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

Clenched Fist	Open Hand
Threat	Invitation
Exclusion	inclusion
Hidden	Revealed
Uptight	Relaxed
Defensive	Inquiring
ARGUMENT	DIALOGUE
Stagnation / Entropy	Open System
Barrier	Connection
Sees Limits	Sees Possibilities
Energy Bottled-Up	Energy Released
Closed Mind: knows all, opiniated, 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

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