July 2007 ~ Freedom
Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a group conversation around the theme of “freedom.” As we stated the meaning of “freedom” for each of us individually, it soon became clear that we, collectively, valued our freedom to choose… what we say, what we worship, what we print, who we vote for, what we join… all of these and more. The “right to choose” is our dearest freedom.
This is hardly a surprise to any of us, given, as we are, to raising our voices and our banners on behalf of “rights,” whether for animals, humans, or the planet. And, in each case, we are supporting the right of everything to be authentically what it is, by nature and by choice, without fear or interference.
It occurs to me to wonder if, in our passion for the “right to choose,” we have paid enough attention to the “ability to choose” in ways that are creative and wise. Most of us can attest to having made some choices that were neither creative nor wise. Most of us have made some choices that did not lead to happy endings, but rather, to sorrow or embarrassment. So how can we learn to make better choices, now that we have the right to do so? Who will teach us? Jesus laid a foundation for good choices when he said, “As you would that others would do unto you, do so likewise unto them.” This “rule” is expressed in many or most of the world’s great religions. Here are a few:
As ancient as this teaching is, we have an important “right now” opportunity to put it into practice. I am referring to “living green” in ways that bless ourselves, our neighbors, and all life on our planet. A quick internet search on “living green” yields many fine websites with practical tips for doing just that… making small changes that can reduce the damage that we are inflicting on our planet, and consequently, on each other. One that I especially enjoy is campaignearth.org. Here is a small paragraph from this website:
“Begin thinking of ways to reduce what you consume: bring canvas bags to the grocery store, buy yourself a travel mug and bring it with you to the coffee shop. Eat one less meat meal per week and buy local food whenever possible. If just ten percent of us were to take these simple steps we would make a substantial difference.”
Perhaps Helen Keller said it best, when she declared: “I am only one, but still I am one, I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
Be Green!
jbm
This is hardly a surprise to any of us, given, as we are, to raising our voices and our banners on behalf of “rights,” whether for animals, humans, or the planet. And, in each case, we are supporting the right of everything to be authentically what it is, by nature and by choice, without fear or interference.
It occurs to me to wonder if, in our passion for the “right to choose,” we have paid enough attention to the “ability to choose” in ways that are creative and wise. Most of us can attest to having made some choices that were neither creative nor wise. Most of us have made some choices that did not lead to happy endings, but rather, to sorrow or embarrassment. So how can we learn to make better choices, now that we have the right to do so? Who will teach us? Jesus laid a foundation for good choices when he said, “As you would that others would do unto you, do so likewise unto them.” This “rule” is expressed in many or most of the world’s great religions. Here are a few:
Christianity
All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1
Confucianism
Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2
Buddhism
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,1
Hinduism
This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata 5,1517
Islam
No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 3id
Taoism
Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
Zoroastrianism
That nature alone is good which refrains from doing to another whatsoever is not good for itself. Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5
As ancient as this teaching is, we have an important “right now” opportunity to put it into practice. I am referring to “living green” in ways that bless ourselves, our neighbors, and all life on our planet. A quick internet search on “living green” yields many fine websites with practical tips for doing just that… making small changes that can reduce the damage that we are inflicting on our planet, and consequently, on each other. One that I especially enjoy is campaignearth.org. Here is a small paragraph from this website:
“Begin thinking of ways to reduce what you consume: bring canvas bags to the grocery store, buy yourself a travel mug and bring it with you to the coffee shop. Eat one less meat meal per week and buy local food whenever possible. If just ten percent of us were to take these simple steps we would make a substantial difference.”
Perhaps Helen Keller said it best, when she declared: “I am only one, but still I am one, I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
Be Green!
jbm
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