Topic: that which we know

[nichi]

Instead of knowing the signs of the times, people had to believe in the experiences and interpretations of others.

The death of omens is the birth of belief. Once we rely on other people's interpretation of reality, we must believe in it.  When we no longer trust ourselves to see the world, we have to trust in other people's experience.  Belief and superstition are twins. Both are taught and conditioned.  Neither comes from direct experience.

Belief and knowing are opposite.  The Navajos recognize this in their word for divination, bil 'ihosini.h, which translates as "that which he knows." The Navajo diviner does not believe. He knows.


"Navaho Diagnosticians"
Leland Clifton Wyman

[erik]

I have a friend, seer.

He has told me that it was some 25 years ago when he discovered that he had questions, but there was nobody to answer them and there was nothing where he could read the answers in.

That was a turning point for him as from there on he could only rely on himself in finding answers. He likes to say 'What I am telling you, I know.'

I like that 'knowing' part. Has such a strong scent of experience to it! 

[nichi]

Too bad we didn't have each other's addresses, 25 years ago! (Oh -- maybe even 35 years ago!)
Piece by piece, little by little...