What’s Wrong With the World? Not a Damn Thing

Glen Allsopp Says:

August 14th, 2008, 3:29 am

Quite a brave topic to take on Leo. Whilst I don’t quite agree with your mindset I do appreciate that you took a different angle on things.

Submitted to Stumbleupon! :)

Cheers,
Glen

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 3:38 am

Thanks Glen! I’d be interested in hearing why you don’t agree, though … I’m guessing that this post will probably stir up an interesting discussion, and I’m open to the views of others.

Daniel Erickson Says:

August 14th, 2008, 3:48 am

I’d have to say - this really works. I’ve been thinking this way for years now, and I’m happy. It really inspires you to help people- and really get to the root of their suffering.

zwerdlds Says:

August 14th, 2008, 4:14 am

Interestingly, I have a pretty tangible anecdote for this. I majored in Economics in university, and one of my final classes was international econ. Not particularly difficult subject given some of my prior experiences, but nonetheless, I had some pretty lousy initial exam scores. It turns out that I was able to do all the questions just fine, but it took effort on my part to calm myself and realize that there was no issue with my ability in order to think straight and actually demonstrate it on paper. If I had used that strategy on all of the exams, I believe I would have done much better overall.

However, I do believe that some amount of doubt is necessary; I have a strong desire to improve the human condition, which may or may not happen in my life by me in any real sense, but the desire exists and I am not the only one that possesses it. For example, on graduating I initially wanted to demonstrate my desire for advancement in underdeveloped areas such as sub-saharan Africa, which I think most people will agree needs some pretty important changes in order to come into its own or generally take the inhabitants out of the state in which they are currently.

I don’t think it makes sense to get worked up about things, for sure. It’s taken me a long time to realize that. But that’s not an issue of finding issues with things - it’s how we deal with them.

Great article, I really do enjoy this blog.

Dave Says:

August 14th, 2008, 4:28 am

Hi,

I have been thinking this way for some time as well and even though I am still not perfect at it, it changes my life.

I understand people who disagree with this mindset since it could look quite radical to them, but I think that only this mindset can lead to true happiness and can change the world to be a better place.

Great post Leo.

99ppp Says:

August 14th, 2008, 4:32 am

Nicely done Leo, a nice change from how-tos and dabbling into philosophy.Now here’s the thing…

The concept of love is as idealized as utopias. Asking others to love the world as it is, is as likely as asking anyone to see nothing wrong with the world.

Dissatisfaction is inevitable for anyone who wishes to create change, otherwise, why bother? I’m skeptical of stoic compassion.

As far as judging, it’s unavoidable, otherwise we’d have no ethics.

I agree there are tough questions within with no easy answers, and I applaud you for tackling them.

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 4:49 am

@99ppp: You’re right that the concept of love might be idealized … but on the other hand, the act of love is a real thing. We’ve all experienced it, and it exists in reality. Is it an ideal to love all the time and not hate? Of course it is — and I’m not asking anyone to do that. As I said, I don’t do it myself, and I don’t think it’s possible. So am I asking anyone to do anything idealistic when I say that I try to love things as they are? Maybe, but I think what I’m really saying is not that you *should* love the world as it is, but that it leads to happiness and compassion, which leads to improving the world.

Is dissatisfaction a prerequisite for changing the world? Perhaps. But change could be 1) an attempt to make things conform to your ideal or 2) an act of compassion, trying to lessen the suffering of others. In the second case, you aren’t trying to rid the world of suffering and make everyone happy, as that isn’t possible — you’re just trying to make a few people suffer less. That’s not idealistic, but compassionate.

I also agree that judging is unavoidable … but is it the final step? Can we not go beyond judgments, to true understanding and compassion? I think it’s not only possible, but that we’ve all done it at some time, and that it often leads to better results than just judgment.

Thanks for stirring up the discussion! :)

helaron Says:

August 14th, 2008, 4:54 am

Hello (sorry for my bad english, in advance)

Sorry to kind of get you wrong… but…

Things aren´t just as easy as it might seem if I get you right.

Mankind is in fact destroying the basement for their own living. We are destroying the oceans living by capturing fish. When the amount of fish we harvest is going down, mankind changes to harvest whales an so on and so forth.

Not beause we need such a big amount of fish for food. Just for having it harvested and having made some money… in the long run we have to face that we kill whole species and ecosystems…

As a result of this we should IMHO really be aware of what we are and what we have… WE ARE THE EARTH… and we should actually fight against pollution, waste and useless exploitation. Everybody has to fight for “MOTHER EARTH”…

This means that one has to face the problems… and after that I agree with you that we should also lay back and enjoy life and nature. We should catch all power we can get… but we should also invest this power into nature.

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 5:02 am

@helaron: I agree that we should be trying to preserve the environment … but not because there is anything fundamentally wrong with the earth or with the people on it … but because we love the earth and want to preserve it.

My instructions to myself (I’m not telling you to do this): If people are doing something destructive, judge it not as a bad thing, but see it as the world is … try to understand why it happens … try to find love and compassion for them and for their actions … and then try to work to do good, to lessen suffering, to preserve the things I love.

roderik random Says:

August 14th, 2008, 5:04 am

this guy reading your entry in hungary, central eastern europe, agrees to the last word. a short quotation from a buddhist monk, thich nhat hanh, might be added: “love is understanding and understanding is love” - really just an alteration of the buddha sentence you quoted.

i’ve tasted a few things in my short life so far, i.d. religion, atheism, politics, philosophy, etc. the only thing seemed not to fail and give about the correct answer to anything is the four-letter word we’re talking about here.

i must admit though that i also perceive a sense of “apocalypse-waiting” kind of atmosphere, especially here, in my country, where people tend to be more negative than in most parts of the world.

the best i can do for now is that i share these thoughts with my friends in my google reader.

keep up the good work!

sincerely,
roderik

helaron Says:

August 14th, 2008, 5:18 am

@Leo

NO!

We are too silent… we have to FIGHT for our nature. To often man just accepts the rules and decisions that men in power once made.

Would you accept that one bites you? I think you won´t.

And in the same way we have to fight against industry and economically driven exploitation of our Planet.

Kelvin Ng Says:

August 14th, 2008, 5:28 am

Love is active; first we accept, then we seek change. A paradox, but that’s how things are.

Victoria Says:

August 14th, 2008, 5:37 am

Ah … if only we’d all loved Hitler a little more…

Scott McIntyre Says:

August 14th, 2008, 5:57 am

This is a very thought provoking mini-essay on how we perceive the world and our role in it, Leo.

I’m glad you made the point that, even with this perspective, one can and should aim to influence positive change.

It’s a wasted opportunity to have the potential to achieve something in life to benefit both yourself and others- but to be so trapped by our views that we do not even try.

Seeing the reality of our world today does not mean that we accept this as the way it has to be. There is always the potential for us to do great things right where we are.

The world is neither good or bad- it just ‘is’.

When we start using terms like ‘good’,'evil’,'right’ or ‘wrong’, to describe our fellow human beings, we brand them based on your own view of the world.

What is one man’s meat is another man’s poison, as they say.

Of course, some individuals do terrible, ‘bad’ things, but does that make them ‘evil’? In a civilized society, they must be held to account for these actions and dealt with in a way that is deemed appropriate to that society.

But, are people who do positive acts inherently ‘good’?

We are all capable of negative and positive behaviors depending on the circumstances we find ourselves in.

I believe it is best to keep an open mind in life. To me, being too quick to brand the world and others in a particular way runs the real risk of closing our mind down to the possibility of change.

And without a belief that change is possible, everything seems that little more bleak.

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 5:58 am

Ah, the Hitler argument. Godwin’s law was bound to come up, I guess.

But I’ll respond, briefly: I don’t claim that my world-view will end all problems and stop people like Hitler … in fact, I don’t claim that my world-view will do anything other than bring an increase in love, happiness and compassion, if done right … but what world-view would end all problems, Hitler or otherwise?

Jen Says:

August 14th, 2008, 6:22 am

Leo — I agree … even though “evil” will always occur in way or another (it’s just numbers … there are BILLIONS of people in the world, and bad things are going to happen … not every single person in the world can be on the same wavelength all the time, it’s just not possible).

So … that being said — we can make our own PERSONAL worlds better by looking at the world in this way. To others disagreeing with this, Leo is not saying that this frame of mind will change the world, but it will change how you view the world from your eyes. It will increase YOUR happiness and YOUR perspective. I think, eventually, if enough people do this, it would start having a more positive effect on the world. But until then, I will be peaceful in my loving state of compassion and understanding.

Thanks Leo!

warren Says:

August 14th, 2008, 6:29 am

Interesting topic. I’m not sure that any World Veiw will be collective enough to make a real lasting change for good when put against the true realities facing Mankind, all the other species and the World we live in. I know your not saying that yours will.

Hiltler, Stalin and a long list of others past, present and future are just drops in the ocean of time. Had Hiltler carried out his genocide a few hundred years earlier it might have been accepted as the norm and he seen as a great and powerful King.

As for your way of looking at the World I’m sure that if you can crack this way of loving all things and showing compassion you may well live a happier life. I am also sure it must be a difficult task and one that needs constant practice. Depending on an individuals personalilty, geographical location, lifestyle etc it could be almost impossible to achieve.

Goodluck with it.

Victoria Says:

August 14th, 2008, 6:45 am

“But I’ll respond, briefly: I don’t claim that my world-view will end all problems and stop people like Hitler … in fact, I don’t claim that my world-view will do anything other than bring an increase in love, happiness and compassion, if done right … but what world-view would end all problems, Hitler or otherwise?”

I agree that the fact your world-view would not necessarily eradicate problems such as Hitler does not remove any value the world-view can offer. More compassion is always better than less compassion, even if it doesn’t fix everything. But I also think an approach that stops short of asking what *would* prevent such enormous human catastrophes is a shame.

I, personally, am interested in improving the world on a small *and* a big scale. Can you feel good about your compassion if hundreds of thousands of people still die as a result of the flaws of human nature? “Change what you can, accept what you can’t” is a good way to concentrate your energy on the areas where you can achieve the most good, but its a fairly limiting approach if one never asks how one can increase the circle of influence.

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 7:06 am

@Victoria: What alternative do you propose, that would end all problems? I’ve never heard of such a thing. What would prevent hundreds of thousands of people dying as the result of flaws in human nature? I’m not sure what world-view would stand up to such a test, but I’d be glad to hear what you have to say.

Pete Says:

August 14th, 2008, 7:13 am

To me, it is all about expectations. Everyone of us has our own expectations of what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’. However, life is what life is. The minute I learned to throw out my expectations, and kind of work with the flow, I was much better off mentally.

Trying to control, or make sense, of a world where trillions of individual decisions are made every second, is a bit of a tough mountain to climb. The book ‘Siddartha’ really changed my view on how to read people, rather than judging them.

I guess the saying goes ‘know thyself, and you will know the secrets of everyone else’

http://www.YinVsYang.com

Victoria Says:

August 14th, 2008, 7:16 am

@Leo: I propose that humanity never stops searching for ways to prevent the flaws in human nature impacting the lives of thousands of people.

Human nature is flawed - this I accept, at least in part because to pretend otherwise or to kid ourselves we can always exhibit perfect judgement would result in extremely harmful delusions that also would impact on the lives of thousands of people. But I do not accept an approach that seems to advocate doing nothing about it.

Society can be a powerful tool to educate people on how to overcome these difficulties, and support one another in achieving that. So I do not accept a society that stops short of challenging harmful behaviours. If people “stop searching for ideals” and “accept things as they are” I don’t really see how we can end up with anything else.

This is my view. I don’t feel the constant disappointment wiht the world that you describe in your post. I do feel sad when I see avoidable human tragedy. But zen isn’t about not feeling anything; its about accepting what you feel, and understanding what it means.

Ma-Rie Says:

August 14th, 2008, 7:28 am

I appreciate very much your idea, to leave this concepts, that make special reasons responsible for the problems in the world.
The idea of love is very nice, but I think there is a big problem: I really believe, that there are always people (and not only a few) who do not have love and compassion for anyone else than themselves or for only a few others and (what is very important) because of no special reason. Yes, I do believe that sometimes people are ‘bad’ just because it is their nature.
I was educated very religious, but eventually i recognised, that I have love and very much compassion for all living creatures, and nothing changed, when I stopped believing in god. It is just in me, and there is no need for any ethic concept or any god to tell me to do so. But where does this come from? I don’t know.
Of course many indivuduals turn into bad and hateful persons by bad influences, but sometimes that’s just how they are.
I think nature itself doesn’t not know ‘love’ (that’s my impression if see how cruel animals are to each other), I believe that love and hate only exist in our brains and, to say it very simple, often evil, hate and suffering comes accidentally and for no reason.
And this aspect of the world I can’t love and makes me pessimistic.
Sorry for this negative comment, it was not my intention to say anything against your statements.

El Says:

August 14th, 2008, 7:30 am

Hi Leo
I really enjoyed this article. I think that on a personal scale (rather than whole world scale) this translates well into the ‘make the best of what you’ve got’ attitude towards life. Irealise that for a long time I was aiming for an idealised version of my life (perfect job, perfect partner, nice place to live) but that ideal is so far away from what I have that it was causing me unhappiness and feeling like a failure for not getting there. But I have discovered that if I just accept my life as it is, with the bits I like and the bits I don’t like, then I am able to make the most of it - which means working with what I have to improve my lot.

I think it’s similar with this world view - accept that the world is a long way off ‘perfect’ and it won’t get to be ‘perfect’ - but we can understand how it is and work from there.

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 7:31 am

@Victoria: “I propose that humanity never stops searching for ways to prevent the flaws in human nature impacting the lives of thousands of people.”

As I said, I’d like to see what the actual proposal is. If you know of a way to prevent the Hitlers of the world from destroying, I’d like to hear it.

What I propose, instead of focusing on the flaws of human nature, is to focus on the incredible beauty of human nature. I say we never stop searching for ways to allow creativity and imagination and humor and love to make the world a better place.

Humans are flawed, yes, but that’s what makes us human — that’s what’s beautiful about us.

The only thing that allowed the flaw in human nature that was in Hitler to destroy so much was power. When people give so much power to others, it becomes destructive. So stop ceding power — I think that would be a good change, undoubtedly, and if you propose that, I’ll help your cause.

Such a democratic change — giving power back to the mass of people instead of to a small few — would actually do what I suggest, which is to allow the beauty of human nature to flourish. A freer society tends to be more creative than an oppressed one.

Is such a change in opposition to my world-view? Not necessarily, if you think about the 6 steps I proposed in the post.

“But zen isn’t about not feeling anything; its about accepting what you feel, and understanding what it means.”

I hope you didn’t take my post to mean that we shouldn’t feel anything. Just the opposite — feeling is important in my world-view. :)

James Says:

August 14th, 2008, 8:01 am

Snap political comment aside, I recently found this, and found it most interesting:

“Capitalism is the greatest system ever created for alleviating human misery, and yet it breeds ingratitude. People ask, ‘Why is there poverty in the world?’ It is a silly question. Poverty is the default human condition. We are born naked and penniless, bereft of skills or possessions. The interesting question isn’t, ‘Why is there poverty?’ It’s, ‘Why is there wealth?’ Or ‘Why is there prosperity here but not there?’”
- Jonah Goldberg

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 8:05 am

“Capitalism is the greatest system ever created for alleviating human misery…”

That’s an amazing statement that’s never been proven and contradicts most of the evidence. I wonder if the author provided any evidence for this statement?

Victoria Says:

August 14th, 2008, 8:32 am

@ Leo

“Is such a change in opposition to my world-view? Not necessarily, if you think about the 6 steps I proposed in the post.”

The steps proposed in your post are to stop searching for ideals in the world and to accept it as it is. If you were to do this, you would never identify the need for a change. Which perhaps is why you felt the approach was fully thought out and complete, and why some of your readers don’t.

Your view works for you, which is great. I have questionned it because I think with a large readership there comes a responsibility to be diligent in your thinking and particularly in your suggestions to others as to how to live. This forum has the facility for people to question and discuss, which is great. But I don’t think we’re going to agree on this, and I don’t think we should have to. Readers can see these comments and make their own minds up.

Susan Says:

August 14th, 2008, 8:45 am

I just finished reading Confessions of an Economic Hitman, by John Perkins. He explains the “corporatocracy” that has virtually enslaved the peoples of less developed countries and caused their corrupt or naive governments to sign away their countries’ natural resources to outside exploiters.

http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Economic-Hit-John-Perkins/dp/0452287081/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218717386&sr=8-1

When I read about the lies, the manipulation of U.S. citizens by the corporate-owned media, the exploitation of people for the sake of the accumulation of wealth and power, I find it hard to accept the world as it is and be happy. Added to that is the sense of the lack of my own power to do anything about it. Any suggestions?

James Says:

August 14th, 2008, 8:53 am

I’ll note Leo, I don’t have any personal opinion about the author as a person, or his other works - I simply liked the quote.
Regarding your question about evidence, I’m not the economist in my family, but my first thought that comes to mind is “what’s the alternative?” Most evidence in the world today (especially China and Russia) have adopted more freedom in their markets (aka capitalism), not less, in the wake of previous anti-capitalistic policy failures, in response to the will of the people? I’m under the macro impression that the opening of China ultimately is a good thing for the Chinese, don’t you?

Isn’t your blog, your main source of income, a pure and beautiful example of the freedom, we’ve achieved through capitalism, that is 1 to many product marketing? You’re free to say whatever you wish to say, and charge what ever you wish, and bearing a free market to choose the value they wish to place on your goods, a transfer of value occurs. Viva zenhabits.net!

pril Says:

August 14th, 2008, 9:03 am

Very nice!!! I agree!!!
Short story -
when my life wasn’t so great it had issues the issues were me. I thought this world was just as crazy as the media makes it sound..

Well even though there are hard times they are everywhere with everyone but it’s how you look at it!

My life and My world are GREAT! the more I look at the world and see what it has to offer for us it really does get better!

the world is what you make of it just like life!
Thanks for sharing this post Leo! it’s great!

Lisa | Holistic Treatment for Depression Says:

August 14th, 2008, 9:07 am

Isn’t it possible to do BOTH — to accept the world as it is, to have a love and understanding of what is, AND to work to make things better? Think of the Dalai Lama — and no one says this is easy — but he’s got joy going on, and yet works to create a better world. He’s a great model for this type of work.

I think this article points out that we should never be “black or white” in our thinking, but try to walk that middle line of loving what is and striving for better.

Writer Dad Says:

August 14th, 2008, 9:12 am

It’s refreshing to hear someone say this. It helps to look at things with historical perspective. If we look at things in cycles, then things are pretty great right now and, I would have to say, getting better.

Mulungu Says:

August 14th, 2008, 9:12 am

It seem to be easyier beeing understood by saying “pay the bills regulary” than “love you and others”.
(And if I forgot to pay.. I will get reminders.)
So I am very happy for the “refreshers” to love which I use to forget too.

Thank you for keeping my eyes open
Leo

Alec Says:

August 14th, 2008, 9:36 am

I disagree with this viewpoint, but I also think that it has great lessons to teach us.

There isn’t anything inherently good or bad about humans or the world. We are just living… there’s no reason why there has to be a “good” or a “bad” label attached to our existence.

I think this is easy for many of us to say. But for those who are truly suffering, they can’t bring themselves to do this nor should they. While I like this view in that it emphasizes things such as our experiences are largely shaped by our perception of them, etc. it can also be dangerous in that it can also be used to blame the victim. “It’s not that you’re suffering, it’s just that your mindset is too negative and you need to change.” Again, not what you’re advocating, just carrying it to its logical extreme.

Ack Says:

August 14th, 2008, 9:38 am

I feel like your problem is poorly posed. There are beautiful things in the world and horrific things in the world that desperately need changing. When the horrific things cause so much pain to stop us short in our tracks, we need to focus on the beautiful parts. The horrific parts otherwise need changing as fast as possible. It’s a difficult balance. Arguing that we need a single general perspective on the world (and a favorable, accepting one at that) breeds excess complacency. I think one of the greatest challenges we face is learning to think like the large, global population we are, instead of focusing on our immediate friends and family, which (evolutionarily speaking) has worked well but is not a sustainable strategy. We have a tendency to downplay the suffering of strangers.

Capitalism is, at heart, mutual gains from voluntary exchange. In its current form, it can breed gross inequalities–but there is no question at all that subjective well-being (happiness) correlates positively with per capita GDP, and that even the poorest among us have more opportunities now than in hundreds of years and millennia before. Whether we should focus on these absolute improvements rather than the inequalities or other human rights problems (though I’d argue that access to food, water, shelter, contraception, etc., is a human rights issue) is an important question for psychologists, behavioral economists, and philosophers.

So I’m not sure why you’re trying to argue we need a complacent, accepting worldview, and especially that we shouldn’t try to achieve ideals. I’m willing to accept some suffering myself as I contemplate the gap between ideals and reality to alleviate more intense suffering in others. If that means I occasionally wrestle with guilt and anxiety and have trouble sleeping at night (as long as these bouts aren’t pervasive), so be it. I can’t imagine not trying my hardest to help other people, as long as I stay physically and mentally healthy in the process.

Muffy Says:

August 14th, 2008, 9:43 am

Leo, this post marks a change for you from my perspective. You are allowing us to see your political views by stating that you tend to agree with a liberal point of view. You also reveal much by stating that you haven’t seen an statement that could prove that “Capitalism is the greatest system ever created for alleviating human misery…”
When you worked for a traditional employer your life was different than it is now. It is by your own work that you have been able to improve your situation and that of your family. Under what other system if not capitalism —would you have been able to flourish?

Stephen Brandon Says:

August 14th, 2008, 9:43 am

Leo,

I’m surprised to be writing you to say anything but, “Thank you.” Over the past few years, I have used your blog to teach a variety of subjects; and, I’ve gained much in following your journey and thinking about what you have to say.

In this post, however, you’ve fallen into a philosophical trap, namely, treating idealism and realism as if either had meaning. If you follow realism to its logical conclusions, you end up with a kind of early 20th Century view of the world as science, capital “S.” The problem here is one must discard many of the spiritual and emotional aspects of life because they are subjective and seemingly not sharable or measurable. The other extreme is Idealism, where everything is subjective. Follow this line of thought far enough, and one comes to cultural relativism and the belief that no one can understand another because everyone’s experience and background separates them from everyone else. Here you honest, well-meaning, stupid debates about things like pedophiles just being misunderstood. Western society, indeed most philosophical tradtions have been debating which is “real,” Idealism or Realism, pretty much forever. The problem is there’s no way to answer the questions each entangles, and you end up with all kinds of rot and very complicated rationalization based on doctrain only a few, with lots of time on their hands, can understand. Worse, you end up wasting a lot of time you could be using to bring about happiness.

Lots of problems have been solved by folks following an ideal. Let me give you an example of one toward which I work. There’s this guy named Habermas who came up with the notion of “The Public Sphere.” The PS is a place where everyone understands they have places where they are ignorant, but everyone is willing to try to try to become informed. In the PS, everyone is rational. Everyone is willing to listen to others, talk, and debate; because, everyone has a stake in learning from everyone else and trying to come up with answers to shared public problems. Of couse, this space is an Ideal, but if one takes it as “just and Platonic Ideal,” it becomes too easy to dismiss. It never existed, nor will it ever exist. People don’t have the time to become informed about everything. Folks don’t like to admit, even to their selves, they are ignorant, nor do they like to listen to folks whom they consider inferior. Folks are lazy. However, here is the important part, the Public Sphere is still worth working to bring about or, maybe I should say, bring the reality closer to the ideal. While the Public Sphere isn’t a something I can bring into being, I don’t need perfection; instead, I’ll settle toward moving toward a perfection I know I’ll never achieve. I take the time to listen to others. I take the time to teach and to get others to listen to one another. I teach folks to value rational discourse and debate, because these are where we have a chance to learn, where I can learn, and where society has a chance to grow. I teach my students to suspect anyone who tries to close down those who can speak or the places where folks can be heard.

My point here is that if one recognizes that ideals are not realities but goals to work toward, and one has a space to debate and learn about how to achieve–like you advocate in your blog–then ideals are great things. They provide motivation and a vision of a better world. They allow you to grow and make the world a better place at the same time. I’m all for working toward the ideal of everyone having enough to eat, access to information, tolerace for stupid and wise behavior which doesn’t hurt anyone else, etc.

While I don’t agree with you in your contention that there’s not anything wrong with the world, I do agree there’s more right than not. I also agree we don’t spend enough time appreciating those things we do have. In the early 2st Century, more people have access to education and public spheres–like the net–allowing everyone to profit from a larger talent pool. Science and technology, which have provided more benefits than not, allow standards of living and life expectancies unheard of in the past, again allowing use to have access to talent otherwise missed. There are more people on whose talent we can draw. In the West, most of us, at least when compared to almost everyone throughout history and most in the rest of the world, live increadibly affluent lives. We drink clean water. We have access to heat, air conditioning, clean living enviornments, easy transportation, relative freedom, etc.

Is all lovely? No. Folks are dying out there. I’ve witnessed cruelity and perversity which cause nightmares. Somewhere along the way we allowed folks like Bush to forget the Ideal that *all* are created equal, not just those in American or in the West. There are ideals still worth working toward, because there are very, very real problems which can be made better.

Here’s my point, happiness isn’t a static state of being. It isn’t a thing or a place or an idea that one obtains. Happiness or, if you perfer, enlightenment are dynamic, changing, moveable feasts. There are different paths, but it is the way of work, strieving because of enlightment in the moment toward helping others while helping one’s self where I’ve found my own Zen.

How does one achieve such Zen? Well, you do a pretty good job of writing about it in your blog. You get there by setting a goal (There’s nothing wrong with calling a social, group goal an Ideal.), talking about it with others, sharing it, getting others to help, focusing on it, finding one step toward it, taking this step, making this step a habit, and repeating. You focus on the process, but you keep the Ideal in mind.

Could the world be better? Silly question. Of couse. Is it my job to make it better? Again, silly question. Of couse it is. Can one be happy while making the world a better place. Isn’t this what you advocate on Zen Habits?

Diana Calvario Says:

August 14th, 2008, 10:20 am

Leo, you managed to put into words exactly what I feel and “try” to do. “Try”, because depending on my mood I can fall back into criticizing. What you are saying here is “Allow this moment to be as it is” - Eckhart Tolle - No, you go even further! You are trying to say “Allow absolutely EVERYTHING to be as it is”. This does not mean that you are of the same opinion of something but you consciously take it into account and allow it to be.

You said: ”When reality doesn’t meet ideals — and it rarely does — we become unhappy.” You’re so damn right and I would even say we become unhappy and ill since unhappiness and constantly fighting against what is makes you sick!

Again, thank you! Well said Leo!

Diana

Steve Says:

August 14th, 2008, 10:40 am

There was a feeling that came over me upon reading this piece. It was something of strong identification. I’ve felt this way, and believed that love is a solution or a path to happiness and a better world.

But, I’ve also felt a similar feeling when listening to a record that came out this year with a very different message. It’s called “The New Amerykah: The Fourth World War” and within, the following message can be found:

I DONT HAVE TO TELL YOU THINGS AREN’T GOOD.
EVERYBODY KNOWS THINGS AREN’T GOOD!
WE KNOW THE AIR’S UNFIT TO BREATHE
AND OUR FOOD IS UNFIT OT EAT!
YOUNG PUNKS ARE RUNNING THE STREET
NO ONE KNOWS JUST WHAT TO DO
AND THERE’S NO END TO IT!
(THERE’S NO END TO IT!)
THE DOLLAR BUYS A PENNYS WORTH!
BANKS ARE GOING UNDER
CONGRESS ARE KEEPING A GUN UNDER THE COUNTER!
WE SIT WATCHING OUR IDIOT BOXES
WHILE SOME LOCAL ANCHOR MAN
TELLS US THAT
TODAY WE’VE HAD 18 MURDERS AND 80 VIOLENT CRIMES
AS IF
THAT WAS THE WAY THINGS WAS SUPPOSE TO BE! (be, be,)
WE KNOW TIMES ARE BAD!
WORSE THAN BAD!
PEOPLE ARE CRAZY! (CRAZY, CRAZY)
ITS LIKE EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE
IS GOING UTTERLY MAD!
SO WE NEVER LEAVE OUR HOMES!
WE SIT IN OUR COMFY ABODES
WHILE THE WORLD IS GETTING SMALLER
AND WE SAY
COME ON!
AT LEAST LEAVE US ALONE IN OUR FAMILY ROOMS
LET ME HAVE MY MICROWAVE
AND
FLATSCREEN
AND MY
20 INCH RIMS
AND I WON’T SAY ANYTHING!
JUST LEAVE US ALONE!!
WELL I’M NOT GONNA LEAVE YOU ALONE!!!
I WANT YOU TO GET ANGRY!!!!
I DON’T WANT YOU TO RIOT,
I DON’T WANT YOU TO PROTEST,
I DON’T WANT YOU TO WRITE YOUR SENATOR
BECAUSE I WON’T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU TO TELL HIM!!
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE RECCESSION
AND THE INFLATION,
AND THE CRIME IN THE STREET!!
ALL I KNOW IS THAT YOU GOT TO GET MAD!!!
YOU’VE GOT TO SAY;
I’M A HUMAN BEING DAMNIT!!!!!
MY LIFE HAS VALUE!!!!!!
Copied from advertising-laden page at http://www.metrolyrics.com/twinkle-lyrics-erykah-badu.html

So, how can these two messages resound with the same person? Can they? I feel no dissonance in believing that both messages are appropriate for me at different times.

Furthermore, I believe that people have different roles to play in society, simply because there will never be a day where every human, as we know them to be, will focus energy and efforts on optimism, positivity, and the pursuit of a better world.

Leo, do you feel that there is a time and a place, perhaps even within your model of loving, for anger toward about injustice and hatred? How can someone who is faced with these things, perhaps in a more dangerous cultural position, subscribe to this philosophy when their situation stretches beyond their *moral* threshold for acceptance. I feel like your six steps leave this question unanswered.

As a side note, I really appreciate your blog. I’ll be sure to share this article. I think the message is important, both in its understated position and its conversation stimulating topic.

Steve Says:

August 14th, 2008, 10:43 am

^ sorry for not closing my em tag above :(

Shanel Yang Says:

August 14th, 2008, 10:43 am

This post reminds of me the great inauguration speech given by FDR when this country was in the throes of the Great Depression. In it he talked about how even when it seems that the worst things are happening to us, there is still much to be thankful for and that ultimately faith in our love for one another is our salvation. I wrote about it in “Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself” at http://shanelyang.com/2008/04/24/nothing-to-fear-but-fear-itself/

Also, did you know that the cute little song “It’s a Small World After All” (along with the Disneyland ride) were created in answer to the horrors of WWII? See http://shanelyang.com/2008/04/25/its-a-small-world-after-all/

We can be outraged at what is unjust in the world and still be happy for all that we have AND still seek to change the things that we know will make it an even better world … such as giving someone a smile just because! : )

Fit Bottomed Girl Says:

August 14th, 2008, 10:45 am

This was a great post that really stirred something inside of me. Chasing perfection in your own life–and within the world–is a lost cause. You might as well make the best choices you can, accept what is and enjoy. If everyone did that, the change in the overall world would be amazing.

Nick B. Says:

August 14th, 2008, 10:47 am

So you’re saying that all other worldviews are incorrect and that your own is superior? It seems to me that’s what everyone else is thinking. I don’t see how you’re any different from Greenpeace or White Supremacists, Al Qaeda, Scientology, Hippies, etc…

Everyone thinks they know the answer. Isn’t true knowledge in admitting a lack of knowledge?

Brian Reindel Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:10 am

I have enjoyed reading your blog on occasion, especially since you offer a considerable amount of advice on how to simplify life, which is something that I believe is important. However, I must say that with this post you are perpetuating a notion that is wrought with fallacy, and is extremely dangerous.

An entire argument can be made for this based upon your summary of love and compassion:

“Once you’ve accepted things or people as they are … try to find it in your heart to love them, as they are. The way to do this is to see the good in everything and everyone, and if you’ve sought to really look and understand, you will find good in everything. When you see bad things, understand that this is because of suffering, and have compassion and seek to end that suffering.”

If I find good in everything, then how might I see bad things? Everything is good, so nothing is bad. The world has no wrong, or bad, or evil. As you put it, “Accept the world as it is, and love it for what it is.” Do you understand the repercussions of such a statement, should we all hold to this view? It is a common relativism that perpetuates the myth that truth is based upon context, culture, and personal experience. It is the opinion that there is no absolute truth, because then that would mean there is an “anti-truth”, to which some would know and some would not know.

When I talk with people about this, I typically get the following reply:

“Well, okay, some things are good, and some are bad. Killing someone for no reason is bad.”

Is it? The key phrase to focus on is “for no reason”. Murder seems to be that one activity that constitutes some form of senselessness, but if you ask the people doing it, it always makes sense to them at the time. Maybe it was to hide another crime. Maybe it was revenge for another killing. Maybe it relieved stress. There is always a reason… so, who are you to decide whether the reason is good or bad? For all you know, killing this one person might have saved millions. Does that then make it okay?

You can disarm the argument for an absence of absolute truth fairly quickly, and most philosophy professors are able to do it with a single class of logic. The interesting thing to consider, is what happens when we move beyond those arguments? You get statements like, “When you see bad things, understand that this is because of suffering, and have compassion and seek to end that suffering.”

I do not disagree that suffering is transitive, and one human suffering can result in pain for a number of others. However, seeking to end suffering (and even doing so) will not eliminate the existence of bad things. Many people would consider assisted suicide an end to suffering, while others would consider that a bad thing. So, how do you reconcile the two? You would not. What if witnessing the struggle and suffering of others unto death gives another strength enough to fight so that others would not suffer?

There is one point though that I think you were trying to make, which I do agree with, and that is that we do need to have compassion for one another. However, I think there needs to be a better definition of what that compassion entails. Sometimes compassion involves doing things based upon truth that others consider harmful. Our children do not like to be punished, but in doing so we are often saving them from harm. We love them, and have compassion for them.

It is the same with the world. It is not accepting it as it is, but determining under what authority the truths should be upheld as it benefits all mankind. Who, or what that authority should be, is where the debate should really begin.

deepali Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:16 am

Good post. But I have one minor tiny issue - I love your lists, but sometimes I notice you don’t use parallel structure. It seems stupid to focus on grammar, but it’s amazing how it changes impact. So, my suggestion - add the word “practice” in #5.

Substance-wise, this is all very true. Have you been reading Pema Chodron too?!

deepali Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:26 am

@ Victoria -
“The steps proposed in your post are to stop searching for ideals in the world and to accept it as it is. If you were to do this, you would never identify the need for a change.”
I think that is untrue. In fact, I find that the core of Buddhism is to accept things the way they are and by doing so invoke change.
I think compassion without the expectation of change is the most transformative power of all.

@ Brian -
I do think things are relative, and the only absolutes are in my head. There is no right or wrong, only opinion. Why do some people find suffering in pain, and others do not? Why do some people place blame, and others do not? The only absolute as far as I can see is that everyone has a perspective. We couch it in the same language (”for no reason”), but we still define it differently.

winner27 Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:28 am

I love this post Leo! It’s exactly what I practice in my own life. I’m not always great at it but I’m trying man! So many comments seem to say this post means you should accept the world the way it is and not try to change it. To me, it doesn’t appear that you’re saying that at all. When you can accept (not condone) the way things are, then you can look at something you would like to make better more objectively and take steps to help from a place of personal peace and power. That can be so much more effective than coming from a place of anger and negativity.

If you haven’t already read “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle I strongly suggest you (and everyone) do. It echoes your message in a very powerful way. Not everyone will agree but many will get great value from it. Eckhart himself says that those who are ready will gain much insight from the book, but if it doesn’t make sense to others, that is okay - they’re just not ready yet.

I had to smile reading your post at how you kept mentioning that you weren’t saying that your way is the best way and it’s just what works for you. Some will take it that way no matter how many disclaimers.:)

Thank you for all you do Leo - you make my world a better place every day!

The Financial Philosopher Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:29 am

Leo:

Personally, I believe this to be your best post in months (which is not to take away from other posts)! I sense that the idea “came to you” rather than the opposite…

You strike at the core of “non-being,” which is fundamental to Taoism, Buddhism, and some western philosophies as well.

Humans have the gift of “will” but it is often misused to force a change, which often has the opposite result…

Rather than write more, I will defer to the wisdom of others:

“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.” ~ Lau-tzu

“Freedom from the desire for an answer is essential to the understanding of a problem.” ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti

“Don’t aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you will miss it. For success, like happiness, can not be pursued; and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. ” ~ Viktor Frankl

Thanks, Leo

Fred M Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:36 am

I must say that this has been the first time I have ever responded to a post here or anywhere else for that matter. I could go on and on about some of the things that I see wrong around me every single day. I won’t do that though because we all know about them already.

What I will do is say that I do love people, I love animals, I love this planet, and I love life in general. I understand that we human beings (homo-sapiens) are fundamentally flawed. However, I refuse to accept it.

What is perfection and what is ideal? It is in the eye of the beholder. If I have a goal in life, isn’t the reaching of that goal a perfect situation for me? Should I stop setting goals for myself?

Don’t get me wrong, I totally agree that we need to understand others more and why things are the way that they are. We should put love, the pure, caring, I will do anything for you attitude, at the center of our lives instead of the extreme selfishness that seems to be prevalent today. How may are truly willing to give that a shot? But I will never accept that things are the way they are and that I can not do anything about it. We each have the power to affect change on this world and only by more and more of us doing so will we be able to change the world.

I guess I rambled on enough now. I would just hope that we start seeing more engaging discussions like this so that more people become aware of the need for change.

Tony Del Plato Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:38 am

Frankly, I think you missed it. There’s lots wrong with the world but what is wrong obviously depends upon your values, your politics and your vision. War, racism, hate, environmental degradation are wrong unless you’re profiting from this and don’t give a damn. I share the Hopi view of the world: Koyannitskatsi - Life Out of Balance. Way out of balance. The rich getting richer and the poor…you get it. Global warming and the melting glaciers and polar caps. So the challenge to me, and I believe the rest of us, is how to get the world back in balance. But that still presumes one has certain values we abide by. For me, if you believe that the earth is the mother of all life on earth, then respect and protect her. I believe the rest will flow from there.

Dave Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:40 am

“And the world will never reach this Platonic ideal”

Why do you assume it’s a Platonic ideal? That’s a very specific assumption to make, as Plato’s ideal state is a very specific ideal in itself…

Ian Parker Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:41 am

I think the issue is that we need to change our “self view”. All too often we project our ideals and issues on to the world at large as though all of our problems stem from some larger issues in the grand scheme of things. However, it is more likely that our problems are perceptions of our own lives.

Oh, and life is unfair. The sooner you can accept that (see #4 - Accept), the easier it will be to get through all of the obstacles you encounter.

Grinandbarritt Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:46 am

it is fine to give up on ideals that are not really important, but not those that are. the ideal of a world with less violence and more love is not an ideal to give up. the pursuit of ideals is what has propelled humans over its animal brethren. should we stop pursuing ideals. No…

Sondra Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:50 am

Hi Leo,

I’ve really appreciated your blog for a good year now. I feel like I need to comment on this one. A good part of me believes everything you say here - I think our suffering does come directly from wanting things to be different than they are. However, change, growth and all creativity comes from this exact same place. I think what you are preaching here is a valuable tool to have at your disposal but not necessarily the way to live out your entire life. Knowing that you CAN do this changes everything. Then it’s a choice when you get your feathers ruffled about something enough to let it push you along to change.

I also wanted to add that this acceptance should not be practiced without very firm boundaries. A lot of people mistake acceptance to mean letting everything IN - when in reality, true acceptance is letting everything BE - but not necessarily in my living room, heart, bed, etc. And it’s extremely dangerous to one’s psyche to let other people’s pain too far in unless you’re absolutely sure you can handle it. You have to know your own motives first - and understand exactly what you’re dealing with.

Anyway - just a few thoughts that came up while I was reading this. Thanks for continuing your posting. Your blog has been a very welcome companion on my own journey.

The Financial Philosopher Says:

August 14th, 2008, 11:51 am

Leo,

I went back and read more of the comments and I believe the discussion reflects your observation of the world: Some will naturally seek and find what is “wrong” and some will naturally seek and find what is “right” with the world (and your post), which is a reflection of the individual’s own perception.

“There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees.” ~ Michel de Montaigne

Also, I wanted to share another of my favorite “non-being” quotes with you and your readers:

“You spent the first half of your life becoming somebody. Now you can work on becoming nobody, which is really somebody. For when you become nobody there is no tension, no pretense, no one trying to be anyone or anything. The natural state of the mind shines through unobstructed — and the natural state of the mind is pure love.” ~ Ram Dass

Sondra Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:02 pm

Sorry - I wanted to expound a little and hit submit too soon. So - the idea of one world view being THE ONE - that strikes me as so strange - much like “enlightenment” as some place we reach. In my understanding - one garnered from throwing myself at every moving thing in my sphere and then picking myself up and doing it again - I see that there are many many ways to interact and each of them is useful in different circumstance. I sometimes tell a story of my brother who once was a coke addict and would routinely steal my family’s belongings - no one would do anything - believing themselves to be compassionate. I finally got fed up and just “knew” that the right thing to do was to steal back from him - and I did - I entered his room and took every single worthwhile thing - tools, leather jacket, money, and held them hostage until my belongings were returned. I played bigtime hardass but I was detached from it. And you know - it worked - he began respecting me and never did that to me again - although it took a few years for the other family members to begin drawing boundaries and then for him to stop being a user with others.

Now if I’d been attached to the outcome - maybe I couldn’t have made that work - if I had been TRYING to change him - but I didn’t - I just was setting a boundary and that did work. Now, of course, I can set boundaries before things happen - but that was the first one and it was hard. I don’t use that tactic often now, but it’s nice to know that is in my pack of tools, along with other things like giving, and volunteering, and being open and accepting, and discerning judgment, and unconditional love, and conditional love, and all the many other modes at my disposal. Ultimately, I think you’re right - it is all good - but somethings are good in this context and others good in other context and from other perspectives and what each of us individuals has to work out is what is good for us in each of our moments - and personally, even though I like to think that I’m a person who thinks of what is good for everyone - the truth is that when you set boundaries, people who are users don’t think it’s very good. Boy - you’ve really got me thinking this morning - thanks!

neimanmarxist Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:31 pm

what a great post! we invest so much time and energy in literatures that show us how the impossible ideals of ourselves and others are ruining our self-esteem, our relationships, our possibilities. we could use the reminder that our impossible ideals of politics and society are ruining what we mortals can do in the short-term. behold: the free-rider problem on a cosmic level :)

Doug Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:33 pm

Leo,

I tend to agree with the philosophy that things are pretty darn good, just the way they are. Certainly there is a lot of suffering in the world, but suffering is part of the human condition, and honestly, much of it is self induced. This is the essence of the first two of the Buddha’s “Four Noble Truths,” the other two being that it *is* possible to stop the cycle of self-induced suffering, and that the path toward that ideal is what we today call Buddhism.

Breezing through a few of the comments, it seems the conversation jumped the tracks. But I would like to say that Jonah Goldberg’s statement about capitalism is one I believe to be true. Tremendous evidence exists to support the assertion that free markets provide the most efficient allocation of resources, thereby helping the most people. When tempered by small amounts of civic and social spending, you end up with a pretty good system, one that gives people the most freedom to do as they will. The question of capitalism has been studied by economists for centuries, and reams upon reams of journals articles, studies, and raw data exist to support the assertion that, while not perfect, it is pretty darn good.

You’ve stated that you’re a passionate reader, so my suggestion for you is to read the Economist, a weekly newspaper. Not only are they *by far* the best source for world news that I have found (and U.S. news for that matter), they also provide good analysis on economic theory, both old and new, within the context of current events. Even if you don’t agree with their analysis, the quality of the journalism makes it worth every penny.

And a bonus tip on that, if you subscribe to the paper, you get free access to their audio download. They hire a company of voice actors to read the entire magazine, cover to cover, in pleasant Brittish and Scottish accents, recorded into MP3 format so you can take it with you anywhere. A great resource for the time strapped. :)

Bob Watson Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:38 pm

If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy.

If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem.

But I arise in the morning torn
between a desire to change the world
and a desire to enjoy the world.

This makes it hard to plan the day.
…E. B. White

Mark Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:40 pm

I must concur that complaining and going around peeved at all we think ought to be different in the world is a definite downer to ourselves and others.

That said, this piece is a fine load of spineless, left-leaning codswallop.

You are right about one thing: Your alternative is no better.

In fact, the article violates what it espouses by pointing out something wrong with the world, not accepting it all as it is, for what it is, yadda, yadda.

Myrko Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:41 pm

“instead of having an ideal, stop looking for perfection. Accept the world as it is, and love it for what it is. Accept people as they are, and love them.”

Eckhart Tolle would add, and that makes a huge plus difference: “… and see what happens.”

zwerdlds Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:52 pm

RE: <>

If you study the Industrial and Agricultural Revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries, you should be able to understand this sentiment.

Faraaz Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:52 pm

Hi Leo!

Great post! … The Work of Byron Katie ( http://www.thework.com) also works on similar lines. I am a regular… and have gained a lot. It gives a simple and practical tool for realizing the truths you have mentioned in the post. try it if you find the time.

tc

Faraaz

Keith Johnson Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:53 pm

I COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE! What is this, a joke? The fundamental problem with the world (e.g. mankind) is a limited concept of self, and this has been the struggle of Vedanta Philosopher for many millenia. Our ability to love and accept others comes from an understanding that there is only One Universal Self (Brahman) and we are all part of IT. So, when there is strive and war and violence, all of this stems from a limited concept of self that says to others “we are not one”, when in fact we are. When someone is sick, it is useless to deny their illness. Rather we say, ” I am in a transitionary phase out of which I will emerge into perfect health”. The world is in a similar situation - lots of hard changes, but eventually I am confident man will be able to embrace the concept of Brahman as explained by the Himalayan Yogis. To deny problems in the world is to deny the fundamental flaw in perception that things are divided, and of course they are not. Come on, you have a nice blog here, don’t go rambling on about things like “the world is problem free” when you don’t really understand the ramifications of what you are saying.

Jonathan B. Says:

August 14th, 2008, 12:54 pm

This reminds me of the serenity prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”

I think the best solution is to accept the world as it is and be happy, but we also need to recognize problems and work to fix them.

The fact that children are starving doesn’t mean you need to be depressed all the time, but likewise, we shouldn’t just ignore the problem and throw up our hands and say “oh let’s just accept it and be happy! So what if they starve!” Some people take the “acceptance” idea and they become something worse — apathetic.

Her Ticking Clock Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:06 pm

Hmmmmmmmmm…. it seems like you took the words out of my mouth.

I left a comment on one of your posts recently about how we all have an ideal person we wish to be. We have an ideal person in our mind, but its ideal. We aim towards it but never get there. It’s all about the ride on the rainbow, not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that matters.

Good job leo, I’m glad you learned something from me. JK!

Brian Reindel Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:11 pm

@deepali

If it is as you say, then there is no pretense for any discussion, about compassion or otherwise. For, it is what it is, and is only defined by what is in your head or mine. We are unable to consider freedom, or suffering, or love, or anything of matter, because it is relative to the one who is giving the opinion. Think about it — how can you even speak of compassion, because compassion to me is much unlike it is to you. Why do you even bother to seek to “invoke change”, even without expectation? This very thought presupposes that some change is necessary, which contradicts the entirety of this post. When Tibet is ravaged by China, when innocent Georgians and Russians are slain in a conflict of ideals, when civilians die in Iraq through the cross-hairs, then why bother to do anything? Unless you can acknowledge a singular truth which drives us to do, then there is no reason to do at all, because it simply is.

Her Ticking Clock Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:13 pm

Johnathon B. >>>>> I like your sarcasm!

Look, its very simple. Leo is just telling everyone to stop complaining, if you want to do something about the world, go and do it, stop yapping, and enjoy life.

Yes “STOP YAPPING!” - said Leo.

Jonathan Mead Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:14 pm

Leo, great article. Seriously one of the best I’ve read from you in a while.

I have a feeling you trusted your material with this one. =)

Will Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:16 pm

I think your article does apply to some people, namely, stupid people. And I’m not saying that to be sensationalistic. If anyone thinks the outing of McDonnalds or any of the others listed will fix the world chances are they fall into the above category because it doesn’t make any sense. It may not be a good thing but certainly not a fundamental problem. These are simply overly simplistic worldviews.

To just accept the world for what it is and be happy is a recipe for complacency. There are huge problems in the world. Global warming may very well be something that could destroy the world as we know it. What should we do with that than? Stop asking for fixes? Just observe and accept possible doom? And regardless of whether you agree with it or not there are other problems. We are a global species capable of producing monumental problems and we have to deal with them, just as we deal with everything else that enters our consciousness.

But I do agree with you in that we should love the world around us and other people. There’s no question about that. What’s the saying? Love the sinner, hate the sin? I think our disagreement is mainly an issue of where we draw our lines in the sand.

Also, if you don’t think capitalism is fundamentally flawed there are plenty of points and reasons for it. YouTube or Google Video search Noam Chomsky. He’s no small apple either, he’s considered to be one of the top intellectuals of our time and responsible for changing the face of linguistics. Although not much exposure in the US, the rest of the world knows plenty about him. The US is the biggest capitalist center on earth yet the people rank low in the happiness scale.

Mike Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:44 pm

I don’t care what any of the other comments say.. I hear ya loud and clear; Many people just believe they’re incapable of such a mindset — and as long as that’s the case they’ll never understand.

Everything is awesome.

auriela mccarthy Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:46 pm

Hi, Leo, love your blog!

I want to respond to the posts on happiness:

I am often asked what to do to start feeling happy right now.
The better question to ask is not what to do to be happy, but why is it that I am not happy?
And if indeed it is so, the first thing to do is to stop being sorry for yourself. Check for the “poor me” syndrome, and turn it off. You can’t be in self-pity and happy at the same time. The energy of self-pity is not benign. It is dark, murky and also seductive; and the longer you are in it, the more stuck you are.
Gratitude is the antidote to feeling sorry for yourself. There are ALWAYS things to be grateful for. Just look around without self-pity blocking your senses. You can start with being grateful for a cup of coffee that is warming your hands, for the sun that has just touched your cheeks, for the stranger that passed and said hello…

My favorite quote by a monk Brother David: “You don’t need to be happy to feel grateful. But if you feel grateful, you are going to start feeling happy!”
You won’t be able to help it. try it, and see for yourself.

janelle Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:57 pm

I can see where this article is coming from. There are so many of us who are ready to blame anyone and everything for all of our woes. There are a lot of problems in the world, but most of them are caused by humans. Think about it. Wars are won and lost by human beings who can’t figure out how to get along. The quest for world domination, making more money, materialism, lack of natural resources, etc. all stem from people. If each of us did our part to try to become better people, it would have wondrous effects on a global scale.

Anonymous Says:

August 14th, 2008, 13:59 pm

I suppose there’s nothing wrong with thousands of women and young girls getting gangraped in the Congo. Sorry. There’s absolutely no goodness to be found in that. It bothers me, and it damn well should.

Too many self-help paradigms focus on being happy without asking the question, “Should we be happy?” I mean, is happiness really ideal? Maybe happiness is what happens *after* we are angry and disgusted with the world and use those negative emotions to foster change.

Maybe we *shouldn’t* be happy. I find that many who promote happiness as a cure-all are often far too passive to actually help solve any social problems, as they tend to be too self-absorbed by their own emotional state and less able to empathize with the suffering of others. Revolutions that bring about large-scale positive change are inspired by outrage, not acceptance.

What good is being happy if the side-effects cause inaction in the face of oppression? What good is one’s happiness when it hurts others because one does nothing to help create beneficial change?

Edward Says:

August 14th, 2008, 14:10 pm

I like this topic!

I see the world as not perfect. Its impossible! But I’ve learned that Perfection exists in trying to be perfect. I try not to get stuck in complaining, and stopping at criticisms. I see it as a catalyst of doing something to improve. I try not to curse the darkness but light a candle.

There is something wrong in the world, there is war, there is hunger, there is manipulation, there is deception, we cannot deny these. Yet there is also love, caring, forgiveness, understanding, and truth which abounds more and I focus on. Focusing on the positive things doesn’t mean that we look away at the ugliness of the world.

Only when we see it ugliness do we see its real beauty, like people who try to help feed the hunger sacrificing their time or career, there are diplomats who try hard to give peace, there are people who spread truth and live by honesty. I do believe that these are happening even if the world doesn’t focus on them

Jonathan B. Says:

August 14th, 2008, 14:11 pm

The issue here is how we define “wrong.” Leo says nothing is wrong with the world (in his headline), but we all know that Leo is always trying to improve himself and the world he lives in. So then we say, hey, wait a second… if nothing is wrong, then why do you say we should keep trying to improve the world? It’s a contradictory statement, but only because we are using the same word in different ways.

I think what Leo means is that we can find happiness, even if the world is not perfect. And if we find this happiness, it can help us create a more perfect world, which is what we were all seeking to begin with.

DiscoveredJoys Says:

August 14th, 2008, 14:12 pm

The World is too complex to understand simply.
Each person is too complex to be understand by themselves.
There are 6.6 billion ‘Meanings of Life’.

Great fun, isn’t it?

Sara at On Simplicity Says:

August 14th, 2008, 14:39 pm

This has been on a my mind for the last few years. As I continue to grow, I’ve been more willing to accept people and love them despite some major conflicts in ideology. I wonder if I’m mellowing out and maturing or just selling out my beliefs.

I doubt I’ll ever stop questioning this, but the good news is that accepting others hasn’t made me any less passionate about my goals and beliefs. It’s just given me a wider circle and perspective.

On a smaller scale, I guess I should stop getting upset when my husband tries to tickle me before I drift off to sleep. He’s not perfect, but I wouldn’t want to change him. :)

Her Ticking Clock Says:

August 14th, 2008, 15:16 pm

Sara!!!!!!

That is sooo cute! He tickles you before you go to sleep.. hahahhah!

Ian Says:

August 14th, 2008, 15:25 pm

I think you need to rephrase your post, Leo. There is plenty wrong with the world. I think what you mean is that there is nothing inherently wrong with people or any other life on this planet, and I wholeheartedly agree with that.

All the wrongness does not stem from people, it comes from ideas or creations, especially rigid cultures that perpetuate false beliefs or harmful ideas.

Want some examples? Unrestrained capitalism, the stock market (what gives someone who already has money the right to increase it yet someone with no money can’t get any?), racism, consumerism, corrupt governments, etc, etc. No one person is to blame for these things but they do exist. The only way to beat them is for everyone to wake up and recognise the truth.

Ian Says:

August 14th, 2008, 15:33 pm

I liken the current world situation to what was going on at the start of Lord of the Rings, and I think your recommendation is how most hobbits were happily living in the Shire for the whole trilogy, in ignorant bliss. But if it hadn’t have been for Frodo and friends, rising to the challenge, then they would have all been killed.

A certain amount of contentment is good, but when something evil is brewing, you need to take some action for the sake of all those people who are either too apathetic or ignorant to realise it, or too helpless to do anything (e.g. children).

SpaceAgeSage Says:

August 14th, 2008, 15:37 pm

“Some people think of the glass as half full. Some people think of the glass as half empty. I think of the glass as too big.”
~George Carlin

Jarlsberg Says:

August 14th, 2008, 15:38 pm

Some brief synonyms for digestion:

“Stop looking for perfection and ideals.” - Settle for mediocrity.

“Accept.” - Compromise your ideals.

“When you see bad things, understand that this is because of suffering, and have compassion and seek to end that suffering.” - Eradicate all life.

“Enjoy life.” - Give up.

Veronica Says:

August 14th, 2008, 16:03 pm

Hello, First of all, thank you for your thought provoking posts everyday! I make time to read them because I find what you have to say useful and relevant. I have been trying to look for good in everyone for sometime now, and you’re right, it works. I think it makes me a happier, more positive person and this affects others around me. Maybe it’s only a ripple, but every little ripple counts and all those good vibes stay around!!!

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 17:51 pm

Wow, what an amazing discussion! This post has stirred up some really strong reactions.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to respond to all of them. I wish I could, as this has been fascinating!

A couple points, though:

* Someone asked about my statement about Platonic ideals. I wasn’t referring to Plato’s ideal world … I was referring to his concept of the perfect version of things existing outside of (and more importantly than) reality. See Platonic ideals.

* Someone else seemed to think I was saying that everything is good in this world. Obviously that’s not what I mean — murder and rape aren’t good. I’m saying that we should try to understand these things, and find compassion through understanding … and through compassion, we can begin to heal these problems.

* I explicitly said in the post that we shouldn’t stop trying to make the world a better place. Don’t stop trying to do good, or improve! But my view is that I do it out of a desire to do good, to improve, out of love.

* Someone else seemed to think that I am saying my world-view is better than others. It’s not. It’s just an alternative, one which for me has led to more happiness and compassion. It isn’t for everyone, and I’m not asking anyone to change.

Thanks for all the great insights, my friends!

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 17:57 pm

Oh, and a few have asked about my views of capitalism and how it has allowed me to become a professional blogger, doing what I love. This is true. I’m not saying capitalism is evil.

What I am saying is that it hasn’t been proven to be the best system for alleviating misery, as stated in the quote. In many cases, it was forced on undeveloped countries (by the First World) and has significantly worsened misery in those countries. What’s the alternative? Well, there are many alternatives, but at the moment none are considered because all are outside the realm of the education system, the media, and the government’s view of what is acceptable for discussion.

In an alternative society, for example one that allowed for greater democracy — pure democracy, where people vote not just for leaders but on all the issues that affect them, not just in government but in schools and the workplace — there would be greater freedom, greater participation, greater ownership of society by people. I also believe there would be a greater amount of freedom of expression, and people like myself would be allowed to blog if we liked, and that freedom and creativity would be encouraged.

That’s idealistic, of course, and I’m not advocating any kind of change like that. I’m just saying that there are alternatives, and that I could be a blogger under those alternatives too.

Kawlinz Says:

August 14th, 2008, 20:00 pm

I love this blog, but this is probably the most horrible advice I’ve heard, bar none. Accept the world because you can’t change it? The world changes because people see things wrong with it and want to make it better. Imagine telling this advice to a slave?

And how can life be perfect and constantly change? Is every state of the world - past, present and future - perfect? Has the world ever needed changing in the first place?

This post has left me in awe of the lack of thought that’s been put into it.

Sara Says:

August 14th, 2008, 20:04 pm

The initial discussions were really interesting, until we jumped to the if a then b then c then HITLER! types of discussions.

I kind of stopped reading after that. But I have comments of my own. I think this is a great post, and it’s not one about INDIFFERENCE, people need to realize that, I think. Compassion is an entirely different animal. When something makes you upset or angry, it’s important to stand back and detach yourself from that feeling, and analyze it. Why are you feeling angry toward that action? What are the root values that are being violated? Can I do anything to change it? What could the purpose be for that action?

When I analyze my feelings toward hurt, pain, and the evils of the world, I think about how life is a tapestry of highs and lows. How things wouldn’t ever be so sweet without some sour. We have to accept those things we cannot change, and try to understand why they happen on a large scale. There are some things we cannot always impact (like the existence of crime), but by being compassionate toward others, that’s the closest we can come. It’s better than being disenchanted about humanity, and gets us much closer to trying to change those things we can.

Thanks for the contemplative post, Leo. Love the site as always. :)

JERRY Says:

August 14th, 2008, 21:12 pm

i’m sorry to say–but you (leo) you are hypocritical– your blog would not exsist if it were’nt for “capitalism”. On more than one occasion you and /or your wife have begged for money. very disapointed–

Michael Henreckson Says:

August 14th, 2008, 21:15 pm

Great post Leo, and I think you’re right. Well, actually I do think there are things wrong with the world, but I think they’re the same basic things that have been wrong with the world since the very beginning. People are not any more evil then they ever have been. The world is not in any more danger of burning up because of human activity then it has ever been. The fact that the American government is not paying for all healthcare is not going to end the world. The fact that America intervened in Iraq is not going to end the world. Food crises are not going to end the world.

People like to be scared, and the media likes to scare them because it raises the ratings. But actually, it’s just life as normal.

Leo Says:

August 14th, 2008, 21:21 pm

@Kawlinz: The post wasn’t meant to be advice. It’s a discussion of a different view of the world, one that I follow and have found value in. You’re welcome to keep your own view! :)

@Jerry: While I agree that my blog currently exists because of capitalism, I don’t see any evidence that it wouldn’t exist under another system. Perhaps not under a totalitarian system, but there are freer alternatives that haven’t been tried. At any rate, I’ve never begged for money, but only asked for support. There’s a difference.

Eric Says:

August 14th, 2008, 21:34 pm

Leo, even though you are not saying people should follow your specific worldview you are still advocating it, which is still sort of the problem.

It seems to me that ideas like that are designed to be grown in the mind, and they don’t lend well to moving from one mind to another. They simply do not make sense, or seem hypocritical. A sort of ineffable characteristic.

I really believe that there is a difference between hoping for a better (ideal) world, and allowing oneself to become unhappy when it does not become a reality. As such, it seems to me that there needs to be a fuzzy/ambiguous area between having an ideal, and how it affects us emotionally.

On a side note, I’m getting a kick out of the people coming to a blog called “Zen Habits” and complaining that the ideas are foreign to their traditional mindsets.

es

Caroline Roberts Says:

August 14th, 2008, 21:49 pm

Synchronicity strikes again… I’m re-reading Steven Pressfield’s “The War of Art” and I came across the following:
“[The artist's] faith is that humankind is advancing, however haltingly and imperfectly, toward a better world.
The fundamentalist entertains no such notion. In his view, humanity has fallen from a higher state.”

I think there is a difference between seeing the world as imperfect for a specific reason, e.g. if only everyone could be nice to each other, an unhopeful and frustrating paradigm, versus seeing the world as a place where we are learning and improving towards an unknown but wonderful goal, a paradigm of hope.

James Says:

August 14th, 2008, 21:52 pm

Leo,
To say you’ve sparked another great discussion would be an understatement.

Thanks for commenting, one thing that seems to be clouding things is I never inferred democracy means the same things as capitalism.
I was speaking from the Adam Smith system of value exchange. Not the Greek, French or American democratic system of governing people.
It’s true, the two often make good bed fellows, but are two separate contexts.

Imposing democracy, or any form of government, is a political issue, and politics, by nature is flawed, and something else than what I was referring.

(Does your idea of a pure democracy really appeal? If we all voted on everything, wouldn’t that exhaust the very nature of “majority rules”? To quote P.J. O’Rourke; “Imagine if our clothes were selected by the majority of shoppers, which would be teenage girls. I’d be standing here with my bellybutton exposed. Imagine deciding the dinner menu by family secret ballot. I’ve got three kids and three dogs in my family. We’d be eating Froot Loops and rotten meat.”)

Adam Smith said himself that all trades, when conducted freely, are mutually beneficial by definition. In other words, value is what two parties define it to be. And when they aren’t free…they aren’t guaranteed to be mutual.

Smith also proved that in free market does not mean that bettering the condition of one does not worsen the condition of another - that wealth is not a fixed quantity. (A point I’m guessing you, and a good percentage of your readers, will take issue with.)

I intended, and view democracy and capitalism as two different subjects.

I thought the quote (from my original comment) took a positive and a contrarian point of view to what so many people seem to (unfortunately) focus on: the bad, what’s wrong, even apocalyptic beliefs.

By all of the comments above, you should know how much we love what you’re doing here. Much value indeed. Keep it up!

Mike Says:

August 14th, 2008, 22:17 pm

@Susan

I’ve grappled with the same feelings as you: seeing corruption and exploitation hurting many innocent people and creatures and being powerless to do something about it. I’ve concluded that one needs to recognize what is in his or her sphere of influence and what is not and accept it. Don’t waste your time on ideas, people, or things that you can not change. Your time is precious.

If this is still troubling to you, you need to make it part of your sphere of influence. Ask yourself if you want world peace as much as Dick Cheney wants control over oil. Are you willing to put it all out on the line for it, make it your life’s mission? Sacrifice your personal time, your job and way of life? This all sound dramatic, but your ideas will go up against people who have made it there life’s career over decades to implement there view of world order. You will be competing with Olympic athletes in a different arena.

It really isn’t so dramatic and hopeless, history has show us that many “powerless” people, when organized together, can achieve amazing things. So if you want to “fix” the world… organize.

Mike Says:

August 14th, 2008, 22:20 pm

I just recalled a nice quote that I heard, I believe it was from the former CEO of AMD. It went something like this: “Don’t try to change the world. You can’t. But you can improve some little area around you. Do this.”

Matt DeStefano Says:

August 14th, 2008, 22:27 pm

A few things I wanted to point out. I generally enjoy this blog, but this post I simply could not believe.

In reference to a Platonic ideal, Plato never stated that his ideals existed “more importantly” than reality. That’s a pretty gigantic misrepresentation of his philosophy, even if it may seem minuscule at first. I’ll explain more if need be, but to substantiate Plato believed that absolutes were more “real” than any particular.

Secondly, there is a lot wrong with this world. Millions are dying from AIDS and malaria in Africa, the genocide in Darfur, the Russian/Georgian conflict, Islamic fundamentalism … the list goes on and on. To sit here and pretend that things are all sunshine and rainbows is a little pretentious.

Tell the soldiers in Iraq or the citizens in Darfur that “there is nothing wrong with this world”. It’s almost childish to say something so silly when all you have to do is turn on the news to see the horrible atrocities that human beings commit everyday.

The Baroness Says:

August 14th, 2008, 22:49 pm

Great article. I have always maintained that there’s nothing wrong with the world too!

Jennie Rosenbaum Says:

August 14th, 2008, 23:32 pm

a really interesting post Leo, I admit, I’m divided on it. on one hand I want to have the mindset you describe, but I have a difficulty with one aspect of modern humanity that is driving me crazy. the self-centeredness of people. I think a lot of the worlds greater woes and my own personal issues with people can be brought down to that.

it doesn’t help that I have a disability. people in general don’t “see” people with disabilities. they walk right into me, park in disabled spaces and are generally rude about it. it leads me to become belligerent in turn because going out has turned into a hazard. I try to understand these people, I try to give them the benefit of the doubt but I have become afraid of the pain casual indifference can cause (literally when they walk into me). when did it become ok to shove past anyone? where did manners go? how do I get past this one?

Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:

August 15th, 2008, 0:12 am

“The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist fears this is true.” – James Branch Cabell

James Says:

August 15th, 2008, 0:53 am

Leo, read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.

Afterwards, post your feelings on this topic again.

Sara Says:

August 15th, 2008, 1:53 am

^ Ishmael is a load of postmodernist hoo-hah. But we’ll put that aside because it’s “technically” good food-for-thought.

@Matt DeStefano - I believe Leo’s interpretation of Platonic ideals is correct. Kind of depends on who you ask, but the Forms are perfect, and they are on a higher playing field than reality. As we participate in the Forms, how can they not be more important than us since we are less real?

However, the idea that we shouldn’t try to achieve these ideals would contradict with Plato, who thought that it was worth it to pursue the Ideal Form even as an unreachable and depressing goal. You’ll recall Plato often refers to pursuing knowledge of the Forms as his life goal. Pretty unrealistic, that, but it’s worth it in the end.

This is definitely where a lot of Western thought resides though. You have to pursue these things on principle even if they’re unachievable. It’s definitely far more Buddhist to try to accept it, which I think is why a lot of people have such a hard time wrapping their heads around the concept with such a western background.

Pär Says:

August 15th, 2008, 5:00 am

I usually like your posts, but this one felt like it was a little weak, but as someone said it sparked an discussion at least. I think the “doing good” thing was delt with a little too fast.

“Does this mean that we should give up on trying to make positive changes in the world? Should we stop trying to make the world a better place? Nosireebob! Don’t ever stop trying to do good things! ”

Doing “good” is really based on the values of the doer. Belief in doing something good isnt always about love and in everybodys best interest. I’m thinking of the crusader mentality for instance.

Perhaps the acceptance should include accepting that the worlds inhabitors have different values and accepting that the world will be at a continious struggle until those values would be the same for every human being. And thats something which cannot be achieved by forcing your values on others, thats the crusader mentality again.

Yafiah Says:

August 15th, 2008, 5:12 am

Hello Leo, this is the first time I have visited your blog. While reading this post I was immediately struck by one point, you were speaking of ‘the world’ when in fact you were referring only to the USA. I believe the majority of us are like little children who see their family as ‘the world’ but eventually we have to grow up and be aware of the entire planet. I would even go beyond that and speak of ‘worlds’ for on this one planet there are many worlds that all overlap and belong to the One. Certainly we are all one, but unfortunately we live as if separated from our origin and from each other. This separation is an illusion and this illusion causes a great deal of suffering. Love and compassion are the wisdom of the way to awareness of our unity but they are not conditional on accepting the ‘world’ as good as it is. Quite the contrary, it is love and compassion that can bring about changes. I am not sure that it is ‘the world’ that you mean anyway. This planet is beautiful, surely it is human beings who, being too often less than truly human, suffer in the illusion of separation and cause suffering to their fellow human beings. A USA-centric world view, as I picked up on in your post, promotes the illusion of separation.

Vern Says:

August 15th, 2008, 6:55 am

Wow - awesome idea… It’s much the same as the state of mind one reaches while meditating. Eventually you reach a point as Buddhadassa Bhikku put it, when “it is as it is” or, “it just is”. When you’re at that point - there’s nothing outside of yourself. You’re at peace with it. You’re not fighting anything. It’s like a cold shower… eventually you avoid it three days (like me) and the you realize - you must shower, so you don’t make a decision - you just go shower. The cold isn’t felt because you have no resistance to it… Without the resistance, life goes blissfully by. I notice it lately when I’m riding the motorcycle around Thailand at night to pick up my wife. So many Thais use high beams on their cars and don’t shut them off with oncoming traffic (me). I used to get upset… but, over the past month I’ve just not cared. I’ve become at peace with it. It happened with the chickens outside the room at 4 am. They come onto the porch and squawk (crow) right in the window it seems like. I used to get angry. Now? Not a problem at all. Same with dogs barking… what a cool way to go through life… not putting up resistance to things that really don’t matter at all in the big picture. Thanks for that post - awesome.

Tim Says:

August 15th, 2008, 8:15 am

As a matter of necessity, in order for us to have this discussion Leo, you have over thought a Zen paradox of sorts, in order to present to us a teaching that points at an experience; which is often, of course, beyond words.
When we can experience or live life in a state of non-judging acceptance, we are better able, better suited to deal with life’s suffering; ours and the suffering of others with equanimity. In other words, we move with what confronts us instead of reacting and shooting from the hip.
Too bad that the current US Administration wasn’t aware of this. Perhaps we wouldn’t have over 4,000 dead soldiers from Iraq to deal with along with 100,000 Civilian Deaths that are estimated in Iraq.

justin Says:

August 15th, 2008, 8:42 am

Great essay well written and very true to life. I feel alot of people try to take on the worlds “problems” and change them not seeing that what they might want to change is but a minority opinion. But if everyone thought this way i don’t think the human race would be as highly developed as we are. I mean if the general population thought everything was fine the way it is then technology would not exist… at least not this advanced. Its the hunger to change human life for the better that makes us the strong and flourishing species we are today. but i do agree with most of your ideals :)

Vishal Says:

August 15th, 2008, 8:54 am

Hi Leo,

Great post, thanks a lot for reminding me of the acceptance view. I have been following Zen Habits for many months, but this is my first comment as I didnt like people jumping on this post with tangent references to Hitler and Capitalism, which is not related to the post directly.

Two points to all those arguing against the acceptance and peace concept:

1. “You can choose to be right or choose to be happy”!

2. Acceptance of natural disasters is much easier, why? Please ponder before striking back. If Katrina strikes Florida, thats kind-of easy to accept, but 9/11 strikes - how horrible… why? How difficult it is for us to accept the human frailties or badness as part of nature?

The original post didn’t say anything about Capitalism, so pls lets not have tangent discussions. Being happy with acceptance view is one of the most powerful concepts for piece of mind. If you have the urge to fight, see my point 1 :)

Stephen Martile Says:

August 15th, 2008, 8:55 am

Leo,

Your thoughts on Love and Compassion:

“The way to do this is to see the good in everything and everyone, and if you’ve sought to really look and understand, you will find good in everything.”

And this my friend comes from your mindset; an attitude of gratitude. It makes sense that if you look for the good in everything then the good in everything will look back at you. If you want good things, then cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

Focusing on the good things in life can only do one thing: bring more good to you.

The only way to attract good is to look for it; studying dis-ease breeds more dis-ease. Studying health creates more health.

The Financial Philosopher Says:

August 15th, 2008, 10:31 am

Plato believed that our ideas may be “perfect,” but still fail because the world is imperfect.

Many readers here would benefet by getting a good primer on philosophy.

I started with The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Philosophy:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Philosophy/dp/0028619811

“Let no one delay the study of philosophy when young nor weary of it when old.” ~ Epicurus

Christin Says:

August 15th, 2008, 10:59 am

Well said. The idea of perfection implies something static and stable–which we are not. And violence is a human expression, good bad or indifferent–it is what it is. Even the worst situations have positive life giving lessons. The only answer to world peace is to cultivate peace on an individual level–not to be cliche, but it all goes back to the 8 fold path.

Ernie A Says:

August 15th, 2008, 12:15 pm

Very provoking post.

I think the issue with people/groups claiming to know what the problem is, is that they really don’t know what the problem is. What they think the problem is comes from their idealizations and preconceptions of how the world is ordered. And once they have that answer, their minds no longer work. They stop thinking, they stop seeing the actualities of the situation (ref. Leo’s Observe step). I would rarely look to pop musicians for insight, but Lil Wayne goes off on Al Sharpton for a similar reason.

“They’d rather speculate before they informate, if that’s a word, heh heh / Mean that, I much rather you talk to me first and see if you / Can learn an opinion before you make one”

Our obsession with improving people gets in our way of loving them and enjoying them for who/what they are. My opinion is that if we really love them though, we would not let them, pardon the expression, wade in their own shit for too long. (Just co-signing what Kelvin Ng stated earlier)

We could go so far as to say that some people that are occupied with pontificating the answers to the worlds problems are more interested in ‘casting the world in their own image’. If only everyone was more like them, the world would be perfect. I’m going to leave that alone though…

On another tip (and this is probably more Zen-like comment), people and situations are alive, and living means changing, moving, evolving. If we could stop the wind and reach out to grasp it and tack it down, it would no longer be the wind we are grasping.

Not to say we cannot diagnose situations and see the contributorS (emphasis on the plural) to the situation. Problems, especially social, environmental, economic, and political problems to name a few, are as dynamic as the individuals that are in them.

Another side note is that people probably spend more time talking about the problem then investing time in making it happen. Side note…

Lots of random shots, feeling a little scatter brained…

@ Steve

I love Erykah Badu. When I first heard that track, I was both stunned & drawn in simultaneously.

J Says:

August 15th, 2008, 12:42 pm

“* Someone else seemed to think I was saying that everything is good in this world. Obviously that’s not what I mean — murder and rape aren’t good. I’m saying that we should try to understand these things, and find compassion through understanding … and through compassion, we can begin to heal these problems.”

I’m sorry. I will never be able to find compassion through understanding such things as:
- the systemic racism that has caused hundreds of thousands of people in New Orleans to lose their homes and be refused the right to return, most of these people being poor and black, some of whom have been displaced even THREE TIMES;
- the prison industrial complex;
- systems of power that allow what is basically apartheid in Israel, and the lack of awareness surrounding this issue;
- people dying in detention centers because the Dept of Homeland Security can’t wrap its head around respecting human dignity,
etc. etc.

I don’t think the world is an inherently flawed place. I think there are systems of power that persist, and I think that those are flawed.

But I have to respectfully disagree with you. I will NOT accept these injustices. However, at the same time, I’m not 100% unhappy. I think you can choose a stance and say, “I am UNHAPPY with this, and WILL NOT ACCEPT this sort of situation” without compromising your general wellbeing.

Nwanteh Njibonko Kenneth Says:

August 15th, 2008, 13:41 pm

Wow! Thatz exactly how I see things.Having ideals is not a bad thing so long as it helps you to understand the world better instead of use the world as a model for your ideals(what a frustration).

Alex Costa - minimizeme.tv Says:

August 15th, 2008, 14:13 pm

If we use the same amount of time to try to make things better instead of complaining our world would be much better.
I’m still a complainer but I’m trying to change that habit because it’s not going to change anything.

Sara Says:

August 15th, 2008, 14:37 pm

Thank you for such a prescient and thoughtful post. It’s difficult to balance realism with optimism, and both the MSM and the web can be really negative - more so lately, it seems. I hope we’ll swing the other way and realize we are all of a piece.

HIp_M0M Says:

August 15th, 2008, 16:24 pm

Thanks Leo. I completely agree with you here. I love your blog, by the way, and share your posts with my readers and those who follow me.

I always appreciate your fresh and positive thinking and innovative ideas to help create a balanced life and perspective.

Kudos to you.

Chris Edgar Says:

August 15th, 2008, 16:33 pm

Thanks for this inspiring post. I think one major point this could be boiled down to is that it’s possible to create change in the world without getting mired in emotional negativity about it.

The distinction between working for change with and without negativity becomes easier to see when we understand that condemning a person or situation is just a way of making ourselves feel right or superior to others. It’s a method of feeding the ego. And when we feed the ego with complaining and attacking, it’s actually physically draining — it tires us out. It’s possible to do charitable work or even protest without emerging with that drained feeling.

I think the soundest mentality toward working for change could be summed up in Ram Dass’s statement that “yes, the world is perfect, including my desire to change it.”

EJ Says:

August 15th, 2008, 16:42 pm

Amen, brother. Great post.

JPR Says:

August 15th, 2008, 18:25 pm

I don’t think the world is perfect, but the world is balanced.

Ben Says:

August 15th, 2008, 18:41 pm

Beautiful! Just what this idealist need to hear.

Point taken and appreciated!
Ben

Jin Says:

August 15th, 2008, 18:43 pm

False expectations lead to unhappiness.

Carsten Says:

August 15th, 2008, 18:59 pm

Hello Leo,

thanks for this great post.
I live after this ideals for 4 weeks now and it feels great.
Let’s see where it leads us.

Carsten

Sheila Says:

August 15th, 2008, 19:14 pm

What is perfection anyway? It isn’t a state of being, it’s merely a value judgment.

Consider: the Liberty Bell has a crack in it. It would, technically, be seen as ‘imperfect’. But if you created a replica of the Liberty Bell without the crack in it, it would be an ‘imperfect’ replica! So, yes, simply by accepting that the world is what it is, the world becomes ‘perfect’.

But what about the suffering in the world? Should that simply be seen as ‘perfect’ and nothing done about it?

Consider: You are traveling somewhere and there’s a huge rock in your path. There are any number of things you can do about it. You can dig under it, drill through it, climb over it, or, heck, walk around it. But you know what? Getting pissed off at the rock for being there–and doing nothing else–will not get you past it. And more importantly, you cannot effectively deal with the rock in your path until you completely ACCEPT it–acknowledge the weight of it, the solidity of it, the height and breadth of it. If you refuse to do that, then all your plans for getting around it aren’t likely to work.

Are those suffering around around the world going to be any more grateful to me that I’m angry on their behalf, if I’m not going to DO anything about it besides whine on people’s blogs about how much it sucks that they’re suffering? I’d rather a ‘complacent’ person do something useful than an ‘outraged’ person do nothing beyond be outraged.

Stephen Altrogge Says:

August 15th, 2008, 21:15 pm

Leo - Your post was well written and well thought. Unfortunately I must disagree with you. I don’t believe that everything is okay, or that the world in general is okay. And it seems that our universal longing for something better is evidence that something is seriously amiss with the world. The solution isn’t to eradicate our desire for something better. The solution starts with a problem. As a someone who believes the Bible, this problem is sin.

There really is evil dwelling in the heart of every person, myself included. I’m very selfish, arrogant, and uncaring toward people. This isn’t because I was hurt at some point. On the contrary, I was raised in a wonderful home and am married to a wonderful woman. Yet as I look within I can see that true wickedness does dwell within my heart.

You can see it when you look around as well. We live in a world full of sinful people, just like me. That’s why fathers abuse their children and young men commit acts of violence. To say that the world is fine is to turn a blind eye to truly horrible things.

But Jesus truly is the solution. He takes people that are messed up like me and changes them from the inside out. His death on the cross really did accomplish something incredible. It cleanses sinners before God and begins to change them. That’s my only hope.

JM Says:

August 15th, 2008, 23:56 pm

Total BS - you’re deluding yourself into a hazy mind-game that allows you to cope with the horror of life.

JM Says:

August 15th, 2008, 23:57 pm

That’s meant for Stephen Altrogge and Leo BOTH

Leo Says:

August 16th, 2008, 1:06 am

@JM: I’d like to hear why — more than just saying it’s BS. :)

Ian Says:

August 16th, 2008, 5:26 am

Hi Leo. I think most of the disagreement stems from your blog title and the fact that the word “wrong” is vague and subjective and then, whatever the reader’s interpretation is, you disagree with them with “not a damn thing”.

I think the main body of the article is great, and I can see your heart is in the right place. I still love Zen Habits and praise your courage in tackling this subject.

Best wishes,
Ian

Chris Says:

August 16th, 2008, 5:33 am

Well written, Leo. Rather than be an idealist, find out what works for you (in a given situation).

Stephen Smith Says:

August 16th, 2008, 9:57 am

Great discussion! There are lots of opinions out there. I agree most with: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

When you look for the bad, all you see is the bad. Look for the good, and when you find some bad, fix it to the extent that you can. If we all make one or two things better, think of the aggregate improvement!

Summer Foovay Says:

August 16th, 2008, 17:37 pm

I am a big fan of Stuart Wilde, who has a very similar philosophy. It makes him a bit unpopular with some of the “fluff bunny” New Agers - not that he cares.

Focus on the good, do what you can to improve yourself and your life and you will improve the world around you, but also accept that we cannot change every thing and everything happens for a reason.

Stuart Wilde has this rather funny routine he does about a soul who incarnates into a part of the world where people are starving thinking something like “Great, I’ll incarnate here, experience starving, die, and be outta there in a few years”. Instead, some well-meaning charity people grab him, get him to dig a well, drag his life out an additional 20 years or so then move to the next community and he ends up dying of starvation later anyway. Because that is what he incarnated to experience.

I hate to say it, but there is a place for sorrow and misery and suffering. You do learn from those things. They can make you a better person (or a worse person - that’s on you and your personal decisions). Some of the worlds greatest gifts in the form of books, poems, art, are the result of suffering - and overcoming it. I’m not advocating it, I don’t want to recommend it to anyone, and if I can in any way alleviate suffering for someone I certainly will. But I accept that it is part of life.

galileia Says:

August 16th, 2008, 20:35 pm

What’s wrong with the world? WE ARE! We, the world inhabitants, are in the wrong. We kill everything and everyone that stands in “our way”, persecute anyone who’s different, destroy ecosystems for profit, pollute the earth because we’re too lazy to care, invade countries for the purposes of spreading our own ideologies, discriminate because we think our skin colour makes us “superior”, beat our brothers and sisters to a bloody pulp because of “national pride”, carry out bloodshed wars in the name of religion…

I agree with Leo in the fact that acceptance is necessary to make things better, but accepting what we have become today is accepting that we, the human race, have failed to make this a better place for EVERYONE. I believe in accepting different people, religions and ideologies. I believe in an “ideal” world: a world in which we were compassionate and strong enough to accept each other for what we are, and respect the earth and all living beings.

On the other hand, we should also be strong enough to punish those who oppose a better world. It seems to me that we are all too quick to excuse criminal behaviour. We have all been hurt, abandoned, abused and neglected at some point, but most of us chose to be better and do the right thing. Excusing abuse only perpetuates it.

Khürt Williams Says:

August 16th, 2008, 22:25 pm

Right and wrong. These are just words made up my human beings to mean what “should be” or “should not be”. They are moral judgements and only human beings have morals ( since we made that up too ). Things just are.

I want everyone to have abundance but they don’t. It’s just not so today. Saying it “should not be that way” leaves would leave me disempowered and frustrated and angry.

I agreed with Leo’s post. Some posters here obviously disagree with what Leo wrote and they think his thinking “should be” another way. “If only he ( and others ) would think the way I do and do what I do the world would be a better place”. In that view the world is broken and needs fixing.

steve o Says:

August 17th, 2008, 0:33 am

great post and discussion, leo.
i absolutely love productivity blogs, but have always found the absence of honest appraisal of global problems (including capitalism) sad and frustrating.

Will Brown Says:

August 17th, 2008, 11:56 am

One of the advantages of having a world view that finds fault with the world and seeks perfection is the effect it has on your own soul. As Oscar Wilde said, we are all in the gutter but some of us are looking up at the stars. I believe that in our struggle to create a more just, more beautiful world, we usually fail, but in the process of that failure, we produce a more just and beautiful soul in ourselves.

And, let’s also not forget that we don’t *always* fail. Slaves have been freed, tyrants have been toppled, and institutions have been created that have prevented (so far) megalomaniacal psychos from ever accumulating enough power to do the kind of harm that Hitler did.

Contentment and compassion may well be the key to happiness, but discontent and chaos are the keys to greatness. It’s no coincidence that some of the best people ever to walk on our planet lived desperately unhappy lives.

Anon Says:

August 17th, 2008, 19:06 pm

Such complacency. All flaws are due to “human nature” rather than structural power flaws that we can change?

Damn, the people who wrote and implemented the UN Declaration of Human Rights should have known that! As should the countries who signed it and committed to gradual change! As should the people who work daily to make sure human rights are respected throughout the world!

Your article comes across as saying that we should give priority to our own happiness and contentment over anger, frustration, and passion that will fuel the desire to DO things to change the world for the better. In other word, it’s immoral. Your personal happiness is not a worthier goal than preventing people from being tortured or killed by their own governments.

Matthew Lang Says:

August 18th, 2008, 4:42 am

Pick The Brain were also running an article on Marcus Aurelius’ Timeless Observations On Life, where point 6 looks at the state of the world.

http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/marcus-aurelius/

DanGTD Says:

August 18th, 2008, 5:08 am

“The sun that shines today is the sun that shone when thy father was born, and will still be shining when thy last grandchild shall pass into the darkness”

(George S. Clason)

Ben R Says:

August 18th, 2008, 5:34 am

Some interesting points from many, I commend you Leo for putting yours out there in such a public way.

A good book to read to help anyone think about how they view life, and their own perceptions, can be found here:

http://www.amazon.com/Lies-We-Live-Art-Self-Deception/dp/1582340579

On the capitalism topic, below are a couple links on Participatory Economics, IMO a viable alternative to the aforementioned, but one that is not likely to get a ‘look in’ due to the power and influence of the few who do not want to risk their stranglehold on the majority of the wealth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_economics

http://www.amazon.com/Parecon-After-Capitalism-Michael-Albert/dp/185984698X
(A book I am slowly making my way thru…!)

Ciao

Curious Says:

August 18th, 2008, 10:38 am

Let me try to understand you.
Suppose there is a person who brutally kills an innocent young person- someone close to you, and then goes about living his life happily. Are you then going ‘understand’ and ‘love’ this killer and try to find out the ‘deeper reason’ behind the murder? Or are you going to see to it that he is arrested and given the biggest possible punishment? Are you saying that we abolish all systems of justice and let the criminals loose and start loving them and rake our brains to understand how someone must have ignored them in the past?

no-one Says:

August 18th, 2008, 17:18 pm

Just a quick question:
A Buddhist once told me that they think that the human mind is perfect. How come that I am reading about human flaws in a zen-blog ?

Darren Williams Says:

August 18th, 2008, 18:14 pm

Sorry Leo, but I really can’t agree with your sentiments here. I’ve found many of your blogs helpful and enlightening, but this isn’t one of them. In fact it made me a bit, dare I say it? - unaccepting…

“If you know of a way to prevent the Hitlers of the world from destroying, I’d like to hear it.”

Yes. There is a way. It was called the Second World War. Countless numbers of Allied soldiers gave their lives to defeat a madman.

While I applaud many of the sentiments on this blog, this is taking passivity much too far. If nobody fought for change, nothing would EVER change.

“What would prevent hundreds of thousands of people dying as the result of flaws in human nature? I’m not sure what world-view would stand up to such a test, but I’d be glad to hear what you have to say.”

What did prevent Adolf Hitler from completing his mad quest to annihilate the Jews was the military opposition from the Allies.

Proving that, whether we like it not, there are times when war is imperative against those beyond reason, or civilization falls. Or do you really think the Nazis could have been placated by fine sentiment? Remember Neville Chamberlain - “Peace in our Time”? The Nazis made a fool of him - they weren’t interested in peace or dialogue, only conquest and genocide.

And “Stop looking for perfection and ideals” is a truly bizarre comment. Without idealism and the desire to achieve perfection, the towering achievements of science, technology and the arts would never have come to pass. A world without ideals? Surely you jest!

“And enjoy this gift we’ve been given, for it is incredible. And perfect, just as it is”. Is this what you’d preach to those in Darfur, to the millions starving around the world?

The most telling refutation of these philosophies is that the people who have made the greatest positive changes in the world were not those who sat back in passive acceptance.

No my friends, they were the passionate, those angry at injustice and deprivation, who didn’t ‘accept’ the world as it was, but challenged it, railed against it, and even gave their lives to change it for the better.

And every day I give thanks for those people. I also pray for a world where peace reigns, but to paraphrase a great saying, the only thing required for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing. And although I realise that you’re well intentioned, this is effectively what would come of such passivity.

Char Says:

August 19th, 2008, 5:00 am

I think some people are confusing Leo’s post by not realising Leo is speaking on a very individual level, while people are bringing up whole societies, wars and country’s conflicts. He is saying, accept what you see around you that you cannot change. You cannot change what happened in WW2, so accept that it happened and move on. He is not saying to condone it, he is saying to *accept* that it did happen. Perhaps instead of feeling righteous anger toward the world’s problems, we should try to individually analyse the world’s problems and learn from the past. Then take that knowledge and try to change what we can, but accept one person cannot change everything.

I really don’t think Leo is trying to advocate apathy. It seems to me that he is advocating a less-stressful life. If you are constantly wrought with all of the world’s problems, worrying about the millions, instead of trying to make a difference in what you actually can, then you will largely be unhappy. It’s true. I saw many unhappy posts here. These are from people that feel indignant, righteous, and incensed at the world. Their comments are mostly stating the obvious. People know about the poor, the war torn, the violence in the world. But doesn’t any one believe in the butterfly effect? Maybe your attitude of giving, loving others and compassion will change one other person than yourself. Maybe that will double, triple and quadruple in effect. It could make you a little happier at least, and I think that’s the core of what Leo is getting at.

Samuel Koh Says:

August 19th, 2008, 5:04 am

When Ricky Warren wrote “The purpose driven life”, it sold 25 million copies. There are a couple of things that are beyond understanding within this dimension of life. “Time and Space” and “The meaning life”, amongst others.

If life is meaningful in itself, why is everyone including you and me still searching for its meaning to fill our very finite hours we happen to share? This is why that book sold 25 million copies.

Life is imperfect. It is to be so. And I say it is beautiful because of my choice of determining how I see it. For the fortunate ones who are endowed with this choice, choose.

Leo’s post should not be taken out of context. A world view after all, is a world view. Meaning how people view the world. Care about how YOU view the world, because this is the part you can be responsible for. And if you are in a position to help thousands of others view their world a little better, all the better. Highly geared intellectual arguments only helps the highly geared intellectual few who enjoys that kind of engagement.

If the Nazis were around the corner, it is simple common sense to send the military, and not theories of world views. Let’s not take things out of context. To bring the Nazis into this post is to miss the point altogether.

Yes, we thank the heros who stood up. My grand uncle is a WII national hero with a monument in my country. He stood up, fought and was tortured to death in the Japanese prison while saving many of his comrades. Only a man of deep thoughts and conviction would have done what he did.

Be able to face yourself, then the world.

Life is very short. Far too short than one can imagine. I watched “The day after tomorrow” a 2nd time. One of the scene struck me. Faced with the impending disaster, the professor asked his counterpart in Scotland about what he should do. He answered; “Save as many as you can”.

Leo, save as many as you can.

Darren Williams Says:

August 19th, 2008, 7:59 am

Well, I didn’t bring up the Nazis and Hitler in the first place, but it’s interesting that Leo mentioned Godwin’s Law to try and discredit the analogy. The link he provided to a Wikipedia page also says:

“However, Godwin’s Law itself can be abused, as a distraction or diversion, that fallaciously miscasts an opponent’s argument as hyperbole, especially if the comparisons made by the argument are actually appropriate. A 2005 Reason magazine article argued that Godwin’s Law is often misused to ridicule even valid comparisons.”

I heartily agree that we should all be more loving toward one another. But believing that there are things we can’t change ensures that they never will.

“Accept one person cannot change everything”. Really? So Einstein, JFK etc etc, didn’t change everything? Shouldn’t we even try then?

“People know about the poor, the war torn, the violence in the world.” – Yes they do. So let’s not discuss it, shall we? Let’s say life is beautiful, engage in self-indulgent navel-gazing, while ethnic cleansing etc carries on.

Yes, life can be beautiful. But it can also be nasty, brutish and short for those less fortunate.

“Leo is speaking on a very individual level, while people are bringing up whole societies, wars and country’s conflicts” – societies are made up of individuals, individuals perpetrate and perpetuate conflicts.

You are an indivisible part of society, unless you’re a hermit in a cave. Caring about others is a way of caring about yourself. I think it may have been JFK who said, while one man is oppressed, no man is free. So no, you’re right, I for one am not an entirely happy person while injustice pervades the world.

“Highly geared intellectual arguments only helps the highly geared intellectual few who enjoys that kind of engagement.” Do you really have such a low opinion of the intellectual capacity of the average person?

Just want to be clear: much of Leo’s ideas in this blog are good. They’ve even helped me in my own life. But I strongly disagree with his ideas in this particular post, although that doesn’t mean I don’t respect his sincerity.

Char Says:

August 19th, 2008, 8:24 am

@Darren Williams

Well, in this particular instance, in this article, I think to bring up Hitler is a bit of a straw man argument. People try to scapegoat all sins on Germany in WW2, as if in a way to cover their own shame and guilt. I’m not condoning what happened, but I think the best thing we can do from now on is to learn from it and move on, not to bring it up any time someone brings up the word “evil”. If the conversation isn’t directly relevant, then why bother beating on the dead horse?

I think what is as important as maintaining a healthy world view (moderate- not pretending nothing bad happens, but not pretending nothing good happens either), is accepting responsibility for your actions, both individually and as a nation. I think too many people are happy saying, “It’s not my fault” rather than realising that, yes, it may be indeed their fault. When does responsibility come into play at the world scale, I wonder? Does the first world have to prop the third world up all the time? No one did so for Britain, the US, Australia and other successful cultures and countries. Shouldn’t the poorer countries in the world try to help itself first before asking for help from everyone else? Why aren’t these countries appearing to get any better, decade after decade? It’s not as though these countries aren’t receiving help, let’s not kid out selves- they are. Maybe not enough? Well, what *is* enough? Do they really even *want* our help?

I’m just trying to say that maybe the situation is more complex than any one world view can handle. So maybe people just try to deal with the world the best way they can. I think it boils down to if you are pessimistic or optimistic.

Kuroki Kaze Says:

August 19th, 2008, 9:37 am

Cool article. For me, this is first of four “yes”:

“Yes” to the World (that’s the way the world wags),
“Yes” to Life (love and hatred, deceit and treachery - are parts of life),
“Yes” to Yourself (you are what you are, don’t try to carry a face)
“Yes” to Moment

Meerz Says:

August 19th, 2008, 16:12 pm

I must say, I really loved this article. I’ve read a bunch of your articles, and I loved them.. but this one.. is great. I actually felt a shift in my thoughts :S weird.. but true. I like the six suggestions you said. And I like when you said it is what is it, because it’s just true. I believe that nothing is wrong with the world. However, there’s something wrong with people. I would really like to share my story with you privately, if it’s possible. But anyways, thanks :)

Robert B. Livingston Says:

August 20th, 2008, 1:07 am

The quotation of Erich Fromm is excellent– and I completely agree with it.

Fromm (who devoted much serious study of Zen Buddhism in his later years) was also interested in questions of good and evil.

While I think he would largely agreed with the author of this essay, Fromm would hardly have concluded that things are acceptable the way things are.

Love impels us to make choices to act in the service of Life.

To read more about Fromm, I suggest interested persons begin by reading his Credo at the international Erich Fromm society: http://www.erich-fromm.de/

Very engaing blog– I see why it is so popular.

Stefan Says:

August 20th, 2008, 10:00 am

Brave post, Leo!

If you say the world is good as it is - I can’t agree. If the world is good in _your opinion_ - this can’t be true unless you’re blind: I am sure there are things in this world you’d really like to change if you could… (just to mention your initiative against poverty)

BUT I think what you really meant is that you _accept_ the world being the way it is. There are things you can change and others you can’t. And here is the healthy personal attitude resulting: Do what you can do and let the rest be as it is - don’t really worry about something thats outside ones abilities. (One doesn’t need to like the world and its history - just accept it the way it is). This thinking does not prevent change - it focuses ones energy on the things that are changeable and does not waste strength struggling against facts that are out of your control.

Darren Williams Says:

August 20th, 2008, 12:07 pm

Everyone talks about ‘accepting the things we can’t change’, while remaining rather vague about what those things are.

Can anyone name some of those things we can’t change? I could be wrong, but I suspect the logic begins to fall apart right there.

Samuel Koh Says:

August 20th, 2008, 14:20 pm

@Darren Williams;

“Learning is a function of Eternity and thinking, its greatest endowment.” - Samuel Koh

I appreciate intellectual capacities enough to spend my time writing here. If I bring these thoughts to a deeper level, I figure that I probably tickle only a few brains. Does it help the common man who is in need to happiness? I have serious doubts. So, what I was referring to was about the simplicity of thoughts that are normalized to help most people.

So…

To name one thing we can’t change. This world does not evolve around what you and I think are right and wrong about issues. Everybody has their views. Rights and wrongs are subjective to context and not as important as what many would like to believe. This world is simply filled with human beings largely driven by what they think works for them. They act based on that. To be specific, nobody can change this. One would be inclined to argue against this out of the convenience of education that afforded you. But if you think carefully, we can’t change this. But can you accept this?

The truth about many root issues in this world simply do not look very pretty and fitting for the appetite of the self righteousness that so often rises from within us. We are still faced with a personal choice. A choice of how you would prefer to see these external issues.

Unhappiness is a natural reaction in the face of issues that don’t align with our world view. Choice isn’t in the equation. Choice comes into the picture as a function of deeper thinking that is meant to achieve happiness despite the circumstances.

This is never easy. But here comes another thing you can’t change; majority of people reading all these, despite their counts of unhappiness, are here, seeking something that is; happiness, or even an image of happiness, save for those die-hard fans of unhappiness. Yet it is impossible to be unhappy without the existence of possibilities of happiness.

If someone comes along and sell happiness-always, don’t buy it. It is never possible. We all appreciate the beautiful wisdom of Budha’s words. But where did it all begin in the first place? My answer in one word : unhappiness.

So whether you prefer to see the problems as beauty voices down to one thing : Choice. One requires just a reaction, the other requires a choice involving a little more thinking. Writing a dissertation of one’s problems may help you solve it, but it may not bring you happiness. Happiness has nothing to do with issues and everything to do with Choice.

Choice nevertheless, but we need insights to feed our thinking.

Lastly, I accept another thing I can’t change. No matter how many times I would read my comments before submitting them, someone would still be able to write in contrary. How do I see this? Fun. Because I would get to learn, be it that of better insights to own, or that of a lesser essence to avoid. I find value in both.

Tom Says:

August 20th, 2008, 17:45 pm

Yes, the world needs less perfectionism and more love. But it’s a good thing Jonas Salk wasn’t totally happy with the way things were, or Louis Pasteur, Thomas Edison, etc.

Random selection wires a certain percentage of us to be naturally unsatisfied with the way things are. The techniques of modern marketing agitate many more of us into habitual unhappiness with the state of things.

We are born wanting, but it has sort of morphed into a virus that has gotten out of hand.

Mindfulness is good and it can make you aware of being manipulated. But life is for learning. If some of us weren’t hard-wired to look for better solutions, we wouldn’t be human. We’d still be in the caves, as content as the birds.

angelika123 Says:

August 20th, 2008, 21:05 pm

I find it interesting that whenever someone says “Accept the world as it is, and love it for what it is.”, people seem to think it means you can’t want to change anything. As soon as you stop seeking perfection, its like you stop seeking. As a aparent, I always think of the analogy of dealing with a child’s difficult behavior. If you place a huge negative motive on it, you may get REALLY angry and react accordingly. If you think only of of your own discomfort or incomvenience, you may react sharply and with disrespect. If you are sympathetic to the difficulties of the child, you can guide and correct with love and gentle firmness. Being loving does not mean you will ignore the disruptive or dangerous behaviour! I would be accepting the child but not the behaviour. It is wanting what is best for all and will have the most lasting, positive outcome. The consequence of each attitude/method will be very different. It is all in how we approach the situation. Unhappy child or spoiled brat? Learning opportunity or nuisance?

The Champ Says:

August 20th, 2008, 23:24 pm

I like your comment Tom.

Personally, I can pretty much accept everything but child molestation in the world.

I was into Jesus, I followed the eight-fold path of Buddha, I tried the Hindu principles of physicality, materialism, and spirituality.

And then I turned fifty and once again my sins became mostly self abuse, because I couldn’t find the answers that I wanted anywhere.

I know that they are within in me; and I try to not be afraid. And now, I just want to spend more time with my sons and be there for them.

~ The Champ

Somebody Says:

August 21st, 2008, 17:43 pm

Something else to think about…

Somebody said, “The glass is half-empty”.

Somebody said, “The glass is half-full”.

It doesn’t matter either way. You still have to drink it…

The world is all relative. The question is who are you related to?

lamont waithe Says:

August 22nd, 2008, 18:00 pm

Leo hit it right on the money. We need to Accept.
Comes from a Libra. All WE KNOW IS BALANCE. Thats what we Accept.

Jon Strocel Says:

August 25th, 2008, 2:39 am

You are bang on with this post. Too often we forget that we are living in the greatest times in the history of the world. I have a climate controlled house full of food and healthy children who are not going to have to go to war. Does it get any better then that?

Appreciate, appreciate, appreciate.

jenn.suz.hoy Says:

August 28th, 2008, 9:51 am

While I appreciate and understand where this post is coming from, I would have to say I disagree with a couple of points in it.

1. True, acceptance of imperfection is a part of life, however I don’t feel that it is uncommon for people to feel apathetic, or simply accept that there is suffering elsewhere in the world. Quite the opposite. Where suffering happens, people deal with it day to day. Where suffering does not happen, who out of the masses really thinks about it and dwells on it to the point of unhappiness? In my experience very few.

2. I agree completely that we should not dwell on it to the point of distress or unhappiness, however awareness is quite a different thing than accepting some have a worse fate than others. I appreciate the life I have, very much. I also appreciate the fact that if I am happy to just be accepting of life as it is, then I am really not helping anyone, including myself.

We too often focus on doing one big thing to end all suffering everywhere. It doesn’t take much, and you will find happiness in small actions.

Lamont Waithe Says:

August 28th, 2008, 11:18 am

Come on people!! The world is real f****d up.. But not in a bad
way. Its f****d up in a way that people already know about it
and or to lazy to do anything about it. Thats cool right????
Am cool wit it…….

Jason Simon Says:

August 28th, 2008, 15:47 pm

Throughout much of my life, I sought to sway others to my point of view (whatever that may be), presuming that I was on the verge of knowing the one right way to live. But efforts to prove which way is right prevented me from learning about ways unknown to myself. I have come to believe that no two people share the same point of view, and for this reason, human difference prevails!

Excellent post. I will be printing this one!

D Says:

August 31st, 2008, 14:39 pm

Ok I have read and studied all of the ways of meditation to finally achieve higher level of inner peace. I nor agree or disagree with what was posted and written.In my life,I have seen things and lived through awfull situations,only able to recognize what is the rights and what is the wrongs. I am above wasting time thinking of either,not that at the time I did’nt pass judgement,I did.I ‘m not saying dwell on the wrongs of this planet,but as human you have a will to survive to live and love and be,what ever or who ever you feel like is best for you.Now no one can tell me if or when they saw or heard somthing horrible that shouldnt of happened,happen. That it is what it is,I dont think so and accept it, not at that moment,just for a breif second your inner self speaks up and says that was buetiful or thats not good or that hurts my soul.Not only do amazing moments and feelings feed our innerself but are recognized and not forgoten. So please enlighten me on how you accept pollution of our oceans and rivers, among other things and not want to stop it(not saying live to end the world of trash and dwell on it all the time). Seems in the end, caring so much for other humans on this wonderful planet and loving fellow amazing souls, as we all are is not caring at all. Its ignoring. Please be wise dont be a fool,live to love love to live.
PS this is not an opinion its just how I feel right now at this moment in time.

Thor Says:

September 1st, 2008, 17:48 pm

“What would be the result of this alternative world-view? Well, I think you’d be happier, if only because you didn’t see the world as a fundamentally flawed or evil place, and began to see the good in the world.”

Well, aha, THEY got a counter to when you finally get over the feeling of the world being distant to your own idea of how it should be, you start fearing it is all dying, not only the starving and infected people but the very core of your life on this planet, Nature. they lead you to believe that all those unique animals are going extinct, that poison is destroying whole breeds of unique life form on this planet at a frightfully rapid pace.
They are I guess, the media? Myself? Who else could have put that type of anxt there. This will never be read by nobody except perhaps the original thinker.

D Says:

September 1st, 2008, 23:08 pm

Thank you for your words. I feel this world is what it is by every meaning.But, can we make it better? Not that everything is so horrible all the time. If that is how you are categorizing me. Are we so involved in our own awareness of being above everything and ignoring what is right in our faces at those moments? Please don’t misunderstand what I was saying. I have,” began to see the good in the world.” years and years ago. I put my heart, love and energy into everything I do. Being fortunate is one of my life’s largest understatements along with many others and my view is not what you think. I wonder, in your way of seeing and being alive is there pain, are there feelings at all besides everything is wonderful? Can there be a way to shut off the ones that affect you in a not so good moment, at that very second? Is living being accepting and numb during moment’s that are unmistakably wrong? Please help me out. I am open and full of anxt…
Oh I don’t do the media thing, at all….Please don’t belittle me…Live to love….
Life is not taken, it is given…and it is good!…
Sometimes your the grass and sometimes your the grasshopper….

Concerned Earthling Says:

September 14th, 2008, 11:42 am

THE FATAL FLAWS OF HUMANITY
(And what we can do to combat it)

For some time now I have had a deep unexplained feeling within me that something wasn’t right with the world. I see so many terrible things happening and I look around and it appears that nobody cares. So why is this so?

Due to the rapid advances in technology over the past 30 years, we are connected closer than ever before. I can pick up my phone and speak to someone on the other side of the world instantly. With information so freely available, transportable and publishable - why does nobody know about what is happening right in front of their eyes? Why does no-one know about the atrocities committed in third world countries every day? More importantly, why doesn’t anyone care?

These issues deeply concern me. After thinking on this every night when I couln’t get to sleep, I realised that the fundamental flaws of humanity are selfishness & greed. Whether this is a greed for money, power, sex, control (the list goes on) it is the cause of all the failings of humanity.

Maybe if, as humans, we stopped our greedy conquest for power we might already have a cure for cancer. Imagine if cancer research wasn’t limited by funding. Imagine if all those naturally gifted people who didn’t go to university because they couldn’t afford it were all working on a cure.

A natural park land gets destroyed to make way for a shopping mall. Animals are forced out of their habitats. We have enough shops don’t we?, why do we need more all the time? The answer is Greed.

Humans are also inherently selfish. People work their jobs, live in their homes with their plasma TVs and their pet dog and do not care about what is happening outside. People do not care about what doesn’t affect them. They do not care about genocide on ther other side of the world because it does not change their perfect world they have tried to mould.

Violence, rape and murder have been a part of mankind since the beginning - It is unfortunately a part of us. The first step is acknowledging the darkness that is in our nature. The real challenge is taking the next step to fight the greed and selfishness that is within us. Why do people keep driving when they see someone that needs help on the side of the road? It might be because they are late for work, it might be because its raining and they don’t want to get your new nike shoes dirty… PEOPLE DO NOT HELP OTHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY CONCERNED WITH THEMSELVES.
You can fight this flaw that is inherently within you.

These things cannot happen because of the abundance of greed in our society… because of people putting their own selfish ideals first. I challenge you to acknowledge the selfishness within humans. There is much darkness in the world, a change is needed to combat this. To quote Edmund Burke - “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”. So lets fight evil by doing something!

The world needs a wake up call… one good selfless deed at a time. Please do NOT sit back and accept the world for what it is. The more voices there are, the louder the message. Lead by example and help the world get back on track.

- Concerned Earthling

C Mckay Says:

December 8th, 2008, 19:08 pm

I don’t really agree you with here, in most part because you can can quote Buddha all you want about acceptance and be happy with what you have and live your life, but how do you accept the fact that people will spend over a billion dollars to build a new sport stadium when there are families living in there cars. i don’t want to accept that and I would hope as people you would not either and do what you could to say… help the people who need it other than go on living your life of yoga classes and Chi soy mocha coffee drinks and making philosophy quotes

C Mckay Says:

December 8th, 2008, 19:10 pm

I apologize for being brash but I dislike the Matthew Mcconaughey way of life.

B Peters Says:

February 22nd, 2009, 2:10 am

The world should be better and we should strive for change.

If you can honestly look at the world around you and accept it as it is then you are a moron.

Frank Mitchell Says:

May 25th, 2009, 19:15 pm

I agree that people are flawed with selfishness and greed. But, no amount of the right environment, wealth, or right habits will change people’s attitudes. God gave us a consciousness of himself. It could be associated with a conscious of right and wrong. What is wrong? It is the transgression of God’s word, the Bible! Simply put. It is the transgression of the Ten Commandments. What is right? Since we are prone to do wrong we can not make ourselves perfect! A simple truth of what is right in this world is found in the Bible. It is John 3 :16.
Check it out, if you dare!