KIG

In a paragraph describing the characteristics of a deteriorated Sufi study group, Idries Shah (in Learning How to Learn), says the following:

Deterioration: Evidenced by the acceptance of simplifications, contraction of activity, messianic and panacea thinking, hierarchical behavior patterns believed to be sacrosanct, literal acceptance of the figurative and vice-versa, hagiography, providing social and psychological stimuli and/or reassurances, offering scope for personality-projection, assuaging desires for attention, substituting itself for diversions of a political, organizational, religious, psychological, social, academic, family or other groupings. [p. 175-176]

I’d read this before. This time one phrase caught my attention: “scope for personality-projection.” If that phrase does not produce a conscious reaction, the person reading it is blessedly free of engaging in this way of being “of the world.” It is, of course, a successful way of gaining attention—one reason why hostesses of old used a handy abbreviation: KIG. That stood for Keep It General: participate in the conversation and don’t grandstand.

The paragraph is rather fascinating, when read with some concentration. It draws the line between the broadly social ways of interacting—and those intended to help us realize that there is something beyond.