|
Response Is Different From An Answer
by Ariel Burger
[Listen to Audio!]
 The current moment calls for moral ferocity. We should not sleep well at night when we know others are suffering. Ferocity itself, though, holds danger. Let’s not forget that some of the worst perpetrators of evil have often claimed to act in the name of the good, or God, or the national interest, or a future utopia. By claiming the moral high ground, and labeling our opponents misguided, we run the risk of doing great harm in the name of good.
I suggest that we balance our moral ferocity with humility and tenderness. First, we need the humility of consistent self-examination. This requires us to do something very countercultural: Celebrate questions even when we do not have answers. Our culture rewards certainty, confidence, and definitive answers. By celebrating questions, we increase the likelihood of identifying the potential harm we might do in the name of our values. […]
But what of the student who asks: Questions alone aren’t enough! After all, we need to know what to do, how to behave, and how best to address practical challenges.
This is an important challenge to an approach that emphasizes questioning and humility. These moments often call for bold and creative responses. It is not enough to repeat the stories of the past; we must also write new ones. We must step off the page into our own situation, which is unmapped and unknown.
But there is a critical difference between an answer and a response. An answer is definitive and closes down conversation. Further, if my answer is opposed to yours, then the possibility of conflict becomes great. We live in a time of many answers, very little clarity, and increasing disconnection between people.
Unlike an answer, a response is an action. A response is defined by a question and provides meaning. It allows me to transform the urgency I feel about an issue into action. We need more responses to human suffering, and fewer definitive answers.
About the Author: Rabbi Ariel Burger is an author and educator. Excerpt above is adapted from this article.
Latest Community Insights  |
Response Is Different From An Answer
How do you relate to the notion that a response is different from an answer? Can you share an experience of a time you balanced moral ferocity with humility and tenderness? What helps you lead with a response instead of an answer? |
| Jagdish P Dave wrote: An "answer" is definitive with no openness.It has no room for an open endeddiscussion and a dialogue. A responseis an invitation with an open mind and humility for self-examination. A respon… |
| David Doane wrote: A response is what you are experiencing as you take in the other and what s/he says or does. Your response is what you are feeling, sensing, thinking, imagining, and your expressing of it. A response … |
| Share/Read Your Reflections |
|
|
|
|
Awakin Circles:
Many years ago, a couple friends got together to sit in silence for an hour, and share personal aha-moments. That birthed this newsletter, and rippled out as Awakin Circles in 80+ living rooms around the globe. To join in Santa Clara this week, RSVP online.
Some Good News
Video of the Week
Kindness Stories
Global call with Vinod Sreedhar!
 Join us for a conference call this Saturday, with a global group of ServiceSpace friends and our insightful guest speaker. Join the Forest Call >>
About
Back in 1997, one person started sending this simple “meditation reminder” to a few friends. Soon after, “Wednesdays” started, ServiceSpace blossomed, and the humble experiments of service took a life of its own. If you’d like to start an Awakin gathering in your area, we’d be happy to help you get started.
|
|
Sangha of Auspicious Companions 