September 18, 2025
Principle 9. Liberty. Week 4
When you harm others, you remain enchained, but if you do not harm anyone, you may freely do whatever you want.
Last time: The Internal Judge
This time: What do I really want?
This Week:
In previous weeks we have looked at the structure of the principle, and how it was, or could have been applied in the past, and the present. This week we’ll focus on how we might apply this principle in the future, to our pending situations.
No doubt we’ll once again wrestle with what it means to harm, and what does it mean to be enchained. And where’s the future anyway? And shouldn’t we all just live in the present?
But perhaps these meditations on the future—on things that have not, and may not ever, happen—is not as complicated as it seems at first. What if I have a difficult work meeting coming up, or a family dinner where certain conflicts will likely surface, or my economic situation, or when I consider the state of the world and fear the growing chaos, etc? Don’t these images affect me today even though the problem I imagine has not even occurred?
This week to help gain some new perspectives on this principle we will consider not only how it might apply in the future, but we will also play the game of Explain It!
Feeling Playful?
The Game of the Week:
This week’s game is simple: explain your basic understanding of the principle. Maybe, you slip it into a conversation. Maybe, you announce your intention, e.g. “We are studying these principles of behaviour, let me tell you my take on one that we have been discussing this week”.
Of course, you might find it more interesting to engage another player (or players). So, if you can manage to talk to someone that’s great but if you can’t, maybe write down your understanding in an email and send it to me, or to another friend, or to yourself - or don’t ever send it. The point is to put your thoughts, and intuitions into a form that is suitable for sharing.
Of course, not having anyone at hand with whom you might play the game might get you thinking about why that is. Perhaps, it can be seen as an opportunity to reflect on what that absence implies, and perhaps even take measures in enrich your social environment. There are many simple steps that you can take in this direction – something increasingly important as the social fabric unravels. For example, volunteer for a worthy cause, take a class in something that interests you, or make an effort to meet your neighbours. Certainly, you can think of things that fit you and your situation.
Another thing this game has in common with the game of Ask About It! is that it’s a game! In this game our interest is on engaging and communicating. Convincing, preening, winning an argument, etc. are outside of the goals of the game. Rather, you are simply sharing your interpretation of something you find interesting.
Personal Reflections:
I say these are my reflections, and obviously that’s true as far as it goes. But in another sense, they are our reflections. That is, they are informed, and inspired by our ongoing conversations and exchange of experiences.
But what about the future? How can I know how I might treat someone in the future? How can I know how, or even if, I would become enchained. For that matter, enchained to what?
If I can see conflicts emerging on the horizon, can I also see situations where what I want to do might not agree with what others want me to do? What if my desire to “go along to get along” conflicts with my registers of internal unity?
The principles don’t give us “push button” answers to such questions, but they do point us back to our internal registers and encourage us to clarify how we feel and think about our actions in the world.
Where do I begin? A few things immediately come to mind. First, do no harm! Wake up. We are like children who cry thinking we are hungry when really, we need sleep —our basic registers (hunger, exhaustion, etc.) are unclear and confused. Try to feel your internal registers more clearly. Learning to relax muscular, internal, and mental tensions is an important step in this direction. Simple meditation is another as are the meetings and other activities of our Community.
Worth Repeating:
Now that I am not harming anyone the question remains; what is it that I truly want?
Remember:
Do not let your life pass by without asking yourself, “Who am I?”
Do not let your life pass by without asking yourself, “Where am I going?”
Do not let a day pass by without giving an answer to yourself about who you are.
Do not let a day pass by without giving an answer to yourself about where you are going.
Excerpt fromThe Path _ Silo
Coming up:
This principle observes that you remain enchain when you harm others. It also sets a kind of lower limit to our actions — do whatever you want but don’t hurt anyone. But next week we start a new principle, and it takes us beyond that basic condition of “no harm” and clearly defines a direction for our actions. That is Principle 10 “The Principle of Solidarity” it says:
“When You Treat Others As You Would Have Them Treat You, You Liberate Yourself.”
Note:
Peter J was our host (guide) at our last meeting. Flavio has offered to be our host for the next one. We hope you can join us. You’ll receive a reminder the day before the meeting.
These notes have been posted on Facebook and sent to our email list, and, on my website www.dzuckerbrot.com
Don’t forget:
In some moment of the day or night inhale a breath of air and imagine that you carry this air to your heart. Then, ask with strength for yourself and for your loved ones. Ask with strength to move away from all that brings you contradiction; ask for your life to have unity. Don't take a lot of time with this brief prayer, this brief asking, because it is enough that you interrupt for one brief moment what is happening in your life for this contact with your interior to give clarity to your feelings and your ideas.
Silo_ La Reja, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2005
