Lord Pentland: No. I think that what I was trying to say was that it seems as if when I’m in front of you for instance, as if I was doing the very best I could to give my attention to what you’ve said, right? . . But somewhere there’s more attention. Without that I’m not going to really penetrate below the personality, below the prison in which you live and I live. And the conversation will just be superficial. Now what is this more attention I can give to be more present? And I think it requires what I call non-directive skill. I don’t think it’s the least use my trying to impress you. And it’s certainly no use my being afraid of you. So what is this? If you can think of a better word for it, I’d be glad. I think the best word I can find is non-directive skill―an intensely observant state in which I’m taking advantage as little as I do and as much as I can of past experience to try to be present to myself and not be so taken by an impatience to convince you or answer you, but more by a conviction that I could be more present, that I could even be a kind of bearer of some conscious force. I think that’s what’s needed. I think I’m apt to be impatient, to affirm myself by giving an answer, but what’s needed is more attention. It’s very simple, in a way. It’s all there. And people are writing any number of books. I was looking at a book last night in which a man, in a guidebook on meditation, said, “It’s always useful to put on a half smile.” That’s not bad advice in a way. But even that doesn’t always work, you know what I mean? I was talking yesterday to a couple who are having trouble with their marriage. I said to the girl, “You know, a great thing for a woman is to be cheerful.” And she said, “That’s the one thing my husband can’t stand. He says I’m always so cheerful.” . . . Will you think over non-directive skill? Yes?

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