THE TAO OF THE FORUM
You know what you know.
You know what you don't know.
Who knows
What they don't know
They don't know?
Is the Forum a story
Or does it really happen?
Does anyone know this?
Is it really complex
Or simplicity brilliantly disguised?
Many people gather together
The tell stories to each other.
Is anyone the wiser? Is anyone clearer?
Yet breakthroughs happen.
Why is this?
The Leader talks in riddles
About stories and rackets
Is this a racket?
Or a story we make up?
No. A winning formula of confusion.
Confusion breaks the rigidity
Breaking the rigidity creates space
Space provides Insights
Insights produce breakthroughs
Real transformation.
People get angry
Enrolment irritates them
They attack it but in the end
They discover a surprise.
They are attacking themselves.
They do it again and again.
Do they never learn?
Authenticity appears
Like a ghost in the mist
Only to disappear as quickly.
The Forum is a mirror.
It is highly polished
Perfectly reflecting
Everyone's projections
Straight back at them.
Yet they say it's not therapy.
Yet it does the same job.
Only quicker
More confrontationally
So what is it?
They say it is not philosophy.
Yet it has one.
Is that not a paradox?
Is life not a paradox?
The Forum reflects life.
They say it is not a religion.
Yet it inspires thousands
Who follow it.
They work for the Forum
For nothing.
To do this they must believe.
Some would say such belief
Makes it religious.
In some ways it is, in others it is not.
Who understands this?
The leaders are inspirational.
Inspiration inspires.
Yet enrolment
Often has the opposite effect.
Why is this?
Enrolment is telling stories.
At length.
Without questions.
They are supposed to inspire
Often they don't.
This is tedious.
It undermines confidence.
Cynicism returns
Doubt pervades
What happened to clarity?
Running a Racket
Who understand this?
Those who need to be right.
Not being right
Doesn't mean you are wrong.
Not being right creates space
For the other person to be.
Not being right
Creates love and self-expression
Everyone needs this.
Creativity
Comes out of Nothing.
The Forum says.
Nothing comes out of
Something.
Nothing and Something
are the same.
Both are one.
One is God.
The Forum doesn't say this.
It may be true
Or maybe not.
Just like the Forum
What is truth?
Who knows this?
Expressing yourself
Other people listen
Or do they?
Those on the Forum listen
Those outside seldom know how.
Is simply expressing yourself
Enough?
Who knows how to listen?
Properly?
Do the Forum helpers?
Being Authentic
Produces Integrity.
Integrity shines like a beacon.
It is a beacon which needs re-lighting
Again and again.
Be inspirational
And you will inspire others.
Anything less
And it is uninspiring.
There is no middle ground.
Declaration speaks.
Intentions are declared
To others.
But most importantly
To you.
Intention commits,
Commitment connects,
Connection enthuses,
Enthusiasm causes action,
Actions succeed.
Being Present
You live in the 'moment'.
Fully expressed.
This is not easy.
Even for those who know.
Forgetting is easy
Losing oneself in stories
And rackets and formulas.
Friends will remind us
If we ask. So ask.
Attachment is embedded.
Learn to let go.
Letting go releases
Our heart,
And brings us closer.
The Forum
Has no easy answers.
No magic wands.
It is simply ideas
Concepts, models, Tools.
If you use them
Life transforms.
Who doesn't want this?
Yet people forget.
They forget they want a better life?
They lose heart
And inspiration.
They fall back
Into old ways.
They give up on themselves.
Use the tools,
Till the soil
Of your own soul
Daily. Hourly.
Be inspired.
Inspire others.
Be committed.
Be intentional
Be.
Here.
Now.
LP 7.9.99 Amended 23.9.99