World Spiritual Currents

That people behave differently and do things in another way, is related to their opinions culture, education and convictions about important matters in life, in other words, about their philosophy of life.

The philosophy of people is the cause of how one thinks about everyday affairs, such as family, education, sport activities, manners, clothing and eating habits, but also how people deal with illness, death, work and recreation.

You may conclude that:

the thinking and acting of people, so also your thinking and acting is defined by your philosophy, your conviction, your religion, your culture, whereby standards and values of yourself and the world around you play a major part.

This means, that the better you understand how people think about important events and matters in life, the more insight you have in their behavior, and the better understanding you can develop for their way of life.

In other words, you will be able in your future occupation, or situation as it may arise, to approach people in a correct way, in a responsive way, to help them and to assist them.

In practice it is a good idea to start with thinking about your own experiences, so as to obtain good insight into the philosophy of other people. Therefore you could cooperate with others in this book, if it is possible, considering

• your own experience and witness, which in turn
• provide new experiences, so that
• you learn what has been indicated at "What do you learn" in chapter XI Methodogy. (paragraph 11.1)

This cooperation will certainly succeed if you give sufficient attention to the following three points:

1. study and discuss each religious subject you are busy with;
2. express your experiences, witness, interest and wishes;
3. your interaction with others on the subject.

When you take care of an honest division between attention giving and receiving for what is important to you, to others and to the subject, then you will learn something of the subject and of possibly your fellow students. And by doing so, you will learn from your own position something about yourself and how other people observe you.

- It will be apparent that this cannot be happening without

- respect for each individual present

- an honest and open standpoint towards others.

An honest and frank standpoint will be better achieved when you apply the following seven points when cooperating with other individuals:

1. Always talk in the "I"-form
2. If you ask anything, add the reason why
3. Do not use generalizations
4. Be sure that only one person at a time talks
5. Convince yourself of the other person''s intentions
6. Do not imitate or talk like others, but be yourself
7. Do not be prejudiced.

All these points are important when you give your opinion in a conversation about matters concerning philosophy and religion. Emphasize good listening skills, preferably do not interrupt unnecessarily, but make mental notes before replying. Respect different opinions, it is only in the difference of opinion that a meaningful discussion can evolve. There might not be one right and one wrong opinion or answer at the end, but modified opinions from both sides. Be comfortable with the fact that you might still lack in knowledge on the subject, if so, be prepared to acknowledge it. Controlling your personal emotions in any religious/cultural discussion is very important. The nature of the subject demands it.