glintofpewter Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 And sometimes it's the very otherness of a stranger, someone who doesn't belong to our ethnic or ideological or religious group, . . . that can repel us initially, but which can jerk us out of our habitual selfishness, . . .and give us intonations of that sacred otherness, which is God. Karen Armstrong quoted in "Photo Gallery: That Sacred Otherness" Sept 2012 Sun Magazine. What does this mean? You could probably list the strangers that are pictured: four foreign cultures (one perhaps an immigrant), a poor African-American woman, a black girl who seems to be learning English as a second language looking shyly up to the camera, a biker guy, and a homeless person. What is missing is a religious fundamentalist and a stereotypical politician, among others What intonations of that sacred otherness would a relationship with any these give us? Dutch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yvonne Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Dutch, I'm not sure if this is answering your question, but I think anytime I am confronted with someone who is represents something outside my experience, I try hard to understand, find common ground, and dialogue. Other than that, when I meet with someone who behaves in a way that is makes me uncomfortable I have to ask myself "Why?." What is it about this person that makes me uncomfortable? Can I learn something about myself? Does this person represent my anima or shadow? I agree completely with Armstrong's statement. I have tremendous respect for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glintofpewter Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 Maybe mine is a question best answered with mystery. My first reaction was an affirmation. But I wonder, in light of other conversations here how this still holds true. For instance, is it silly to test this by inserting into the following: What is it about God that makes me uncomfortable? Can I learn something about myself? Does God represent my anima or shadow? Dutch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glintofpewter Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 The Sun, a non-profit ad free magazine. Issues are often centered around one topic broadly defined www.thesunmagazine.org We have received the Sept 2012 Issue in the mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soma Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I think the tree of live gives us sun and shadows to grow. Being a diamond in the rough I need those others to grind, cut and polish so I also may shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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