the bad things, don’t do them
the good things, try to do them
try to purify, to subdue your own mind…
the Buddha
(via Thich Nhat Hanh)
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the bad things, don’t do them
what makes for a bad thing?
what society deems as wrong?
what a holy scripture tells us not to do?
what cultural norms dictate?
perhaps it is really quite simple
a bad thing is something that creates suffering
for you
for other human creatures
for all other living creatures
for the planet
if it causes suffering
not inconvenience
not the measly little “suffering” of wearing a mask
or paying taxes
but true suffering
a ripping of the soul
and wounding of the heart
an insult
an act of dehumanization
predatory sex
exclusion
lies
the support of racism, or injustice
unresolved anger
all can be bad things
don’t do them!
As Paul admonishes
“Put away from you all bitterness
and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander,
together with all malice,
and be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you”
(Ephesians 4:31,32)
not doing bad things
put another way
is an of compassion
it is refusing to contribute to the suffering of another
and although it may be inconvenient for one’s own self
who wants to wear a mask?
who wants to give up their AR-15?
who wants to include people in their church who are
“different”?
that cost is overwhelmed by the joy of helping another
we need more compassion in this world
compassion is seeing the other
compassion is understanding the battles and struggles
they face
compassion is feeling with them
compassion is hurting with them
compassion is wanting the best for them
compassion is trying to avoid being part of the problem
compassion is being people for others
and by being people for others also caring for and loving
ourselves
and also
oh yes
serving Love (God)
so this day, as you walk this world
which is messy
the bad things, don’t do them
(to be continued)
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