contemplative sciences, in particular, often face a great deal of skepticism. Even within a science
context, the type of research that this book represents is often marginalized by the natural
sciences. And although we are seeing change, we should be very honest and admit that it is a
relatively slow change. There is a need for more and growing openness and, in order to avoid
marginalization, you have to make your material accessible. You have to, in effect, demystify it to
make it accessible and relevant for non-specialists … using the words of science to describe
something that – for many people – is considered non-scientific is a very good approach.
It’s necessary to understand the greater cause-and-effect relations, our impact on the world and its
impact on us. This is exactly the moment where you begin to ask: How do I feel in a group? What
is collectivity? What is my notion of community and how do I experience being part of it? When
does one begin to feel responsibility for somebody else? Somebody next to you, somebody in
another room, in another country, in Norway
and
the Sudan? This is really interesting, and there
isn’t much clarity on the topic, although we are presented with people who are suffering all the
time. We know this is happening. There is nobody suffering anywhere without somebody else
knowing about it – in our information age, this barely happens anymore.
TS:
Yes, these notions are very much reflected in the concept of interdependence, and the
realization of the interdependence of human beings is a crucial prerequisite for compassion to
unfold. The idea that we are single, separated units is just an illusion. Social neuroscience has
provided quite a lot of evidence showing how interdependent we really are. Sometimes this also
happens in unconscious ways; for example, sometimes we experience emotional contagion without
realizing it , but our actions are influenced.
OE:
So from a greater perspective, this book should be like a dance – it is exciting, it’s physical,
it’s great to look at, and you don’t know what the next move is. To send somebody off into the
world dancing like this is almost like making a work of art – you are somehow made to feel
welcome but it’s also an unpredictable journey. Once we succeed in acknowledging that the main
goals lie within ourselves, we are, to some extent, free from having dictated to us in which direction
to go.
TS:
Yes, that’s true.
OE:
And this is where the book starts to feel like a dance.
TS:
So let’s dance!
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