How often our conflicts relate strictly to misunderstandings? How important it is then to listen and comprehend others?

Those of us who are immigrants, me included, living in a country and operating with a different language then your mother tongue, are used to asking for clarification, and the meaning. Native people do that much less often. They presume. We can say, however, that in life we all have a tendency to presume, that what we have said, our message, has been received correctly and according to our understanding of the words. How strange!

When we are in school we are taught very many definitions to properly understand the meaning of words, concepts, ideas and rules. Lawyers and physicians must learn and memorize even more definitions. Do we, though, realize why we need definitions?

Definitions are to de-fine things, to make us aware of the core essence of these things and/or their usage and applications. People were struggling with definitions until Aristotle (384-322 BC) brought to common attentions the need of defining a definition. But it doesn’t mean we comprehend it and act accordingly. Very often we try to convince our converser about our ideas without knowing if we both understand things the same way. It happens to me quite often when I speak with people in the dowsing community – they state something without define knowledge of their meaning, hence struggle with concepts. When I ask: “What do you mean by that?” I often hear: “I do not know exactly, but my teacher told me that”. So I try to define things – go to the true meaning of those words or concepts and show people the mechanics behind the scene, so they will see and understand the nature of things, their true essence. This is “de-fining”. In some cases by the way, if you do not understand rules and do not follow them, you will be punished and pay a “fine”, a penalty for not knowing (or disdain these rules).

In todays un-defined world we borrow certain words to describe other things, not knowing if people will understand them. Even though the words are used correctly, due to the lack of understanding, people still do not get the concept. It happens especially when not full words, but abbreviations are used. For example – most of us have HD TV. How many of us think why it is called this way? Why “High Definition (HD)” TV has been created? We simply enjoy the fact that this particular type of TV set allows us to see more define view, that the picture is crisp and clear with all small details easily visible.

To me “fine-tuning” the meaning of words is important. Part of it is that I teach others and do my best to convey my message clearly and precisely. The other is that playing with words and meanings is an amazing exercise for the brain. It increases the flexibility of our mind – to connect meanings and understandings, to create new ideas based on the natural essence of words. Also – to create new words and enrich our vocabulary. If we would like to do that, the very first thing is to create a definition of this new word. Then – to make it publicly known and accepted. Sounds easy? Do it then!