Most people see morality the wrong way, for the wrong reasons. They think if they stop drugging, drinking, or cheating on their spouse that will make them moral.
But that is missing the point…
The real path is the one where you no longer desire drugs, drink, or cheating. You become the person for whom these things hold no allure.
Your morality comes not from obeying rules or laws, but from living in accord with the values you believe in, and the principles you hold.
-RG
Reader interactions
58 Replies to “Moral Consciousness”
Good – love it!!!
Good – love it!!!
Yes, you become the real deal.
Yes, you become the real deal.
How great it is not having to live in abstinence!
How great it is not having to live in abstinence!
@PiliCuadrado Thanks have an amazing day!
@Randy_Gage Thanks Randy, you too!!!
@PiliCuadrado Thanks have an amazing day!
@Randy_Gage Thanks Randy, you too!!!
Since I gave up drinking altogether over a year ago I am experiencing the biggest break throughs of my career. Coincidence? I think not …
Since I gave up drinking altogether over a year ago I am experiencing the biggest break throughs of my career. Coincidence? I think not …
Randy, I agree with you that true morality comes not from resisting temptation, but from not being tempted at all. However, your stance against “drugs, drink, or cheating” is based on our Western culture and our sometimes-hypocritical, often self-contradictory belief systems.
For example, as far as drugs are concerned, is taking aspirin immoral? What about an antidepressant? Chemo? You can argue that taking LSD is immoral, but American Indians smoked peyote to heighten their spiritual awareness. Was that immoral?
I’d much rather see “morality” defined as respect and tolerance (for others and yourself), the practice of non-violence against people, animals, and nature, and an overall celebration of life and living. Something like that.
jim
@jimbarber That’s interesting Jim, I like that. I like that alot.
@jimbarber Good insight to raise. I have no judgment on people taking drugs or drinking. I’m a Libertarian and believe this is a personal choice and should be legal. The issue I wanted to raise is how people perceive morality to be resisting temptation and I believe the true consciousness of morality is as I described above. -RG
Randy, I agree with you that true morality comes not from resisting temptation, but from not being tempted at all. However, your stance against “drugs, drink, or cheating” is based on our Western culture and our sometimes-hypocritical, often self-contradictory belief systems.
For example, as far as drugs are concerned, is taking aspirin immoral? What about an antidepressant? Chemo? You can argue that taking LSD is immoral, but American Indians smoked peyote to heighten their spiritual awareness. Was that immoral?
I’d much rather see “morality” defined as respect and tolerance (for others and yourself), the practice of non-violence against people, animals, and nature, and an overall celebration of life and living. Something like that.
jim
Great truth Randy
Great truth Randy
@jimbarber That’s interesting Jim, I like that. I like that alot.
@jimbarber Good insight to raise. I have no judgment on people taking drugs or drinking. I’m a Libertarian and believe this is a personal choice and should be legal. The issue I wanted to raise is how people perceive morality to be resisting temptation and I believe the true consciousness of morality is as I described above. -RG
Hmmmm…. I don’t know. I think resisiting is a part of morality. I mean sure, I suppose you could get to a point where these things hold no allure… But, I think being moral is an act of love. Love requires work, and resisting temptations is work. Maybe once you resist you no longer desire. How do we stop having desires. Sometimes desires and temptations lead us to a higher spiritual plane.
Love is our natural state and requires no work. It is being non-loving that requires work.
@Joe G No, I think you’re wrong. I mean it in the most respectful way. 🙂
Hmmmm…. I don’t know. I think resisiting is a part of morality. I mean sure, I suppose you could get to a point where these things hold no allure… But, I think being moral is an act of love. Love requires work, and resisting temptations is work. Maybe once you resist you no longer desire. How do we stop having desires. Sometimes desires and temptations lead us to a higher spiritual plane.
I agree…and if you are tempted by certain things that go against your values, if you explore what the real need is then you can transform the temptation into a worth while pursuit. I think that’s when you no longer are tempted by things because you realize your true worth and what will REALLY make you happy and high..for real.
I agree…and if you are tempted by certain things that go against your values, if you explore what the real need is then you can transform the temptation into a worth while pursuit. I think that’s when you no longer are tempted by things because you realize your true worth and what will REALLY make you happy and high..for real.
Morality is too closely linked to religion for my comfort. I prefer not to think of things in terms of morals but in terms of my overall connection and oneness to the universe. I can pat myself on the back for never having cheated on my partner but if I treat him like shit otherwise, I’m only kidding myself.
Morality is too closely linked to religion for my comfort. I prefer not to think of things in terms of morals but in terms of my overall connection and oneness to the universe. I can pat myself on the back for never having cheated on my partner but if I treat him like shit otherwise, I’m only kidding myself.
If life is a gift and we are to be good stewards to our bodies, than abstinence or moderate use of alcohol, drugs, food, should be acquired. If you find anything getting an unhealthy hold on your life than you may want to completely abstain from it. thanks for sharing.
If life is a gift and we are to be good stewards to our bodies, than abstinence or moderate use of alcohol, drugs, food, should be acquired. If you find anything getting an unhealthy hold on your life than you may want to completely abstain from it. thanks for sharing.
so it’s more about why we do what we do than it is about what we do?
…the intentions of the heart matter?
oh crap!
LOL great post
so it’s more about why we do what we do than it is about what we do?
…the intentions of the heart matter?
oh crap!
LOL great post
Just like our smile sometimes is the source of our joy and other times our joy is the source of our smile so too when it comes to morals. Some morals we are born with and others we acquire because we know they are right, proper and true. We may have ignored them growing up but as we develop a deeper state of consciousness and connectivity with the world, we realize we much change- and for the better! We may still desire certain things but doesn’t make you immoral, it just makes you human. Being Moral means we know what is right and we do it, recognizing that some of these desires are really just the wants of an imperfect person. Great convo Randy…
Just like our smile sometimes is the source of our joy and other times our joy is the source of our smile so too when it comes to morals. Some morals we are born with and others we acquire because we know they are right, proper and true. We may have ignored them growing up but as we develop a deeper state of consciousness and connectivity with the world, we realize we much change- and for the better! We may still desire certain things but doesn’t make you immoral, it just makes you human. Being Moral means we know what is right and we do it, recognizing that some of these desires are really just the wants of an imperfect person. Great convo Randy…
Love is our natural state and requires no work. It is being non-loving that requires work.
I would like to live a life where I don’t hate myself for making mistakes. I’d love to love myself, and be comfortable with me… Maybe my self inflicted afflictions would subside if i can learn to forgive and let live… What do you think???
I would like to live a life where I don’t hate myself for making mistakes. I’d love to love myself, and be comfortable with me… Maybe my self inflicted afflictions would subside if i can learn to forgive and let live… What do you think???
@Joe G No, I think you’re wrong. I mean it in the most respectful way. 🙂
At the beginning I wanted to say that when I was this article a few hours ago saw, I thought. This is not for me. I just returned from shooting, and I experienced something that changed my view. I realized that what Randy says here, can be applied fully to all. And especially it if you think that living according to what I preach, or not completely .. I do not drink, do not take drugs, not cheat … But I found something when I am not honest to myself. This positive view of the world, I dyed it in something thick coating of “pink”. Or look through rose-colored glasses? Anyway, I realized one big thing that helped me get things into another perspective. Perspective of openness. Why there are so many people scared to show their true “face”? I asked myself, when I was photographed. We know everything in theory, but at the moment when will from behind the viewfinder, experienced eye professional thrum on the right note, and say wake up, really show who you are? Let me close to you … Why is so impossible in front of camera? Makes it flip and we understand that we do not show the world the fact! Our true inside. Sometimes it happens. Why? If we are so strong, why we don´t live fully as we know that we can show? Our true greatness. Thank you for this post Randy
Great perspective from the other side! 🙂
Great perspective from the other side! 🙂
@djsartin Thanks
@djsartin Thanks
People seem to ‘stop’, as you say, but what they are actually doing is disowning a part of themselves. I have always found that what we disown grows in energy and becomes the master over us. That is not living by the values you have, but ….’shoulding’ on yourself. And then the energy pattern comes out at the most inopportune time. (think of political figures who denounce pornography, only to be caught months later in an illicit relationship)
When we can make peace and have love for all aspects of our nature we can ‘be’ in a more congruent nature, and not have to act out in any manner.
That being said, a nice glass of red wine by a warm fire is lovely and not immoral; you just don’t need to polish off the case …………………… Cheers!
People seem to ‘stop’, as you say, but what they are actually doing is disowning a part of themselves. I have always found that what we disown grows in energy and becomes the master over us. That is not living by the values you have, but ….’shoulding’ on yourself. And then the energy pattern comes out at the most inopportune time. (think of political figures who denounce pornography, only to be caught months later in an illicit relationship)
When we can make peace and have love for all aspects of our nature we can ‘be’ in a more congruent nature, and not have to act out in any manner.
That being said, a nice glass of red wine by a warm fire is lovely and not immoral; you just don’t need to polish off the case …………………… Cheers!
Congruency! To me that’s morality.. being fully and “maturely” congruent is progessively realizing my “divine nature” the highest morality. I beleive that’s the root, the essence and the heart of Prosperity Consciousness; it’s seems to be the ultimate, ultimate, ultimate truth. Our ability, as humans to think and manifest and choose and command our minds, to cultivate and employ the faculty of he “who is our creator”, implies our ability to be “one with our maker”. “beleive to see”…..animals can’t do that…..”people can transcend current consciousness”, animals can’t do that……that’s ultimate morality I think…….being one with our divinity and creator; being “free”. input, we need input here, any feedback? There’s so much we don’t know……we are all capable of “christ consciousness”, isn’t that our “cosmic” (highest level) morality? Maybe I’m ultruistic, maybe I’m confusing morality and spirituality, maybe,……I think I’m on the right path though.. Feedback?
@Peter Horrill Yes it’s about living with a congruent philosophy.
-RG
Congruency! To me that’s morality.. being fully and “maturely” congruent is progessively realizing my “divine nature” the highest morality. I beleive that’s the root, the essence and the heart of Prosperity Consciousness; it’s seems to be the ultimate, ultimate, ultimate truth. Our ability, as humans to think and manifest and choose and command our minds, to cultivate and employ the faculty of he “who is our creator”, implies our ability to be “one with our maker”. “beleive to see”…..animals can’t do that…..”people can transcend current consciousness”, animals can’t do that……that’s ultimate morality I think…….being one with our divinity and creator; being “free”. input, we need input here, any feedback? There’s so much we don’t know……we are all capable of “christ consciousness”, isn’t that our “cosmic” (highest level) morality? Maybe I’m ultruistic, maybe I’m confusing morality and spirituality, maybe,……I think I’m on the right path though.. Feedback?
Interesting stuff, Randy. I ask myself, “do I live in alignment with my values & principles?” Hmmm….not all the time. Not 24/7. I slip up, find myself being resentful or snappy, and otherwise thinking speaking or behaving in ways that are not-quite how I want to be. Darn! I must be human, eh? (and Canadian too, can you tell?) Oddly enough, my inner guides gave me a nudge to read one of your older blog topics, “Giving Yourself Permission to Win”. Aaaahhhh…..yes.
Interesting stuff, Randy. I ask myself, “do I live in alignment with my values & principles?” Hmmm….not all the time. Not 24/7. I slip up, find myself being resentful or snappy, and otherwise thinking speaking or behaving in ways that are not-quite how I want to be. Darn! I must be human, eh? (and Canadian too, can you tell?) Oddly enough, my inner guides gave me a nudge to read one of your older blog topics, “Giving Yourself Permission to Win”. Aaaahhhh…..yes.
@Peter Horrill Yes it’s about living with a congruent philosophy.
-RG
Randy, yesterday when I read this post, I was thinking that I have nothing to say. Then I experienced something on shooting which change everything. The photographer said: Show me yourself, and I realized that I am not showing at all. Maybe it is different area, but I asked myself: I am saying that I am open… so why the photographer feel, that I don´t allow to see my true “face”, and I am not open to others? Opened something wonderful. Opened the next thing I suppressed. This relationships with men. This man is my teacher, perfectly described what I was somewhere inside concluded that neither I did not want to see. So … This moralizing, the creation of itself as better than in fact we feel may be a target? It may be our wishes, what could be and how to live. A reception and opening Pandora’s box with it and we can do something. We start with the fact that we love that we are people who have the box and accept the the content that found.
Thank you.
Randy, yesterday when I read this post, I was thinking that I have nothing to say. Then I experienced something on shooting which change everything. The photographer said: Show me yourself, and I realized that I am not showing at all. Maybe it is different area, but I asked myself: I am saying that I am open… so why the photographer feel, that I don´t allow to see my true “face”, and I am not open to others? Opened something wonderful. Opened the next thing I suppressed. This relationships with men. This man is my teacher, perfectly described what I was somewhere inside concluded that neither I did not want to see. So … This moralizing, the creation of itself as better than in fact we feel may be a target? It may be our wishes, what could be and how to live. A reception and opening Pandora’s box with it and we can do something. We start with the fact that we love that we are people who have the box and accept the the content that found.
Thank you.
There are plenty of laws which are immoral and which are abused.The war on drugs for one does nothing but encourage poverty and inequality.People abuse substances or cheat often because they’re in pain or not getting a need met. Not saying that is the case in all instances, but…
There are plenty of laws which are immoral and which are abused.The war on drugs for one does nothing but encourage poverty and inequality.People abuse substances or cheat often because they’re in pain or not getting a need met. Not saying that is the case in all instances, but…
“You become the person for whom these things hold no allure.” Absolutely – for the experiences have served their purpose, and once the call has been answered, that lesson is no longer necessary for the growth of my soul; and I move on to my next lesson to evolve even further on my chosen path. I give thanks for all my lessons, past, present and that which is coming.
I love you rocksta. This post is so necessary, and you delivered it so succinctly to those ready to receive the profundity of the message. Thank you for all you do! XOXO
“You become the person for whom these things hold no allure.” Absolutely – for the experiences have served their purpose, and once the call has been answered, that lesson is no longer necessary for the growth of my soul; and I move on to my next lesson to evolve even further on my chosen path. I give thanks for all my lessons, past, present and that which is coming.
I love you rocksta. This post is so necessary, and you delivered it so succinctly to those ready to receive the profundity of the message. Thank you for all you do! XOXO
thats cool