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Stranger in a Strange Land: Grokking in the Americas

By Anne Dalke
August 14, 2006 - 15:00
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1000-year-old mountain cypress, on the Cerro de Muerte, Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

 

Anne Dalke

"Grok means to understand so thoroughly that the observer becomes a part of the observed—to merge, blend, intermarry, lose identity in group experience. It means almost everything that we mean by religion, philosophy, and science—and it means as little to us (because we are from Earth) as color means to a blind man."--Robert A. Heinlein

I'm traveling and studying in Central and South America during Fall 2006. I'll be recording my reflections here--the reflections of someone who has always thought outloud, who always thought best by talking and listening to others, by writing and responding to writing. I'll soon find myself in a place where I don't know the language. How will I live, if I can't do what I do, to live? What will feed me? How will I drink? How will I find my way to grokking?

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Mary Thompson's picture

Submitted by Mary Thompson (not verified) on March 14, 2007 - 01:13

Hello, I just came across your photos and was intriqued by the caption Familia Villagran (from the photos of Valparaiso)I am trying to find a Villagran family of Valparaiso - my mother's first cousins. She lost contact with them many years ago. If you are in touch with this family could you please forward my email address, or if possible send me an address where I can write to them. Thank you.