Apithoria 1|3 ~ Asking Different Questions
This month’s new Apithoria introduces the foundation distinction in apithology of the horizon of inquiry.
It’s often described how the commencement in an apithology activity is not similar to other ways of knowing. Not believing this, we may attempt do what is unfamiliar, from a familiar place. In a way, our frustration when doing so and in getting the same result, helps with the humility needed to commence a different form of inquiry.
The commentary on this aphorism is now available for you to read: Apithoria 1|3
The comforting thought about apithology forms (of which there are now many) is that they do not help with activities focussed on pathology. It takes so much greater effort to do apithology badly, that releasing into its learning skilfully actually becomes very easy. However, like small children learning to swim, some flounder, while others dive in fearlessly.
On the topic of vast oceans of discovery, I recently discovered that my favoured quote by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is actually a paraphrased translation. The attributed quote (in English) often reads:
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”
The passages from his book Citadelle (1948) that possibly inspired this paraphrase are much richer, speaking of how a thousand skills at building ships (and cathedrals) may come together in a community of love, that looks beyond the tasks set.
In the care of humanity we know how to ‘weave webs’, ‘harvest wood’, ‘forge nails’ and ‘learn to navigate by the stars’, yet the knowledge of the lines of the vessel of humanity will only come from a shared desire for a vast and limitless journey.
While we attend to the tasks at hand, we may find in the humility of each worthwhile part, the real contribution is in the communality of the yearned for and (soon to be) imagined entirety.
Bon voyage, humanity.
© willvarey (2016)
