Ethics and Morals – Do We Need Them?

There are three things humans need in order to both survive and thrive. The first is material goods, including shelter and food. The second is procreation, which ensures the continuation of the species, and the third is the rules of behavior, or ethical and moral codes of conduct. Ethics are morals in action. Morals are knowing the difference between right and wrong and choosing right. Ethics is morally acting in such a way as to bring the greatest good for the greatest many. It is important that we develop the ability to distinguish right from wrong. The underlying factor is to strive to do no harm. . Ethics underpins the choices we make. Morals lay the foundation for the ethics we establish. Without morals, we would have no ethics, and since it is well understood that different people often adhere to different ethical standards, this raises the question: Where do our morals come from? Where is there justice? In life, there is no justice; therefore, we have laws. The law of karma teaches us that we are what we think, speak, and do, so consciously pay attention to how you conduct your life. All humans desire survival, long life, knowledge, justice, fame, love, and salvation. As far as we know, all other living things only seek survival. Therefore, the survival and thriving of the human species depend on good morals and ethics. Make the wrong choice, and there will be consequences -that’s karma—life becomes what life does. You must decide what is right and what is wrong. No one can do this for you. How and what we choose reflects what we value. Choosing to act without morals and ethics leads the conscience astray. It takes balance, strength, flexibility, and peace to make the right ethical and /or moral choices. Let’s get started. END While contemporary culture encourages us to become rich regardless of the cost, yoga challenges us to view money as a divine force that we must manage responsibly. We are encouraged to earn a good living and even to become rich. However, the path must be honest and lawful. We must always seek to do no harm and do the greatest good for the greatest many. Karma reminds us that our first responsibility is to take care of ourselves, then our family and friends, and then the world at large; never forgetting to take time for soulful pursuit. Self-awareness and self-reflection are often necessary when deciding how best to fulfill our responsibilities. Some people think the desire to fulfill our inner life makes it difficult to make money. This is not true. When we do things with a clear conscience, prosperity is sure to come. Just remind yourself that money and wealth, when used with a clear conscience, have the power to do good far more than poverty. So, seek wealth and enjoy the pleasures of life based upon good morals and ethics. EGO: Flip your palm up and extend the index finger – the ego. In difficult times, people tend to lose their faith and resort to shortcuts and questionable practices. In this worldly life, they may seem to succeed with these tactics, but ultimately, they will leave deep scars on their consciousness and adversely influence the course of their future lives. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top – take a breath and surrender to the soul. Character, good behavior, commitment to truth, and mental and physical purity are essential in this life, especially in trying times, if you wish to truly prosper. When profit and pleasure are guided by ethics and morals, they become instruments for humanitarian and soulful growth. It is good to make a profit and build wealth, but do so from a consciously guided perspective. Self-awareness and self-reflection are often necessary when deciding how best to fulfill our responsibilities. Remember this: humans desire long life, knowledge, justice, fame, love, and salvation. All other life forms, as far as we know, only seek to survive. The survival and thriving of human beings depend on good morals and ethics. This is a treasure of great importance. Act ethically from this moral base; do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Do no harm and always seek to do the greatest good for the greatest many. Namaste~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness and peace Doctor Lynn