In the meantime, let's try to deal with the first term, free interpretation.
Free interpretation, now that is one great and unique concept. It is the antithesis of imposition. It is the grandfather of all freedoms, especially, the most basic of all freedoms, the freedom to choose. Free interpretation; is it as simple as it sounds? Like, so "okay, interpret it as you want". Or is this concept at the root of all freedoms? Is it just about the freedom to interpret a particular phrase, a particular passage, a book or even an event? Or is it an encompassing doctrine -- a doctrine about interpreting a written piece, an event, an action, a gesture, a look, a life, a world, a meaning? It seems to me, free interpretation are all these and much more.
It basically means that one has the right to interpret anything and everything according to one's experience, according to one's history, one's level of understanding, one's level of belief, one's level of logic, one's level of comprehension.
In this sense, from this concept of free interpretation, I understand that my thoughts, feeling and actions are all coming from my interpretation of the world around me. From this point of view, it is now easier for me to comprehend the other's action, or at the very least, understand the other's action, and therefore more tolerant of the other. In this sense, no interpretation is wrong or incorrect -- only different.
And what does free interpretation have to do with violence or vengeance?
It's clear, at least to me. How can there be violence or even vengeance when I understand the other – or at the very least, tolerant of the other? How can I judge the other if I know I am not in a position to judge anyone?
Only by being certain of our uncertainties can we start to understand and accept the other's interpretation, his opinions, his actions.
It seems to me, that it is even possible that this concept of free interpretation could be one of the ingredients for experiencing peace within ourselves; one of the ingredients for the practice of nonviolence.
With free interpretation, we begin to learn how to tolerate the other, understand the other, comprehend the other, and finally, feel the human in the other. The first step towards humanizing the other.
We know that others proclaimed the free interpretation, but then in the practice, they imposed their own interpretation. We want to make it seriously. --Silo•••
