Hello Community, In a recent talk Bhante Sujato Mentioned the above essay. I benefited from reading the essay, However I didn’t find it easy going.
I was hoping that Community who have read the essay or may have the time to read the essay Might be able to share on here their Reflections. Dhamma Community maybe Able to help me/us To metabolize the material.
My short reflection on this essay is, that it goes in line what I experienced in my life. As soon you step out of society “as it has to be”, you get attacked and ridiculed in all kind of ways. Then, one day, things become tolerated / fashion by society and suddenly you are “the good one” and get invited back into society. Only with compassion in your heart you survive this. Because you knew all the way along that you were on the right path.
Examples: Vegetarian in the 80’s, Vegan in the 90’s, Homeopath versus Sceptics, Standing up against racism, living by 5 or 8 pecepts…there are so many examples.
I’m not sure if this helps you to digest it but that’s how it resonates with my life experience
Hello Alex, I was wondering if I could PM You Regarding Your message. It would be great if you could indicate to me if this is not a possibility and then I’ll just Post publicly and hope For a response. Thank you for your reply.
I don’t think I am a changemaker. I’m just an alien.
People in my original society found me strange, unorthodox, and all other synonyms. And very few, if any, understood me. I learnt to live with others, but I never felt I belonged.
Did I want to change things? Oftentimes. Have I made or contributed to efforts to have things changed for the better (in my opinion)? Yes. Are all those efforts considered successful? Some.
After several decades of living in this world, I’ve concluded that change starts in me. I can only do my best. Whatever happens happens.
Whatever you plan to do to make the world a better place, I wish you the best.