Hello to all, Hello to myself,

Today, I was pondering…. when is a question really a question.

I think people would say that they ask questions all the time.  Like… What this…?  How did that…?  Why that other thing…stuff?

But is every utterance that starts with a Who, What, When, Where, Why, or How… truly a question?

I am going to say “No”.  Here is my premise…  A question is only truly a question when the asker is ‘open’ or ‘accepting’ to whatever the asked person provides in response.  It is not a true question when we have predetermined the acceptable answer(s).  It is not a question, if we are expecting or leading the respondent to our desired outcome.

We are not ‘asking’ anything, if the asked person doesn’t have a choice or even the freedom to exist without judgement after they have given their answer.

Under the above terms, it is hard to think of how many true questions I have asked or been asked in my life.  Maybe, the idea of a question and judgement are intrinsically connected.  But, I don’t believe that is the Truth or even part of the path to the Truth.  I am saddened when I think about how defensive, combative, and fearful we are in regular communication with anyone (a friend, a stranger, a loved one).  The majority of the questions we ask others are not a pure expression of unknowing or wonder; they are a defensive, leading, dictating, or fear-driven gesture to keep the truth hidden… to mask our true identities.

How can you find the Truth without asking a question.  What is the answer?

I don’t know, but I do want to ask the question.  And, I want to be open to and accepting of the answer…

Thank you for being, Michael.