A Brief Guide to Finger Pointing
It's a truism of ethics and spirituality -- deservedly so -- that when we have an issue with someone else, it's usually related to something unresolved within ourselves. OK, but what does that look like?* Let's unpack:
1. The first and most intense form of blaming is when someone else is manifesting a belief or behavior that was once our own, but that we have discarded through effort or some form of awakening or wising up. If we came to our senses, we wonder, why can't they? The zeal of a convert is something to reckon with.
2. The next form is when we indict others for something we ourselves actually do, but through a process of rationalizations -- pretzel logic if you will -- we are able to see our behavior as justified, unlike that of the other. This is annoying as hell, and strikes others as hypocrisy.
3. Then there are the beliefs and behaviors that remain invisible to ourselves, but bother us to no end when we witness them in others. Others might respond to this one with a raised eyebrow.
4. Some people do deserve finger pointing, and worse, for example, ISIS. But is their behavior totally off the charts? In many or most ways, yes, but I am no stranger to righteousness and its allure.
* Engaged, long-time readers will naturally recall instances where I have exhibited some or all of these.
1. The first and most intense form of blaming is when someone else is manifesting a belief or behavior that was once our own, but that we have discarded through effort or some form of awakening or wising up. If we came to our senses, we wonder, why can't they? The zeal of a convert is something to reckon with.
2. The next form is when we indict others for something we ourselves actually do, but through a process of rationalizations -- pretzel logic if you will -- we are able to see our behavior as justified, unlike that of the other. This is annoying as hell, and strikes others as hypocrisy.
3. Then there are the beliefs and behaviors that remain invisible to ourselves, but bother us to no end when we witness them in others. Others might respond to this one with a raised eyebrow.
4. Some people do deserve finger pointing, and worse, for example, ISIS. But is their behavior totally off the charts? In many or most ways, yes, but I am no stranger to righteousness and its allure.
* Engaged, long-time readers will naturally recall instances where I have exhibited some or all of these.
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