What else?

George Clark, 04 December 2008

I live as I do. Other people live as they do. And we all have the option to change whether or not we realise or actualise it. Lifestyles could be categorised and labeled and then ranked in terms of being 'cool' or whatever. But that would be a hegemonic exercise.

I am inclined to argue the case for cultural relativism (anything goes) but there is the possibility of absolutes. Some modes of being (eg extreme poverty and destitution) call for action to change them: but it is perhaps useful to recognise that there are physical/material modes of being and there are psychological/existential modes: and both are manifested within more or less acceptable political/economic systems.

So what action should a concerned person take? It depends on context. No individual can solve all the world's problems; there has to be selection and focus. I cannot presently think of a decision rule other than the rather woolly 'go with the flow'; although this can be done safely only when the motivation for acting has been carefully examined in terms of its egoic conditioning. (Beware of blind emotion and thus of anger and belligerence.)

The golden rule is to 'be the peace that you seek'. This will involve insight meditation so that there is clear awareness of personal motivations and intentions. This will make it easier to approach conflict situations without predetermined viewpoints.

I am indebted to Thich Nhat Hahn for the above line of thought but I may not have totally understood it! Those who understand it better might care to comment.

The following quotation (from Goldstein and Kornfield) may be helpful for those who, in working for peace in the world, realise that there is no option other than to 'Let it begin with me'. (see www.srds.co.uk/begin )

"It is essential that our understanding be translated into practice, not with an idealistic vision that we suddenly will become totally loving and compassionate, but with a willingness to be just who we are and to start from there. Then our practice is grounded in the reality of our experience, rather than based on some expectation of how we should be. But we must begin.

We work with the precepts as guidelines for harmonizing our actions with the world; we live with contentment and simplicity that does not exploit other people or the planet; we work with restraint in the mind, seeing that it's possible to say no to certain conditioned impulses, or to expand when we feel bound by inhibitions and fear; we reflect on karma and the direction of our lives, where it is leading and what is being developed; we cultivate generosity and love, compassion and service.

All of this together becomes our path of practice."

Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield (1987) "Seeking the Heart of Wisdom"

What else? Why? Says who?