Project by MsDebbieP | posted 11-07-2011 05:35 PM | 3235 views | 0 times favorited | 23 comments | ![]() |
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11/07/11
I may not do a lot of woodworking but I do like to make items to use for my consultation work to help people visualize a message or story. This is one such project
The Fire of Truth
The Fire of Truth represents my understanding of a Native traditional story. The story goes something like this:
To fully know a fire one must see it from all sides, all perspectives. We must listen to others’ perspectives and points of view and mesh them with our own in order to get the bigger picture. The fire, of course, is symbolic of greater truths.
With this visual aid I am able to speak with people about truly listening to what others have to say, in order to learn from them and to mesh the beliefs and perspectives together into a wider, stronger and wiser view of the “truth”.
Sitting in a circle, I have individuals each describe the fire “as they see it”. The heads nod in agreement as each description is presented, and the “truth” becomes fuller and richer as we work our way around the circle.
When speaking about something specific, rather than the inscribed words, we used words that depict the individual’s perspective of a situation and then contemplate the perspective of those who may be sitting on an opposing side.
The Project
The wood is from the “Grand Ol’ Lady” maple tree that I have spoken about many times, here at LumberJocks.com and at GardenTenders.com. The great tree died a few years ago but continues to live on and to inspire me in so many ways. (Ex. the fungus in my photos here were located at her dripline.)
I cut some branches into manageable lengths of wood, approximately 6” in length.
I sanded a small section on the drum sander, creating a flat surface for the pyrography.
I then inscribed into the sanded areas some key words that I think of as core beliefs (ex. honesty, action, integrity)
(and here is a little video I made re: The Fire of Truth) Video
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribeleENJOConsultant)
23 comments so far
Lee A. Jesberger
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#1 posted 11-07-2011 06:15 PM
Hi Debbie;
Very nice… It seems a shame to burn those particular words, though. I can think of some other words that deserved to be burnt.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
MsDebbieP
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#2 posted 11-07-2011 06:20 PM
perhaps those words are the buckets of water that get thrown on the fire, in an attempt to douse the qualities inscribed on the fire wood.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribeleENJOConsultant)
BarbS
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#3 posted 11-07-2011 07:58 PM
I like it, because Fire is alive. Producing a fire of these words is to bring them into being like a phoenix. I was taught in a freshman-level college Biology course that there is a list to define the qualities of a living entity. I don’t remember them all, but they entailed things like an exchange of oxygen, ability to recreate itself, etc. And after the prof gave us the list, which I was scribbling madly to take notes for a test, he said, “Now, be aware. These are the requirements biologists use to define life. And every one of them is fulfilled by… Fire.”
-- http://barbsid.blogspot.com/
Dennisgrosen
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#4 posted 11-07-2011 10:41 PM
great … I nearly was affraid it was a creative way to say gooodby to life
with some of the words in that fire
take care and don“t get burned :-)
Dennis
helluvawreck
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#5 posted 11-07-2011 10:46 PM
Very nice, Ms. Debbie.
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
Joe Lyddon
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#6 posted 11-07-2011 11:05 PM
Debbie…
That was so COOL… I loved your… “Are you listening?” at the very end… Very nice!
Yes, before we make snap decisions, etc. we really should listen, as required, to other people, read other articles, etc. before making up our minds…
Thank you…
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"
Dez
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#7 posted 11-07-2011 11:49 PM
Very Cool! Nice use of visuals!
-- Folly ever comes cloaked in opportunity!
Napaman
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#8 posted 11-08-2011 12:45 AM
Maybe the idea is to start a good fire…and then with each inscribed piece you share a story of something connected to the word…
So the fire is going good—-and you grab out of the Truth Stack—-”listening” and you share a story when you were down and a good friend took the time to listen…and how you appreciated the friend…
Its like a TRIBUTE Fire??? Just ideas…take ‘em or burn ‘em…
Matt
-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007
ksSlim
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#9 posted 11-08-2011 01:00 AM
Excellent use of visuals in a teaching moment.
-- Sawdust and shavings are therapeutic
MsDebbieP
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#10 posted 11-08-2011 01:06 AM
a tribute fire—nice.
interesting to read people’s different perspectives of the fire.
I guess that just validates the message!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribeleENJOConsultant)
Bluepine38
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#11 posted 11-08-2011 02:42 AM
The main part about this is the listening, too many people in a discussion, verbal or written are to busy
thinking about what they want to say or write rather than paying attention to what is being said or written.
Just a little observation of our forums will prove this. Another version of walking a mile in the other persons
moccasins, if you do not listen or read carefully, the only facts you have are your own and you never learn
very much. Thank you for sharing.
-- As ever, Gus-the 79 yr young apprentice carpenter
Roger
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#12 posted 11-08-2011 02:57 AM
gr8 teachings MsDbbie. it’s like listening with your eyes
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. Kentuk55@yahoo.com
S4S
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#13 posted 11-08-2011 06:27 AM
I like it, .......truthfully .
MsDebbieP
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18615 posts in 4124 days
#14 posted 11-08-2011 12:21 PM
yes, Bluepine—people often “talk” without any intention of gaining new insight or information.
I listened to a really good “Ted Talks” presentation about “conversation”. To have a conversation about something means you enter into the discussion with the goal of sharing perspectives and information and learning from the other person.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribeleENJOConsultant)
mafe
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#15 posted 11-08-2011 03:07 PM
That is a beautiful way to visualize life, and yes many fires would have died if we just saw it from all sides before we throw in gasoline.
I think today most people are too busy to get to a conclusion so they forget the idea of conversation as a way to reach higher than they can alone, the conversation is the key to share and then we can conclude once it is over, each our conclusion each our path.
All my love Debbie.
-- MAD F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
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