying to convince someone that you are right? Or justified?
h) How will your life change if you decide to drop appearing as a "knower" or a "dope" during such scenes?
i) Please describe what it is like when you don't reveal the full content of what you know even though the situation requires it.
j) But if this is NOT knowing, then what is it to know? And how should you appear as a "knower" if you do know? And, without this appearance of knowing, how will others know when you want to be known as a knower?
k) Consider the past scene you are exploring once more, because you have seen how the role of the knower plays an important part in the past drama. Contrast that way of appearing with the time when you were most sincerely, truly knowing.
l) Were you able to be most yourself in that moment when you revealed your knowing?
m) And in that moment was there any trace of an attitude that was unnecessary? What would it mean if you recognize some mask or attitude when you present your knowing?
n) In what way is revealing yourself as a knower connected with showing someone that you care about them?
o) Please describe a few scenes in your life when you experienced this kind of knowing and caring. Would you explain in what way these scenes could be described as showing love?
p) Are showing love and knowing related? Compare the scenes when you would say someone showed love and caring and then contrast them with the knowing scenes. How do they differ? Explain.
q) As you consider the past scenes from which your problems emerged, would you say that in each and every one there is someone who is playing a "knower" and showing they care? Does the caring reveal knowing or does knowing show caring?
r) Must both be present? And does this create the impression that love is present? And, in that moment when knowing and caring both seem to be present, is this the very occasion for the transmission of belief?
s) Reflect further on this very insightful moment and consider the way the players in your drama appeared. They were revealing themselves, were they not? And in this moment, would you say that there was a certain kind of beauty present? In spite of all that may have happened in those scenes, in what way can you say that you encountered a certain kind of beauty?
t) Now, drawing from your own reflections and experiences of your own problems, please explain what you think was the effect upon you of encountering the appearance of love, knowing, caring, beauty and belief? Please put into your own words what you would say that this means?
May we preserve these philosophical beauties, and exhibit them to others. May this web site expand their elegance by the enlivening rays of the philosophic fire; and by the powerful breath of genius, scatter abroad in this virtual world these latent but copious seeds.
If some sparks of this celestial fire shall animate the reader, consider yourself as well rewarded for this laborious undertaking. Ancient philosophy has been, for centuries, the only study to break the shackles of ignorance; and in which one finds an inexhaustible treasure of intellectual wealth, and a perpetual fountain of wisdom and delight.
Presuming that such a pursuit bestows the highest benefit, I, Webmistress, desire no other reward than the wealth of wisdom, and Reason as my constant Guide. If successful, may I see the praise of the liberal; and if not, I expect no defense for failure, other than the decision of the candid, and discerning few, thus the opportunity to learn, and purgation by philosophic fire.