On Being Interviewed
Reflections on dialogue and brotherhood
In this article/ I get into brotherhood like a science. It’s super nerdy. Enjoy!
I believe brotherhood is that sweet place where fandom and leadership intersect, kinda like a cheerleader but more like a team mate. Here’s a lil diagram of what I’m laying down:
I summarize this in a few words - “friends are champions to each other” or “Brothers are both fans and heroes”
I was working out at the gym and I got an email from Marino from the Northland Artists Conversation. She said they wanted a “street artist” on the show.
It’s interesting being interviewed about your life. To be interviewed is to “see each other” and when the interview topic is you it’s you and another seeing you together.
Interviews come in many forms. Some have the context of serving justice, some are for the possibility of employment and some are for the possibility of a relationship like a date. Yes, dates are interviews…
When being interviewed for a podcast about you there’s no need to put on a show because you are the show - your actual real and raw story is why you’ve been invited.
So sitting there in that seat basking in the attention I’m getting and the fact that the truth of me is being celebrated, I cant help but wonder what the world would be like if we always conversed with others like podcast hosts by making our associates right for the way they are and the way they are not. Imagine always being related to like your story is amazing and worthy of sharing with the world? And imagine relating to others in the same way. I say this would create a culture of respect and appreciation.
Radhanath Swami once said “Appreciation is the basis of relationship” And Garuda das said on a recent podcast with Namaras Prabhu “there is no relationship without dialogue” Dialogue is another word like “interview” Dialogue means two people conversing. The origin is said to be Latin, French and Greek… (duo and leg) But it’s obvious that it also derives itself from the Sanskrit word “du” which means “two”. So the best dialogues are also interviews because they emphasize eachother (each Other).
When I listen back to the podcasts I’ve hosted for Soulsonfire I’m always left with how likeable I am when I take the role of student and “master asker” rather than “inspirer” even though inspiring others is a noble contribution. The context called inspiring others can diminish the Other.
In How to Win friends and Influence people the author says the most important take home message is Henry Fords quote": “first seek to understand before seeking to be understood”
If you want to be inspiring you have to also be willing to be inspired by the qualities of the person you wish to inspire. I have to have to fuel the fire they already are. I can’t think I’m their only hope for ignition. The truth is they have everything they need and maybe more than I do and it’s my job to point that out to people. That’s inspiring!
Conclusion: In being a champion friend always temper your heroism with the knowledge that you stand on the shoulders of giants who humbly allow you to stand on them. They don’t look down on you or preach at you but instead empower you and uplift you.
“Do not let arrogance go to your head and despair to your heart; do not let compliments go to your head and criticisms to your heart; do not let success go to your head and failure to your heart.”
― Roy T. Bennett
For an amazing take on Humility watch this video by Sridhar Maharaj:
What does the Bhagavad Gita say about friendship? Let’s go to Chapter 9 - The Most Confidential Knowledge
TEXT 33
kim punar brahmanah punya
bhakta rajarsayas tatha
anityam asukham lokam
imam prapya bhajasva mam
SYNONYMS
kim—how much; punah—again; brahmanah-brahmanas; punyah—righteous; bhaktah—devotees; rajarsayah—saintly kings; tatha—also; anityam—temporary; asukham—sorrowful; lokam—planets; imam—this; prapya—gaining; bhajasva—are engaged in loving service; mam—unto Me.
TRANSLATION
How much greater then are the brahmanas, the righteous, the devotees and saintly kings who in this temporary miserable world engage in loving service unto Me.
PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada
In this material world there are classifications of people, but, after all, this world is not a happy place for anyone. It is clearly stated here, anityam asukham lokam: this world is temporary and full of miseries, not habitable for any sane gentleman. This world is declared by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be temporary and full of miseries. Some of the philosophers, especially the minor philosophers, say that this world is false, but we can understand from Bhagavad-gita that the world is not false; it is temporary. There is a difference between temporary and false. This world is temporary, but there is another world which is eternal. This world is miserable, but the other world is eternal and blissful.
Arjuna was born in a saintly royal family. To him also the Lord says, "Take to My devotional service and come quickly back to Godhead, back home." No one should remain in this temporary world, full as it is with miseries. Everyone should attach himself to the bosom of the Supreme Personality of Godhead so that he can be eternally happy. The devotional service of the Supreme Lord is the only process by which all problems of all classes of men can be solved. Everyone should therefore take to Krsna consciousness and make his life perfect.
Art
Some art pieces I’ve done related to the topics in this publication
