Seeking To Understand

How to build, sustain, and strengen the bridge of relationships between two people with the same goal but different or opposite approaches? This is a big challenge for sustaining and flourishing interpersonal relationships. It is important to understand not only what but more importantly WHY behind the actions. Empathic understanding of each other is the building block of thriving and peaceful relationships. I love Saint Francis of Assisi's words of wisdom when he shows the importance of seeking to understand rather than to be understood. I love to spend time everyday with my grandson exploring spiritual ways of living life. There are certain ideas of living a spiritual life are basically different from each other. We respectfully differ and listen to each other emapthically and compassionately. This way of relating to each other with an open mind blossoms our relationships. Differences do not create distances between both of us. I deeply value Viktor Frankle's words of wisdom: "Between a stimulus and a response, there is space and in that space there is freedom and power." When I have a different perspective or stance on an issue from the other person, I pause, breathe and create a space in me and empathically and kindly understand the other person's perspective-the WHY- and respond wisely. I also follow the same approach when it happens to me. Let me conclude with Rumi's words of wisdom: "Out beyond ideas of right and wrong, there is a field. I will meet you there."

Beautiful post, Jagdish P Dave! I love how you are learning and teaching your grandson at the same time. We should all be learning from each other and teaching at the same time.

Amen! I “second” Barbara in this! Beautiful post Jagdish! Especially love you quote from Rumi! I have a friend I meet “in the field” as often as I am able. I go there because I do not want him to ever “go to the field” to find himself alone, unheard, unloved/unhonored. I will not have it! Everyone, per my faith and belief, deserves time, attention, love, an ear and “a hug and a kiss” (an embrace of honor and respect!). Amen.

We are all interconnected and if someone is suffering, we suffer as well.