Theos-Talk Archives (March 1998 Message tt00216)

Dear Brenda and Dallas,

Thank you for your responses.  Yes, ideals are great and we should shoot
for them.  Maybe we can rely on the laws of the universe to take care of
things.  However, I'm looking at the concrete aspects of interaction.  In
particular, I'm looking at individuals deluded with the importance of their
contact with the higher self.  The problem comes when their lower selves
come into their interaction with others.  They are so deluded that they
cannot see the misery their lower selves are causing others, choosing
instead to hide behind the fantasy of their holy connection.  That's why I
think a strong dose of reality check is in order, in combination with our
striving for the higher goal.  There is a purpose to the lower realm.  It
is our place of learning and development.  Are we riding on the great comet
or are we pitifully committing mass suicide?

Dallas, I agree with you regarding keeping the total perception of the
universe in our dealing with others.  We can still take actions, but with a
different state of mind.  We can have compassion and understanding for
individuals but realize that the safest place for us would be away from
them.  Brenda, yes, there are times when it may be best to let things work
themselves out.  However, as we all know, life is complicated, and as much
as we love for ideals to be applied perfectly, we often find different
situations call for different answers.

For example, as a reality check, consider the topic of violence.  Mahatma
Gandhi said that all violence is a sin.  However, he also said that it is
unavoidable.  Even the Mahabharata supports disinterested violence as a
mean to a good end.  Ahimsa have differing levels of application depending
on different beliefs and religion.  The difference ranges from our dealing
with animals, self-preservation, social preservation, and ahimsa in deeds,
words and thoughts.  For every ideal about ahimsa, I can pose a question
that would make one wonder about that ideal.  I would have liked to discuss
ahimsa with Pat F. However, my time did not permit me to write much.

Thoa :o)