Thursday, Mar 28th 2024

Font Size

Profile

Layout

Menu Style

Cpanel

Injustice? Who Cares?

Café-Salon Philosophique #29

January 23, 1999

No. of Participants: 20

Host and moderator for this event is Samuel Avital, one of the world's greatest mime artists and "provocateur extraordinaire."

Topic for the Evening's Discussion: What of Injustice?

Samuel greeted everyone new and old to Cafe, participants asked the following questions for trying to find a topic. What is injustice? Do you really care about injustice? Why are we quiet and don't speak about injustices? What makes one take action? Why is there a gap between thinking and doing?

Attilio began by responding, "I think we have too many choices and options today compared to in the past." We choose to do a lot of "meaningless things." Samuel stated that "injustices have always been present." It is hard to find originality in the world because people are satisfied with mediocrity. Also, in this hectic world, people continue to be "busy, in a hurry, and don't have the time to stop and smell the roses."

People don't live consciously and are not present to what they are doing, or why they are doing certain actions. Injustices can arise out of anger, selfishness, greed, competition, etc. Or they can be created by one not acting upon what one is thinking.

Samuel asked, "But, why does it take such a long time for people to go from thought to action? The way you close the gap is by choosing a new direction towards knowing your self totally. People that really care about life just don't talk about it, they make it happen. Samuel has said before that there are three kinds of people, those that want to know "what's happening?" Those that wonder, "How can I make it happen?" and those that actually "make it happen!"

Aziza shared how she discovered over the past few weeks dishonesty in her self. She gave the example of observing how when somebody tells her something, "she'll try to deny that what has been said to her is true or it doesn't apply to her." She blames this on her "emotional ignorance." But, she has found lately that she is beginning to "listen" and "believe" in the truth from within to create new changes in her life.

Next, question, "Why are we afraid to make choices?" Aziza continued. "I am trying to learn to be honest with my self, and keep my foolish actions to a minimum." Samuel asked her, "Do you know how to work on your self?" She responded with, "one can teach them selves." Samuel agreed and stated, "as long as one knows how to correct their lies,then one can be truthful with the self. If one continues to protect the lies, then that keeps the dishonesty going and prevents one from fully living.

Most people "say one thing and do another." Have you ever noticed people demonstrating nervousness and yet saying that they are calm? He briefly demonstrated this analogy. The group then discussed how in order to avoid injustices; one needs to decide what is important to them. Lynn is comfortable in "living in her own little world." Her main concerns are "taking care of her self, being happy, having fun and feeding her self." She also believes that "we all need approval and support from others."

Irene likes "human interdependence." Lynn thinks, "egoism can create the mentality of "survival of the self." So sometimes that can take away from interdependence on others. Suzy responded to Lynn's comments with, "you can do a lot of little personal things in your own world which can affect the whole, such as recycling without giving up your own space."

Howard believes that injustices prevail because "there are the haves and the have nots." "Take for example, if economic imbalance occurs, this affects everyone directly in about everything you do." Lynn says she does like to reach out in the world to "help injured animals," and "finds it hard not to help people that are asking for money."

Samuel finds that he is more "empathetic towards humans because they are his own species versus let's say, animals."

Next, question, "How does one establish a new rhythm of being and doing?" "How can one learn to be the author of their own life, be them selves and live life without any external authorities?"

One needs to relearn to think and act differently in the world. There are many different levels of creativity. A good knowledge base and experience helps one to use their life force creatively.

Someone asked the question, "Why do we perceive injustices existing such as, why does he have all the good things happen to him and not me? Because people are at different levels in the evolutionary process. People are too lazy to think and are afraid of change. One has to learn patience, compassion and kindness.

Aziza stated, "if you really know your self, then you don't mold to Society. Samuel said, "people tend to deny their omnipotence." They can't let go of values, beliefs and ideas. "Most people think that they need approval and support." Samuel believes "you don't need any ones' approval for anything as long as you are living truthfully, honestly and with integrity."

Aziza found just thinking about her own omnipotence "a little frightening." Samuel told her she "needs to kill the Buddha." Go beyond the structure of the symbol. Let things die that need to die. Open doors to the new.

Lynn commented that as a Society, we need to change our lifestyles. We over consume everything that is available to us. Aziza would like to find "peace for her self." Samuel says, "in order to do that, one needs to develop their own philosophy." "We continually deny where we are at in life, and are lazy in creating changes towards something new and different."

The group then discussed the characteristics of "animals packs" and how they are like human communities. Participants identified how animals stick together in order to survive and for life preservation. Some one brought up how Y2K might bring back "community spirit" and add a little kindness in this technological era.

Aziza stated, "we need to find and use our divine intelligence to do what's right for our self." Howard thinks one "develops their intelligence through trial and error and learning from mistakes." Through experience, one learns to know exactly what to do next.

Someone commented that one needs to have a relative understanding of life. Lori gave the example of Einstein. "He found it very simple to produce 26 patents and write 5 papers redefining Physics in a very short period of time." "It's tapping into the flow or source," Neal said. "Of course Society does not encourage you to do this," said Aziza.

Samuel says to "never wait for Society to encourage you to do anything." "You must find the courage, strength and compassion within your self." "People mature at different ages when they discover their courage and strength." It takes a lot of patience and perseverance for changing and evolving.

Samuel also likes to the use the example of the light bulb. "We are all different degrees or "voltages" of light, from 100 volt to a 1,000 volts. The degree to which one uses their intelligence consciously has to do with being able to elasticize through heat, mold and form a "brighter bulb."

Lynn commented on how "scientists say we only use 5% of our brains." She wondered "why that is?" Why do we not use more? Samuel replied that "people want to stay at their "comfortable" level of intelligence.

As the saying goes, "Use it or lose it." Old age, disease, loss of health, etc. happens when one does not actively stimulate their mind, intelligence or imagination.

We also need to come out from the constraints of our "own little worlds" and work towards the bigger picture. We need to stop pretending. Quit being dishonest with our selves. Stop deluding our selves with illusions. Strive towards changing our lives through creative imagination.

And in conclusion, Samuel says "remember to always simplify the complex."

ANNOUNCEMENT

The next Cafe meeting Saturday, Feb 6, 1999 will be at our NEW permanent location, The Troubadour Bookstore, 1638 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302. Times: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

See you then! Invite your friends.

Reported by Alessandra

"Samuel brings awareness to the soul of people and gives the artists who work under his direction the need, dedication, and love for the world of silence and the beautiful art of movement."

 

- Marcel Marceau, BIP 1961

Contact us

Le Centre Du Silence
P.O. Box 745
Lafayette, CO 80026

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We are present on:

logo

About LCDS

LCDS is an independent school for self-discovery through the human Arts.  The school offers seminars and workshops teaching the concepts of Theater, Mime, and Movement.