You can only learn that which you already know

John McKnight uses this story to illustrate the idea that wisdom is found within a community. I didn't have a written copy of the story so did a search on Internet. This is copied from an interesting sermon given by a Dr. Philip Amerson: http://home.bluemarble.net/~fumcb/sermons/000806.htm

I would like to begin today with a story that is one of my favorites. It is a favorite precisely because it is so rich with meaning. The texture of possible meanings is deep and broad. You can choose to hear the story in new ways each time you hear it. It is a story that comes from the Sufi Muslim tradition. It is a story that informs me over and over again. I haven't told it too many times so I don't know that most of you have heard it.

The story is told of a Sufi Muslim village that was faced with an important decision. The village council met and decided they would send for a wise person who lived miles away across the mountain. Perhaps this great sage could help the people solve their problem.

You need to know that in this Sufi culture, there is an understanding about the world. It is a motto and a way of seeing the world that goes like this: "You only learn what you already know." And so the wise man came and stood in front of the village. He looked at the villagers who were gathered there and he said, "How many of you know what I am going to tell you?" None of them raised their hands, and so the wise man said, "In our culture, you can only learn what you already know so there is no point in my being here" and he left and went back across the mountain.

The council thought about it and said, "What can this mean?" They decided how they would handle it. They invited the man to come back. It took several days to get the message to him and then several days for him to return, but the villagers were ready for him this time. He stood before them and said, "How many of you know what I am going to tell you?" Everyone raised their hands," and the wise man said, "That's wonderful! I don't need to say anything," and he left and went back across the mountain.

The villagers held council again trying to decide what they should do. They met together and had a plan. They sent for the wise man one more time. He came across the mountain and stood in front of them and as always before he said, "How many of you know what I am going to tell you?" Everyone on this side of the town square raised their hands and everyone on the other side did not. The wise man said, "That is wonderful! I want all of you to tell all of them what I am going to say."