Often when we think we're doing good in the world, we're just covertly feeding our egos under the guise of goodness. How can you tell which you're doing in any moment?
Call to mind someone who maybe isn't literally evil, but sure acts like it sometimes. Perhaps there's a CEO who makes self-serving excuses for his company's rotten behavior. Or a politician whose views and policies are so abhorrent that she must be stopped.
Do you believe that it's possible for this person to undergo a catharsis, in which they realize that they've been serving the wrong master (for example, money instead of conscience), repent deeply, and are permanently transformed by it (even a little)? Don't worry if such an event seems unlikely; just think whether it's possible for this person. (If it's not, maybe go back to step one.)
In such a moment of catharsis, doesn't it seem like there's a good person buried deep inside who is probably immensely grateful for at least briefly "seeing the light" and being free of an unhealthy burden? Such a "good person" lies at the core of each of us (though what's going on with sociopaths, don't ask me). But for most of us, it is caked over with a lifetime (or lifetimes) of parasitic sludge that serves neither the host nor others. Yet this facade
When you're interacting with a difficult person, are you talking to their facade? Or are you talking to the inner "good person" about their facade and whatever problems it is causing? In one case you'll probably feel some self-righteousness or smugness for putting a nasty person in their place. In the other, you're more likely to feel love, and trust that your message may get actually past the defense mechanisms that normally deflect such threats. Such messages are genuinely dangerous to the facade, after all.
It is only genuine love that can plant the seeds of transformation deeply enough. This is as true for ourselves as it is to others. Regardless of what actions we take (even if we need to use physical force), it matters what intention it is guided by. Self-righteousness and love may both feel like good intentions in the moment, but the road to hell is only paved with one of them.
The planet and our species are in crisis right now, being assaulted from many fronts. This darkness will persist for as long as we hide ourselves and each other from the light. Fighting other facades has the benefit of making us feel like we're doing something brave important, but only by offering each other an invitation out of darkness can such crises be genuinely solved.
I bow to the light within you. Or, as they say in Sanskrit, namaste.
Call to mind someone who maybe isn't literally evil, but sure acts like it sometimes. Perhaps there's a CEO who makes self-serving excuses for his company's rotten behavior. Or a politician whose views and policies are so abhorrent that she must be stopped.
Do you believe that it's possible for this person to undergo a catharsis, in which they realize that they've been serving the wrong master (for example, money instead of conscience), repent deeply, and are permanently transformed by it (even a little)? Don't worry if such an event seems unlikely; just think whether it's possible for this person. (If it's not, maybe go back to step one.)
In such a moment of catharsis, doesn't it seem like there's a good person buried deep inside who is probably immensely grateful for at least briefly "seeing the light" and being free of an unhealthy burden? Such a "good person" lies at the core of each of us (though what's going on with sociopaths, don't ask me). But for most of us, it is caked over with a lifetime (or lifetimes) of parasitic sludge that serves neither the host nor others. Yet this facade
When you're interacting with a difficult person, are you talking to their facade? Or are you talking to the inner "good person" about their facade and whatever problems it is causing? In one case you'll probably feel some self-righteousness or smugness for putting a nasty person in their place. In the other, you're more likely to feel love, and trust that your message may get actually past the defense mechanisms that normally deflect such threats. Such messages are genuinely dangerous to the facade, after all.
It is only genuine love that can plant the seeds of transformation deeply enough. This is as true for ourselves as it is to others. Regardless of what actions we take (even if we need to use physical force), it matters what intention it is guided by. Self-righteousness and love may both feel like good intentions in the moment, but the road to hell is only paved with one of them.
The planet and our species are in crisis right now, being assaulted from many fronts. This darkness will persist for as long as we hide ourselves and each other from the light. Fighting other facades has the benefit of making us feel like we're doing something brave important, but only by offering each other an invitation out of darkness can such crises be genuinely solved.
I bow to the light within you. Or, as they say in Sanskrit, namaste.
