Citizens of the World
“One cannot pursue one’s own highest good without at the same time necessarily promoting the good of others. A life based on narrow self-interest cannot be esteemed by any honorable measurement. Seeking the very best in ourselves means actively caring for the welfare of other human beings. Our human contract is not with the few people with whom our affairs are most immediately intertwined, nor to the prominent, rich, or well educated, but to all our human brethren.
View yourself as a citizen of a worldwide community and act accordingly.”
Epictetus, The Art of Living
Imagine How the Black Man Feels
The gentleman who has been grooming our poodles for over 17 years is a wonderful black man. On the day of his last grooming of our beloved Beatrice who was soon to transition, he cried and cried as he said his final goodbye.
They had shared a beautiful connection over the 15 years of her life. Then and now, every time I pick the dogs up from him, we take a few minutes to discuss some philosophy and the state of the world. This week, we spoke to each other of the continued racism, discrimination and acts of violence existing in the world today. He spoke words which will stay with me always, “Imagine how the Black man feels.”
Can we imagine how the Black man feels?
Darnell Hill, a black pastor and mental health caseworker recently offered to black teenagers a list of unwritten rules for navigating racism in America. Speak in short sentences. Never put your hands in your pockets. Stay calm, even if you’re shaking inside. Listen to their directions. Try not to hunch your shoulders. Make sure people can always see your hands. Can we imagine how these black teenagers feel?
The Stoics
The Stoics would have offered themselves as an example, an example of living a life in accordance with a strict moral code. An example of living a life of virtue and ‘sympatheia,’ the belief that all things are mutually woven together and therefore have an affinity for each other. They would have offered themselves as an example of a virtuous life led in agreement with nature, one leading to an attainment of personal excellence.
Epictetus himself was born into slavery before being granted his freedom, devoting himself thereafter to the practice and preaching of philosophy. If he were to ask you to define your ‘virtue,’ the ‘moral code’ which guides you to a life lived in agreement with nature, how would you respond? What qualities make a human being a good person? What qualities make someone’s life a good life?
Juneteenth
On this Juneteenth, marking the 155th anniversary of freedom for enslaved African-Americans, as yogis, as seekers and students, as spiritual beings, what have we to offer?
Perhaps in this time of a world on the precipice of great transformation—historically, astrologically and karmically—we come together as citizens of a worldwide community and fiercely turn inward with great intention, and imagine how the Black man feels. Perhaps we turn to the Eight Limbs of Yoga, to the practice of ahimsa and satya. Perhaps in our observations of others we practice Lojong, breathing in their fear and frustration and breathing out compassion and sweet ananda. Perhaps we turn to our Ishta Devata, our Guru, our lineage, humbly bowing in meditation, prayer, ritual, and breathing our Kriya.
Imagine.
“Look within. Within is the foundation of good, and it will ever bubble up, if you will ever dig.”
Marcus Aurelius
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