Ode regularly invites a well-known activist, author, thinker or entrepreneur to pen some thoughts on a topic of his or her choosing, to which you can respond. The only guidelines--be inspiring and provocative.
Dalai Lama on guilt
Here's a little anecdote:
A friend of mine once saw the Dalai Lama speak at a conference. He told me that from the audience several questions arose, and one of the people was asking something about guilt and how to deal with it. Then, to everyone's surprise, this lengthy conversation started between the Dalai Lama and his interpreter. The Dalai Lama just didn't understand the question and kept getting back to his interpreter to clarify. In fact, as it happened, the Dalai Lama was not aware of a concept that we call "guilt!"
Isn't that wonderful? Guilt is the emotion that one has done something wrong. But: what if you just don't do something wrong?
I do not believe in human perfectability, except to the extent that we are all destined to be perfectly human. There are infinite ways to do no wrong and yet cause negative consequences for which we might feel some modicum of regret or guilt. When a homeless person asks for money, is it wrong to ingnore him/her? Should we feel shame or guilt if we do not help them out? Yet, is it wrong to give him/her money, knowing that they may use it for addictive substances?
If we give money to a homeless person and they are later assaulted by another person who noticed that we had given them money, have we done the homeless person a service, or a disservice by having put them in a situation to become assaulted? I might experience some guilt for having put this series of events into motion, and yet my intentions were very honorable.
I would think that the Dalai Lama might respond to the "guilt" situation by saying that it is not appropriate to become locked in the concepts of right and wrong, because one can never guarantee that even our highest intentions will come to manifestation. If we try our best to behave with kindness, we should let go of our guilt and yet learn that our powers to change the world are finite and we often do not know as much about a situations as we believe.
The Dalai Lama is one of my teachers and I respect him greatly, and yet he is not on this earth to serve my ideals and ideas of perfection. I am certain that he faces many difficult situations and choices, and that the outcome is not always harmonious for everyone. Yet, what an inspiring and amazing person, and wonderful teacher, he is.
Peace,
Earon
posted by Earon on 2/ 7/2008 12:51 am