The first thing is to not to harm ourselves, not to harm others, and not to harm both. The practice of non-harming is kindness: kindness for ourselves, for others, for both, and then moving into the desire for the welfare and benefit of the world. When we shift to this way of looking at the whole, we begin to understand the sacred, shifting into a place of reverence and respect. To wish for the welfare of the whole world! It’s such an honorable path. It’s such an amazingly high estimation of what we might be capable of in this world.
JD Doyle
Spirit Rock Residential Teacher
JD Doyle (they/them) teaches at the East Bay Meditation Center and in many other communities. They are committed to celebrating the diversity of our human saṅgha, transforming the impacts of racism, honoring all genders, and living in ways that affirm the sacredness of the Earth.