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Be the change
Thank you so much for your post. Whether or not I am on the right track, this quote and your comments make me feel that I am.

posted by PlumpyNutCase on April 29, 2009 at 9:18 AM | link to this | reply

There nothing that Gandhi ever said or ever did that I don't admire
wholeheartedly and respect.

posted by hazel_st_cricket on April 26, 2009 at 11:56 AM | link to this | reply

Re: About your thoughts....
Thanks for the great comment. You stated a lot of ideas very well, and I agree with everything you said. When I said that the things that I need to change begin with me, I really did mean it in the sense that Gandhi did, taking action in my local life. By 'out there' I meant on the television, overseas, etc. I really don't have much control over that, but I can have an effect closer to home. What you say about creative inspiration is wonderful, a book I read once by Scott M. Peck referred to it as Grace, be ready for it and wait. It is exactly like you say, that the Universe will take care of the details. I had an idea recently that is rapidly becoming reality, yet I'm not in a hurry to get there, just doing what needs to be done each day to get there.

posted by LonerGreen on April 26, 2009 at 10:00 AM | link to this | reply

About your thoughts....

"So, what do I mean? Perhaps only that if I see change needing to take place out there somewhere, in the world, I am on the wrong track. That the things I need to look to for change out there begin with me. Seems that this is always the answer coming from all of the wise men down through the centuries. Yet, I find it hard to grasp as a concept. It is so easy for my mind to see what is wrong with the state of things, yet, so difficult to look at my own life, my own actions, and then to see any flaws."

I think that when we see the need for change "out there" - we are not on the wrong track if we consider it in perspective.

To take a random issue, I imagine both of us feel compassion for the millions of people who do not have enough to eat. Does this mean if I go out and have a steak and fries with a cold beer and an ice-cream, I should be squirming with a bad conscience?

No, Definitely not.

We need to understand that we are fortunate to have food and throughly enjoy it. Then we need to assess what, if anything we are able to do in a compassionate way, for the people who don't have enough. This evaluation depends on who you are.

If you are just a middle-class wage earner, you might send $10 to some fund or other once a month. Or, if money is tight, but you are burning to help people, you could do some volunteer work with homeless people in your own town. The fact that you can do "nothing" except change yourself is not completely true. You can do some small thing without making a drama out of it.

This shift of perspective and sober assessment of what is reasonable and what isn't according to your social position, your health, age, etc. IS CHANGING YOURSELF. It is making you a more peacable person and giving you the chance to make a real difference without having hysterics about all the 10 million people that it is impossible for you to help.

To look clearly at your own life, your own actions and your own flaws, you must first of all realize that cultural and educational influences on your life that cause you to have guilt feelings etc. have got to go. For you to be productive, yes, go to the Tao and accept things JUST AS THEY ARE, without any judgement or blame on others or on yourself.

Now you are freed from the blame game and can cooly, detachedly and wisely ~ in prayerfulness and meditation ~ wait for creative inspiration to be born into your soul.

When it comes, embrace it with all your heart and make the intention to carry out this simple idea or thing with all your heart. Then, surrender it to God - and the Universe will take care of the details. Finally become detached as to outcome. Do not "desperately want" to see results. Do your best and be happy and peaceful whether or not your effort actually bears any fruit or not. Your intention is enough for God, your willing hands become his, and he adapts to your abilities to carry out his purposes.

Needless to say, this law of least effort, a spiritual principle, can be put into practice every day and hence you will changing and helping the world by changing and adapting yourself to what is possible with God's help.

Raphael

posted by Raphael222 on April 26, 2009 at 6:47 AM | link to this | reply

I agree with the statement by Gandi.  I saw a movie about him once that was very good.

posted by mariposa75 on April 25, 2009 at 8:52 PM | link to this | reply