The Open Hand
The Open Hand

There are two distinct approaches to living life:

Open hand living

or

Clenched fist living


Our hands are an expression of our heart and mind, our inner self.

As an artist expresses the inner self . . .

As a warrior expresses the inner self . . .

As a villan expresses the inner self . . .

As a thief expresses the inner self . . .

. . . Through the hand,

So do we in our every action and re-action

To people and to life

“Think of the difference between being confronted with a clenched fist and being
offered an open hand. The clenched fist signifies threat, rejection, arrogance,
exclusion, refusal, anger and violence. The open hand means friendship, help,
peace, sharing, communication and connection.”  (fr. Vivian Boland)


Clenched fist living contrasted with open hand living




























Bruce Cockburn on the “open hand”



For a physical demonstration
of the power of the open hand
contrasted with the weakness of a clenched fist,
go to the description of Aikido’s unbendable arm at:
http://www.bodymindandmodem.com/CoolKi/Unbend.html



For a biblical sermon an this stark choice, click here.





"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Mahatma Gandhi
CLENCHED FIST
 OPEN HAND
THREAT
 INVITATION
HIDDEN
 REVEALED
UPTIGHT
 RELAXED
DEFENSIVE
 INQUIRING
STAGNATION / ENTROPY
 OPEN SYSTEM
BARRIER
 CONNECTION
SEES LIMITS
 SEES POSSIBILITIES
ENERGY BOTTLED-UP
 ENERGY RELEASED
CLOSED MIND: KNOWS ALL,
OPINIONATED, CERTAINTY
 OPEN MIND: ALWAYS LEARNING,
INQUIRING, ANTICIPATING
CLOSED HEART: GUARDED,
CONTROLLED, FEAR
 OPEN HEART: EMBRACES
CHANGE, DIVERSITY, PEOPLE
CONQUERS / CRUSHES RISK AND
THE UNKNOWN
 EMBRACES THE UNKNOWN AND
SEEKS NEW POSSIBILITIES
COMPETITION
 COLLABORATION
IT’S ALL ABOUT ME
 IT’S ALL ABOUT ALL
   
   
LOGO: this is a graphic of an
open hand.

Above the hand is
~ a flower unfolding in all its
beauty and creativity,
~ a flame burning with
compassion and passion,
~ a dove descending, a
representation of peace and
of the Spirit.

What do you see?

The open hand is open to
both give and receive life's
incidental graces.
If I loose my grip . . .

will I take flight?

(Bruce Cockburn,
Strange Waters lyrics)