I forget the exact statistics, now, but your writing this week sparked an observation I read about. In a classroom, we are taught to answer questions. Within split seconds of a teacher asking something, hands go up (or not). It’s the teacher who gets to ask the questions. The early-years training continues. Until we find out that asking great questions is much more rewarding, as Rilke and others you mention point out.
You might be interested in the Right Question Institute. They do the work on helping people answer the right questions ...
Whoa! Had never heard of the Right Question Institute - this looks really interesting, I'm excited to keep reading more about it. Thanks for sharing and for the kind words.
This is a great example of what I loved about your writing in the first place when I first stumbled on an article you'd written, that you know exactly how to bring the heady experience of introspection and higher thought down to earth at just the right moment. I laughed out loud at, "This inspired me to try asking myself a question: What the fuck am I doing?"
And this -
"We start living our way in the direction of an answer. In the process, we become more of ourselves. We show up better for others. We act with intention. And this, I believe, enables us to make the most out of our time on this spinning rock."
A pleasure to see your essential voice back in flow Alex.
I'm not good at asking questions, and I've wanted to learn to be better at it for a while. But the one question I *am* good at asking is "What the fuck am I doing?" If only I had some answers for this... lol
Hah, well I genuinely believe that earnestly asking that question - even if you don't have an answer - is itself a hugely beneficial act, even if you don't realize it.
I forget the exact statistics, now, but your writing this week sparked an observation I read about. In a classroom, we are taught to answer questions. Within split seconds of a teacher asking something, hands go up (or not). It’s the teacher who gets to ask the questions. The early-years training continues. Until we find out that asking great questions is much more rewarding, as Rilke and others you mention point out.
You might be interested in the Right Question Institute. They do the work on helping people answer the right questions ...
I always love your refreshing questions!
Whoa! Had never heard of the Right Question Institute - this looks really interesting, I'm excited to keep reading more about it. Thanks for sharing and for the kind words.
The Right Question Institute?! I've been looking for something like this! Thank you
I know, right!?
When I heard about it, it just made so much sense. Suddenly, loads of disparate dots coalesced together!
Here's to you asking more questions brother!
This is a great example of what I loved about your writing in the first place when I first stumbled on an article you'd written, that you know exactly how to bring the heady experience of introspection and higher thought down to earth at just the right moment. I laughed out loud at, "This inspired me to try asking myself a question: What the fuck am I doing?"
And this -
"We start living our way in the direction of an answer. In the process, we become more of ourselves. We show up better for others. We act with intention. And this, I believe, enables us to make the most out of our time on this spinning rock."
A pleasure to see your essential voice back in flow Alex.
Thanks for your kind words Rick. You've helped me refine and develop that voice more than you know :)
I'm not good at asking questions, and I've wanted to learn to be better at it for a while. But the one question I *am* good at asking is "What the fuck am I doing?" If only I had some answers for this... lol
Hah, well I genuinely believe that earnestly asking that question - even if you don't have an answer - is itself a hugely beneficial act, even if you don't realize it.