from a personal poetical exploration of
thich nhat hanh's 14 precepts
eleventh precept: right livelihood
Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion.
mulling over nine I recall I cast aspersions on my brother amongst others I love him so to see him as bleeding 105 hours a week on wall street leaves him sleepless disconnected and miserable I am upset he chose this management of monetary minutia a high priest of mammon it is sapping his soul. or taking the long road to salvation as i see myself lending aid to others with my words so he sees himself future in a position of power perhaps "new jobs must be created so that we do not have to live on the profits of weapons manufacturing" (41) this could be him if I cast my lot with the dogmatic division between us we can not talk I must be compassionate, and respectful, to serve a bridge. besides, one could argue I spent similar time engulfed in screen irradiation and self indulgence so my sadness is not with my brother i will not project that upon him rather I send him sane salutations hope for a balanced life this he needs more from me than judgement my trust that he will "select a vocation that helps him realize his ideal of compassion."
tenth | interbeing | twelfth