12-10-2014, 04:36 PM
First, about guilt in general. I know all the new agers talk about guilt being something not to feel. I have a few thoughts on that:
1. Whatever you feel, you feel. I wouldn't repress it, stuff it down, rationalize it, or justify it. It just is. It would be the task of the individual to let the truth surface within themselves concerning the origin of, or honest reasons for, the guilt.
2. We feel guilt for a reason. Just as we feel fear for a reason. Fear saves us from getting killed by a predator. Fear can consume people today because of media brainwashing for example. But don't throw fear out just because there is too much of it applied in inappropriate ways. Same for guilt.
Regarding guilty feelings about not helping the homeless.
I don't make any judgments. I don't listen to, or give any credence to all the talk about homeless people making a lot of money. I frankly don't even care. I don't care what they spend any money they get on, even if it's drugs/alcohol. It's a pretty low way to live anyway, and honestly, what do you see when you come across homeless people? I see mostly misery. That's beside the point however, because I am not here to judge them or their situations.
I give money freely when I have it. I just give it away with no strings. I just "share." I also do this with people I know when I am able. I don't mean to intimate that I just give all my money away—I don't. But I share what I have when I can.
It's pretty crazy to me at this time of year particularly. For most of my adult life I have eschewed the Christmas gift-giving frenzy to family and friends who really need nothing, in favor of donating to hungry people and animal suffering instead.
So if one feels guilt about not helping the homeless (and this is not directed at anyone in particular), then I think one should look at the guilty feeling and not dismiss it. I am also not saying anyone should give money to the homeless. But isn't it a good thing pangs of guilt arise when we see those less fortunate? Can we not see this as a step in connecting more, in seeing that all is one? We are very attached to our lifestyles, our stuff—and that's fine by me. But I do think we tend to isolate ourselves in our little worlds and keep out the uncomfortable bits (I do this as much as anyone). Shining light on those uncomfortable bits—which may be the great boon of the unwanted feeling, guilt—can only, in my opinion, be a good thing.
1. Whatever you feel, you feel. I wouldn't repress it, stuff it down, rationalize it, or justify it. It just is. It would be the task of the individual to let the truth surface within themselves concerning the origin of, or honest reasons for, the guilt.
2. We feel guilt for a reason. Just as we feel fear for a reason. Fear saves us from getting killed by a predator. Fear can consume people today because of media brainwashing for example. But don't throw fear out just because there is too much of it applied in inappropriate ways. Same for guilt.
Regarding guilty feelings about not helping the homeless.
I don't make any judgments. I don't listen to, or give any credence to all the talk about homeless people making a lot of money. I frankly don't even care. I don't care what they spend any money they get on, even if it's drugs/alcohol. It's a pretty low way to live anyway, and honestly, what do you see when you come across homeless people? I see mostly misery. That's beside the point however, because I am not here to judge them or their situations.
I give money freely when I have it. I just give it away with no strings. I just "share." I also do this with people I know when I am able. I don't mean to intimate that I just give all my money away—I don't. But I share what I have when I can.
It's pretty crazy to me at this time of year particularly. For most of my adult life I have eschewed the Christmas gift-giving frenzy to family and friends who really need nothing, in favor of donating to hungry people and animal suffering instead.
So if one feels guilt about not helping the homeless (and this is not directed at anyone in particular), then I think one should look at the guilty feeling and not dismiss it. I am also not saying anyone should give money to the homeless. But isn't it a good thing pangs of guilt arise when we see those less fortunate? Can we not see this as a step in connecting more, in seeing that all is one? We are very attached to our lifestyles, our stuff—and that's fine by me. But I do think we tend to isolate ourselves in our little worlds and keep out the uncomfortable bits (I do this as much as anyone). Shining light on those uncomfortable bits—which may be the great boon of the unwanted feeling, guilt—can only, in my opinion, be a good thing.
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