Dialogue San Diego: Learning to Receive with an Open Hand

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Learning to Receive with an Open Hand

Over the past several weeks I have noticed my fascination with people's hands! A baby instinctively wrapping its tiny fist around an adult finger. A child holding an adult's hand to cross the street. People texting with one finger or many fingers (and thumbs) on their smart devices. A musician creating and sharing music. An artist painting or sculpting. People reaching out to assist others, carrying heavy objects, and lifting children.

Hands symbolize our need for security, safety, protection, assistance, carrying burdens, and creating.

Question: How much can I hold with a closed fist?
(Photo credit: The Young Roman Catholic Man
who Clenched His Fist, The Cripplegate)

Consider these differences between a closed fist and an open hand:

A closed hand is unable to easily receive and may be limited by how much it can hold.
An open hand is waiting for a response and can be filled to overflowing.
The one seems to be holding onto past grievances; the other is open to possibilities.

Question: Am I open to receiving?

And when a closed fist or an open hand reach out and accept another, relationship occurs.

Dialogue is similar. We can approach dialogue with a closed or an open mind: are we willing to listen and understand... or not? It is in the action of releasing our individual need for security or safety that we entrust those hopes in relationship with the other person.
Through the vulnerability of opening up, we create an environment that strengthens Self and Other. Sharing our individual needs and desires builds trust, and relationship occurs.

We both gain when our closed minds open to hear another experience, realizing that together we have created a new reality.