Theos-Talk Archives (February 1998 Message tt00368)

THE tail of a dog wags backward and forth. The finger of the old man cocks
and shakes with all-knowing instruction. The head bows, the head lifts, the
head shakes, backward and forth, up and down: dissent, assent; agreement.

 One movement is defined. Wavering movements, which are not of singular
intent are equally, undecided; as the wavering shows. If one examines the
habits of this explanatory shaking, they can begin to 'feel out' their
partners searching, even though they appear to be decisive in
interpretation.

Here and there, from this and that, side to side, backwards up and
frontwards down. This explains to us the true make over of most decisions
answered. If we nod in agreement we are tending towards that line of
decision, but not overly committed unwaveringly. Equally a nod of
disapproval - 'no, no, no' - is a tendency favouring such; but going from
this to that in examination. It is moreover an informed answer, for the
information is causing the constant reflex.

Something like this: "No, I reject"; "But, what if?","I understand", and so
forth. Examination: return to first opinion, drawing conclusions, and so on.
The head shaking side to side, or up and down, the inner gauging, the outer
affirmation of decided opinion.

There are grades of sound which accompany the verbal equivalents
ranging from the most definite and exuberant, to those which are weakly and
noncommittal: If I should ask you if you would like to be given a treasure,
your reply 'yes' should be stated far differently to your being offered a
biscuit, a dry biscuit, for example.

And yet, the two words, both yes and no, are the most strongly driven words
of any language. The individual who imparts either of these words may choose
to do so quite forcefully, quite actively, and throw their whole being
behind them and their meaning of the moment.

Of course there needs be both will and desire, coupled with a true and
proper reference understanding of that which is to be accepted or rejected
by the individual. However, 'yes' and 'no', still stand as the most powerful
issues, regardless of how quickly we tend to offer both; regardless of
considerations.

These two words separate man from beast, as within the use, common and
decided, they are representative of choice, choice being paramount to man.
They are in answer to all consideration.

B.Hive