Every system of thought, however subtle and all-inclusive, is capable of dogmatically asserting its own universality, citing some higher truth or transcendent authority that trumps all argument and silences all questions. This is as true for Buddhism as it is for any other religious, political, social, or scientific system.
Even systems with broad ethical guidelines, and the ability to make subtle distinctions, sometimes fail to recognize their own, or is it perhaps the human, tendency to forget that the system is only a lens through which to view the world; and as such there are always limitations to its applicability.
If it were otherwise the world would be very dull. The reality is that no single perspective, or system, or body of teaching has the ability to address every aspect of life. History is filled with bloody attempts to do so.
How strange it is that the human mind, so capable of making subtle distinctions, so able to embrace the kind of conscious evolution it seems wired for, is also pulled back strongly into the habit of fighting turf wars, and with such stubborn sectarian blindness!
Sometimes those turf wars are fought for social, political, or economic reasons; sometimes they are fought to challenge the frightening notion that someone has another way of thinking that might be as good, or better, than your own.
When considering Conscious Leadership, whether or not it is from a Buddhist perspective, we should include among the qualities it embodies, the ability to see things from others’ points of view. More than that, to respect, to embrace, even to learn to love, those ways of seeing and learning that are so ‘other’ than your own.
For a person with a hammer, every problem is a nail. For a person with an open mind, every problem is going to suggest the most appropriate perspectives, skills, and strategies.
Religious or philosophical systems are lenses, so too are political of social points of view. Skills and interests are lenses too, inclinations you may have, preference, likes and dislikes, habits. Conscious Leadership is simply knowing what is most useful at any given moment, for yourself, as well as for others.
In the words of the teacher Atisa, “It is the job of a Bodhisattva to be interested in everything.”
thanks for this good blogpost. I discovered this post by accident. I like it and will shurely come back to see new posts
Trees, rocks, clouds, and birds are all teaching. Maybe you can speak for them, speak to them, listen from them. Mukat and Tamayawit are still creating stories. Umnah’ah on San Ysidro peak and across the way on the Rabittit’s house always circling around .
thanks for that Paul – I will, I do