Slight apprehension hovers over the columnist when he or she sits down to write the next piece. The concept of the audience is daunting, but the concept of not considering the audience would be to appear oblivious. What is an article anyway in relation to the writer and the audience? To whom is an article and its implications “truth?”
And now enters Buddha, “Do not believe what I tell you. You must find out for yourself.”
As writers, we constantly need to remind ourselves that all we present to readers is small pieces of information from our own standpoint and interpretation. Even if it is a news piece, it is someone’s own viewpoint that gives the issue value. It’s too easy sometimes to fall into the trap of worrying about how people are going to react to our work. I know I worry sometimes about how things I write may be interpreted.
But perhaps the greater responsibility lies with readers. As an audience, we are simply reading anything for what it may inspire in us. Sure, we interpret things and interpretation can lead to impact. This causes no harm so long as one realizes that they are simply interpreting — that everything filters through perspectives, a culmination of a unique lifetime of experience.
There is one message from the world religions that I believe holds the greatest amount of truth. This is the speech that the Zen mindset is founded upon: The transfer of wisdom from Siddhartha Gautama in what is known as the “Flower Sermon.”
“As the Holy One waited for his students to settle down, he noticed a golden lotus blooming in the muddy water nearby. He pulled the plant out of the water — flower, long stem, and root. Then he held it up high for all his students to see. For a long time he stood there, saying nothing, just holding up the lotus and looking into the blank faces of his audience. Suddenly his disciple, Mahakashyapa, smiled. He understood.”
Within Greek mythology, a similar concept arises in Eleusis when a mown ear of grain is shown in silence.
Károly Kerényi said in “Introduction to Mythology,” “In silence is the seed of wisdom gained. Does not the real secret of every mystery lie in its simplicity?”
These teachings are some of the only ones in the world that truly seem to respect the idea that we all hold truth within us. They are the only “sermons” that could be synonymous with “truth.” Although many other sects and religions also claim this belief, they often state imperatives or take the stance that other beliefs and viewpoints are in some way wrong.
Great teachings are contained within all religions, yet they are still only teachings to be interpreted by each individual in different ways.
It’s the same with the media — the media is a collection of ideas, information and viewpoints presented to a wider collection of individuals for individual interpretation.
So with this in mind, any resentment toward any faction of the media is pointless. For example, indignation toward extreme right-wing media is only a statement that is ascribed to another opposing viewpoint. The same goes for those who are offended by gender issues in the media. Opposition to this is simply saying that we believe in the legitimacy of another viewpoint as being a “truth” we disagree with or dislike. Yet everything you see and read comes from humans — take it or leave it.
Receive input, experience and find out for yourself.