Putting others ahead

MaslowsHierarchyOfNeeds_svgFor much of my adult life, the main concern has been to satisfy levels 1 through 4 on Maslow’s hierarchy. Granted, working as hotelier for 10 and adult educator for 25 years was a form of service, but its primary aim was to earn good money, please others, and dress well.

Everything changed in the dying moments of December 31, 1999. Towards the end of seven days and 60 hours of silent meditation with the purpose of discerning a life vow, the phrase “to be of service” popped out of my mouth. Without realizing it then, I’d entered the bodhisattva way. (Loosely put, that Sanskrit term describes someone who dedicates their life to the benefit of others, seeking neither recognition nor reward.)

Living by this vow has been deeply transformative. Through the daily practice of mindful awareness and loving kindness towards all beings*, my heart-mind continues to unfold “like a lotus in muddy waters.” The words of Zen teacher Kosho Uchiyama (1912-1998) uncannily echo my experience —

“The life that flows through each of us and through everything around us is actually all connected. … Therefore, just how mankind might truly live out its life becomes what I aim at as my direction. This aiming or living while moving in a certain direction is what is meant by vow.

“In other words, it is the motivation for living that is different for a bodhisattva. Ordinary people live thinking only about their own personal, narrow circumstances connected with their desires. In contrast to that, a bodhisattva, though undeniably still an ordinary human being like everyone else, lives by vow.”

Ask yourself: does my life-work contain aspects of teaching, leading, parenting, volunteering, or being in a caring relationship? If so, you’re already walking the Bodhisattva path, already placing others’ needs ahead of your own. The invitation before you is to follow this path for several lifetimes — freely and joyfully.

How’s that?


* myself included.  Image credit

2018-09-17T18:06:08-07:00August 25th, 2015|3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Piyadassi 25 August 2015 at 13:38 - Reply

    Dear Peter, I, along with all you have been touched by your kind, loving heart, rejoice in the vow you have undertaken.

    Many blessings to you, my friend.

  2. Fran 25 August 2015 at 16:39 - Reply

    “Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”
    Scott Adams (1957- ), American cartoonist, creator of Dilbert, from ‘A Kind Word’ in “The Dilbert Zone” newsletter of Dec 1995.

  3. Colleen Poitras 25 August 2015 at 18:19 - Reply

    That’s awesome!!

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