why blogs don’t work
24 10 2006 
Sensei came to my blog today. He read a recent post that included the following words:
Found in these few words are the essential principles of the Art of Giving: Respect, Appreciation, Gratitude and Value. Move sequentially, from one to the other. Find value, and learn to find it in anything. Then, respect that value, even if the respect is only a smidge. Once respected, be grateful, somehow, for the value and then appreciate it, finding a way to increase its value, no matter how small. Then, do that again. And again. Forever. This is the art of the Divine Giver.
Here is part of his lesson to me:
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“You are doing very good with these principles, but if you can open you mind for a few minutes, you are at a point where you can hear me say something, and you have an opportunity to make a very good adjustment.”
“The order that you have placed them in, while it works, is not actually creating a duplex [fully functioning] circuit. You have a circuit, but it is going to ground. What you should be striving for, if this is what you want to do, is building a duplex circuit, something that not only creates flow, but keeps returning each time it runs with a greater value toward source.”
My mind quickly flashed back many years to when I first began studying the Art of Giving. I was soundly rooted in selfishness, and yet, like many people, had no concept of that. I felt like I was a good guy - and I was a good guy, but also someone who didn’t have a clear concept of selfishness. Studying and practicing the Art of Giving had not only changed me, but had eventually turned me into a believer.
He went on with the lesson. He pointed out I had reversed the order of gratitude and appreciation when I said, “Once respected, be grateful, somehow, for the value and then appreciate it.”
I’ll post more about that later, but he also said something that speaks to all of us here. “This subtle change I am showing you is what’s causing blogs to not really work right. I have been studying and observing this. What happens is, someone puts up a post, a comment is made in response, and then perhaps a thank you and a comment back - and then, that’s it. It’s over.”
“Yes, that is exactly right,” I said; and, I thought, one of the reasons I had dropped out of blogging.
What’s the point of blogging? He was right, the circuit just stops. Nothing ever really ‘builds’. Oh sure, we can see there is value and benefit… no doubt. But what are we actually out to create and build?
“There is a way to correct this,” he said, and continued with the lesson, clearly demonstrating how proper firing of the circuit called the Art of Giving could completely change blogging.
While these things take study, it isn’t always rocket science, but you do have to study. How to do that? Look for a source; it’s all about Giving and about returning value to the Source.
Sensai (I am not sure who he is):o( sounds very wise though! I am just a novice to blogging. I have found that too, that it seems like people are just being polite returning complements. He said. What happens is, someone puts up a post, a comment is made in response, and then perhaps a thank you and a comment back - and then, that’s it. It’s over.”
Perhaps missing the beauty expression that is coming from a person. Perhaps we forget that our true creative thoughts do derive from the Source. Perhaps we are giving something from within. I come here Mark to read your blog because you are giving. Perhaps even holding a beacon to help light the way for those treading the path. And your a down to earth being. Thats good. So I ask how can we learn the Art of Giving?
Okay, I’m trying to understand this post.
Are you going to stop blogging? are we not building building up freindships and
connections through our blogs?
Isn’t that too an Art of giving?
Of course there is more than one way
of giving, blogging is just one way
we can share and give, its not the
only way.Please keep sharing and giving
all that you learn from your studies!
I’m grateful to learn from you. Isn’t
that what its all about?
“There is a way to correct this,” he said, and continued with the lesson, clearly demonstrating how proper firing of the circuit called the Art of Giving could completely change blogging.”
correct what? I don’t understand?
What happens is, someone puts up a post, a comment is made in response, and then perhaps a thank you and a comment back - and then, that’s it. It’s over.”
how do you know its over?
I went searching for an old post on your
blog a year or more later? does that
sound like its over? LOL
Oh! okay maybe i see what you are saying.
(Im hogging up comments so sorry)
“What’s the point of blogging? He was right, the circuit just stops.”
Blogging is not right for U.
okay, got it!
On one’s own reflection the art of giving is giving out of love.
Not because we have to oblige others … but to seek out the spirit of love within us. Finding love in the moment and sharing it. :o) Being selfless. The prime example was Mother Teresa.
She was selective in her choices who she would care and love … she loved everyone. :o)
Mark … looks like there is whole lot of sharing going on here on your post the Art of giving. Thank you … helps one to remember.
oooooooops post prior should read She was NOT selective in her choices who she would care and love … she loved everyone. :o)
I feel that I found what I need- Art of the Divine Giver. Thanks!
All the best to you!
ALL: Well I was not and am not saying I am going to stop blogging. And yes, blogging has value and yes, we build friendships and sharing and yes, we are building community. And I value and treasure that.
So what in the heck are my teacher and I talking about? Something bigger. Something that requires extended conversation. Something you can’t just post and comment about, say thanks for the comment, and then move on. Something that requires opening a building dialogue.
Why are we here? What are we out to do in this world? Why are we truly blogging? What is it that we are reaching for? These are deeper questions, and I am a blogger (among others) who is reaching for something deeper, reaching to somehow use blogging to create something deeper and more significant than the very valuable things we call friendship, sharing, caring and commmunity.
So, there is a ‘macro’ point that my teacher and I are talking about, an eternal point that has very much to do with why we are all here in the first place.
What Sensei was pointing out, and I completely agree with, is that our posts and comments kinda get to a point and top out. Listen, I don’t really think - after all my time blogging - well, uhmm… I am not really sure that anyone has really heard me. What I am saying, and my teacher is saying, sails like a breeze all through my writing. There is a message being communicated.
We (me too) tend to hear such messages selectively, we find a piece that has value to us - and there is nothing wrong with that, but to get to the core of it, to truly arrive in the deeper experiences requires training. And so, I become frustrated - yet determined - to find a way, some way, through words and through the internet, to conduct and share something of immense value. Something that causes deep changes within us, that causes deeper awareness to emerge.
The question has become… how can we do that? How can we use this forum to create something truly magnificent, something that will change all of our lives ? And my teacher is saying “Ah. Well, the way to do that is to slightly adjust this formula.”
krystyna - thank you for stopping in, and welcome. Yes, the art of the Divine Giver… I can barely find words to describe that.
You are welcome here, anytime.
trinity - that is a good question, one we should all be considering.
kathy - I hear you clearly, and I hope my first comment clears things up a bit.
Wow, great post, and great comment discussion here, Mark. And I think this very discussion in itself sort of makes an important point. I have shared in your frustration as well, feeling like there is so much to be said, so much to share, so much to do, and feeling frustrated at times as well when it seems that something has “grounded out” to use your phrase.
But I think the depth, the wider connection, the effect, though slow and maybe at times imperceptible, IS occurring. It occurs as we strike up friendships, as we disagree about concepts, as we exchange comments that indicate to the writer of the blog that their words have touched us in some way and made us think.
I truly believe in a rippling effect. Your words become a part of my thoughts and heart and Spirit, and in turn may have an impact on something in my life. My words in turn become a part of someone else, and so on and so on. I know that when I have visited a blog and read a post that caused me to think or feel or sense, it has impacted my own writing, my own thinking, my own Being. In turn I then pass that on to those who read my words, and to those in my daily life. The rippling forward may be something very subtle and very gentle, but also very powerful. I think you have seen an example of its power right here in your own comments box on this post. You have touched, you have given, you have connected, you have fired up, and you have caused contemplation to go deeper. THAT is a powerful thing, and what a miracle it is to have a medium in today’s technological world in which to do so.
And I think the fact that you (and your teacher) are considering ways to adjust the “formula” to go even further and deeper and widen the scope is a wonderful indication that you aren’t coming to the blogosphere to just spout off on the surface. Your desire to go deeper, to make a difference, to create impact, and your constant attention to how to further that process is all part of that Giving, and we are all the grateful beneficiaries of your heart, your Spirit, and your Giving.
Thank you for being open to what flows through you, and for not being one to sit back in quiet complacency but rather for reaching, for expanding, and for growing in depth as you continue ceaselessly to Give.
Thank you also for allowing me this space to ramble on and on at length (I apologize for being so wordy), but you can see, you have now impacted my thought and my Spirit, which in turn will impact others.
Blessings of peace, joy and Love be with you.
Yes, Serenity … and I guess truly that we hope that all our words which we have been gifted to write expressing the Love which is the Divine does in some way even if it is a wee bit make an impact of some kind to those that read it. Mark has this great ability to simplify answers for what we are ourselves are looking for.
Peace to you all. Leave to Mark now. :o)
Mark
“What Sensei was pointing out, and I completely agree with, is that our posts and comments kinda get to a point and top out.”
Mark I disagree.you said:What I am saying, and my teacher is saying, sails like a breeze all through my writing.”
Thats true, so how is it tops out? your
theme is all throughout your blog.
you sound like you are in a rush?
why you hurry so?
adjust the “formula” okay I’m all for
that, loking forward to learning more.
Im in no hurry! when I rush
it defeats the purpose.
one more thing. Don’t Underestimate us
and assume we don’t get you and
your teachers message.
Fascinating. I greatly look forward to learning your teacher’s suggestions.
Yep, the blogosphere does have potential that it certainly isn’t meeting. I want to learn what I can do to help.
Kathy - Good point about not underestimating…I had a little snobby part in my post or comment. Sorry about that. I am still full of way too much BS…
but, heck, ain’t gonna to let crap like that stop me. I just keep pluggin away!
Regarding the sense of urgency, well, that’s a good point. There is a side of me that is ’slow and steady wins the race’ but another side senses the urgency of the race, plus I only have so many years in this body left before it’s time to climb back in the ole’ recycle bin.
And what will the ol’e recycle bin turn out? … yet another wonderful spirited being. :o)
Without the spirit of giving there is no desire for the art. Perhaps then the art of giving is seeking and allowing the spirit of giving within the self.
You ask why are we? I feel that people that have an insight have the ability with thoughts and words to help us remember why we are here … and who we are. Perhaps those of us when writing our blogs are trying to remember … perhaps this spirit within us is trying to express itself through us. The more our hearts are open … the flow of the spirits expression is able to reach us and extend outwardly. Just a thought. :o)
Mark
please forgive my ignorance. but what Race? what do you mean by race?
Kathh - the human race. It is a ‘race’…
trinity & kathy - thanks for coming back and helping create a discussion. I have a post coming up next, that explores this further.
jon - thanks for stopping in, and thank you for the offer ot ‘learn what I can do to help.’ I share your sentiments, and hope my next post here helps shed a bit of light.
serenity - I agree, there is a depth, a rippling, and sometimes more than just a sense of the great underlying power. I hope that my teacher finds sufficient interest here to again return, and help us all understand not only the formula of the Art of Giving, but how to embrace and genuinely live it.
Oh! you mean Race as in Death? i understand we are humans in the human race…but not the urgency as a human race. as soon as we are born we start dying. death is for sure. nothing is Permanent. everything changes.
Kathy - sorry about the delay getting back; been pretty hectic. No, actually I am referring to the race we have as humans to get to the next step in our development and awareness, in terms of consciousness and eternal awareness. There is a sense of urgency I feel in this regard.
the urgency that it will make a better world for mankind.
I see. thanks!
Interesting comments..