A man is at his doctors office and says while poking himself in the eye, "Doc, it hurts when I do this."
The doctor says, "Well then, don't do that."
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"But when you realize that something is unwholesome and bad for you, give it up. And when you realize that something is wholesome and good for you, do it."
We have offically left the realm of religion and moved into right thinking and right acting. Granted, in this context Buddha speaks of the virtue of trusting in self versus trusting the message of the preacher, the scriptures, or mere observation; but taking it further, is this not an axiom by which one would live a decent life?
One might say there is a precursor here that goes unmentioned. You ask, "What if the person is a complete buffoon, or worse, a serial killer, and what if what is wholesome or good to them is abhorrent to the rest of us?"
We are confronted with the total paradox of personal growth, one which religion has debated for millenia. Many religions have a clearly defined father figure, one who said from the beginning, "This is right. That is wrong. Go about your business." But for the spiritualist, total harmony is reliant upon the individual and his ability to let the world behave as it will. The more suited he is to accepting that some people do traditionally awful things, the more at ease he finds himself. The more comical he finds this puny drama, life, the more he laughs.
I would say that what is fine for the serial killer is in fact fine for the serial killer, if it makes him happy. Sounds absurd, doesn't it? Yet, who am I to say what should make another person happy? Am I not just another person, suffering in my own way? Do I not struggle with my own fears, doubts, and worries? Do I not seek peace within and without? I do. Letting go of the world about me is often the only thing that allows this world, and my life in it, to make any sense. This is not an easy path to take, yet for my life it has been vital in every way. To quote Robert Frost, "I took the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference."
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"Be a lamp to yourself. Be your own confidence. Hold to the truth within yourself, as to the only truth."
From the entrance arch to the temple at Delphi comes an inscription, one that mirrors the Buddha similarly, yet simply. Carved in Alabaster is the phrase: "Know Thyself." A pretty good beginning.
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2 comments:
I do not know from what source my personal peace comes, only that it is always accessible. Live and let live, looking inward, recognizing the connection of us all, meditation, acceptance are all imperfect practices yet do bring momentary emotional balance to this "spiritualist". What I do- without fail- is be. As does the serial killer. There seems to be room for us all. Right or wrong, wholesome or un, my path is always under my feet.
Thank you for your thoughts.
I like the thing in the beginning with the doctor! haha. If it hurts you, then don't do it! That's funny how we wrote about similar things.I don't think that if a serial killer likes being a serial killer, then he should do it.At that point, when he kills someone else, he's crossing into someone elses life. I would say that's a big no no. I do agree with you that people shouldn't say to others, "this will make you happy, this won't", just as long as it doesn't hurt anyone in their quest for that happiness.
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