from a personal poetical exploration of
thich nhat hanh's 14 precepts
second precept: truth is found in life
Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
leaving the godly gathering I ran across another such lesson I felt spited at a friend's casual rebuffs: she speaks I listen, response, she "no" and repeat I listen, rephrase, ignored, explained I listened, agreed, explained similarity united understanding beautiful but for bitterness moment to moment she didn't care to listen is questions what did I mean if she didn't understand this we do for someone we know to be wise in their way I don't know too many folks ain't like that when we assume that they are wrong, or that they do not understand us we are wrong, we do not understand them. and so the second "do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views" and third "do not force others ... to adopt your views" precepts are made light i think of my own teachings but I am priviledging my wisdom encouraging someone else to adopt my views number eight reminds me to resolve all conflict i might not have felt so confronted had not I been self-righteous, standing on my words
first | interbeing | third