If We Can Achieve Harmony There Will Be No Need Of Law
'When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy.
When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared.'
Many faiths teach that there was a time before time when humanity lived in harmony with this world and the Gods.
Most of them proclaim that there is a coming time after time when we will once again be in harmony with the world and the gods. One other common proclamation is that this time after time is going to be a long time coming.
How long you ask? how about the time it would take one drop of water every day to wear away a cube of granite 1,000 miles wide. We are talking a very long time indeed.
So why should you or I care about what is going to happen that far in the future. The answer is we shouldn't. We should live in today.
This is what might be called selfish altruism. If we live the best life we can now then our neighbours live a better life. Our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren will live a better life. All the other beings that inhabit this world will be better off. And all that is needed for this to happen is for you and I and others to do justice tempered with mercy and wrapped up in humility. Is that too much to ask?
Brian
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