Lunch Time Chat at St James Ethics Centre

Wednesday July 12th 2000  

This venue is fast developing into a source of new conversationalists.  This month has been no exception.  Welcome to seven new participants.

The prime question driving the conversation at  this event was,   

"What would constitute a good life?"

Of course we were hardly able to begin with the possibilities implied by this question. While we did come to some understandings, we also derived a range of even more interesting questions.  These may well become foundations for later conversations.

Some of the elements we wanted to be present in a good life included the following;

Compassion,  being aware,  caring,   insight, understanding respect and spirit.

Some of the discussion was around how these and other elements might show up or be brought about.  Sometimes people who want change and are not prepared to accept the status quo are seen as stirrers and perhaps the more effective approach might be that taken by the 'quiet achievers.'  There was certainly no doubt amongst us that the real interconnection or interaction between people starts with only one.   Namely,  Me.  Read, You.    We also noted   that we really don't know what sort of impact we have on others just by the way we live and act.  Knowing that we are modelling for others it is cumbent upon us to live according to the values we espouse as an example.

It was also suggested that to bypass the exclusiveness that can be a characteristic of some communities, we ourselves may choose to be active in a variety of communities to broaden our own perspectives.

No conclusions were reached other than we would be well served to live our own lives consciously and with purpose. 

What do you think?

The next conversation at the St James Ethics Centre is to be announced.