Our World is a Canvas for Kindness
FULL TITLE: Our World is a Canvas for Creative Kindness72 total reviews
Comment from Xylok
Those who radiate a spirit of selflessness in their everyday actions draw nearer to understanding the universal spiritual truth that all is one.
well put. I hear ya. I refer to all things as The One cuz it sure does seem to work that way, and to be that way.
Such activity expands the mind and invokes a sense of inner peace and bliss.
and it makes one wonder if things should be loved hierarchically as in love people more than animals and animals more than plants and plants more than stones and stones more than empty vacuous space, etc...or if things all being One, all being a part of God, as it were, or even if not a part of God then all things being equal for other reasons or by default, should be loved equally, cherished equally, regardless of how they behave or what they're made of or whatever.
But the nature of desire is that, once one is fulfilled, another crops up to replace it.
like the desire to breathe, to eat, to hug, to help, to write, to sing, to dance, to murder or whatever depending on who we're talking about here of course, cuz many folks have many different desires, but true enough, they keep cropping up. some desires seem preferable to others for humanity's sake.
In this pattern, satisfaction and peace are as impossible as waves of the sea ceasing to roll.
while people desire change it will be hard to reach peace with self and peace with world and peace in general because suffering folks matter so much to just about every one that until all people are in paradise or its equivalent there will be some level of disappointment in humans, and thank God too, cuz what if they didn't care about each other at all and were happy all the time without any worries in a world riddled with genocide and disease and starvation and molestation and torture going on every second? what's the point in half the world being at peace, or all but one person being at peace, or only one person being at peace? I can think of a lot of guesses to answers for that question such as peace is welcome wherever it's found, but none that im sure are the right answer. who really knows if we should be at peace or not and what that entails. who wants a universe without any hardship or pain in it anyway, really? the minority of humans is my guess. most want some adversity, some struggle, some pain, im guessing.
My guru says:
"Each object we cling to and each petty desire we fulfill is like a shore where we think we can rest and be still. Remember, each leap to a shore, each attempt to find stability in the world outside, actually increases the gap of our dissatisfaction." ~Amma
deep point well put. like trying to swim upwards out of quicksand; each stroke of the leg and arm buries you deeper. have to let go of trying to save yourself and lean back and have faith that your legs and torso will slowly rise to the surface whereafter you can float on your back and ever so slightly manipulate your way to the shore and climb out, which will work, if you stop trying to swim out, from what ive been told in life anyway. I haven't personally tried it, but that's my plan if I wind up in quicksand one day, or night, whichever.
Another reason ego-driven actions can never bring real inner happiness is because they close the heart to concern for others.
bingo. concern for others is what's largely missing in the hearts of humans. there's some there, but what the world needs is a lot more.
Each kind act is like a rung on the ladder to the truth of wholeness, dissolving the illusion that we are separate.
poetically profoundly put
When we drop our own story to listen to someone else, it forges cracks in the mind's inner shell, allowing light to flood in.
well put again.
When we serve others selflessly, without expecting reward, recognition or compensation, this also serves to help us transcend the mind's usual cravings as well as to become centered in the present moment.
and makes people smile :)
"The nature of the mind is like water; it will always flow down. Consciousness is like fire; it will always rise up."~ Amma
very cool!
Those who discover the joy of charitable gestures are blessed with deep peace and bliss because they touch the core of reality.
that's a very deep conveyance as well.
Instead of hiding our inner pain behind distractions or ambitions, such actions transmute it into compassion and empathy, both of which culminate in unity and joy.
party party! sounds often to me like you speak ancient truths through time and life itself, when you quoth, from long ago to far ahead, both, as if indeed you have been shown the Truth! love at the helm of your vessel it shines as it flows.
When we cultivate a habit of finding creative ways to spontaneously practice this altruistic principle, life becomes an art,
life as an art; I dig that thought. well put.
and all the various circumstances become canvases where we have the opportunity to practice manifesting love.
nicely developed point.
It also transmits joy to others.
a great pastime!
Random kind actions are compelling.
well put.
They have the power to elevate both recipient and initiator to a moment of spontaneous unity,
where truth shines.
good point.
If this ideal could be recognized and practiced extensively, the world would soon see an end to poverty and wars caused by greed.
:) that's a big if, but true be what you say about it. how to turn it from an if to a 'now that the world has recognized and practiced....' is the legwork of each generation prior to. the labor of the interim generations.
"May the tree of our life be firmly rooted in the soil of love.
well said
Let good deed
deeds?
be the leaves on the tree.
well put.
May words of kindness form its flowers and may peace be its fruits."
love it, super quotes from her throughout. such wonder and awe and love and insight to spread. so glad you took the time to write and share this deep and heartfelt locution with us all. beautiful stuff here. lots to absorb and definitely behooves rereaders. when you write you massage the world's heart.
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2014
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Those who radiate a spirit of selflessness in their everyday actions draw nearer to understanding the universal spiritual truth that all is one.
well put. I hear ya. I refer to all things as The One cuz it sure does seem to work that way, and to be that way.
Such activity expands the mind and invokes a sense of inner peace and bliss.
and it makes one wonder if things should be loved hierarchically as in love people more than animals and animals more than plants and plants more than stones and stones more than empty vacuous space, etc...or if things all being One, all being a part of God, as it were, or even if not a part of God then all things being equal for other reasons or by default, should be loved equally, cherished equally, regardless of how they behave or what they're made of or whatever.
But the nature of desire is that, once one is fulfilled, another crops up to replace it.
like the desire to breathe, to eat, to hug, to help, to write, to sing, to dance, to murder or whatever depending on who we're talking about here of course, cuz many folks have many different desires, but true enough, they keep cropping up. some desires seem preferable to others for humanity's sake.
In this pattern, satisfaction and peace are as impossible as waves of the sea ceasing to roll.
while people desire change it will be hard to reach peace with self and peace with world and peace in general because suffering folks matter so much to just about every one that until all people are in paradise or its equivalent there will be some level of disappointment in humans, and thank God too, cuz what if they didn't care about each other at all and were happy all the time without any worries in a world riddled with genocide and disease and starvation and molestation and torture going on every second? what's the point in half the world being at peace, or all but one person being at peace, or only one person being at peace? I can think of a lot of guesses to answers for that question such as peace is welcome wherever it's found, but none that im sure are the right answer. who really knows if we should be at peace or not and what that entails. who wants a universe without any hardship or pain in it anyway, really? the minority of humans is my guess. most want some adversity, some struggle, some pain, im guessing.
My guru says:
"Each object we cling to and each petty desire we fulfill is like a shore where we think we can rest and be still. Remember, each leap to a shore, each attempt to find stability in the world outside, actually increases the gap of our dissatisfaction." ~Amma
deep point well put. like trying to swim upwards out of quicksand; each stroke of the leg and arm buries you deeper. have to let go of trying to save yourself and lean back and have faith that your legs and torso will slowly rise to the surface whereafter you can float on your back and ever so slightly manipulate your way to the shore and climb out, which will work, if you stop trying to swim out, from what ive been told in life anyway. I haven't personally tried it, but that's my plan if I wind up in quicksand one day, or night, whichever.
Another reason ego-driven actions can never bring real inner happiness is because they close the heart to concern for others.
bingo. concern for others is what's largely missing in the hearts of humans. there's some there, but what the world needs is a lot more.
Each kind act is like a rung on the ladder to the truth of wholeness, dissolving the illusion that we are separate.
poetically profoundly put
When we drop our own story to listen to someone else, it forges cracks in the mind's inner shell, allowing light to flood in.
well put again.
When we serve others selflessly, without expecting reward, recognition or compensation, this also serves to help us transcend the mind's usual cravings as well as to become centered in the present moment.
and makes people smile :)
"The nature of the mind is like water; it will always flow down. Consciousness is like fire; it will always rise up."~ Amma
very cool!
Those who discover the joy of charitable gestures are blessed with deep peace and bliss because they touch the core of reality.
that's a very deep conveyance as well.
Instead of hiding our inner pain behind distractions or ambitions, such actions transmute it into compassion and empathy, both of which culminate in unity and joy.
party party! sounds often to me like you speak ancient truths through time and life itself, when you quoth, from long ago to far ahead, both, as if indeed you have been shown the Truth! love at the helm of your vessel it shines as it flows.
When we cultivate a habit of finding creative ways to spontaneously practice this altruistic principle, life becomes an art,
life as an art; I dig that thought. well put.
and all the various circumstances become canvases where we have the opportunity to practice manifesting love.
nicely developed point.
It also transmits joy to others.
a great pastime!
Random kind actions are compelling.
well put.
They have the power to elevate both recipient and initiator to a moment of spontaneous unity,
where truth shines.
good point.
If this ideal could be recognized and practiced extensively, the world would soon see an end to poverty and wars caused by greed.
:) that's a big if, but true be what you say about it. how to turn it from an if to a 'now that the world has recognized and practiced....' is the legwork of each generation prior to. the labor of the interim generations.
"May the tree of our life be firmly rooted in the soil of love.
well said
Let good deed
deeds?
be the leaves on the tree.
well put.
May words of kindness form its flowers and may peace be its fruits."
love it, super quotes from her throughout. such wonder and awe and love and insight to spread. so glad you took the time to write and share this deep and heartfelt locution with us all. beautiful stuff here. lots to absorb and definitely behooves rereaders. when you write you massage the world's heart.
Comment Written 01-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2014
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Wow, thanks for your glorious glowing and super-thoughtful response dearest Aaron. I love your reviews of depth and sharing...what a treat! And thanks for your eagle eye too, catching that typo!
Hearing this from you: "when you write you massage the world's heart" - makes my day! Thanks. You do too.
Hugs,
rd
Comment from tfawcus
I loved reading this. It is such an affirming piece of writing. How hard the search for selflessness can be when we are constantly bombarded by materialism on all sides. The world sometimes seems askew. Random acts of kindness give as much if not more to the giver as to those who receive them. It is only when we are thinking of others that we can truly become ourselves.
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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I loved reading this. It is such an affirming piece of writing. How hard the search for selflessness can be when we are constantly bombarded by materialism on all sides. The world sometimes seems askew. Random acts of kindness give as much if not more to the giver as to those who receive them. It is only when we are thinking of others that we can truly become ourselves.
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Thanks so much for your glowing response and kind comments, dear friend. So pleased this inspired! yay!
Blessings and warm smiles, rd
Comment from dmt1967
I like this, I don't believe it, but I like it. Sometimes people take advantage of these acts and then you don't feel like doing these acts anymore. Good luck in the contest and thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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I like this, I don't believe it, but I like it. Sometimes people take advantage of these acts and then you don't feel like doing these acts anymore. Good luck in the contest and thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Thanks for your thoughtful response. Glad you liked it. It's good to be aware and not let people take advantage...and it is also important to be unconditional about it too. :)
Warmly, rd
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Rama D,
I believe the 'Beatles' summed it up in five magic words..."All we need is love".
If our intent is to be of service to our fellow man and world, then our job is done here. Unfortunately my dear Rama, ego is here to stay, it runs countries, economics and yes, wars... and this is the very reason we need the Amma's of this world to never give up their quest, for it's in their teaching's and works, where true salvation to the human nature lies. Without their selflessness dedication to the betterment of human kind the dark would way out-weigh the light to consciousness... the true meaning we all have for being in 'form' on this journey.
I give thanks to you for this beautifully enlightened essay and I give thanks to your Guru, Amma... words of love can never be wrong.
All the very best wishes for this contest.
With our thoughts we create,
the wisdom to grow,
James xx
******Stars!!!!!!
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Hi Rama D,
I believe the 'Beatles' summed it up in five magic words..."All we need is love".
If our intent is to be of service to our fellow man and world, then our job is done here. Unfortunately my dear Rama, ego is here to stay, it runs countries, economics and yes, wars... and this is the very reason we need the Amma's of this world to never give up their quest, for it's in their teaching's and works, where true salvation to the human nature lies. Without their selflessness dedication to the betterment of human kind the dark would way out-weigh the light to consciousness... the true meaning we all have for being in 'form' on this journey.
I give thanks to you for this beautifully enlightened essay and I give thanks to your Guru, Amma... words of love can never be wrong.
All the very best wishes for this contest.
With our thoughts we create,
the wisdom to grow,
James xx
******Stars!!!!!!
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Thanks for your kind comments, A. Pleased you enjoyed.
Warmly,
rd
Comment from emrpoems
like an incense stick that burns itself out while bestowing its fragrance to others.Loved the concept here and it fits well our Mother Theresa but the whole world thinks contrary and that may be he problem.
a thought provoking writing
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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like an incense stick that burns itself out while bestowing its fragrance to others.Loved the concept here and it fits well our Mother Theresa but the whole world thinks contrary and that may be he problem.
a thought provoking writing
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Thanks so much for your kind comments. Glad this was thought provoking.
Warm smiles, rd
Comment from rjpurdy
Rama Devi-my gift. This is lovely wisdom, I will have to read it more than once to fully wrap my head around it. Technically flawless (of course). The one "nik" I have which is purely personal is I would rather hear more your thoughs than Amma's. But the words, these are the things that excite me so when we get the time share our thoughts.
~Namaste my gift~ Rod
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Rama Devi-my gift. This is lovely wisdom, I will have to read it more than once to fully wrap my head around it. Technically flawless (of course). The one "nik" I have which is purely personal is I would rather hear more your thoughs than Amma's. But the words, these are the things that excite me so when we get the time share our thoughts.
~Namaste my gift~ Rod
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Namaste dear Gift! Glad this resonated with you and thanks for reading more than once. I agree that a more personal touch will appeal to many readers, and I usually include a personal story in essays but this time aimed for a shorter, simpler 'satsang' style. I've got lots of longer essays published on line...let me know if you'd like links to some of those. :)
Namaste, Love and Peace,
rd
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Rama Devi~My Gift. I assure you I will be an avid reader. I hope to soak up your love and goodness one small ray at a time. I am just in the process oif emailing a short read to you, 800 words. I am also going to post it here but I am hopeful of getting some feedback or suggestions. If you are willing and at your leisure of course.
~Namaste goodness~ Rod
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Hello dear ROd-gift. Thanks for your radiant comments....Will check email. Happy to review....but probably tomorrow...a bit foggy-brained tonight. :) Namaste and Bliss! rd
Comment from Razz
Hi Rama,
Very lovely write.
It seems you care very much as to what your guru tells you. It is good to have someone to look up to.
But it seems contradictory to me for you (or your guru)to say in one breath:
"Only if you give up your egoistic mind will it be possible to know your Real Nature..."
While in the other breath seeking to dislodge the ego.
My Guru (Jesus Christ) said, to seek the true nature of Christ is the only way one can even begin to understand humility. Not one's own nature. For our nature is filled with self.
My Guru also said:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
And Rama, with all due respect, the world would soon know an end to poverty, if those who lead those nations which experience such hardships and atrocities, would consider Christ and His example, instead of their own evil, egotistical ways. Those same leaders whose personal riches can feed the entire world for an eternity. We all know it. It is no secret. Their policies and egos keep their own people in poverty and sickness. The world is wise to that fact. On the issue of wars, you are exactly right!
Yes. There is no better thing to do in life than to help our fellow man, when ever we can. That is a given.
That is the true love of Christ and most the world knows that. There is far too much poverty in this world. To the shame of the world's leaders!
What is utterly frustrating and downright wrong is the fact that the efforts of generous, loving people who care about helping others are, for naught. Billions of dollars and goods sent to them, are not given to them. They never see but a loaf of bread a year...if they are lucky.
Have a restful day, Rama
Razz
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Hi Rama,
Very lovely write.
It seems you care very much as to what your guru tells you. It is good to have someone to look up to.
But it seems contradictory to me for you (or your guru)to say in one breath:
"Only if you give up your egoistic mind will it be possible to know your Real Nature..."
While in the other breath seeking to dislodge the ego.
My Guru (Jesus Christ) said, to seek the true nature of Christ is the only way one can even begin to understand humility. Not one's own nature. For our nature is filled with self.
My Guru also said:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
And Rama, with all due respect, the world would soon know an end to poverty, if those who lead those nations which experience such hardships and atrocities, would consider Christ and His example, instead of their own evil, egotistical ways. Those same leaders whose personal riches can feed the entire world for an eternity. We all know it. It is no secret. Their policies and egos keep their own people in poverty and sickness. The world is wise to that fact. On the issue of wars, you are exactly right!
Yes. There is no better thing to do in life than to help our fellow man, when ever we can. That is a given.
That is the true love of Christ and most the world knows that. There is far too much poverty in this world. To the shame of the world's leaders!
What is utterly frustrating and downright wrong is the fact that the efforts of generous, loving people who care about helping others are, for naught. Billions of dollars and goods sent to them, are not given to them. They never see but a loaf of bread a year...if they are lucky.
Have a restful day, Rama
Razz
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Actualy, Razz, our nature is filled with Christ consciousness...the ego-self is superimposed on our essential self. The teachings of your guru and mine are fundamentally the same. The idea they are different comes from a misinterpretation of semantics.
Fanstory is not a place to claim your faith is the only way, dear. It is a place of mutual tolerance and I would appreciate if you did not use the reviews to proselytize a narrow view, though you are certainly welcome to your opinion. Doing this is actually not giving "due respect"--it is the opposite, in fact.
We do agree here:
Yes. There is no better thing to do in life than to help our fellow man, when ever we can. That is a given.
That is the true love of Christ and most the world knows that. There is far too much poverty in this world. To the shame of the world's leaders!
:)
Blessings and love to you, Razz. I do admire your fervor and devotion, by the way--though I firmly disagree with a only one way attitude. :)
rd
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My dear, Rama,
You have put between the lines of my writings things that were not there. I never claimed to you that my faith in Jesus Christ was the only way.
Please point to the sentence where you think you read that. I was only, in fact, sharing with you, my dear, some words of wisdom from my Guru. And giving you an honest critique of your writing.
Let's be honest with one another, rama, everyone here writes of their beliefs and faith. Every word here drips with some sort of belief in something. Yours is your guru and meditation, mine is my Guru and His love for humanity.
I am terribly offended by your finding fault in my beliefs, even to the point of telling me I am narrow-minded. Where is your tolerance of my beliefs? I am so terrible hurt.
I was only trying to open up my heart
and understanding of your writing here... "Our world is a canvas for kindness."
I loved the title and was drawn to it. I Sincerely hoped I could learn more of your beliefs and your guru. I was wrong.
I love sharing the words and deeds of my Guru also. I feel no need to ever convert anyone. That is God's prevue. I am not held responsible for such a task. As a mater of fact, I'd Love to keep Him all to myself. :)
In peace and love,
Razz
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I deeply apologize, Razz...I have gone through what you wrote again and see that you are correct...you did not ask anyone to convert. My reaction was colored by previous experiences of proselytizing here and I should not have project that onto you today. I had a sense of your trying to show your gurus teaching as better than my in the way you quoted Amma and Christ's words here:
"Only if you give up your egoistic mind will it be possible to know your Real Nature..."
While in the other breath seeking to dislodge the ego.
My Guru (Jesus Christ) said, to seek the true nature of Christ is the only way one can even begin to understand humility. Not one's own nature. For our nature is filled with self.
Which, to me, implied that you think Amma is advocating a personal self and that you think Christ's teachings are 'higher'. That's the impression is gave me. So it did not feel to me like you were opening your heart to what she said but rather trying to subtly refute it...that was my impression at first. Now, on further consideration, perhaps I had misinterpretation your implication.
Sorry that you felt hurt. Please accept my humble apology. I know that you did not understand that what Amma said and what Christ said actually mean the same thing.
Love and peace,
rd
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Dear rama,
I too deeply apologize if I have given you the wrong impression. It is not always easy to convey one's thoughts in writing.
And even though I do believe that the teachings of Christ are above all others, I do not feel a need to bring that to the attention of any one. It is true for me, and with that I am at peace.
Love and peace, rama.
Razz
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P.S.
I have enjoyed many of your writings.
I Never been afraid to read, or too closed minded to understand.
You have a beautiful way of saying many things. I admire that trait from wherever it arises.
Love and peace, rama
Razz
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Aw, thanks for your lovely note, dear Razz. Love and peace and a big warm hug, rd
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Aw, thanks dear. So kind of you. You have a genuine heart and a depth of conviction too. May you always feel God's blessings with you.
Peace and love, rd
Comment from Judd7
It is profound and true.
I also believe that there are bad people who can detect and who feed on kind people and one must be wise about such people as when Jesus, (" love even your enemies") drove the money people from the temple.
I do not know about gurus. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Noam Chomsky are by teachers but I am my own guru.
Thanks much for this writing.
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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It is profound and true.
I also believe that there are bad people who can detect and who feed on kind people and one must be wise about such people as when Jesus, (" love even your enemies") drove the money people from the temple.
I do not know about gurus. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Noam Chomsky are by teachers but I am my own guru.
Thanks much for this writing.
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Thanks for your glowing response and thoughtful comments. Glad to hear of your teachers. The concept of a guru is foreign to most Westerners. I thought I was my own guru too--until I met Amma. :) So pleased this inspired.
Warmly, rd
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Very well written, but also extremely idealistic--an ideal most humans do not share with you, as humans, like other lifeforms, are not built to see the world the way you and Amma do. This "let's all share and love one another" sounds nice but is impractical to the point of being unworkable in any real world that might exist populated by creatures with free will and built-in survival instincts. So, as lovely as Shangrila sounds, it's nothing more than a dream based in wishes.
Competition for resources is the way of all life. To move against that is to deceive yourself. That's my philosophy, which clearly differs from yours. You may feel better in some way by sacrificing for others, and that's great... for you. You are in a small minority, however. Most humans accept and follow their nature, which is to get enough of the resources available so that they and their progreny might prosper and go on through new generations, taking their genes and memes along for the trip. :)
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Very well written, but also extremely idealistic--an ideal most humans do not share with you, as humans, like other lifeforms, are not built to see the world the way you and Amma do. This "let's all share and love one another" sounds nice but is impractical to the point of being unworkable in any real world that might exist populated by creatures with free will and built-in survival instincts. So, as lovely as Shangrila sounds, it's nothing more than a dream based in wishes.
Competition for resources is the way of all life. To move against that is to deceive yourself. That's my philosophy, which clearly differs from yours. You may feel better in some way by sacrificing for others, and that's great... for you. You are in a small minority, however. Most humans accept and follow their nature, which is to get enough of the resources available so that they and their progreny might prosper and go on through new generations, taking their genes and memes along for the trip. :)
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Thanks for sharing your view on this, Phyllis and for taking time to read, reflect and comment. I disagree with you, of course (obviously) that it is impractical, but totally agree that it is extremely idealistic. Many great human beings have lived up to ideals (Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Amma, MLK, etc.) It is not a shangrila...but it requires self-sacrifice, dedication and vision.
Indeed, society has conditioned us along competitive lines...and look where it's gotten us--destroying the Earth, wars, etc.
Moving against this is mandatory for the survival of our species.
You are right...your philosophy and mine are poles apart.
:-)))
Compassion is the key...but it will take a long time before many people value this the way I do...I totally agree about that!
Love, rd
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"Indeed, society has conditioned us along competitive lines..."
I disagree with this statement. Society has been conditioning us to share and care, to help our neighbor, give to charities, etc. Largely through the Christian tradition, but other cultures also try to condition themselves and their children to share, such as Communism, which has not religious basis.
Our NATURE, however, is selfish, and it is for a very good reason--it kept us alive this far. Evolution favored those creatures that were most successful in getting their share, or more, of available resources. Survival instinct is in our genes.
So, I think you have it backwards. Social conditioning generally goes AGAINST the grain of our innate tendencies. And social conditionin fails with enough people to leave us ALL at the mercy of the selfish, less civilized, among us. That is why we have wars and pollution, etc. NOT from conditioning, but because it doesn't work on everyone. :)
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What I meant is that in our schools, children are conditioned to be competitive. Of course there are alternative schools trying different methods.
I disagree with you about conditioning...because most people are highly influenced by it.
However, as is often the case, i am sure we agree to disagree, yes?
Love, rd
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I disagree with you about conditioning...because most people are highly influenced by it. << I completely agree with this statement. I'm afraid you misunderstood what I was saying.
The difference in our thinking is that I do not believe we need to condition kids in order for them to become competitive or self-centered. Everyone is BORN to be that way from genetics. The competitive instinct has evolved in our nature, since it has helped us to survive, ever since the days of cavemen. In the modern world, we do not need to be so ready to fight, but since it's built into us, the instinct is there to stay. Evolution by natural selection has stopped. We are as evolved as nature can make us. From now on, science and medicine may evolve us with gene therapy, etc., or we can remain what we are and trust education to make positive changes that help society as a whole.
We DO need to condition them if we want them to share and care more for others outside their own families, and that's done in many ways by the church and schools. You may have noticed that schools no longer favor competition but give awards for participating as well as for winning. Kids are no longer rewarded only for winning but for joing the team. This new trend has come under fire xincd ig differs from the older waynditioning seems to be working fairly well, But we cannot condition EVERYONE. And it takes only ONE Hitler to make a huge mess of things. So the dream of everyone sharing and getting along well can only be a dream. It only works if EVERYONE agrees. :)
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Phyllis. You may be right...what do I know? But I do think it may not be accurate to make a 'blanket generalization' that all people are innately competitive. There are exceptions. I have met a few!
Indeed, it only requires one Hitler to screw things up...but one Gandhi can help fix them too.. :)
Comment from RPSaxena
Hello Rama Devi,
Soul awakening lovely piece of Commentary and Philosophy Non-Fiction!
It beautifully depicts its theme and inspires us to do only selfless service/work because here lies the real peace and happiness which all of us want so much.
Wording is simple as well as impressive.
Smooth flow having Amma's good quotations motivating us to discard selfishness and ego.
A nice sermon. Praiseworthy attempt. Good Luck!
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Hello Rama Devi,
Soul awakening lovely piece of Commentary and Philosophy Non-Fiction!
It beautifully depicts its theme and inspires us to do only selfless service/work because here lies the real peace and happiness which all of us want so much.
Wording is simple as well as impressive.
Smooth flow having Amma's good quotations motivating us to discard selfishness and ego.
A nice sermon. Praiseworthy attempt. Good Luck!
Comment Written 25-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2014
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Thanks for your glowing review and kind comments, RPS. So glad this resonated with you.
Pleased you enjoyed!
Blessings and Warm Regards, rd
