Action
Right action, or acting for the greater good with mindfulness and compassion in the Buddhist sense, is morphing into a corporate activity in the developed, capitalist world. A board of directors and corporate lawyers seem prerequisite to helping a disabled person cross the street. The pedestrian concept of action for social justice is throwing a quarter in an empty coffee cup on the street, while trying to avoid the talkative huckster, selling Spare Change newspapers.
The more materialistic and hedonistic society becomes, the more distanced those with resources become from the actual needs of the society, relegated to hired help. Many middlemen turn right action into a highly profitable livelihood under the cover of non-profit balance sheets. This further depletes tax revenues for public social action, which, in turn, makes government look ineffectual at serving the needs of the people. Privatization becomes the problem, not the solution.
My bias, based in my years in providing hands-on human services in government agencies and in private agencies, is in favor of incorporating right action into my own daily practice and encouraging other humanists to do the same. This right action includes assisting others in my environment to address their needs and the needs of others. This right action includes paying my taxes without trying to evade what is my share of maintaining a socially responsible government. This right action includes joining in community with those who are socially responsible to work in society to promote universal human rights, lawful responsibility and economic justice.
I recognize the value of non-profit organizations, which spend the bulk of their revenues on addressing social needs. However, I do not perceive the token contribution of money to non-profits by the wealthy as right action in itself. The richer the contributor, the more likely the motivation is polluted by tax evasion, encouraged by a CPA or trust lawyer. Giving to pet non-profits at the expense of tax revenues for the public welfare is not, in my opinion, right action. This, I believe, can be just another exercise of privileged egotism.
Faith-based initiatives by humble religious communities were traditional forms of right action in small towns across the U.S.. However, the faith-based industry, evidenced by mega-churches and millionaire TV pastors, has gone the way of the non-profit-for-profit model. Manipulation of government by these groups is particularly heinous, in my opinion. It is not right action. It is corruption of the public's trust in its own ability to serve its own needs through responsible, elected governance.
Participating in direct service to those in your life is the simplest form of right action. If more personal energy and time is directed to this activity and away from consumption of material goods, the whole society benefits at minimal additional cost. Those doing this right action benefit from appreciation and their own sense of accomplishment for the greater good. For those who do not have the inclination or skill to care for a sick family member or work with disabled children at a local school, right action may entail personally supporting those who do have the inclination and skill within their own family or community.
I encourage anyone interested in developing a personal humanist practice to begin with hands-on human service. Every local hospice agency, nursing home, hospital, school, rehab center, library or senior center has a volunteer program or needs one, which you could start by simply showing up and offering your time. Keep your mind open. Keep your worries about getting your needs met in check. Focus on the giving. Just show up when you say you will. This is a good first step.
The more materialistic and hedonistic society becomes, the more distanced those with resources become from the actual needs of the society, relegated to hired help. Many middlemen turn right action into a highly profitable livelihood under the cover of non-profit balance sheets. This further depletes tax revenues for public social action, which, in turn, makes government look ineffectual at serving the needs of the people. Privatization becomes the problem, not the solution.My bias, based in my years in providing hands-on human services in government agencies and in private agencies, is in favor of incorporating right action into my own daily practice and encouraging other humanists to do the same. This right action includes assisting others in my environment to address their needs and the needs of others. This right action includes paying my taxes without trying to evade what is my share of maintaining a socially responsible government. This right action includes joining in community with those who are socially responsible to work in society to promote universal human rights, lawful responsibility and economic justice.
I recognize the value of non-profit organizations, which spend the bulk of their revenues on addressing social needs. However, I do not perceive the token contribution of money to non-profits by the wealthy as right action in itself. The richer the contributor, the more likely the motivation is polluted by tax evasion, encouraged by a CPA or trust lawyer. Giving to pet non-profits at the expense of tax revenues for the public welfare is not, in my opinion, right action. This, I believe, can be just another exercise of privileged egotism.
Faith-based initiatives by humble religious communities were traditional forms of right action in small towns across the U.S.. However, the faith-based industry, evidenced by mega-churches and millionaire TV pastors, has gone the way of the non-profit-for-profit model. Manipulation of government by these groups is particularly heinous, in my opinion. It is not right action. It is corruption of the public's trust in its own ability to serve its own needs through responsible, elected governance.
Participating in direct service to those in your life is the simplest form of right action. If more personal energy and time is directed to this activity and away from consumption of material goods, the whole society benefits at minimal additional cost. Those doing this right action benefit from appreciation and their own sense of accomplishment for the greater good. For those who do not have the inclination or skill to care for a sick family member or work with disabled children at a local school, right action may entail personally supporting those who do have the inclination and skill within their own family or community.
I encourage anyone interested in developing a personal humanist practice to begin with hands-on human service. Every local hospice agency, nursing home, hospital, school, rehab center, library or senior center has a volunteer program or needs one, which you could start by simply showing up and offering your time. Keep your mind open. Keep your worries about getting your needs met in check. Focus on the giving. Just show up when you say you will. This is a good first step.
Comments
Post a Comment