As we celebrate Veteran's Day this weekend, it seems a perfect opportunity to continue contemplation of the
Noble Eightfold Path, picking up where we left off--step 3 on the path to happiness:
Right Livelihood. One of the quickest ways to a happy life might be the path of service we choose. Thank you to all those brave ones who keep us safe and free and to all service men and women who care for people in harms way--running into the path of danger while most are running away.
How we express service is an expression of not only our skills but our hearts. What motivates our paths of service? Money, fame, love, sacrifice?
The
Inner Constellation theme for November is
service, which is directly connected to wholesome livelihood as a way to happiness. As beautiful life would have it, my husband recorded a movie this weekend, The Hurt Locker, written by a journalist who was on assignment with a bomb disposal unit in Baghdad. While watching the film I initially formed the impression that one particular character was fiercely ego driven, but then, as his story progressed, service to something much bigger than himself materialized--protecting human life. What struck me regarding this choice of
service is the discipline and practice it takes to disassemble one's instinct for self preservation. Putting others before oneself is a calling, and it's also a practice in developing compassion.
Most of us will never
serve in such an intense capacity, but we can consciously look at how we do
serve and what drives our actions--perhaps it's compassion for animals, our planet, or a deep passion for what we love. Right livelihood expresses what we treasure and can move us and others in the direction of freedom.
From this land and across the many oceans, our choice of
service affects the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. Each human being is as varied as the cosmos with talents that are numerous, mysterious and complex. On this Veteran's Day weekend,
InnerConstellation.com* would like to honor and thank all the men and women who serve our country and protect the freedoms we enjoy everyday.
May all live in the world unharmed,
in a state of ease and grace.
*mindfulness services are offered to Veteran's and their families at InnerContellation.com, scroll down for flyer details
