Hi Mayka, I agree there are people who serve 'selflessly' for the benefit of people. 'Selfless' here is in the sense where the actions are not performed for the benefit of oneself but others, and nothing is expected in return from people who receive the kindness. I believe this is what you are saying. And again, I agree.
On the other hand, unless it is an action of an enlightened person (or in Zen's words perhaps of Buddha Mind), then there is still 'self' or 'ego' behind these 'selfless' acts. Most people still do an act of kindness with a purpose, for example, to see others happy. What happen if others are not happy? What happen if the conditions of people being helped is not improved? This is not to say that there is absolutely no one, on this earth, who do kindness just for the sake of doing it, just like eating when hungry and sleeping when sleepy, without identifying the kindness as something more special than the act of eating and sleeping. There may be. I just have not met any. Siska ------Original Message------ From: Maria Lopez Sender: [email protected] To: [email protected] ReplyTo: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Zen] Fwd: Re: [Zen Living] Supreme Vehicle Sent: Sep 11, 2011 15:53 ?0?2 Siska: They may be a tiny minority left in the world but still there are people who do things for the wellbeing of life and other human fellows?0?2for nothing.?0?2 It's empathy what leads this minority to act in that way.?0?2 There also culutres consider?0?2as an undevelop that they also do things for the sake of doing it.?0?2?0?2 And there is not a catch when?0?2they do that.?0?2 On the other side of the spectrum and Living in that "develop" societies that seem to go crazy in the worst way of destructive madness for all what is simple and beautiful and?0?2giving as a result?0?2 selfish self-centered individuals doesn't mean that?0?2everyone is on that boat.?0?2 Mayka ?0?2?0?2 --- On Sun, 11/9/11, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Zen] Fwd: Re: [Zen Living] Supreme Vehicle To: [email protected] Date: Sunday, 11 September, 2011, 4:27 ?0?2 Hi Mayka, > A high percentage of English people met, ?0?2they?0?2tended to be very friendly only when they're not in their own land or also when they want something from you.?0?2 Don't we all? Each of us is selfish being. It's only the extend we apply it in our actions that is a little different. Unless we're enlightened. Siska From: Maria Lopez <[email protected]> Sender: [email protected] Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:07:04 +0100 (BST) To: <[email protected]> ReplyTo: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Zen] Fwd: Re: [Zen Living] Supreme Vehicle ?0?2 Billl: If someone from the all over the world students studying in England hear you about this "friendly people" may give you a good slap in the face to help see reality in England.?0?2 American people are very helpful and?0?2friendly, that is a true statement.?0?2 But, THE ENGLISH LIVING IN ENGLAND?.?0?2?0?2 I don't think so!!.?0?2A high percentage of English people met, ?0?2they?0?2tended to be very friendly only when they're not in their own land or also when they want something from you.?0?2. Mayka ?0?2 ?0?2 ?0?2 --- On Fri, 9/9/11, Bill! <[email protected]> wrote: From: Bill! <[email protected]> Subje ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
