Category: Dali Lama

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Respond or React

We have no means of discriminating between right and wrong if we do not take into account others’ feelings, others’ suffering.
-Dali Lama, Ethics for the New Millennium

r&rIt is in this quote that the idea of “ethics” begins to merge with the ideas of authenticity, compassion, love, and empathy.

As we consciously think about how we want to respond or react to the thought of others, we need to think about how our definitions of right or wrong differ from the thoughts of others and, is what we are wanting to say in reaction to a comment or idea we don’t align with and why do we feel that way? Even more important, what is it in the other person’s life experience that causes them to feel the way they do? The old quote about not judging someone until you have walked a mile in their moccasins comes to mind.

We cannot know what their life has been like. So, in all things, we need to do our due diligence to ascertain why they feel the way they do.

How do we do that? We have a dialogue with them. We engage them in non-confrontational conversation to get to know them. Normally when we learn to engage in this manner, we find that we really are not that far apart in our beliefs and that when we change the way we see what we see, as often happens when we get up close and personal, we are able to find a common ground upon which we can build anew.

~revjim

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Self Love

self-loveAs soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. ~ Garth Henrichs

One of the main aspects of trust, whether for yourself other toward others is “Love.” I am not talking about the mushy, sloppy type of temporary high school or lusty love. I am speaking about the love that endures. Oft times we see that as friendship or the unconditional love that we feel. Self love is a prerequisite to the love of others.

We don’t often think of self love or when we do think of it, it’s in the negative ways, such as self-serving or self-aggrandizing. We see the boisterous and pompous and they are our most visible mis-examples of self-love. Usually this type of behavior is a disguise of those devoid of love.

Self love starts with taking care of yourself obviously, but it also means that you are happy as you are and willing to add greater prosperity and greater good to your life without harming or taking anything away from anyone else.

Then, the natural extension of that is empathy and caring for others. Until we begin to love our “self,” we cannot start to love others. Grand examples of those who care for others are the Dali Llama, Pema Chödron, fr. Richard Rhor, and Pope Francis, but there are billions of lesser known people who are absolutely comfortable with themselves and are loving, caring people. It probably includes you, so, as usual, I’m talking to “the choir” as it were.

If this strikes a chord in you, or you would like to hear more, let me know.

~rev jim

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#aworldthatworks
Spirit Education is a CSL Authorized Virtual Education Provider

Grace in Aging class starts September 18th Online