Sunday Scribblings #53 – Guide

Funny that the topic for Sunday Scribblings this week is “Guide“.

I’ve been reading this book that my mom gave me for my birthday (back in March) called “Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World”.

It’s funny that she bought this book for me, because when I taught Nia at The Union, I remember that staff from Save the Children, the organization behind the Me to We philosophy, was right across the street on Carlton (just west of Parliament), and a few staff came to dance with us.

In any case, the topic “guide” covers a lot of what Craig and Marc Kielburg are talking about in their book, Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World.

They suggest that helping others is beyond what we need for fulfillment in this lifetime.

To prove it, they cite various world religions Ethics of Reciprocity:

* Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do not to others what would cause pain if done to you.” (Mahabaratha 5:1517)

* Taoism: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.” (T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien, 213-18)

* Native Spirituality: “We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.” (Chief Dan George)

* Buddhism: “Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” (Udana-Varga 5.18)

* Islam: “Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.” (the Prophet Muhammad, Hadith)

* Judaism: “What is hateful to you, you do not do to your neighbor. THis is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary.” (hillel, Talmud, Shabbat 318)

* Christianity: “In everything, do to others as you wuld have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Jesus, Matthew 7:12)

* Sikhism: “I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.” (Guru Granth Sahib)

* Baha’i Faith: “Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.” (Bahu’u’liah, Gelanings)

* Jainism: “One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.” (Mahavira, Sutravitanga)

* Unitarianism: “We affirm and promote respect for hte interdependence of all existence of which we are a part.”

* Zoroastrianism: “Do not unto others what is injurious to yourself.” (Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29)

So, this is a good guide for life, yes?

To me, the guiding force is what keeps us on our path. And being fulfilled seems like a great way to maintain a forward-moving journey.

Thanks to these incredible young men who have influenced me through their “beyond-their-years” insights.