Aparigraha and Ahimsa: Be Uncomfortable
I often hear that people feel uncomfortable discussing the ongoing genocides in the world, claiming they lack sufficient understanding. If this is you, I want to assure you that your discomfort is a sign of remaining humanity, untainted by capitalism.
Aparigraha, or non-attachment, and Ahimsa, or non-violence, are two powerful principles that can guide us towards a more compassionate and mindful way of living. However, truly applying these principles often means stepping outside of our comfort zones.
As an American who enjoys privileges such as accessibility and comfort, I recognize that our comfort can sometimes be tied to the suffering of others. This becomes especially apparent when considering global issues like the ongoing genocide in places like Gaza, Congo, and Haiti.
Discussing Gaza can be uncomfortable because it implicates us in some way—we understand that billions of our taxpayer dollars are funding a genocide and continuing the occupation of Palestine. This discomfort is necessary and important, serving as a wake-up call and a reminder of realities we often ignore or aren't aware of due to our privileged positions.
Additionally, as I type this on a device powered by resources extracted through the enslavement and genocide of the Congolese people, I'm forced to ask: Is technology moving us forward if we have to revert back to inhumane practices? Capitalism seems to be a cycle of exploitation and suffering.
Looking at Haiti, the imposition of Western and European influence is clear. The people of Haiti deserve the right to create their own system of government, free from outside manipulation and control.
So what can we do? We can practice being uncomfortable. We can engage with content that makes us squirm, read the experiences of marginalized people, and sit in that discomfort. Understand that being attached to comfort can blind us to the suffering of others.
We can also practice tipping because any type of labor involves some level of suffering, and having someone serve us can be a form of violence. If you need to get a new Phone buy it second hand.
Most importantly, we can use our voices. Call your representatives and express your discomfort with your tax dollars being spent on violence. Be uncomfortable because children are dying. That should make us uncomfortable.
Recognize your comfort in avoiding these difficult topics and challenge it. Practice non-attachment. Practice non-violence. Because only when we step out of our comfort zones can we truly begin to make a difference.
