Often we are told how to do good. Lists and rules for such can be found seemingly everywhere. Yet, what if we approached "doing good" from the other side. What if, instead of trying to do good, we try, just for one day, simply to "do no harm."Ahimsa, the concept of non-harming. Try it for one day. Attempt to do no harm in thought, speech, or action to others, including yourself. Try it with a partner who will keep you honest and likewise you them. File this under the simple, but really, really not easy category.
26 comments:
The philosophy of empathy. Yes. This is the path.
I've never heard of this though I've often thought of it. I am going to try it. Perhaps it IS a better way!
Thank you!
Mama Mouse, I have to warn you. To try to not do harm is much more difficult than to do good. Report back and let me know how it went. I would love to hear of your experiences. And keep posting those wonderful pictures too. :-)
Ahimsa is non-violence in Sanskrit...as a Buddhist I'm used to this word since childhood. I'm amazed at u knowing abt it too Tre...especially coming from a Western culture...
In thoughts, words n deed we need to practise Ahimsa...hard to do but we can if we try...
Keshi.
Keshi, Buddhist thought has helped me through more pain and suffering, and given me more peace and joy than I will ever have enough days to be thankful for.
Yes, we can try, and then try again, and again the next day and forever after that too. "Peace is every step," one step at a time.
Good to see you stop by again. :-)
Good philosophy. Will study and try it. Thanks for the kind words on my blog tonight.
Jim, you are more than welcome. I appreciate the honesty you show on your blog and I'm interested to see your company progress under your leadership. And, I'm always looking for new ideas and you seem to have a lot of them. Good luck my friend.
Perfect day ahead for me to test this out!
Please report back tonight. I would love to hear how you experience the day with this approach.
Keep in mind, Ahimas applies as much to you and yourself as to others. Watch your thoughts, see if they do harm to yourself, this is where many times we cause suffering without ever even knowing it.
If only there was a way to tape record one's thoughts I think most of us would be shocked out of our skins when we played the recording back at the end of the day.
Be kind and loving, and start with yourself. Be forgiving and patience, and start with yourself. Be joyful and compassionate, and start with yourself.
I can't wait to hear how it goes. Hugs and kisses. :-)
Definitely worth a try. I think it's more difficult to do no harm to oneself.
I like that concept!!
Bananas are up............ LOL
Have a good day!!
Interesting philosophy. I think I might try it today.
Chicky, I agree 100%. Most of the time I'm afraid we are not even aware of the flow of thought running 24/7 through our own minds.
Karen, as always you bring a energy and humor to life that always makes me smile. You give me a reason to look forward to Wednesdays--lol.
Nicholas, as I mentioned on your blog, your writing skills for your age is simply stunning. Thanks for stopping by.
I love pictures of sunsets. Always soothing somehow.
Same here Jack. Can never view too many, especially those over the ocean.
Reporting back:
As said, today seemed to be the perfect opportunity to try this out, since I knew in advance, there were challenges ahead. A few unexpected ones crept up too.
I didn't so much try to do no harm, as make a mental note each time I did.
Most illustrative example:
I was trying to fix a stubborn problem, when given an unusable suggestion. Though I knew this person was just trying to be helpful, it merely fuelled my frustration at the time.
I became aware, when things go awry, I tend to give myself a mental grinding. This happened several times today, though the one with the most creative expletives followed that awful reaction to afore-mentioned attempt at help.
All in all, trying to do no harm is tough! And although, I did have a measure of success in other instances, I shall definitely have to try harder tomorrow :-)
Autumn, thanks for the report. I too was more aware of ahimsa today. Like yourself, I watched some not so nice thoughts arise in my mind even as I tried to stop them, which was a silly thing to try since I know you cannot stop a thought.
I had lunch today with a good friend and as I was sitting and waiting for his arrival I "people watched" other patrons entering, sitting, eating and conversing. I also watched the judgements my own mind, completely on it's own, was making about others. Not all of my jugdements were nice.
I could go on and on. I too find doing no harm, especially in thought, very, very difficult and a lifelong practice, one day at a time.
Thanks again for taking the time to try this and to report back. :-)
My education. My pleasure.
I used to meditate for almost 10 years before the cancer hit me...and I used it frequently during the two three weeks I spent in the clinic to take the tests and go through the surgeries. It also taught me that doing good is something that comes from within and either you have the empathy to do it or you don't. There are people out there that just can't do good...because they have no clue howto. They don't seem to understand that what they say or do during an ordinary day can make a huge difference for a lot of people around them.
What it has to do with mediation?
Well...when you've meditated for a long time you reach a point within yourself where you find out who you are and what you are capable of. Might sound like rubbish to you if you haven't been there, but believe me, it makes a world of a difference. To be able to focus on other matters than your own is the reward and life will at the same time be a lot easier in many ways.
And it is connected to Buddism in it's own way. So yes...I can relate to the difference between doing good and not doing any harm. It's just a shame that we have to try not to do any harm...
*rolleyes* I just proof read my comment after I posted (of course) and I apologize if it makes no sense. I'm deep down in a bottle of SoCo to easy my brain from the rest of me tonight, which will mess things up.
Christa, made perfect sense to me. Meditation is a wonderful thing that I have gotten away from. I'm inspired to do a bit more sitting now. Thanks for the nudge. :-)
lol...nudge? Seemed more like an earthquake to me ;)
You should try it some time...mediation, that is. It takes patience though, but it's worth it :)
Christa, I have my own cushion, special order too, I just need to get the dust off it.
Earthquake, mmm . . ., might need to try some of whatever you're having--lmao!
lol....silly ;)
Silliness keeps me sane. ;-)
Long live silliness, that's my motto, at least till midnight--lol.
Will try tomorrow instead! :-)
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