Well the whole idea of journalling the prcess of creating this course failed. Once I got into it I stopped doing the blog. The course itself was pretty consuming. Very enjoyable but largely consuming. I am pleased with the result. More later, I am headed to the final class.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
The Course Outline
Week after week the process of the course must build to an understanding. A meaningful understanding.
What is the point without practical abilities.
Reading the typical crap on power really pisses me off. It is defined and trapped within a strict empirical sociological paradigm. It cannot go outside those parameters because the parameters begin after the important stuff is begun and therefore is forgotten.
It has been said that although a great deal has been written on power - it is a considerable fascination - no one has described the secret of power.
In fact, in Robert Greene's book The 48 Laws of Power he admits in his introduction;
"These writings span a period of more than three thousand years and were created in civilizations as disparate as ancient China and Renaissance Italy; yet they share common threads and themes, together hinting at an essence of power that has yet to be fully articulated."
When I turn to the great thinkers the reading is much more enjoyable but I must say that the heart of the matter remains absent in any express form.
When you teach a college course they expect you to cover the typical. The usual. The same old same old.
But I only have about 12 weeks to really get at it. And I believe in my heart that what I have to say means a whole lot more than to read one more time about sociological definitions.
Where is the worth?
So I come back to the same Question. Do I teach On Having Power, or do I teach 'this is what others have said about power?'
But if I do it, what will happen. The course outline must be a lie if I am to get it approved. I must say that I will teach one thing and actually teach another.
The best part of the course will be the journey of the students toward an understanding - a personal understanding - of where power fits into their lives and how they are to deal with that.
And what is that without an ability? What is the use of understanding if it doesn't lead to action?
Should I teach them how to have power? Should I teach them how to battle power?
Do I really have any choice?
What is the point without practical abilities.
Reading the typical crap on power really pisses me off. It is defined and trapped within a strict empirical sociological paradigm. It cannot go outside those parameters because the parameters begin after the important stuff is begun and therefore is forgotten.
It has been said that although a great deal has been written on power - it is a considerable fascination - no one has described the secret of power.
In fact, in Robert Greene's book The 48 Laws of Power he admits in his introduction;
"These writings span a period of more than three thousand years and were created in civilizations as disparate as ancient China and Renaissance Italy; yet they share common threads and themes, together hinting at an essence of power that has yet to be fully articulated."
When I turn to the great thinkers the reading is much more enjoyable but I must say that the heart of the matter remains absent in any express form.
When you teach a college course they expect you to cover the typical. The usual. The same old same old.
But I only have about 12 weeks to really get at it. And I believe in my heart that what I have to say means a whole lot more than to read one more time about sociological definitions.
Where is the worth?
So I come back to the same Question. Do I teach On Having Power, or do I teach 'this is what others have said about power?'
But if I do it, what will happen. The course outline must be a lie if I am to get it approved. I must say that I will teach one thing and actually teach another.
The best part of the course will be the journey of the students toward an understanding - a personal understanding - of where power fits into their lives and how they are to deal with that.
And what is that without an ability? What is the use of understanding if it doesn't lead to action?
Should I teach them how to have power? Should I teach them how to battle power?
Do I really have any choice?
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Who Needs What?
The course will start soon.
I am torn between digging right in and going for the heart of the matter or saving the big stuff for a time after I gain credibility.
If I come right out and tell it all, I am likely to get others upset.
They do not understand the simple premise that I am operating under. They think because I am a big guy with a big voice and strong opinions that I want to turn the students into that.
They see power as something to be offended by. They see a course on power as advocating power. They see the array of mechanisms I have and are intimidated. Then they judge me.
They think that they are not power users. But they are. Of course they are. To suggest they would stop me from teaching the course if they don't like what I teach....How is that not the use of power?
They live under the delusion that they are better than others. They see the world split into two groups; those that are as good as them and those that are not. Good guys and bad guys. This whole world of political correctness sucks. It is a cheapened useless form of compassion. It destroys the real ability to have compassion. Compassion comes from true understandings - not some fear that people will label you because you use the wrong word or don't think the right way. As long as you believe in the idea of political correctness then you are saying that there is a line. There are those on this side of the line and those on the other side of the line. If you are not politically correct then you are on the wrong side of the line. The fact there is a line means that you do not understand compassion. But be on the wrong side and you are one of the bad people.
There is no such thing as bad people. There are bad choices that lead to bad actions. However all people are good and all people seek the same thing. They want to be happy. They want to have a happy life. They may not know how to do it. Or they have some pretty twisted views on what makes you happy. They may confuse happiness and pleasure. They may be unable to see how happiness is long lasting and winning is only immediate. These are just confusions resulting from bad experiences.
But regardless of why they do not know how to be happy, happy is all they want to be.
I am happy when I give my students something that will matter in their lives. When I know that someday they will say, " I learned a neat lesson from this teacher and ever since my life has been better. " That is meaningful and brings me joy.
That's what I want to accomplish.
They need to understand that if they really want to end the abuse of power then they have to end the use of power. Power is a corrupt way of living. We all do it. We all use the needs of others to motivate them to make the choices that we want. We are all subject to it. Every day. From almost everyone.
But we keep it secret. We try not to be exposed or we trick ourselves into thinking we did not use power. Or worse, we pretend that somehow we had no choice it was for the good of all that we used power. That is where the problem is. It is in these prejudiced views of what I am trying to do. Ironic isn't it?
To teach power is to create the chance for all to be able to use it with equal ability. That is all. The result is - no more secrets. Anyone can point it out and call it what it is - no more delusions.
That is the point of the course - and the book.
So tell me, what would the world be like if EVERYONE was able to use power just as well as everyone else?
Think about it.
I am torn between digging right in and going for the heart of the matter or saving the big stuff for a time after I gain credibility.
If I come right out and tell it all, I am likely to get others upset.
They do not understand the simple premise that I am operating under. They think because I am a big guy with a big voice and strong opinions that I want to turn the students into that.
They see power as something to be offended by. They see a course on power as advocating power. They see the array of mechanisms I have and are intimidated. Then they judge me.
They think that they are not power users. But they are. Of course they are. To suggest they would stop me from teaching the course if they don't like what I teach....How is that not the use of power?
They live under the delusion that they are better than others. They see the world split into two groups; those that are as good as them and those that are not. Good guys and bad guys. This whole world of political correctness sucks. It is a cheapened useless form of compassion. It destroys the real ability to have compassion. Compassion comes from true understandings - not some fear that people will label you because you use the wrong word or don't think the right way. As long as you believe in the idea of political correctness then you are saying that there is a line. There are those on this side of the line and those on the other side of the line. If you are not politically correct then you are on the wrong side of the line. The fact there is a line means that you do not understand compassion. But be on the wrong side and you are one of the bad people.
There is no such thing as bad people. There are bad choices that lead to bad actions. However all people are good and all people seek the same thing. They want to be happy. They want to have a happy life. They may not know how to do it. Or they have some pretty twisted views on what makes you happy. They may confuse happiness and pleasure. They may be unable to see how happiness is long lasting and winning is only immediate. These are just confusions resulting from bad experiences.
But regardless of why they do not know how to be happy, happy is all they want to be.
I am happy when I give my students something that will matter in their lives. When I know that someday they will say, " I learned a neat lesson from this teacher and ever since my life has been better. " That is meaningful and brings me joy.
That's what I want to accomplish.
They need to understand that if they really want to end the abuse of power then they have to end the use of power. Power is a corrupt way of living. We all do it. We all use the needs of others to motivate them to make the choices that we want. We are all subject to it. Every day. From almost everyone.
But we keep it secret. We try not to be exposed or we trick ourselves into thinking we did not use power. Or worse, we pretend that somehow we had no choice it was for the good of all that we used power. That is where the problem is. It is in these prejudiced views of what I am trying to do. Ironic isn't it?
To teach power is to create the chance for all to be able to use it with equal ability. That is all. The result is - no more secrets. Anyone can point it out and call it what it is - no more delusions.
That is the point of the course - and the book.
So tell me, what would the world be like if EVERYONE was able to use power just as well as everyone else?
Think about it.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Why? Why? Why?
Why ?
Because things are they way they are. People have come to think that it is laudable to be able to take advantage of one another. Exploiting and lying and cheating and controlling and abusing and tricking and seducing and manipulating. Taking what has been given in good faith and destroying it for personal gain. Abuse and corruption. Apathy and ignorance. The indifferent malaise that has taken over from the pasionate thrill of living and making the world beautiful.
Why ?
Because if you want to get rid of something first you must let it be.
Why ?
Because the playing field has become slanted. That's not fair.
Why ?
Because we as a species are better than this.
Why ?
Because I have come to truly love the young people I teach and it is time I taught them something that matters....something that they need....something that could make their world a better place.
Why ?
Because I have been given the message and I am to pass it along.
Why ?
Because I want to know that I tried to address the things in this world that stop us from our spiritual evolution. I want to die knowing that I tried to change the habits that stop us from becoming who we are and fulfilling why we are here.
Why ?
Because I can.
Why ?
Because I must.
Because things are they way they are. People have come to think that it is laudable to be able to take advantage of one another. Exploiting and lying and cheating and controlling and abusing and tricking and seducing and manipulating. Taking what has been given in good faith and destroying it for personal gain. Abuse and corruption. Apathy and ignorance. The indifferent malaise that has taken over from the pasionate thrill of living and making the world beautiful.
Why ?
Because if you want to get rid of something first you must let it be.
Why ?
Because the playing field has become slanted. That's not fair.
Why ?
Because we as a species are better than this.
Why ?
Because I have come to truly love the young people I teach and it is time I taught them something that matters....something that they need....something that could make their world a better place.
Why ?
Because I have been given the message and I am to pass it along.
Why ?
Because I want to know that I tried to address the things in this world that stop us from our spiritual evolution. I want to die knowing that I tried to change the habits that stop us from becoming who we are and fulfilling why we are here.
Why ?
Because I can.
Why ?
Because I must.
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