Issues of Survival :: Essays Papers

Issues of Survival â€Å"We will only change if we survive, but we will only survive unless we change.† I believe that the Dalai Lama, in his book Ethics for a New Millennium, discusses many issues pertaining to the current state of our society that are of dyer importance if we hope to survive into the next few generations. Primarily, I am referring to his discussion of happiness as it relates to inner peace, the acknowledgement of universal responsibility, and the need to educate our children responsibly, inside and outside of the classroom. The Dalai Lama makes the assertion that, as humans, we are all ultimately searching for happiness. The way we can become truly happy is by acknowledging that, â€Å"the principal characteristic of genuine happiness is peace: inner peace.† (55) We can achieve this inner peace by putting others needs on the same plane as our own needs and by recognizing that our own well-being is intimately attached to that of others. I believe this is crucial to our survival. By raising others needs to a level of our own, we are acknowledging that they are an asset to our lives and equally contribute to the human family. This, in my mind, guarantees them the universal rights of food, water, shelter, education, health services, and safety. We are improving our own lives when we lift up the lives of others. Whether one believes in karma or not, it is true that we feel a positive emotion after thinking of or helping others. â€Å"The impact of our actions—both positive and negative—register deep within us.† (88) That is why we need to continue to think of others well-being; it lifts our spirits and helps us achieve inner peace. True inner peace and happiness cannot be achieved, in my opinion, without the acceptance of the Dalai Lama’s ideas of universal responsibility. My thoughts regarding this are based off the idea that we can never be truly happy while there is human (or environmental) suffering. If it is true happiness for which we are searching, we have a responsibility to everyone’s happiness.