We cannot hear what another communicates to us unless we open our heart as well as our mind. Only the inexperienced and na ve will believe that such an openness of the inner ears of our heart is possible without risks. We may be criticized because we expose our true thoughts and values. Perhaps more frequently we discover weaknesses or faults in another that call for our carrying his burden with him by patience and humble service. The kind of exchanges that take place through working and living together are a form of dialogue.
All true dialogue requires willingness for both parties to change.
In the course of such collaboration and exchange we come to recognize the attitude and affects that had lain hidden within us and are presented with numerous occasions for reinforcing those that are good and correcting the ones that are selfish and objectionable. Rarely is it enough for us to work at correcting our faults simply through insight achieved by our solitary reflection and analysis. We so readily remain unaware of some of our most personal characteristics, both good and evil, that without contact with others we are unable to discover where to employ our efforts to best advantage. There is a Jewish folk tale that illustrates this need strikingly. Eisek lived a hard-working and pious life in Cracow, Poland.