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life
November 2009 
On 'growing'...
Posted on Oct 6th, 2007
by 
siafu
siafu
| I want to say a little about 'growing'... This is another word which has a vast array of meaning and connotations... I do not wish to trot out the usual cliches associated with this word, but it does hold the key to so much that is worthwhile and intrinsic to human experience and our 'journey'... I have recently experienced a existential leap in my own personal growth... This is to do with several factors; so much of how we behave, react and interact with others depends on our personal state of maturity and 'growth' as a human being.. Until we really know ourselves, deeply, radically, I do not believe we can give ourselves authentically, wholesomely and unequivocally to others... Until we have learned to surrender our cherished beliefs and codified understanding of our self-motives, we are not truly present with the presence of others... We therefore give a portion and this itself is degraded by us not being in a position to see the truth of the interaction - for what it really is. This I believe is the source of so much misunderstanding in human affairs, the cause of so much strife, conflict and misery... Thus the huge importance of stiving to really know ourselves, of growing into our lives and experiences so that we may better connect and have an honest view of interrelations and a clarity of action that can have a beneficial effect on all those with whom we interact on a daily basis... I guess I am privileged to be a teacher of a group of teenage children with autistic spectrum conditions - this has been a factor in enabling me to face my own state of being. This has enabled me to grow. One major factor I have come to grips with through this profession is of my own inadaquacies as a less than fully aware human being. I have had to come to face and understand my own levels of frustration, prejudice and, on occasion, downright ignorance towards the vision and competence of other beings whose comprehesion of the world is so radically different from my own. Nevertheless, I have been able to face these issues with patience, diligence and fortitude. i am happy to relate huge growth in my ability to accomodate my love and patience with my students. We have travelled a long way and continue on this incredible journey together; daily I am pushed to my limits of understanding and abilities and yet find the strength and courage to go forth and build new concepts and ways of teaching that benefit both me and them... Growth is not, never was and never will be easy, but there is, to my mind, no other way of moving on... I am grateful to myriad beings for their contribution to my growth and understanding and pray that this journey continues to wind its way to the fulfilment of a better existence for all of us who have a different concept of living... with bows and gratitude... upon a withered tree, a new bud grows... |
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