Welcome to part 3 of the 10 Native Indian Commandments

Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect

This commandment is so powerful, if practiced, it will bring peace onto earth.

Simple in its truth, when exercised, a whole new wake will embrace humanity.

To break it down fundamentally. A wise teacher said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” It is a matter of reciprocal respect.

Respect works two ways: respect for oneself and respect for others. You can’t have one without the other. The way we treat ourselves is reflected in the health of a society as a whole, much like the ripple effect.  

One pivotal factor that revolves around respect comes in the form of boundaries.

We may know of boundaries that we impose on others. Yet do we know the boundaries we impose on ourselves?

What is so special about boundaries?
To simplify it. Boundaries are the rules, disciplines, and limits that we enforce or impose on others and ourselves.

Boundaries are pivotal; when practiced diligently, they lead to the development of a strong character. Which then in turn allows an efficient life.

So, a word of the wise to those who live frantically, you will just need to put that extra work in building your momentum.

Personal evolution is a duality. Accepting the twin nature of life is vital.

We can’t have one imposed without the other. That is just one of the laws of immutability.

It all begins with you. It has to. We cannot have you without your existential existence.

We are all participating in life together.
Our interactions contribute to the evolution as a whole.
Even those who live in isolation still contribute.
We are all connected within the sea of consciousness. 

Respect also calls for balance. Balance is the healthy flux of motion.

Of all things in its extremity requires a countermeasure; therefore, balance.

Think of the analogy of a tree being strung in a hurricane. The tree must stand firm yet adaptable. If too stiff, it surely will break. But in flexibility, it shall last.
Again, balance is always a given and a great service for humanity when practiced.    

The Universal Contrast

“We cannot know unless we know”.

To those who blame or self-chastise. Please consider that you are also learning. Try not to take it too hard on yourselves. (No Harm To Self and Others). We too often attack and war within ourselves. No one ever wins a war. My advice here is to ask you to stop warring. I have also been through personal struggles. I laugh often, telling myself, I had to begin with some traumas to develop from. What I am trying to express here is that we all are learning and it takes time to gather a grander perspective. Know it would not be one, if not for the other. Therefore, contrast.

The contrast of experiences or contrast of observations allows us to realize the duality of nature. The coin always has two sides.

How does contrast play in everyday living? For example, how can we know the variety of temperatures if it were not for our innate thermoregulatory experiences?

When you decide what to eat and drink, what fundamental contrasts are you using to fundamentally make your decisions. Simple answer, your contrasts are reflected in your perspectives and beliefs. More on this in another blog.

Try some of these contemplative questions around respect:
1. Do you respect yourself?
2. Do you know what respect is?
3. Do you respect yourself enough to have boundaries?
4. Do you respect yourself enough to uphold your boundaries?
5. Do you respect yourself to live the path towards your ultimate joys?
6. Do you respect yourself to uphold your diligence?
7. Do you respect yourself to be self-disciplined?
8. Do you respect yourself to allow your personal evolutionary journey?
9. Do you respect others as you would respect yourself?

As children, we are just are, and how we experience our environments are just is. Therefore, in doing so, it would require more contrast to have a greater generalized understanding. Meaning the child will eventually age into reason.

It is our absolute right for our continual evolution; we all require experience. Therefore, in our maturing, we will see what is where from what to whom. 

Another aspect to respecting to all those whom dwell within is no mystery.
We are simply sharing our existence with other beings. Therefore, respecting others can simply be acknowledging their existence without the need for direct involvement. The choice not to intervene, unless a choice to.
 

How can one treat the Earth with Respect?
Earth is obviously our platform to entertain our experiences.
It begins with you and extends to your personal abode. Treat your home and your dwellings with respect.

Therefore, what are your personal living arrangements like? Is it neat and tidy? Is it well organized and ship shape. How about your personally chosen transportation? Our dwellings require upkeep. What respect do you give to your personal space? It all begins within our backyards.

Our civilisation still has much room for growth. By applying these fundamental truths, grants access to the embetterment for your wellbeing and others. Therefore, the betterment of Earth and all life that dwell within.

Take full responsibility for your actions

What comes to mind when we mention the word responsibility? Is it filled with condescending memories? Is it an amass of brash moments? Is it filled with messy conflicts?  

This can play out in two ways.
One is the blame game, the other is self-accountability. One keeps you a victim, while the other allows you to be the master of your actions.
One belittles and the other allows change.
It is an interesting balancing act.
Especially when you get the chance to stand back and observe it in its entirety.
No one likes feeling like a victim; therefore often turns into the blame game.

Responsibility is a superpower.
How so, you ask?

When you are accountable, you will be diligent with your actions.
When you are diligent, you have the power of decisions and the choice to craft a new path. A whole new world will arrive at your doorstep.
There is nothing you can’t do, per se.
Because it gives you strength and the opportunity to do what you wish.

The concept of blaming others can be a book in itself; it can encompass all the extremities, all the dynamics, and the many accumulations of misguided beliefs. In turn causes a perpetuation of self-victimization. It would be an interesting read.  

The second nature to responsibility is accountability:
Accountability can take you anywhere. Accountable means you stand firm on your responsibilities. You take action on your responsibilities. Therefore, you’re not negating or running from life. Accountability is action.
It’s not gas lighting (I really dislike this term)

A solution?

What clears up such confusion is the power of the spoken word. Therefore, we are losing the art of communication. Our generations are at a further lose, only because we can’t stand up and speak methodologically. Systematic communication is becoming a rare art. We need to be more emotionally intelligent as a society. We just need that friendly nudge. There are many ways we can go. It begins with a personal choice. The rest will follow.

With due respect, I am humbled to write this blog.

Greetings