When we were in Washington DC, I opened myself up to what the city had to offer. The experience touched and inpired me which was the intent.
Art, culture, and nature. That’s where I go for inspiration and it never fails. When I allow myself to take something into my soul, it changes me.
The intention of art and education is to manipulate or to touch a soul. Not all manipulation is bad.
When is manipulation ok? Every morning, I manipulate my body into yoga postures and my thoughts in meditation. The intent is to initiate a flow of energy in me that will serve my highest purpose – which is love.
We manipulate tools to create change in objects. A chiropractor manipulates the spine into alignment. Words, sounds, and images are manipulating us all the time. Are you aware of it?
Skillful messaging is a form of manipulation we encounter throughout the day. It is not whether or not we are being influenced by what we take in, but it is a matter of what are we taking in. Does it serve our highest purpose?
Manipulation that involves forcing ideas or exchanging them for basic needs is called coersion. There is no freedom in it. Messaging that involves hatred or coersion can only lead to negative outcomes.
Advertising for example, is a form of manipulating our desires. It is a mixed bag. We protect young children from it because they are not able to discern what they want from what they need. Most adults are fortified by powers of discernment.
Discernment to know the difference between good and evil.
That’s what democracy and freedom are all about. There are many ideas and perspectives offered and we are free to choose what we engage with.
Skillful messaging has convinced me to do or to buy things that have not served me well, yet I avoid cynicism. Fixed thinking prevents new ideas and perspectives from touching me. That would be soul deadening.
As long as I am living, I aim to stay open to experiences and engaged in processing them to choose what I retain.
In addition, I aim to avoid manipulation that is forceful or coersive but rather to respect other’s freedom to choose (except perhaps when survival is at stake). Avoiding messages that are hateful, I choose to send messages of love.
Everyday, I receive hundreds of emails in my inbox. Each is offering something that could improve my life in some way. It can be overwhelming if I don’t know what I am looking for.
A market full of offers works well in a society in which adults have developed the capacities to do, feel, and think, for themselves. According to humanitarian, Rudolf Steiner, the developmental process in humans takes approximately the first 28 years.
Children have the capacity to follow their interests into play, but they need the guidance of caring adults to learn how to be healthy. And through the kindness of adults, children learn the difference between good and evil, between love and hatred.
This involves clear intent, skillful communication, and benevolent manipulation. When that is absent, children who are masters in identifying adults’ weaknesses, step in and manipulate to get what they want. Children cannot see the big picture and are not ready to lead.
Either way, someone is manipulating the situation to get what they want. I advocate for adults to take charge and use their powers to manipulate the situation, demonstrating a kind authority for the children to imitate.
Young children who have not experienced this authority grow into adults unable to guide their own will and thought processes. They may search for an authority to provide the answers or become self-centered or dogmatic and rigid in their viewpoints.
On the other hand, when guided with clarity and kindness in early childhood, the authority develops inside of them.
As a society, we must individually develop the capacity to take action, to feel, and to think on our own. When we do, we are capable of participating in a democracy where we choose our thoughts and actions in freedom.
I engage freely with creations of art and nature. Unencumbered by the day to day world, they provide a broad view that puts things in perspective.
They touch, manipulate, and enliven my soul. They strengthen the authority within that protects me from manipulative entrapments.
The stronger the connection to my inner self, the more power I have to create what is good, beautiful, and true.
