The No-Harm Trap

In order to truly understand what it means to live without harm, we must first understand harm itself. We are surrounded by hurt on so many different levels, from humans hurting one another's feelings to people harming their own bodies and minds, and even to the harm we inflict upon the planet. Sometimes it feels as though we are the only ones causing harm.

But when we look at nature, we see that harm, suffering, and pain are all part of the cycle of life. When a lion kills an antelope, he is physically hurting the antelope, but it's not about harm. It's about survival and the natural order of things.

So why do we strive for a world without harm? Some say it's because it's best for us, but how do we define and measure "best"? Some might argue that it's about increasing happiness or love, while others say we can measure our progress by the "quality of life". But while technology and hygiene may have improved, has society truly changed for the better? Do we see more positivity and solutions than problems?

The truth is, pain and suffering are easier to define than happiness. We know when we are unhappy, but we always think we could be happier, even in moments of happiness. So has pain and suffering decreased to create a "better" world? It's hard to say. Look around you and listen. Do you hear more positive or negative changes?

The Dalai Lama once said that those brought up in some eastern cultures seem to have a greater acceptance and tolerance for suffering, perhaps because they are more exposed to the realities of life. In western society, as we gained the ability to limit suffering caused by harsh living conditions, we seemed to have lost the ability to cope with the suffering that remains. We tend to believe that the world is a nice place, that life is fair, and that we deserve good things. But when suffering arises, it can shake our beliefs and make it difficult to continue living happily.

The question we must ask ourselves is whether we really want to cut out the pain. We cannot expect others to save us from harm and suffering. We must lead by example and take responsibility for changing our own lives. We are not victims. While we cannot eliminate pain and suffering entirely, we can choose to respond to them with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to live without causing harm to others or the planet.