Conversation

I've had much thought of the topic of Communication, or more specifically, Conversation. The difference between the two is sometimes confused, however. Communication is simply any sharing of messages from one party to another. The term usually implies something one-way, instead of messages going back and forth. Conversation, on the other hand, is using the tool of language between or amongst parties, messages going back and forth.

Anyway, the type of thinking that I've put into this is not so much the definitions of the two, but rather the categories of the latter. Basically, a conversation grows from the knowledge of one party in some subject combined with the ignorance of the other party on the same topic. These topics could be of facts (historic, scientific, etc.), or opinions (beliefs, feelings). So because conversation is birthed from knowledge and ignorance, I've tried to categorize the different levels of it in the form of questions. These start at the "Shallow" levels of conversation to "Deep" levels. You will notice that the first and the last are ironically the same question as far as the wording goes, yet by the time you get to the last question, its meaning has changed dramatically.

Who are you?
This question refers to the historical background of the recipient. Though there may be some types of conversation before this (e.g. "How 'bout that low pressure system!") it is hardly to be considered real conversation. This level of conversation brings one to the introduction of different levels that are hard to reach otherwise.
What do you know?
This may sound funny, as you would never ask that question as it is, but it shows the next level of conversation. This is about facts as was the first level, but it does not deal with the person's personal experience necessarily.
What do you think?
Not referring to what is going on in someone's mind, but rather, what is their opinion on topics of judgment. This is about presenting facts and asking a person how they interpret them.
What do you feel?
This gets more into non-factual and emotional topics. (not to say that the topics are false, but they are not about facts). It deals with how the persons emotionally responds to facts.
What do you believe?
This gets back to facts, but they are personal facts. It concerns the person philosophy of life, which is factual to him.
Who are you?
This deals with the inner being of the person. Not a question of "where have you been" as was the first question, but rather "Where have you come to". It is a level that few people ever get to.

What is this all about? Well, I'm not sure, but I'll throw in some application. In our life, as we seek to know God, how deep do our conversations get to Him? Do we only see His historical background in the Bible and no further? Do we only tell Him what is going on in our life, when we pray? Think on this.