Abandon harmfulness for strength. Inspire, support and encourage

Heroic harmlessness

 

A theme that is repeated throughout these pages is the fact that the journey of personal evolution connects us to the wonder and preciousness of life, not only our life, but life in general. It’s about becoming truly human. What separates us from the rest of life is our ability to be self aware, to ‘know’ we exist.

 

The fact is, most people pursue their happiness and security without much concern for others outside their immediate circle of interest. We don't really live empathically, in a way that acknowledges the fact that just as we don’t want to experience suffering, we shouldn’t cause it for others. Yet we do, if only through lack of awareness.
 

At its core, the journey of growth and evolution is about becoming fully conscious, and in that, experiencing life like never before. We become more deeply engaged with every moment, and therefore invigorated by it, taking it to its highest point and potential, to come to know its profoundly special value.

 

Part of this experience is also becoming more compassionate. As we connect with the wonder of our own existence, our heart can’t help but open up more. We become more empathic and aware of the value of other’s lives. Being a healthy human being is about being connected to others, not just existing for our own selfish wants and needs. This is an inclusive experience and it is a profound one. If we are out of balance with this basic fact, then we are rejecting our humanity.

 

This practice point returns to the ethical dimension written about in the main introduction of this website. The journey of personal practice is an increasingly ethical one and the fundamental first principle behind ethics is non-harm. If we are interested in evolving our consciousness, we need to start consciously reducing our harm footprint in the world. This begins to have effects throughout our life as our acknowledgment of the universality of the suffering of the world becomes more apparent.

 

The path of non-harm is a difficult one. It may not be that hard to reduce grossly harmful behaviors, but the selfish habits of our ego run deep. We may not even be aware of the ways in which we manipulate and control those closest to us. Deciding to practice non-harm cultivates great strength through self-awareness, discipline and restraint. To resist the urge to harm, to limit or oppress the energy or life of other beings is a heroic intention and unfortunately, not that common in this world. 

 

Of course, our intention to cease harm includes ourselves. It’s not just about unhealthy diet, lack of exercise or consuming alcohol or drugs, it’s about our often poor relationship with ourselves. Low self esteem, constant self criticism, doubt about our abilities and so on. An aspect of all these practices we undertake is a background of good intentions for ourselves.

 

All this starts to inform an attitude of care so we quite naturally become more kind hearted and caring, but we can make more of this intention, to turn towards ourselves with a deep caring love. This practice point is about making the practice of non-harm explicit and bringing it to the forefront of our consciousness. There is no limit to how we can reduce our harmful actions and to live in this way is its own great reward.

 

To be an inspiration is inspiring

 

As our behavior changes and becomes more life affirming and less negative, we can become more of an inspiration for others. You can’t force that, it has to come from inside, from who we are, who we’re becoming. Being inspiring is about character, integrity, how we act and manifest in the world.

 

So, to be inspirational, we are trying to foster the most positive motivations and intentions that we can. In this, we just do our best to excel at everything we do, always try to take the positive path, the most life affirming path, to not let our own negativity or that of others to inform our words and actions. 

 

This aspect that strives to be better, to improve, to live from goodness, integrity and values will affect some people, if only to encourage their respect. For some it may affect them deeply, even motivate them to change their own lives. You never know what state of being someone is in, what life difficulties they're currently going through, or adversities that they’ve experienced in the past.

 

A kind word here, a generous action there might affect someone in profound ways, especially at a key moment in their life. The reverse is true, a stark reminder of the damage we can also cause.

 

We can be inspirational through our own efforts and support and encourage others to go beyond themselves, to believe in themselves. People need truly inspirational characters desperately in today’s social media and internet driven society. Most have little self belief or self esteem, they have no idea that a wholesome and rich life is within their grasp if only they realised that they have the power to make it so. It just takes a few courageous steps for them to realise what is possible.

 

Our own actions can give them that agency, and with our kind support and encouragement, like us, they can start to enjoy a new springtime in their own lives. That is priceless.