Transformation… Week 01

a Moment for Wisdom…

Transformation

David R. Hawkins, MD, PHD

Personal Wisdom:

Is your behavior different when you believe others are looking at you?  (Another way of asking: do you do things in Las Vegas that you wouldn’t do in your “normal” life?)

Do you notice that you act differently in different circumstances?  Are each of your circumstantial actions “authentic” to who you are?

When are you most aware that your actions, thoughts and choices have universal impact?  When are you least aware of this?

Societal Wisdom:

 How would your society act if its leaders were aware of the full impact of their actions and decisions?

a Moment with Sharif…

Greetings;

You’ve probably heard this story before. It is so full of meaning, everybody claims it!  I’ve heard it attributed to virtually every faith tradition (Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu…).  Here it goes:

A master wisdom teacher gives his students an assignment.  They are each to take a chicken, go outside the school, and kill the chicken “where no one can see”.  They are to come back once they have completed their task.  Each of his 30 students takes a chicken and leaves the grounds.

The students drift back to the school.  He asks them where they killed their chicken.  The answers were predictable: “Behind the building.”  “In my basement.”  “I waited until dark.”

The master noticed that one student did not return.  A week later, he sees the student walking the street, with a very alive chicken in tow.  The master asked, “Why have you not completed your task?”

The student says, “No matter where I go, the chicken sees.”  (In a variation of the story, the student says, “No matter where I go, God sees.”  Same thing.)

The master makes the student his chief disciple.

This student was well aware of what the Hawkins quote is trying to teach us: every action that we take, from the grandest to the most profane, is etched into the living fabric of the Universe. Each action (and each inaction) is meaningful.  Everything affects, and is affected by, everything else.

Living in denial of this effect does not mean you are not effecting LIFE – it just means that you are deluding yourself into thinking that you are not.  I know people who have created a very “comfortable” life for themselves, by living in denial of their own actions, the actions taken in their name, on their behalf, or with their money.  You are responsible… even if you pretend that you are not.

Hawkins says:

“Every act or decision made that supports life, supports all life, including our own.” 

The opposite is also true: every action that harms or denigrates LIFE, harms all of
life, including our own.  We spray toxic chemicals, eat toxic food, engage in toxic video “games”, support toxic policies of our government, and then wonder why toxicity appears in our bodies (in the form of cancer) and in our societies (in the form of violence, suicide, and spiritual malaise). 

Every pore of our being bears testament to what we do, think and choose. 

Peace,

Sharif

Transformation Exercises:

This week’s “Transformation” exercise:

1.    Think of something that you believe to be a problem or challenge in society.  If possible, try to think of something that is clearly separated from your direct actions.  For example, if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, think about the industrial cattle and pork industry.  If you are a bike rider, think about internal combustion
engines.

a.    Come up with 3-5 of these societal challenges. (PLEASE try to go beyond the immediate, knee-jerk, “Progressive” or “Liberal” issues.  Think outside the United States, to issues that affect all of our human family.)

b.     For each one, “own” the issue. For each issue, say:  “In some way that may not be apparent to me, I am supporting this challenge with my thought, word or deed.”

c.      If possible, identify how your actions (or inactions) support the challenge.
For example, your retirement funds may be invested in a mutual fund that owns cattle and pork stock.  Or, your bike was delivered by a truck, or you take your bike on the bus.

d.     Next (the most important part of the exercise): DO NOT FEEL GUILTY!  The purpose of this exercise is NOT to feel guilt, or shame, or burdened.  Guilt leads to defensiveness, not transformation.  Simply become aware that we are all tied together in a “web of mutuality” (ML King).  Some of us are more responsible than others, but we all are responsible.  This is the essence of inclusivity.

e.     If possible, try to identify what actions you can take that will change or lessen these societal challenges in the future.

       2.   Think of something that you believe to be a benefit, grace, or good aspect in
society.  Try to think of something that is clearly separated from your direct experience.  For example: loving child care, when you yourself do not have children.  Or philanthropy, when you yourself do not have money to give.

a.     Come up with 3-5 societal benefits or blessings.

b.     For each one, “own” the issue. For each issue, say:  “In some way that may not be apparent to me, I am supporting this blessing with my thought, word or deed.”

c.     If possible, identify how your actions (or inactions) support the challenge.  For example, your tax dollars may support Head Start or some innovative educational program.  Or, your employer’s giving is directed in part by you, or you enable them to be giving by enabling them to be profitable.

d.     Next: Do not get too puffed up!  The purpose of this part of the exercise is not for you to get egotistical!  Just come to the quiet realization that the good of the world, including the indirect good, is also the essence of inclusivity.

e.     Try to identify what actions, thoughts and decisions you can take that will
increase and strengthen these societal blessings in the future.

Acknowledgments:

All photos by Sharif Abdullah, unless otherwise noted.