Just a thought, a simple idea for a better world.
Over the years certain events have humbled me and made me take a spiritual deep breath for some introspection and respite. After much self-examination, I lift my head up to look at the world for inspiration and I see violence, greed, competition, corruption, and dishonesty everywhere. Sometimes I’ve let my inner feelings seep out of me and got criticized and admonished for showing my pain. From that, I’ve learned to show compassion for my fellow humans when I encounter someone who comes across as “a little tired” and shows signs of discontent. I understand those that have been wronged and let their anger out to express their feelings and desire to straighten things up… I understand! I know what it feels like to be helplessly under the authority of those that have not got good intentions, and are spiritually retarded.
There is suffering in this world said Buddha, and I understand that not everyone is spiritually or emotionally capable of coping with the unpleasant aspects of this life. I try to give support wherever I can by saying, I feel your pain; I think I know where you’re coming from. There are times when telling someone to toughen up and get over it may be appropriate, more often, however, this is not a wise thing to do, and should never be the first choice of words. Sympathy and compassion are hard to come by; people are only too quick to admonish those that feel the pain of being alive and say stupid things to them like toughen up, build a bridge and get over it. How clever they are! They of course, never fail to go to pieces when that bitch Lady Luck frowns on them and gives them an unexpected kick up the gonads, and a dose of hard luck for a time. They complain no one understands them and malign the lack of support.
We have all the right answers when the troubles are not ours, and the pain does not affect us personally you see. When someone close or not so close to us is down in the dumps, it is our obligation to lend a sympathetic ear and if possible, if we can, offer to help out. The last thing one should do is to carelessly start telling the other person you should do this and you should do that, give advice off the top of our heads without knowing what we’re talking about. It is much better to say nothing at all and just put our arm warmly around the shoulders of our suffering friend, and say nothing. When words fail and the answers are hard to find, try some silence instead. Try some compassion towards other sentient beings; compassion is the best gift one can give. There is more than enough evil and cruelty in this world as it is, bad things happen to everyone as a matter of course without us as individuals, deliberately adding more evil with our deeds. This is one thing that is within our power, to not add evil of our own volition into this world. Some people are constantly in a state of anger, argumentative by nature, quick to respond with aggression, are vindictive and predatory. These people are nothing less than hell-beings, hell bent on adding poison to people’s lives for their selfish satisfaction, but something there is out there that does not like evil doers, a mechanism exists in place whereby evil is balanced out. Some people call it karma for want of a better term. My message to anyone that might listen is a simple one, don’t hurt others because you are in a position to do so, just because you can, so you can feel powerful, important, and derive satisfaction. Trust me, believe me on this one, sometime somewhere, either here or there, it will catch up with you.
I know what it’s like to have been wronged and violated, made to feel inferior without any chance of redress. The pain turns to anger, anger turns to hatred towards the perpetrators, and hatred turns into thoughts of payback and revenge. Evil is never the answer, there is too much of it already. Forgiveness grants absolution but it is such a hard thing to do, it feels like a reward, like a gift or a ransom payable by the victim to the villain. I know it seems unfair, but forgiveness is the ultimate price one must pay. It is not an easy thing to do; it can be misinterpreted as weakness and taken advantage of by the bad ones and perceived as unjust by the victim that might not be spiritually strong. The victim expects redress for damages suffered, and punishment for the perpetrator, we call this “closure”. In Christian doctrine you will find these verses: But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on the cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:39) If someone takes your tunic, give to him your cloak as well. (Matthew 5:40)
Where is the logic in that I ask? What sort of thinking is this, where is the justice? The answer could be that something there is out there that does not like acts of violence, perhaps then it is better to suffer passively rather than committing further acts of violence somewhat like two wrongs making things right. Perhaps it is that an act of revenge would convert the innocent victim into a guilty aggressor. A very hard concept to come to grips with, something that only a highly spiritually evolved and compassionate soul can do.
Forgiveness is a virtue not easily attained by the ordinary spiritually dormant person. We humans by our very instinct react with aggression and violence on a platform of fear and anger, just like animals. Forgiveness is perhaps a virtue one must strive to develop well ahead of time before an event happens… maybe. Also, the habit of finding quiet time during one’s day for tranquil meditation, the shedding of some of the day’s stress, and attaining those inner elusive qualities of harmony and peace is a good idea.
If you observe the animal world you will not fail to notice that it is based on two negative traits, namely fear and aggression. The animal kingdom is divided into predators and prey. The strong aggressive and heavily armed animals full of weapons in the shape of fangs and claws are the ones that rule the jungle, all others live in fear, and run and hide. Humans are a world apart from the wild animals by virtue of intellect, and other noble traits that are not equally shared by all humans. What a paradise it would be if we were all honest and generous with compassion for each other. Not such a difficult thing to do at all, yet this notion is completely delusional and such a utopian existence will never come to pass.
There is one Artist in this world however who has come to realize that one person alone can stop a portion of evil entering this world simply by not committing evil. A drop in the ocean is a drop nonetheless, thus has vowed to show compassion and understand another’s pain and provides support if possible all within the volume of a drop. This Artist cannot change the world, cannot make a difference for the better, but can exert a small drop of benevolent influence on his immediate waters by seeing the good things in people, and forgiving the less than desirable traits. By going the extra mile to appease the troubled individual, to help someone in the wrong, to save face and walk out of the corner he’s painted himself in with dignity. This only happens within the confines of his immediate sphere of influence which all-up does not amount to much. Still, a drop of water in the ocean is a measurable amount just the same, that for a short time affects a limited area immediately around it.
Imagine then if more such tiny drops were added by many more compassionate people, this part of the sea would tranquilize somewhat. Perhaps this is why we appreciate the sheltered bays with their beautiful beaches, and crystal clear and calm warm waters, as opposed to the wild cyclonic conditions out in the open ocean. Today, or sometime this week, do an act of charity. The greatest acts of charity and compassion are those done silently and in secret within one’s own heart, away from admiring eyes. Jesus told us that charity and prayer should be done quietly and discreetly. Walk up to someone and place your hand on their shoulder and say something nice to them with warmth and sincerity, no false compliments. Do try to see things from their point of view, and let them know they are not alone. Best of all never let your anger impel you to do an act of evil. Such easy things for us to do, yet so hard for many, and worse, that many more deliberately choose not to.
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