xplnyrslf said:

but i can not honestly say the act was selfless
if i look deep within i benefitted from her survival
just as much as she did

if it truly would not have affected me in any way, would i have stepped in,
i dont believe i would, acts of altruism only look selfless from the surface

look a bit deeper and you will find the rewards that you are subconcioulsy looking for...

...
[Edited 3/11/07 14:39pm]

xplnyrslf said:

Thankyou.

xplnyrslf said:

The benefits I receive probably far outweigh those that I give. They're indescribable and I have learned so much. I have become much, much larger as a person and spirit.

eraclito said:

As an afterthought. At the time, how long did it take for you to think about the situation, then act???
Losing your life would not have benefited you. In the moment, there were no "up" sides.
What was your motivation for helping the woman? You mentioned she was pregnant.
[Edited 3/11/07 19:40pm]

I don't talk about my altruistic acts. To me verbalizing them makes them seem less sincere in a way---almost like seeking approval for being a good person. One should "do good deeds" regardless of whether people will notice or not because it's the right thing to do.

(I don't mean this trying to pick a fight, it's just my opinion so please don't take offense.)

I only share my experience to encourage others to do the same. There is SO much work to do to take care of the infirm and elderly, just little things can make a huge difference.

Jackie, an elderly woman with Parkinson's whom I assist on the computer, tells me that checking and sending emails is the highlight of her week because she can make contact with her daughters. She writes incredibly eloquent, beautiful letters and I type them up for her.

But I can't help her every week, and I know she waits for me (sometimes several weeks) to come by and help her check her email. If there was another volunteer to help as well, it would be better.

Another woman I visit has a phobia so that she spends the entire day every day sitting alone in the corner of her room. When I stop in at the nursing home, I sit with her and chat for 15-20 minutes. She is incredibly intelligent and loves to talk. She taught middle school for years and has no family. It's not much, but just a little connection and conversation can go a very long way for someone like that.

To continue, there is a woman from India in this nursing home. She has Muscular Sclerosis, I believe, and gets moody with screaming fits. When I visit her, I build an altar in her bedroom with Hindu gods and goddess on it, burn incense, offer flowers to the shrine. Sometimes I take her outside to pick the flowers beforehand. Then we meditate together and I read from ancient Vedic scripture or Hindu texts.

She has no other opportunity to participate in worship of this kind in her religious tradition. But she clearly craves it. I hope it brings her some peace of mind.

jone70 said:

I completely agree with the philosophy.
That's the good thing about anonymity with web sites. Most here have posted actions that would never be mentioned if the topic wasn't presented.
I guess I should have titled it: "What do you do or have done to make the world a better place? ". Maybe there's more effort involved vs. a natural tendency.
There's one situation I posted and thought more about my reasoning. Although it was a kind gesture, I functioned more on feeling bad for others' behavior. I guess that takes it out of the "altruistic" category. I felt better , although I hadn't planned to do so.
Reflecting about why you behave the way you do, and actions taken without thought nor benefit to one's self is worthwhile. The results maker clearer the psyche.
[Edited 3/11/07 21:46pm]

xplnyrslf said:

Thanks, but I'm really kind of shallow most of the times.


It's like a nervous tick whenever I do these kinds of things. It just kind of happens and when I realize what I did, I pat myself on the back while feeling a bit awkward and confused.

Imago said:

Well...your competitive lusting after retina aside, underneath it all, I KNOW you're a good person.

xplnyrslf said:

i acted immediately, with no thought
in situations such as these, the mind and body react from a deeper place
subconciously it was important to me that the woman survived unhurt
which is why i still maintain that there is no such thing as true altruism

look deeper into all these cases and u will find their reasons

..

eraclito said:

Well, I've already eliminated one scenario I mentioned as altruistic. I acted based on guilt for others' actions. (hell, I'm Catholic)

In your case it WAS altruistic. You acted without regard to your own safety, not anticipating future reward, and to the benefit of someone else. Your only motive was the woman's safety.
[Edited 3/11/07 22:30pm]

eraclito said:

some of the reasons may have to do with a religion or spiritual path, since most religions promote service and contribution.


Lord Krishna said: In this world I have stated a twofold path of spiritual discipline in the past. The path of Self-knowledge for the contemplative ones, and the path of unselfish work (Seva, Karma-yoga) for all others. (3.03)

Work other than those done as a selfless service (Seva) binds human beings. Therefore, becoming free from selfish attachment to the fruits of work, do your duty efficiently as a service to Me. (3.09)

In the beginning the creator created human beings together with selfless service (Seva, sacrifice) and said: By serving each other you shall prosper and the sacrificial service shall fulfill all your desires. (3.10)

Always perform your duty efficiently and without any selfish attachment to the results, because by doing work without attachment one attains Supreme. (3.19)

King Janaka and others attained perfection of Self-realization by selfless service (Karma-yoga) alone. You should also perform your duty with a view to guide people, and for the welfare of the society. (3.20)

As the ignorant work with attachment to the fruits of work, so the wise should work without attachment, for the welfare of the society. (3.25)

The wise should not unsettle the mind of the ignorant ones who are attached to the fruits of work, but the enlightened one should inspire others by performing all works efficiently without selfish attachment. (See also 3.29) (3.26)

One who does all work as an offering to God — abandoning selfish attachment to results — remains untouched by Karmic reaction or sin as a lotus leaf never gets wet by water. (5.10)

A Karma-yogi attains Supreme Bliss by abandoning attachment to the fruits of work; while others, who are attached to the fruits of work, become bound by selfish work. (5.12)

O Arjuna, renunciation (Samnyasa) is same as Karma-yoga. Because, no one becomes a Karma-yogi who has not renounced the selfish motive behind an action. (See also 5.01, 5.05, 6.01, and 18.02) (6.02)

One is considered the best yogi who regards every being like oneself, and who can feel the pain and pleasures of others as one’s own, O Arjuna. (6.32)

Bhagavad Gita

xplnyrslf said:

i am selfish dammit !

eraclito said:

Modest and humble is more like it.

xplnyrslf said:

baby i am arrogant, ignorant and cocksure

unfortunately there is nothing humble about me, but thank you for your kind words

Imago said:

ho lawd how i wish someone would one day do that for me.