In this post, Nigel Shipston contemplates the koan of ‘how and when to act for the benefit of others’ in a world that is so obviously in need of help, right now..
I keep being drawn to the adage: “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem ” and reflecting on its relevance to the Mahayana vow to enlighten all beings. I find the adage personally challenging and it is phrased with that intention, phrased in a very dualistic way. There is no sitting on the fence or Middle Way. It’s not a Buddhist teaching, obviously, but in an age where the world seems on the verge of environmental collapse with all the implications that has for such things as food production, mass migration and law and order, do we still have the luxury of prevarication and kicking the can down the road?
I suppose, like a lot of people who are drawn to an introspective reflective life, I am not the most dynamic and proactive of people – not that those qualities in and of themselves are not helpful to others.. This, combined with the usual reticence of the British character, and you could call me an armchair activist.
How and when to act for the benefit of others? If there are myriad problems, then there are also myriad solutions. Different Buddhist traditions give varying degrees of emphasis on what we might call “engaged Buddhism “. We are generally left to make our own personal choices and decisions. Other religions such as Islam and Sikhism can take a more social or group approach and incorporate certain festivals of charity. Less so in Western Buddhism. And I would argue that this is due to the influence of Western Buddhist monastic traditions. The monasteries themselves become the main focus of charity. Whereas, secular Buddhist groups are often more rooted in the community, giving greater opportunity to be pro-active in socially important activities.
The Mahayana Vow is the commitment to help enlighten all beings through the Six Perfections of giving, morality, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom. The benefits are more effective if all six of these are combining at the same time. But, it is a perilous road to go down, to perpetually see things as either problems or solutions. We would experience burn out very quickly. Within our awareness we also need to continue to let go and to foster acceptance, to trust that enlightenment is possible for myself and others, right here and now, and not some theoretical fantasy in the future.
And, with that, I will go back to my armchair…..
Years ago as I was waiting in the cue at the supermarket, I saw someone further down the aisle knocking off a package of coffee from the shelf and leaving it lying on the floor. The next couple of minutes I witnessed many shoppers passing the package on the floor either by walking around it or stepping over it. And then this guy came down the aisle and at being level with the package, he stooped lightly, picked up the package with his free hand, put it back on the shelf and walked onward to join the adjacent cue. His matter-of-fact action was executed in one fluid motion without missing a step. Years later, I still remember well this simple act as a beautiful example of someone who is present, aware, and response naturally to whatever need meets his path.
In the face of large scale suffering going on in the world, small acts often feel inadequate and pointless, still, I think there is great power in simply being present, being aware and being willing to respond to need that comes your way.
I take courage from the fact that it is not the first time humanity is at the cross roads. People before us have overcome tremendous obstacles to bring about change in dire circumstances. Facing war, abolishing slavery, establishing voting rights for all, to name a few. It is heartening to realize that in the past, thousands of unnamed, ordinary people, with much less resources available to them then we have today, achieved great change by being present, being aware and being willing to respond to need. Of course, like we today, they had no guarantees and they didn’t know they would succeed while being in the thick of it. This realization of wider perspective and the felt connection with ancestors being willing to do their part in the face of deep suffering, does help to keep me grounded.
So, from my armchair, one of the main things I try to do is not to resonate with the palpable fear in the world and refrain from adding to the dark cloud of fear and despair. To remain grounded while being informed and connected, I avoid the barrage of click bait and adhere to a media diet of trustworthy, fact based news sources, who look beyond the whim of the day, who put things in wider perspective and provide a long term point of view beyond the revolving madness. I make sure I support those channels, help them in getting the information spread by the algorithms, and if appropriate, pass on the factual information I learn in my local circle. This is one of the ways I try to do my version of picking up what is knocked down to the floor and putting it back in its place whenever I can.
_/\_ Anna