Rules of behavior
have been passed down through generations. ‘Modern’
accommodations to community solidarity are added. But is
there something else, something whispering inside you
that ‘gives you pause’ before you make a decision? Is
there a ‘law’ that is universal for human beings only: …
a sense of good and bad, right and wrong? You obviously
feel guilty and ashamed at times. You hurt someone and
feel rotten. Why? You somehow know more than what reason
can discern and what the world demands. You MUST
consider what you think and what you do on a much deeper
level. You have a motivation to care. You have a
conscience.
Through the murky waters you notice some paying homage
to little carvings they have made. You make a similar
icon for yourself. You consult it often, imploring,
seeking direction. With this little talisman you gain
confidence. You feel safe. You can deal with threats.
You can make more informed decisions. Ah oh, you lost
it. You acquire someone else’s. Not bad. It works. Or
does it? Mmm. You let it go. You swim by yourself for a
while. You don’t know, but you feel fairly certain you
are not alone. You hear a faint voice giving you advice.
You try to listen. ‘Messages’ seem clearer. So does the
water. Amazing.
CONCLUSION
There a voice within you, within everyone, that speaks
volumes concerning kindness,
justice, truth and more? Are man-made rules of conduct
reflections of some internal admonition to be
respectful? Is the Golden Rule “Do Unto Others”
something you have to be told? You know the answer. You
should be kind and just because you should be. Not
because the world tells you to be. You want to be good
and do ‘good’ for its own sake. In trying to do ‘the
right thing’ you are being spiritual. For deep within
you, you know you must care. You must LOVE.
in
a forest imagine
cutting down all the trees,
beating all the squirrels over the head,
lying in wait with a rifle in order to shoot passers-by
wonder why you would not do this
think of the nicest person you have known
contemplate what qualities this person has that appeal
to you
think of the most despicable individual you wish you did
not know
consider why
You are being spiritual when
you rely on your Conscience,
When treachery
makes you ill.
When you forfeit your ‘ill begotten’ gains.
When you become vocal in defense of injustice.
When you eschew prejudice in all its incarnations.
When the last albatross has been caught and eaten
and you scream.
When you acknowledge the dignity and spirituality of
each individual.
When tears stream down your face as you witness
‘justifiable’ murder.
When you are about to ‘squish’ an ant … take a close
look at its anatomy: legs, antenna, body parts …
watching its movements … wondering what it ate for
lunch and decide to let it live.
When you begin reading someone’s biography saying “I
despise this person, I really hate this individual,
I wish they were in hell” … then proceeding …
wondering why your harsh pronouncement was unseemly.
When you come upon an old lady walking with a cane
in a vacant lot. … follow her telling yourself you
are going to knock her down and grab her walking
stick … and realize you cannot do this … ever.
WARNING: If you are a troubled spirit and want to
knock her down, please seek help!
have confidence in the ‘quiet’ murmurings of your heart
… guiding you … always
as long as you care and strive to love … more and more …
you needn’t worry about corrupting this ability to
consider morality
renew your efforts constantly to ‘follow the dictates of
your conscience’
though society has told you how to behave,
deep within you, you KNOW what is just, what is kind
have faith in this all-embracing awareness … it is
telling you emphatically that you are not alone
your spirit is connected to ‘Something’ beyond … always
there for you … whispering.
DEFINITIONS AND ESSAYS
- MORALITY
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