Theos-Talk Archives (January 1998 Message tt00336)

Ramadoss:

Your comments give me an opportunity to discuss
an point that I find of considerable importance.

>When you see a starving child
>one would not be even aware of
>one's hunger. You first feed
>the child then see what you can
>do to take care of your hunger.

I'd say that in this situation you'd be as acutely
aware of the child's hunger as your own, and would
act totally without selfishness. Your action,
though, would be based on common sense and for the
greatest common good.

On an airplane, in the event the plane loses air
pressure, air masks drop from overhead. Passengers
are told to first put on their air masks, then to
tend to the children. This is because if they lose
conscious they're of no good to anyone and the
child is in a pretty bad situation.

Another example is of the gallantry of old, where a
young man might dramatically throw his overcoat into
the mud on the street, in order that a fair lady not
have to step through the mud. It's certainly a nice
gesture, but can in many real-life situations defy
common sense.

The idea that it's always best to do something for
others first is good -- as an exercise in self-forgetfulness,
but is impractical if not applied with a good dose of
common sense. The real ethic or virtue here, I think,
is the seeing things from a selfless point of view, from
a point of view where "what's in it for me" doesn't bias
our decisions and actions. We work for the overall common
good, not for our own bottom line. Sometimes that means
doing good for someone else, without any thought of personal
gain. Other times, it's just as valid, when appropriate,
to do something that benefits ourselves.

We cannot come to a fair, balanced view of life as long
as selfishness clouds our minds and hearts. When it lifts,
and we see clearly, we become agents for the betterment of
humanity, concerned for the good of all. That means that
we don't let ourselves be taken advantage of, nor squander
our resources in token charity. We manage our resources
skillfully, giving generously but wisely. We're not acting
according to any predefined rule, however noble-sounding,
like "always do first for others," but rather act out of
a Zen-like immediacy in response to situations before us
in life.

This may be what you're saying, in different words. I
just like the opportunity myself to give voice to the
same ideal, that of selfless, pure, compassionate action.

-- Eldon