| Bramhanda |
Posted
on 17-Dec-02 01:55 PM
I've posted an interesting and provocative comment below.
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Be in it for yourself
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By Brother Void
"I don't do this work to change the world, I do it so the world doesn't change me."
-- A. J. Muste
Sometimes when you're involved in an idealistic crusade, you get wrapped up in your cause and lose perspective. If this happens, it's important to step back to better understand your motivations. Be honest with yourself: genocide, toxic waste and the AIDS epidemic are serious issue -- but at a deeper level, they're opportunities for personal growth. While it may seem that sacrifice in the name of a greater goal is noble and selfless, deep down it's really about egoism -- in the best sense of the word. In your attempt to change the world, you take control of how the world changes you. You're doing what you need to do to become who you want to be. So instead of laying self-righteous guilt-trips on those who stay aloof and apathetic, admit that you're in this for yourself. Then, with a clear conscience, you can approach any of your cynical, self-absorbed friends and invite them to be in it for themselves, too.
Toxic sludge can help me become a better person.
http://www.salon.com/books/col/void/2002/12/13/yourself/index.html
Salon columnist Brother Void -- seeker, sufferer, sage -- each week offers readers one of his "afflictions," bitter pills of dark truth and painfully hard-won wisdom inspired by the works of Kafka, Nietzsche and others.
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| Bramhanda |
Posted
on 17-Dec-02 01:56 PM
Do we try to change the world, or do we adapt to the ways of the world?
Evolution has shown that those who can adapt to change surrive. The ones with the highest IQ (but who may lack emotional strength) end up not rising in popularity ,success, and fame beacuse they are DOING the right things (for themselves).
Buddha, when we went to search for something, didn't do it for the sake of the world. He went for himself. Later on his teachings spread and zen (dhyaan) and all these similar practices found significance. If one thinks of it, Buddha was supposed to have got enlightened and achieved Nirvana. Others also try to embark on some transcedntal journeys for themselves. They are not doing it for anyone else. But, of course the effects of it can be felt by members of society.
In doing something for others, are we doing it for ourselves? Are we doing so to feel good about it? Or, does the waves of self-righteousness flows within us for us to do so?
To be in it for yourself is probably the smartest practice.
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