第 188 节
作者:九米      更新:2021-02-19 21:29      字数:9200
  The fewer the rules the better。 Rules reduce freedom and responsibility。 Enforcement of rules is coercive and manipulative; which diminishes spontaneity and absorbs group energy。
  The more coercive you are; the more resistant the group will become。 Your manipulations will only breed evasions。 Every law creates an outlaw。 This is no way to run a group。
  The wise leader establishes a clear and wholesome climate in the group room。 In the light of awareness; the group naturally acts in a wholesome manner。
  When the leader practices silence; the group remains focused。 When the leader does not impose rules; the group discovers its own goodness。 When the leader acts unselfishly; the group simply does what is to be done。
  Good leadership consists of doing less and being more。
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  Group process evolves naturally。 It is self…regulating。 Do not interfere。 It will work itself out。
  Efforts to control process usually fail。 Either they block process or make it chaotic。
  Learn to trust what is happening。 If there is silence; let it grow; something will emerge。 If there is a storm; let it rage; it will resolve into calm。
  Is the group discontented? You can't make it happy。 Even if you could; your efforts might well deprive the group of a very creative struggle。
  The wise leader knows how to facilitate the unfolding group process; because the leader is also a process。 The group's process and the leader's process unfold in the same way; according to the same principle。
  The leader knows how to have a profound influence without making things happen。
  For example; facilitating what is happening is more potent than pushing for what you wish were happening。 Demonstrating or modeling behaviour is more potent than imposing morality。 Unbiased positions are stronger than prejudice。 Radiance encourages people; but outshining everyone else inhibits them。
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  Whether you are leading a group or going about your daily life; you need to be conscious。 You need to be aware of what is happening and how things happen。 If you are aware of what is happening and how things happen; you can act accordingly。 You can stay clear of trouble; and be both vital and effective。
  Remember that you too are a natural process。 Being aware of how things happen includes being aware of yourself。 Your life unfolds according to the same principle that governs every other unfolding。 You are rooted in the common ground of all creation。
  Being like everything else means that you are ordinary。 But consciously knowing that you are like everything else is extraordinary。 And knowing how that universality works and having the sense to act accordingly is the source of your power; your endurance; and your excellence。
  Consciousness or awareness; then; is the source of your ability。 Learn to become increasingly conscious。
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  Run the group delicately; as if you were cooking small fish。
  As much as possible; allow the group process to emerge naturally。 Resist any temptation to instigate issues or elicit emotions which have not appeared on their own。
  If you stir things up; you will release forces before their time and under unwarranted pressure。 They may be emotions that belong to other people or places。 They may be unspecific or chaotic energies; which in response to your pressure; strike out and hit any available target。
  These forces are real and exist within the group。 But do not push。 Allow them to come out when they are ready。
  When hidden issues and emotions emerge naturally; they resolve themselves naturally。 They are not harmful。 In fact; they are no different from any other thoughts or feelings。
  All energies naturally arise; take form; grow strong; come to a new resolution; and finally pass away。
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  It is a mistake to believe that a great leader is above others。 Paradoxically; greatness comes from knowing how to be lowly and empty and receptive and of service。
  Imagine that the life force is like water in the river and in the sea。 The sea; greater than the river; lies below; open and receptive。 The busy; rushing river enters the sea; is absorbed; and is transformed。
  Or imagine that the leader is the feminine; lying below and open; empty; and receptive。 The feminine receives the masculine and absorbs the masculine vibration。 Soon the feminine has encompassed the masculine; the masculine has spent itself; become soft and resolved。
  The wise leader is of service: receptive; yielding; following。 The group member's vibrations dominates and leads; while the leader follows。 But soon it is the member's consciousness which is transformed; the member's vibration which is resolved
  The relationship is reciprocal。 It is the job of the leader to be aware of the group member's process; it is the need of the group member to be received and paid attention to。
  Both get what they need; if the leader has the wisdom to serve and follow; to be open and below。
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  A person does not have to join a group or be a wise leader to work things out。 Life's process unfolds naturally。 Conflicts resolve themselves sooner or later; whether or not a person knows how things happen。
  It is true that being aware of how things happen makes one's words more potent and one's behaviour more effective。
  But even without the light of consciousness; people grow and improve。 Being unconscious is not a crime; it is merely a lack of a very helpful ability。
  Knowing how things work gives the leader more real power and ability than all the degrees or titles the world can offer。
  That is why people in every era and in every culture have honoured those who know how things happen。
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  The wise leader knows how to act effectively。
  To act effectively; be aware and unbiased。 If you are aware; you will know what is happening; you will not act rashly。 If you are unbiased; you can react in a balanced and centered manner。
  Have respect for every person and every issue directed at you。 Do not dismiss any encounter as insignificant。 But neither should you become anxious or afraid of being overwhelmed or embarrassed。
  If you are attacked or criticized; react in a way that will shed light on the event。 This is a matter of being centered and of knowing that an encounter is a dance and not a threat to your ego or existence。 Tell the truth。
  If you are conscious of what is happening in a group; you will recognize emerging situations long before they have gotten out of hand。 Every situation; no matter how vast or complex it may become; begins both small and simple。
  Neither avoid nor seek encounters; but be open and when an encounter arises; respond to it while it is still manageable。 There is no virtue in delaying until heroic action is needed to set things right。 In this way; potentially difficult situations become simple。
  If you have not bragged about your abilities or tried to make people be the way you think they ought to be; very few group members will want to encounter you anyway。
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  Learn to recognize beginnings。 At birth; event are relatively easy to manage。 Slight interventions shape and guide easily。 Potential difficulties can be avoided。 The greatest danger lies in disrupting the emerging process by using too much force。
  The wise leader sees things almost before they happen。 A tree that is stiff and rigid begins as a pliant sapling。 A great construction project begins with one shovelful of earth。 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step。
  Once an event is fully energized and formed; stand back as much as possible。 Needless interventions will only confuse or block what is happening。 Especially; do not try to make an event conform to any predetermined plan or model。
  Many leaders spoil the work just as it nears completion。 They get eager。 They get interested in certain outcomes。 They become anxious and make mistakes。 This is a time for care and consciousness。 Don't do too much。 Don't be too helpful。 Don't worry about getting credit for having done something。
  Because the wise leader has no expectations; no outcome can be called a failure。 Paying attention; allowing a natural unfolding; and standing back most of the time; the leader sees the event arrive at a satisfactory conclusion。
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  The teacher's leaders did not emphasize complex theories。 The practiced and taught a way of life based on consciousness and wisdom。
  People who see the world in terms of theories often have a very intricate view of what is happening。 Clarity is difficult for them。 They are very hard to work with。
  If you teach a group by making complex explanations; you will confuse people。 They will take notes and fill their minds with opinions。
  But if you return again and again to an awareness of what is actually happening; you will both clarify and enlighten。
  The ability to distinguish between theory and practice will save you much trouble。
  Practice a way of life; and demonstrate conscious cooperation with the single principle。 If you cooperate with Tao; you will experience the power of universal harmony。
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  Why is the ocean the greatest body of water? Because it lies below a