This month I turn back the page and travel in time on H.G. Wells fictional machine to around 400 B.C. We are now in an olive grove outside of Athens, Greece in one of the earliest schools of higher learning, called “The Academy.” As fate would have it, we arrive on an early Summer day, just after the rainy period but a shower just passed through. Mixed with the smell of the 85-degree earth after the rain, is the sweet light fragrance of blooming olive trees and herbs such as thyme, oregano and sage. There is also the rustic smell of wood fires used for early morning warmth and cooking. In our educational environment there is also the smell of parchment and ink. We, along with a group of young acolytes, await one of the greatest teachers the world has ever known – Plato. He was a visionary who had a utopian dream of society outlined in his work, “The Republic.” He was trained at the feet of Socrates and had a profound love of wisdom and truth. He would disciple a student by the name of Aristotle. Plato was consumed with thoughts of ethics, character, justice and virtue. The great master also displayed a deep devotion to truth and understanding. It is in his commitment to understanding that I choose to camp. It is upon one of his illustrations of perspective on which I draw our “lesson” for today – straight out of the Academy and book VII of “The Republic.”
“The Allegory of the Cave” tells the story of people who have spent their entire lives chained to a wall of a dark cave. The only view they have is the wall directly in front of them. Somewhere behind them, a fire burns and as objects pass between them and the fire, shadows are cast upon the wall. Those shadows are their only reality because they have never seen truth beyond the cave. They talk about the shadows and find joy when they recognize familiar figures and have discourse when a new shape appears.
Eventually, one person’s chains loosen and for the first time, he is able to stand, move, and look around. He sees the fire behind them and the brightness hurts his eyes. Fear overwhelms yet curiosity pulls him forward to explore the unknown. Emerging from the darkness he sees people and objects, with the dawning realization that they were only witnesses to reflections and shadows. Their “reality” was merely an illusion and truth had not been discovered. Inquisitiveness drives him forward to the blinding light of the outside world as the warmth of the sun and the cool of the breeze bathes him in unexpected liberation. Trees, mountains, birds and the heavens are exhilarating but also bring an intense sorrow of what has been missed and what was forfeited by a lack of context.
Like a first-century evangelist, anxious to bring truth to those in darkness, the explorer rushes back to the cave, anxious to share all the wonders he has experienced. But, alas, his old cavemates laugh at him and call him crazy. They believe the escapee to be delusional and cling to the darkness – their only reality. He desires to share the beauty of what he has discovered, but they won’t listen. They cannot envision anything beyond their own limited perspective. “Sometimes people would rather live in the comfort of their illusions than face the discomfort of truth.”
While I have no desire to challenge one’s intelligence with an explanation, I will offer a quick summary of some of the components of this allegory. The chains are the constraints that keep us from knowledge that can allow us to broaden our worldview. The cave is a limited worldview itself. It is a place where people can “only see what they can see.” It is a shadow of reality in which multitudes dwell. So many are “chained” by ignorance, unfounded beliefs and comfort zones, not realizing their reality is merely an illusion. The shadows are merely that, silhouettes of truth.
That allegory gives me opportunity to share with you the value of perspective. Perspective is the way an individual sees and experiences the world. It is shaped by one’s experiences, values, gender, culture, and so much more. What I emphasize here is that:
YOU CANNOT TALK SOMEONE OUT OF THEIR PERSPECTIVE – BUT YOU CAN APPRECIATE THEIR VIEWPOINT, AND LEARN TO WALK TOGETHER IN UNDERSTANDING.
When I can embrace your perspective and appreciate your view, together, we can experience unity, collaboration and growth. If I can stretch myself and walk in your shoes a bit, I can see from your angle and that stands a chance of transforming our interactions. What was an obstacle becomes an opportunity.
The ability to exit our cave allows us to eliminate group think which stifles growth and innovation. When we appreciate all perspectives, we are able to analyze a situation from various angles and come up with better game plans. When we value the different vantage points among our group, collaboration thrives and brings excitement to our conversations. When folks know their outlook is valued, they feel empowered to share in an authentic, transparent manner.
Invite everyone to the table and listen to all. Make sure all team members feel heard, appreciated and validated. Encourage opinions and alternative views and the result will be growth. Looking from your side of the street gives me empathy and compassion. It makes me a better person but it also makes me a better leader. Appreciating perspectives is a transformative experience. Every individual who sees things differently than me is an opportunity for advancement and maturation.
Let us all DECIDE to appreciate the perspective of those with whom we interact. Let us celebrate our differences and move forward together. Let us become better….together.
Blessings.
Eric Cupp, Chief Compassion Officer