Ahimsa in Real Life
If you've been following the news lately, you're aware of the latest scandal/crisis/political football. The financial meltdown now occurring is a wonderful opportunity to learn how NOT practicing ahimsa (non-harming) in your life and work can have horrible consequences.
Unfortunately in our system of government/finances/daily life those responsible may not be held accountable for what they've done to others (unless the fallout causes widespread collapse and causes EVERYONE to suffer). But it's easy to see the damage done to those least able to save themselves - those whose investments have been wiped out, whose jobs have been eliminated, who have lost their homes. The ripples are now spreading to businesses once thought strong - a Pennsylvania department store chain that made the mistake of starting an aggressive expansion into Maryland and now is out of business, not only laying off hundreds of workers but shuttering stores which were anchors at the malls they inhabited; a major energy company abruptly sold when it couldn't raise enough cash to cover their short term debts; and there will be many more before the damage is done with and order is restored.
Ahimsa as a spiritual practice first begins with the self - how can I do business without harming myself? and should then progress to one's inner circle - how can I do business without harming those I do business with or who work for or with me? and should finish with the effects on the wider community - how do I do business without harming those who may depend on how I do business and how well I do with my business?
In the current crisis, many business people thought only of how they could do well for themselves and did not consider how their actions would affect others. Now that the harm is becoming impossible to ignore these same business people are now seeking to avoid taking responsibility for their actions while simultaneously pushing the burden on the wider community for decades to come.
If you are of a certain age, you should remember that this has all happened before. The Savings & Loan scandal of the '80s was another recent example of how greed caused seemingly upstanding citizens to harm others in their quest for more than they really needed. The Great Depression of the 30's (which is now being resurrected as an image of where we might be headed), the Teapot Dome, countless sack and plunder operations big and small through the ages only illustrate the continuing need for human beings to continually train their minds, their egos, and abilities to remember that every being wishes to live well and be happy while providing the same to their families.
Every religion and ethical system on this Earth provides guidelines for ethical living: Buddhism's Eightfold Path, Christianity and Judaism have the Ten Commandments, Yoga has the Yamas and Niyamas. It shouldn't be that difficult to implement these guidelines; all it takes is ongoing guidance from parents (as well as parents providing the appropriate examples) during childhood and the inner strength to know that doing right by others equals doing right by oneself.
The rewards may not be as financially lucrative but the rewards of helping others rise as you do (as opposed to rising by pushing others down) will ultimately strengthen us all and keep us safe from such meltdowns in the future.
Unfortunately in our system of government/finances/daily life those responsible may not be held accountable for what they've done to others (unless the fallout causes widespread collapse and causes EVERYONE to suffer). But it's easy to see the damage done to those least able to save themselves - those whose investments have been wiped out, whose jobs have been eliminated, who have lost their homes. The ripples are now spreading to businesses once thought strong - a Pennsylvania department store chain that made the mistake of starting an aggressive expansion into Maryland and now is out of business, not only laying off hundreds of workers but shuttering stores which were anchors at the malls they inhabited; a major energy company abruptly sold when it couldn't raise enough cash to cover their short term debts; and there will be many more before the damage is done with and order is restored.
Ahimsa as a spiritual practice first begins with the self - how can I do business without harming myself? and should then progress to one's inner circle - how can I do business without harming those I do business with or who work for or with me? and should finish with the effects on the wider community - how do I do business without harming those who may depend on how I do business and how well I do with my business?
In the current crisis, many business people thought only of how they could do well for themselves and did not consider how their actions would affect others. Now that the harm is becoming impossible to ignore these same business people are now seeking to avoid taking responsibility for their actions while simultaneously pushing the burden on the wider community for decades to come.
If you are of a certain age, you should remember that this has all happened before. The Savings & Loan scandal of the '80s was another recent example of how greed caused seemingly upstanding citizens to harm others in their quest for more than they really needed. The Great Depression of the 30's (which is now being resurrected as an image of where we might be headed), the Teapot Dome, countless sack and plunder operations big and small through the ages only illustrate the continuing need for human beings to continually train their minds, their egos, and abilities to remember that every being wishes to live well and be happy while providing the same to their families.
Every religion and ethical system on this Earth provides guidelines for ethical living: Buddhism's Eightfold Path, Christianity and Judaism have the Ten Commandments, Yoga has the Yamas and Niyamas. It shouldn't be that difficult to implement these guidelines; all it takes is ongoing guidance from parents (as well as parents providing the appropriate examples) during childhood and the inner strength to know that doing right by others equals doing right by oneself.
The rewards may not be as financially lucrative but the rewards of helping others rise as you do (as opposed to rising by pushing others down) will ultimately strengthen us all and keep us safe from such meltdowns in the future.
Labels: financial scandal greed Great Depression religion yoga ahimsa
posted by peacenicked at 6:18 PM
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