Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Change the World

Seven and Dev (Wisdom Quarterly)


What will you do? At least help yourself -- and by "helping yourself" is not meant selfishness. That's no help to anyone, not even you.


Should we stop the planet's revolution so you can get off?

Enlightened self-interest is the philosophy that says help others so that you too can benefit. We provide a social safety net so the dispossessed do not fall into poverty, crime, and squalor. That net helps everyone. Letting others preach their religion increases the chance that you will preach yours. Shutting others up leads to disaster, as it has so many times in history.

The Dharma, the timeless truth, is everywhere.
You can find it anywhere.


Do something. Look for it. Look for truth. This life is a quest. Have you set off on the journey or simply sat at home? Maybe the Buddha does not suit you. Maybe the real Jesus (before the Romans and Republicans made him a bumper sticker) has the answers you seek, maybe Mary, maybe Lao Tzu (Taoism), maybe Mahavira, maybe Lilith, maybe Kwan Yin, maybe the Mo's (Moses and the more famous one)... maybe independent Paganism, maybe science, maybe the God Molecule (DMT or an activated pineal gland), maybe atheism? After all, religion seems to have done more harm than good.


Religion is a cheap substitute for spirituality.

See you at the occupation. You'll be there either way. The only question is: Will you be standing behind the police or the people? Either way, we're all one.

No one needs to answer for your inaction, which everyone will suffer from, but you. Won't you be benefiting from others' sacrifices? Nice! Get ahead on the backs of others, and never look back. In the movie "A Fish Called Wanda," one of the Wanda's tells off Otto by pointing out: "The central message of Buddhism is not 'Every man for himself'!" Roll the clip.



Wanda: Now, was that smart? Was it shrewd? Was it good tactics? Or was it stupid?
Otto: Don't call me stupid!
Wanda: Oh, right! To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people! I've known sheep that could outwit you. I've worn dresses with higher IQs. But you think you're an intellectual, don't you, ape?
Otto: Apes don't read philosophy.
Wanda: Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it! Now let me correct you on a couple of things, okay? Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not "Every man for himself." And the London Underground is not a political movement. Those are all mistakes, Otto. I looked them up.