The paradox of difference and sameness

• Reflections on Field by Philip Brownell, 4/9/97
  • Consensus by Ed Riemann, 4/9/97
    
    

In the appreciation of difference there's an affirmation of the separateness between " I " and "you". That is, I might identify with this or that group, ascribe to this or that philosophy, belong to this culture. On the other hand, you belong to a different culture, a different society, thereby have different manners and give other meanings to this or that expression. Furthermore, you, across from me, have your own needs, your own agendas; you are the agent responsible for your actions, as I am of mine. The first part of the original Gestalt prayer is illustrative of this: "I do my thing and you do your thing. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations. And you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you and I am I." In that appreciation of difference and of separateness, there's the healing of my projections, as well as the negation of the transference.

Then, paradoxically, in tandem with the experience of difference, there comes that of sameness. This is my acknowledgment of your humaness as being the same as mine, of the same struggle (toward self-actualization), of the same suffering that the flesh is heir to, that in each of us beats a heart. Now, I see you all around, I see you whole, and I experience our connectedness, our oneness. Dialogue (in Greek, "communication through the word by which the inward thought is expressed" - which also recalls Confucian fragments translated by Ezra Pound) is possible only if the two conditions are met: recognition of the difference and appreciation of the sameness. I think, then, "I-Thou" begins, and the second part of the Gestalt prayer: "If by chance we find each other, it's beautiful" is realized.

• Native American Quote by Ed Riemann, 6/26/97