In contrast to “Do the most good”, which I see alongside “Compassion” and “Loving Kindness”, I see clearly the two wisdom traditions I have leaned into: Zen, the Soto School of Dogen Kigen (aka Dogen Zenji) and the Vajrayana of Karma Kagyu. (More precisely, the Mahayana on which those practices rest.) What I see, rather than the high virtues of heroism, is a simpler set: First, “Cease from evil” … only then “Do good” and only ultimately “Do good for others”. And then, in the tradition of prajna/upaya and bodhisattva aspiration: solidarity/empathy.
So much easier to markety glory and fame! so much better to adopt the practicality of reasonable humility.
--Karma Chöpal (Ben Tremblay, from FB)
Addendum: “Don’t be lucid and ironic. People will turn that against you, saying ‘You see? I told you he wasn’t a nice person!’”
p.s. “Aim to explain”? you mean rather than explore and inquire? lecture, rather and discourse? how tragically revealing …
Too short / too abrupt / cryptic … or, too long winded / TL;DR / pompous and arrogant. Something I brought to the table in context of “cognitive interview” with Law and Psychology … criminology: 5 people responding to an event, at least 8 different stories.
Perhaps this sets the tone: In the wisdom tradtion I try to follow, “bliss itself can become an obsactle”. We each and every one of us strive to be happy. Isn’t it sensible to aim for that by trying to be free from the distortions of fear and pain?
I’m sure the view from Mt Everest is quite wonderful. But I make no plans of taking myself to Base Camp!
/me recalls Marpa’s advice to Milarepa: “Wonderful vision. Now, go back and just sit.” /me also recalls Chuang Tzu’s answer to the Emperor’s messenger. “Here, have some tea!”
In contrast to “Do the most good”, which I see alongside “Compassion” and “Loving Kindness”, I see clearly the two wisdom traditions I have leaned into: Zen, the Soto School of Dogen Kigen (aka Dogen Zenji) and the Vajrayana of Karma Kagyu. (More precisely, the Mahayana on which those practices rest.)
What I see, rather than the high virtues of heroism, is a simpler set:
First, “Cease from evil” … only then “Do good” and only ultimately “Do good for others”.
And then, in the tradition of prajna/upaya and bodhisattva aspiration: solidarity/empathy.
So much easier to markety glory and fame! so much better to adopt the practicality of reasonable humility.
--Karma Chöpal (Ben Tremblay, from FB)
Addendum: “Don’t be lucid and ironic. People will turn that against you, saying ‘You see? I told you he wasn’t a nice person!’”
p.s. “Aim to explain”? you mean rather than explore and inquire? lecture, rather and discourse? how tragically revealing …
Too short / too abrupt / cryptic … or, too long winded / TL;DR / pompous and arrogant.
Something I brought to the table in context of “cognitive interview” with Law and Psychology … criminology: 5 people responding to an event, at least 8 different stories.
Perhaps this sets the tone:
In the wisdom tradtion I try to follow, “bliss itself can become an obsactle”.
We each and every one of us strive to be happy. Isn’t it sensible to aim for that by trying to be free from the distortions of fear and pain?
I’m sure the view from Mt Everest is quite wonderful. But I make no plans of taking myself to Base Camp!
/me recalls Marpa’s advice to Milarepa: “Wonderful vision. Now, go back and just sit.”
/me also recalls Chuang Tzu’s answer to the Emperor’s messenger. “Here, have some tea!”