Martin Luther King, Jr. 739 words, 19K views, 28 comments
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On Dec 13, 2010Somik Raha wrote :
Catherine wrote: I have talked to plenty of people about their bad acts, and believe me, most of them don't care and won't return things. They like doing wrong! You wrote that their acts were "not a decision from the space of freedom, but a reaction from a space of bondage." Perhaps, but they are more than willing to put others into bondage and stay where they are, Lord of the jungle and king of the Hill in their own little corner of hell. They don't want to come out and they don't even try, and they will do all they can to keep you in.
This comment was not for others doing wrong things, but for you (and me) who are trying to determine whether anger is a good decision or not. I have never found guilt for other's mistakes to be useful in life, and so, in my personal ethical code, I've put in the following line, "I am not responsible for the stupid things people do to each other without asking me." That helps me a lot, as I have no burden to carry, and brings the smile back so I can genuinely serve from the heart.
Going a step deeper, you might find it helpful to reflect on whether your beliefs come from your experiences, or your experiences come from your beliefs. I find that for me it is the latter, and hence, the need to plant beliefs that give me the experiences I want. I have always suffered when I've believed people are bad and out to get me - it unfortunately plays out to be true. I have always connected and grown when I've believed people are good and are there to support my journey, some with active encouragement, and some with obstacles. This has turned out to be true :). The difference between the two experiences is the first one lacks joy and the second one has an abundance of joy. For me, it was clear that I should not choose the former.
Once the beliefs we want are clear, then planting it is the work that has to be done. I often judge others - because I now have the second belief, as soon as the awareness arises, I can immediately label such an action as inconsistent with my belief, and work on correcting my action.
The question is, what beliefs do you want for yourself? Work backwards from the experiences you want.
About games, we are all playing "human" games here. We are role-playing so many different roles. Unfortunately, unlike actors who shed their on-screen persona when they come home (or head toward dementia), we do not know to do that, at least not without significant kicking and screaming. :)
On Dec 13, 2010 Somik Raha wrote :
Catherine wrote: I have talked to plenty of people about their bad acts, and believe me, most of them don't care and won't return things. They like doing wrong! You wrote that their acts were "not a decision from the space of freedom, but a reaction from a space of bondage." Perhaps, but they are more than willing to put others into bondage and stay where they are, Lord of the jungle and king of the Hill in their own little corner of hell. They don't want to come out and they don't even try, and they will do all they can to keep you in.
This comment was not for others doing wrong things, but for you (and me) who are trying to determine whether anger is a good decision or not. I have never found guilt for other's mistakes to be useful in life, and so, in my personal ethical code, I've put in the following line, "I am not responsible for the stupid things people do to each other without asking me." That helps me a lot, as I have no burden to carry, and brings the smile back so I can genuinely serve from the heart.
Going a step deeper, you might find it helpful to reflect on whether your beliefs come from your experiences, or your experiences come from your beliefs. I find that for me it is the latter, and hence, the need to plant beliefs that give me the experiences I want. I have always suffered when I've believed people are bad and out to get me - it unfortunately plays out to be true. I have always connected and grown when I've believed people are good and are there to support my journey, some with active encouragement, and some with obstacles. This has turned out to be true :). The difference between the two experiences is the first one lacks joy and the second one has an abundance of joy. For me, it was clear that I should not choose the former.
Once the beliefs we want are clear, then planting it is the work that has to be done. I often judge others - because I now have the second belief, as soon as the awareness arises, I can immediately label such an action as inconsistent with my belief, and work on correcting my action.
The question is, what beliefs do you want for yourself? Work backwards from the experiences you want.
About games, we are all playing "human" games here. We are role-playing so many different roles. Unfortunately, unlike actors who shed their on-screen persona when they come home (or head toward dementia), we do not know to do that, at least not without significant kicking and screaming. :)