Philosophy - The False Dichotomy of Public and Private

For the lover of Wisdom there is no separation between public and private, there is only suffering or compassion. Any barrier we attempt to build to justify actions in private that we would consider unacceptable in public is merely a glass wall, a fictional barricade of rationalization. There is no purely private moment - there is no action or thought that exists in the vacuum of non-being, in some transcendental space separate from this world; there is no environment that in some way does not touch on the surrounding greater world.

In the Analects we see Confucius suggest that following the Odes is the proper Way, the Way that brings Harmony (He 和). We could mistakenly think that Confucius simply advocates conformity to ritual, to blind obedience - but this is far from true, and even a cursory reading of the text shows us that Confucius does not follow ritual for its own sake. Confucius goes so far as to say that we follow ritual because it creates harmony. Confucius critiques blind adherence to ritual as pedantic dogmatism, and alters ritual where needed.

On the other hand Confucius does not advocate changing ritual for its own sake. It may be possible to alter some rituals and still remain in the bounds of Rightness (Yi 義); but some alterations transgress the sage's sense of Rightness (Yi 義). For example, Confucius suggests that it is quite permissible to wear a less expensive ceremonial cap, as the point of the cap/hat is to show deference instead of opulence. However, Confucius argues it would be impossible to change rules of etiquette - such as bowing to the Emperor upon entering the room - and still maintain the sense of Propriety (Li 裡).

Similarly the Eight Fold Path of Buddhism reminds us to nurture "Right Thoughts." This is not a call to make thoughts conform to an external screed or script - rather this is a call to treat all our thoughts with mindfulness and care, so we do not nurture suffering in our own minds. Compassion begins with mindful recognition of Suffering. Compassion begins with our own mindful awareness of our own thoughts and feelings, of how we think about ourselves, of those around us, and the lives we live.

In this respect, again I say there is no distinction between public and private. Wherever we find ourselves we find ourselves with our thoughts and our potential actions. Even if unseen by others, we can still ask if our thoughts and actions nurture compassion or if our thoughts and actions perpetuate and increase suffering. This does not mean we should judge ourselves for being imperfect, for our own actions also require compassion, but we should be mindful of how out thoughts direct our attitude towards the world. Hopefully we see the rest of the world is always at hand, brushing against us as we rush through just as we are brushing against it.

As we rush through our lives, let us move with kindness towards those around us, and by extension, the kindness of all.