
For a few, the experience of compassion is so ripened that any time spent not engaging in actions that assist others in living a life of improved clarity and health is considered time wasted – criminal, even. Those who feel this way are often pushed toward the fringes of society, simply because they would rather not engage in activities they perceive to be a misuse of time and resources than to participate in society. Obviously, this position is controversial. The primary basis for that controversy lies in the misunderstanding of the definition of compassion as support for anything whatsoever, “virtuous” or not. Compassion is often viewed as a position of non-judgment. In reality, discernment is a prerequisite for integrity, health, clarity, and so on. If I want to help you, I need to know what is helpful – and not just “any old thing” will do. (The “right” thing will do, however, if I can figure out what that is...)

This concept can be clarified by an all-too-familiar anecdote: consider that I am an addict, and you are my mother. You want to help me. You start by giving me a little money or allowing me to sleep in my old bedroom. But none of these actions help me. I just keep using. You’ve known this whole time that the only way for me to truly heal is to end the addiction. Finally you acknowledge, therefore, that the appropriate course of action would be to deny me any access to anything which may provide me an opportunity to reinforce my addiction. You would actually be “nice” to me – caring, loving, and so on – by saying no to me and by attempting to make my errors known to me. You acknowledge that I have to authentically desire the change. You realize that unless I want to change, you might be wasting your time. So you close your wallet and doors to me totally. You acknowledge that the “right” thing to do is disengage, observe, and pray.
Reality Investigators
Such a position is adopted by “reality investigators.” These “R.I.s” are primarily responsible for the major religious and artistic works that have withstood time. “R.I.s” are present underneath, within, and behind this entire conversation, whether any of us ever know it or not. Consider certain concepts that are widely popular now, such as chakras. Chakras and “central channel work” were (and still are) part of the advanced, constructive behavioral adjustment curriculum developed in ancient India and Tibet. The potency and inevitable success of that advanced method is discussed at length by highly respected and revered individuals such as H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama.
Reality investigators understand that in order to be effective, direct insight into the nature of reality is required. A good intention is never enough to ensure efficacy. The concept of direct, experiential knowledge of reality is quite foreign to the modern thinker, but was a common sense view of life for cultures who still provide us with oceans of wisdom – and whose practices are becoming mainstream.
Comments