Who Are We?
Is this who we really are? I find myself asking this question every morning when I watch the news. I’m not a historian, so I can’t readily call upon centuries of human interaction to know how to hold our current days’ news in perspective. But I do know hatred when I see it. And I do know that underlying hatred is fear - desperate fear. And I recognize greed when I see it, also fueled by fear.
Why are we so afraid right now? I know we carry vestiges of the primal watchfulness once needed to protect us from tigers in the wild, so fear isn’t inherently bad. But fear seems to be running amok right now. Fear of other people taking something away from us - taking away how life ‘used to be’. This is understandable on the surface. But when part of the way life ‘used to be’ includes oppressing and hurting others for personal gain, it calls for a reevaluation of those old ways, not a doubling down to maintain them.
Centuries ago, the Buddha called out three ‘characteristics’ of life that give rise to suffering – greed, hatred, and delusion. I am seeing these in so many places too much of the time.
I’m not trying to be political; I am just naming what I see.
I see greed when politicians seem willing to do just about anything, regardless of who they hurt, just to hold onto their seat in government.
I see greed when a tech company allows posting on their platform that generates contempt and encourages harm – in order to keep its position of power and make excessive amounts of money.
I see hatred when a teenager intentionally shoots and kills innocent people doing their grocery shopping.
I see delusion when people stop being shocked and horrified by this, numbed by its frequency.
Is this who we really are? I don’t think so. Yes, we are wired with a fear response. But we are also built for love and connection. That may sound trite, but I don’t believe love and connection are trite forces. What would happen if we doubled down on love and connection?
Another thing attributed to the Buddha: “Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed. This is an ancient and eternal law.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. referenced this in his speeches: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Jesus taught, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.”
Clearly, these are difficult laws to follow. But maybe we can put more effort into trying. I know I could do so much more. Every gesture of care, act of kindness, and spirit of love matters. It shifts our mindset, what’s in our hearts, and guides our nervous system toward love and connection and away from greed, hatred, and delusion. We can make a difference one person at a time, and what we do matters.
What do you think – who are we really?
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