Let’s explore killing people!
Not actually doing it, of course. But just thinking about it.
Let’s start with one of the scariest types of people we can imagine. Serial killers. People who, for whatever reason, decide to kill innocent others. Their prey are generally strangers who are just going about their lives. People who have done nothing to deserve such a brutal death.
Without going into the intricacies of their psychology, I think we would agree that these killers are being totally selfish. They are inflicting their will in the most terrifying manner with no thought or compassion for their victims. They do it for their own pleasure. It’s thrilling. The free manifestation of anger. Murder feels good if you are filled with hatred.
Hedonism.
That’s kind of the opposite of altruism right? Being selfless and generally loving and caring about others is the best way to be. Right?
Why?
Why does one volunteer at the animal shelter or donate money to feed the homeless? Why do we do everything we can for our children?
Because it feels good to do so. Love feels good.
Hedonism again? Is it selfish to be selfless?
Does this mean that everything we do is selfish?
Would you give up your life to save someone you love? I certainly would and I think most people would also. Would you give up your life to save a stranger? That’s a tougher one. I mean, you might be making your kids into orphans just to save someone who might possibly be a serial killer or at least a total asshole. Would you die to save your pet dog? Many people do. How about a stray cat? We’re coming up to the line here aren’t we?
So we will die for love but only if it’s in our own self-interest.
So everyone is trying to do what they want to do. Now, who controls what it is that you want? You are certainly the door-keeper of your desires and compulsions, but are you their originator? No. But you will give in to them if it seems to be in your best interest.
Okay, let’s get back to killing people!
Everybody is going to die. That’s the way it works. Nothing is forever. Death is not evil. (It is actually a necessary illusion but that is fodder for another post.)
Nor can we predict the future. The end result of randomly killing a young lady might result in her never giving birth to a child who grows up to be a serial killer. Killing her could save many innocent lives. (I know, not likely. I’m not trying to make a case for serial killing. I’m trying to get to the heart of what evil is.)
The killer is not the source of the evil he visits upon the world. He is just allowing it in because he does not know that hurting others equally hurts himself.
There is a popular idea that can be summed up as the Golden Rule or the Law of Reciprocity. Most of us are familiar with it. This is based on the fact that the world you experience is a reflection of how you are on the inside. The state of your mind alters your reality.
Have you heard the popular teaching story about the two wolves? The gist of it is that there is a black wolf and a white wolf that are constantly fighting inside of people for control of their hearts. The one that will win is the one that gets fed.
Your overall outlook on life is built upon the myriad little outlooks you have taken over the years. Each time you decide to look at the bright side of a situation, you get a little closer to heaven. Each time you chose to see the dark side, the world will slowly become ever so slightly more hellish. As you change the way you see the world, the world will change to become whatever it is you wish to see.
To choose love is it’s own reward. Whether or not that is selfish is an important clue as to what the nature of the self might be.
So the next time you meet a serial killer, tell him to look on the bright side!