When goodness is lost, there is morality.
When morality is lost, there is ritual.
Ritual is the husk of true faith…
Therefore the masters concern themselves
With the depths and not the surface.

Lao-Tzu wrote those words over 2500 years ago. I certainly understand the message; all I need to do is read the headlines about the state of ethics that has developed in our financial and business sectors and realize that morality is lost in a world of rituals. The never-ending quest for power and wealth has eroded one society after another through the centuries, but it seems like the lesson within this experience, is a hard one to master for the human ego. The cycle of decay within the physical establishment of finance and politics is a reoccurring ritual of pain, suffering, anger and judgment.

The concern for well being is a surface one and as Lao-tzu explains that road is filled with nothing but blind faith in a system that has been tainted by truthlessness. When I realize the system is not real in terms of morality, the first emotion I experience is pain, then anger and then judgment. I want satisfaction for the crimes committed against the system I established as truth. I want to throw stones at those who represent me and who I believed were working for me. I want them to suffer for my choices and that will make it all right.

As Mohammad said:

All actions are judge by the motive prompting them.

Judging is what I do best when I see how easy it is for some to ignore ethics and morality for the sake of riches. I forget that I am the one who put the system in place in one way or another. I am the one who bought into the quest for material gain and physical comfort. I did have a choice to do things differently, but the call of riches has a deep voice and a strong arm. I find my self lost in the sea of depression and my boat is filled with holes and I’m sinking in my own guilt.

The lesson in all of this is first: I need to be aware of my choices and how I perceive reality. Second: I need to address every situation by doing no harm to anyone or anything. And Third I need to forgive; my self and then all those who took part in the unethical acts.

Martin Luther King said:

The nonviolent approach does not immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them a new self-respect; it calls up resources and strength and courage that they did not know they had. Finally, it reaches the opponent and so stirs his conscience that reconciliation becomes a reality.

Kings message of nonviolence is a core belief that exists within every individual. That is my first choice. All I need to do is remember it and practice it.

The commitment to do no harm is expressed in the words of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj:

Harmlessness is a most powerful form of yoga and will take you speedily to your goal. That is what I call… the Natural Yoga. It is the art of living in peace and harmony, in friendliness and love.

Yoga means unity. It is practiced to unite my body, mind and inner consciousness. When I am in sync within my self I am a form of Natural yoga and express it all my actions.

The act of forgiveness is made clear in the words of Jesus:

Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye,
But do not notice the log in your own eye?
Or how can you say to your neighbor,
Let me take the speck out of your eye,
While the log is in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye,
And then you will see clearly
To take the spec out of your neighbor’s eye.

So there it is. The answers have been with me for centuries all I need to do to experience ethics and morality is to practice them my self. When I remember the words of Buddha I begin to change my world:

Speak and act with a pure mind
And happiness will follow you
As your shadow, unshakable…
Set your heart on doing good.
Do it over and over again,
And you will be filled with joy.

Howard (Hal) Thomas Manogue, was born in Philadelphia, and is a forerunner to the Indigo children, a now age term for misfit with an intuitive nature, a desire to know his truth with a gift of giving and sharing. Hal retired from the shoe industry after 35 years of sole searching, and discovered his real soul.

He enjoys art, music, philosophy, psychology, nature and people.

His poems have been published by: Mystic Pop Magazine, Children Of The New Earth Magazine, New Age Tribune, Seasons Of The Soul Newsletters, Lightship News and Writers In The Sky Newsletters. His essays can be found on Hal’s Blog and Website:
http://halmanogue.blogspot.com
http://www.shortsleeves.net

He lives in Franklin Tennessee.

Hal’s new book Short Sleeves Insights: Live A Ordinary Life In An Non-Ordinary Way will be in print in April. Visit any bookstore or Hal’s website to get a copy. Hal’s third Collection Of poetry: Short Sleeves A Book For Friends will also be in print in April.