Morality – Part II
I believe the first prerequisite for exploring one’s base of morality is the acceptance that all action and inaction directly and indirectly affects all of nature. Even seemingly private decisions such as what one eats for breakfast, one’s workout at the gym and with whom one connects potentially affects many others. What one eats for breakfast reflects decisions about food manufacturers, suppliers and all those involved in this process. The food one eats affects one’s physical, emotional and intellectual health which in turn affects thought process and subsequent decisions. Whether or not one chooses to articulate a spiritual intention affects how one lives out this day and one’s consequent decisions.
We daily learn more about the communication and consequent interdependent behavioral of all living matters including trees and their surrounding environment. The results of that communication and behavior directly affects the air we breathe and, thus, how we function.
Once we are able to accept that all our actions and inactions affect all of nature, we then have to accept that all of creation has worth. If all has worth then what is moral is that which serves the needs of all parts of the universe. If we act in a way which is not in the best interest of all than all suffers. Thus, if we label someone or something an enemy and treat them/it as less than no one is a winner. If we treat all with love and respect then all of nature wins. Treating someone who has a damaged brain with respect may, at times, involve restricting their activity but the goal is to do so with love and respect recognizing that the person has not been able to make a choice to act as they did. The same principles may apply to other damaged parts of nature.
Underlying my understanding of a moral code are basic truths or principles:
· All parts of nature are interdependent.
· Humans are, by nature or design, imperfect. Thus, we need to be quick to forgive ourselves and others.
· It is important to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
· Many factors affect one’s thought process and, thus, one’s decision-making process. No one can control all the factors which affect the operation of the brain and, thus, the thought process. We can influence that process by the choices we are able to make regarding nutritional intake, exercise, daily emotional and spiritual care, and as much as possible fact checking the information one inputs to one’s brain.
· Punishment never results in positive change.
· Knowledge is fluid. What we know today is much different than what we thought we knew 100 years ago.
· Positing a vengeful, adolescent god whose ego is fragile, and who has anger issues will not long term serve anyone or any part of nature.
· Most of nature has an amazing ability to adapt but there are limits. It is important not to use this fact as an excuse to deliberately mistreat or misuse any part of nature including our human bodies.
· There is only this moment to be the best one can be.
· Fear is not a healthy motivator. It may work short term, but it forces the recipient to function at the most basic survival level which precludes considering the needs of other people and the rest of nature.
· Us humans are often fallible. We need to laugh often with each other.
· None of us can truly put ourselves in the shoes of another.
If one accepts the above one can look to a better understanding of teachers such as the Dali Lama and Jesus. For examples consider The Sermon on the Mount by Jesus. Is there any science which disputes his claims? Consider:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit. If someone is sad, depressed, or otherwise feeling poorly emotionally comforting them will benefit everyone. Treating them badly will not benefit any part of nature.
2. Blessed are they that mourn. Sharing one’s grief allows one to be more present to the living.
3. Blessed are the meek; those who are quiet enough to listen and learn; who are humble enough to accept their humanness and that of others.
4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness- those who seek to be intentional about how their behavior affects all of nature.
5. Blessed are the merciful; those who do not have an excel spread sheet to rank order how humans hurt themselves and each other.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart – those who are brave enough to love each other and all of nature.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers; those brave enough to respond to the underlying fear and pain of others with compassion and identification.
8. Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake; those who are the recipients of the fear of others; those who like Demond Tutu learned from his mistreatment and refused to mistreat others.
One might say that moral behavior is that behavior which reflects one’s comfort level with one’s own humanness and the humanness of others; a human who co exists with all of nature.
Moral behavior is a goal and not a destination. As humans we are always in the process of learning. Learning a priori involves making mistakes.
Written January 18, 2022
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
I believe the first prerequisite for exploring one’s base of morality is the acceptance that all action and inaction directly and indirectly affects all of nature. Even seemingly private decisions such as what one eats for breakfast, one’s workout at the gym and with whom one connects potentially affects many others. What one eats for breakfast reflects decisions about food manufacturers, suppliers and all those involved in this process. The food one eats affects one’s physical, emotional and intellectual health which in turn affects thought process and subsequent decisions. Whether or not one chooses to articulate a spiritual intention affects how one lives out this day and one’s consequent decisions.
We daily learn more about the communication and consequent interdependent behavioral of all living matters including trees and their surrounding environment. The results of that communication and behavior directly affects the air we breathe and, thus, how we function.
Once we are able to accept that all our actions and inactions affect all of nature, we then have to accept that all of creation has worth. If all has worth then what is moral is that which serves the needs of all parts of the universe. If we act in a way which is not in the best interest of all than all suffers. Thus, if we label someone or something an enemy and treat them/it as less than no one is a winner. If we treat all with love and respect then all of nature wins. Treating someone who has a damaged brain with respect may, at times, involve restricting their activity but the goal is to do so with love and respect recognizing that the person has not been able to make a choice to act as they did. The same principles may apply to other damaged parts of nature.
Underlying my understanding of a moral code are basic truths or principles:
· All parts of nature are interdependent.
· Humans are, by nature or design, imperfect. Thus, we need to be quick to forgive ourselves and others.
· It is important to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
· Many factors affect one’s thought process and, thus, one’s decision-making process. No one can control all the factors which affect the operation of the brain and, thus, the thought process. We can influence that process by the choices we are able to make regarding nutritional intake, exercise, daily emotional and spiritual care, and as much as possible fact checking the information one inputs to one’s brain.
· Punishment never results in positive change.
· Knowledge is fluid. What we know today is much different than what we thought we knew 100 years ago.
· Positing a vengeful, adolescent god whose ego is fragile, and who has anger issues will not long term serve anyone or any part of nature.
· Most of nature has an amazing ability to adapt but there are limits. It is important not to use this fact as an excuse to deliberately mistreat or misuse any part of nature including our human bodies.
· There is only this moment to be the best one can be.
· Fear is not a healthy motivator. It may work short term, but it forces the recipient to function at the most basic survival level which precludes considering the needs of other people and the rest of nature.
· Us humans are often fallible. We need to laugh often with each other.
· None of us can truly put ourselves in the shoes of another.
If one accepts the above one can look to a better understanding of teachers such as the Dali Lama and Jesus. For examples consider The Sermon on the Mount by Jesus. Is there any science which disputes his claims? Consider:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit. If someone is sad, depressed, or otherwise feeling poorly emotionally comforting them will benefit everyone. Treating them badly will not benefit any part of nature.
2. Blessed are they that mourn. Sharing one’s grief allows one to be more present to the living.
3. Blessed are the meek; those who are quiet enough to listen and learn; who are humble enough to accept their humanness and that of others.
4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness- those who seek to be intentional about how their behavior affects all of nature.
5. Blessed are the merciful; those who do not have an excel spread sheet to rank order how humans hurt themselves and each other.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart – those who are brave enough to love each other and all of nature.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers; those brave enough to respond to the underlying fear and pain of others with compassion and identification.
8. Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake; those who are the recipients of the fear of others; those who like Demond Tutu learned from his mistreatment and refused to mistreat others.
One might say that moral behavior is that behavior which reflects one’s comfort level with one’s own humanness and the humanness of others; a human who co exists with all of nature.
Moral behavior is a goal and not a destination. As humans we are always in the process of learning. Learning a priori involves making mistakes.
Written January 18, 2022
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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