Non-harm & Welfare
Morality
Not harming harmless beings, serving all beings, and ever-deepening the link to the Supreme Consciousness.
Contents
The Starting Point
Morality is the starting point of practice, because ethical conduct prepares the mind for meditation. It is the foundation of spirituality, and according to , it is the starting point of the spiritual journey of life.
Morality is based on responsibility, non-harm, welfare and a spiritual approach to life.
Non-Harm
Just as nobody wants to be harmed physically or mentally, morality is about not causing that kind of harm. Stealing is harmful. If anyone has stolen from you, you know the pain it caused you. A society full of crime is full of pain, which diminishes hope.
Causing harm does not only affect the person being harmed, it also affects the person causing the harm psychologically. A criminal mentality is harmful to a person's psychological well-being and spiritual progress.
Still, it is not possible to live without causing harm to any being. Through housing, agriculture and the production of the things we need, plants, animals and their habitats are harmed. Microorganisms inside the human body are also harmed by the body's functions throughout life.
Although it is best to cause as little harm as possible, this does not mean you have to live like a hermit to minimize harm. You can reduce harm by not wasting resources. Futhermore, you can think of the welfare you create as countering the harm you cause, and as such, focus on maximizing welfare.
Welfare
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
Welfare means to use your capacity for the benefit of others. Morality goes even further, to the point of selfless service, where you expect nothing in return.
provides clear guidance on how you can create welfare. Primarily, this means ensuring that all beings have their basic needs met, can live with dignity, and are protected. A step further is to cultivate a supportive environment where they can thrive.
Spirituality
There is also a spiritual dimension to morality, which in fact is the most important aspect. It is to always remember God and to act for the sake of serving God's creation. This kind of spiritual practice will naturally awaken the other aspects of morality.
Further Reading
The book A Guide to Human Conduct by has an in-depth explanation of Yama and Niyama, the yogic principles of morality.
See Also