The first thing I typically think of when I see something about service is Tagore's saying "I slept and dreamed that life is joy; I awoke and saw that life is service; I took action and behold that service is joy." I also thought of Ken Untner saying to the people gathered at his installation as bishop, "Hi, my name is Ken and I'll be your waiter for the next few years." He saw himself as a servant, not a prince or ruler. As I see it, to heal is to become more whole, and no one can do that for me, though we sometimes like to think it's done for us or to us, and some people like to think of themselves as having the power to heal or cure others. Someone can be present, inspiring and facilitating (which I think are a great service) -- it's for me to turn on, be open and allow for healing to happen. I think fixing implies an attitude of superiority, and it can easily be disrespectful in spite of good intentions. I see the best of service as a way of being helpful that is devoid of superiority or inferiority. We can resist the temptation to fix by being clearer that fixing and being of service are different ways of being.
On Apr 8, 2014 david doane wrote :
The first thing I typically think of when I see something about service is Tagore's saying "I slept and dreamed that life is joy; I awoke and saw that life is service; I took action and behold that service is joy." I also thought of Ken Untner saying to the people gathered at his installation as bishop, "Hi, my name is Ken and I'll be your waiter for the next few years." He saw himself as a servant, not a prince or ruler. As I see it, to heal is to become more whole, and no one can do that for me, though we sometimes like to think it's done for us or to us, and some people like to think of themselves as having the power to heal or cure others. Someone can be present, inspiring and facilitating (which I think are a great service) -- it's for me to turn on, be open and allow for healing to happen. I think fixing implies an attitude of superiority, and it can easily be disrespectful in spite of good intentions. I see the best of service as a way of being helpful that is devoid of superiority or inferiority. We can resist the temptation to fix by being clearer that fixing and being of service are different ways of being.