Compassionate Choices

Part 1 of 2:
Connections and False Perceptions

A human being faced with choices, is a being challenged to stand for humanity.

Most of us know that every decision we make affects us in some way. In ways we may never know, these decisions change our lives and who we are. The lives of people around us are also affected by every little thing we do - or do not do.

Oft forgotten are the connections in the web of life. Connections between ourselves and others, society and environment, consumption and compassion. Perhaps the most important remembrance is of the non-separation that has always existed. The web of life is a whole, united by strings that connect everything. It is here that our thoughts and actions are woven.

Whether one has seen the whole web or just a spiders eye view, deep down, he knows the nature of the web. If he is blinded or the web has been cast over by the darkness of ignorance, the spider will eventually find his way. It is in this darkness that we have grown out of touch with the true nature of the self; a nature that is never separate from any other. One might seem to move further from this truth, but they are always connected and need only look deep within.

Looking deeply we see how our lack of awareness and communication with the self has caused much suffering. Our incorrect perceptions of ourselves and reality has made us ignorant of our true nature. So we are driven to find the peace and joy that can only come from realizing our self. We may want this so much and move so fast that we become lost on our journey. Unable to find truth, we begin building our own; building what becomes our false perceptions. Rather than stopping to look inside, we look outward to those things easily within our grasp.

Becoming attached to worldly possessions and false identifications drives us farther from the freedom and truth we've been searching for. The true self cannot be realized if one is busy constructing their identity around consumption and image purchases. It's no wonder that shopping has become a favorite past-time of the western world. But, it is striking that the destructive nature of mindless consumerism isn't greater recognized. Everywhere we look, we can see people acting without regard for the environment, or the mind, that is being created for themselves and their children.

Today's youth can spend much of their time shopping, and parents may be relieved when considering the alternatives. Shopping seems much more innocent than hanging out in the streets, playing with guns and drugs and gangs. But all of these issues reflect the identity crisis that youth find themselves in. They don't realize their identity is as meaningless as their consumerism. They will not realize this truth, and resolve to search for the self, until they have the help of people who care. People who teach them that true happiness cannot come from this world, it can only come from within.

Turning outward to the world of things, one feels trapped by wants and desires that only grow stronger. There is no limit to want. Giving in to want only makes one want more and more. Desires for money, fame, power, and glory degrade ourselves, others, and the environment. When our motives are such, it doesn't matter how much we have or consume; we will never feel satisfied.

It is a given that our life here on earth requires the consumption of worldly goods. Consumption is certainly not 'bad', but we must be mindful about what we consume and find a healthy balance. The overwhelming obesity rates of the western world indicate an unbalance that goes beyond the body. How has something as sacred as the food each life depends upon, turned into a tool for our dangerous mass consumption? Overeating has become an increasingly compulsive and self-destructive behavior that must be addressed, but at the same time we must consider the rise of other compulsive, self-destructive behaviors.

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are oriented around false perceptions of self-image, the self and reality. Drug addictions centered around false perceptions leave the user feeling trapped and ignorant of their true self. No matter the nature of unmindful consumption, there is a hunger longing to be satisfied. It is not a 'bad' hunger, but is fed with ignorance.

Each us shares this hunger for truth and realization of the self. Quick worldly fixes and false perceptions only make our hunger grow. They starve us from the truth. We must learn to look within and identify our false perceptions so we can stop them from manifesting our thoughts and actions.