Embrace Opposite

Often people ask us - you said something and then another statement contradcited what you said - so how does this work.

We say batteries work becasue of opposite polarities.

An important differentiation, according to me of education and religion is that while most religions, at least the way they are preached in today's world, tend to define the world as black and white, right and wrong - as two extremes where one is only good (the other evil).

In education, and i guess that is the real challenge and real beauty of being a facilitator ~ we embrace the opposites, the two extremes together, we live in paradoxes.

We neither label anything as wrong, nor as right (or in/ out).....
For the sake of its importance - i say again - we embrace the opposites, the extremes.

Almost like its not two extremes, but its a circle - the 'circle of life'

In fact to me a magical facilitator actually fuels paradoxes into the design as well as the interactions in the class.

Lets look at one such paradox: As a facilitator, i know, it can be intense to be quiet, as well as interesting to be discussing. So i do both - enjoying both - experimenting with both - even regretting at times why i spoke and regretting at times why i did not!

Surprisingly this happens in our relationships too. So many times i say to myself (when talking to say, spouse) "why did i have to open my mouth" and so many times i say - "why didn't i say this at that time" ..... i guess you all can relate to my experiences?

Amazingly - for children - it is so easy to embrace opposites - one moment "You are my bestest friend" and another "You NO my friend".

Gotta learn religion from (as aditi says) "little souls"

ratnesh