To: K-list
Recieved: 2003/01/22 03:14
Subject: [k-list] Re: on helping others
From: Stephen Kowalchuk
On 2003/01/22 03:14, Stephen Kowalchuk posted thus to the K-list:
I think the question of helping others and karma comes to a decision between two
scenarios:
(1) It is right to take action because you are uniquely qualified to make a
positive contribution to the situation at hand. (Insert deity here) put you on
the scene in order to do exactly that.
or
(2) It is right not to take action because the action you take would be derived
from the ego instead of being in concert with a greater sense/presence.
This is the essence of the karma question. Karma is unavoidable in either
situation, but resolution of karma is a cooperative effort between self and
Self, no?
Interestingly, with this logic the story about the drowning baby becomes a moot
point. We assume there is a compelling case to save a drowning baby if we are
present, merely because our presence is a mandate to do what we assume is in
concert with a larger sense of morality. However, there are many parts of
Existence that are destructive in principle, and we do not mourn all of them.
Imagine mourning leaves falling from trees in September (don't laugh, I have
felt this!). How can we possibly save them??? The point is that sometimes we
should, and sometimes we shouldn't, and the barometer, IMHO, is whether we can
sense the larger context and that our actions or lack thereof are driven from
this space or from the ego.
What this buys us is a constant sense of alignment with our greater self and the
greater universe.
Of course, there are my patented sure-fire rules of thumb for helping others:
The Campbell's Soup Version of Steve's Glorious Wisdom on
Life, Perspective and Helping Others ;-)
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1. Help yourself first. Trust yourself. Take care of your own inner
harmony before reaching out. As Susan said, "Love yourself truely,
gently, deeply and with passion. Honor yourself. Be gentle with yourself.
Treat yourself with the respect for the god you truly are."
2. Reach out in respect and open love for all things. No strings, no
hidden agendas, no expectations.
2a. Never offer what you are not willing to give.
2b. Never offer with intent to produce a particular outcome.
2c. Never offer and ask for something in return.
3. Realize everything will come along just fine without your help, but
acts of respect and heartfelt kindness are not wasted.
4. Never force your help on anyone or anything, no matter how benign your
intentions. Doing so is the equivalent of rape, and your involvement
creates a karma knot you'll have to untangle. Very messy. This is a
huge no-no.
5. Realize life really is meaningless until you ascribe meaning to it. But
also understand if you start by ascribing meaning to yourself based on the
illusions around you, you are apt to be disappointed with the result.
6. Inside each of us is something unique only we can contribute to this
world. A key mission in the life of many people is to discover that
uniqueness and become it. Once we become it, we can act in alignment
with that which we uniquely are. To do the reverse puts the cart before
the horse. And horses can't push for shit.
7. In discovering your purpose and becoming your "authentic self", keep
in mind that you created this environment. You left yourself clues to
the big questions. Reality is interactive, and buoyant, and it has a
current we call fate. Calm, quiet intention will bring the clues to
light. Awareness will gather them. Discovery is part of the fun. From
there, it's up to you whether you want to heed the call.
8. I love each and every one of you. *smile* I wish you well. ;-)
Steve
--
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Stephen Kowalchuk
spk AT_NOSPAM kowalchuk.org
Luke: "I'm Luke Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you."
Leia: "You're who?"
--- and later ---
Leia: "This is some rescue....when you came in here you never planned
for getting out--"
Han (glaring at Luke): "He's the brains, sweetheart!"
(Leia grabs Han's blaster and blows a hole in a hatch)
Han: "What the hell are you doing?"
Leia: "Somebody has to save our skins!"
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