Exploitation in the name of Help...beware of motives.

appellativo · Exploitation in the name of Help...beware of motives.

This is not really spirit of the HORSE related, but I wanted to discuss it with the people who usually visit this part of the forum.

I was reading a certain book review and it made a good point. Here is the excerpt:

If we look at our own history as an example, and we ask why humans have expended effort, energy and equipment to visit new worlds, what do we learn? Did Columbus come to the Americas to share his peaceloving spirituality, or his knowledge of technology? Did Cortez bring peace and prosperity to the Aztecs? On a more modern note, does Wal-Mart bring economic security to communities and small businesses?

Are the good humans the ones who exploited Africa for gold and diamonds, America for land, wildlife and other vast resources, Iraq for oil? The wise and the spiritually advanced do not violate other people's sovereign rights by visiting their lands with no invitation, by kidnapping their citizens or by stealing their resources. But they say they are here to help, you argue. Of course they do. Do you think they will tell you they are here to help themselves?

(end of review excerpt)

I wanted to bring this point out so that everyone can be reminded to try to be very discerning and aware of the motives of others. People, companies, organizations,....anybody! Always ask yourself what they stand to gain from 'helping' you. A truly well intentioned, mature, 'evolved' persona will never force anything on you, and will always respect your freedom of choice.

whudson

Interesting...good point to make. Kind of like white man"helping" the natives...perhaps they didn't.

appellativo

....exactly.

learningthedance

thelmanelle

Some of the people exploited were done so by their own people...which is really sad.

All for a better life for them...too. Not always the end person...start at the beginning people who were willing to sell their own people.

That is scary.

jackspark

Nobody does anything without some kind of a payoff. Now that payoff doesn't have to be hurtful but none the less there is ALWAYS a payoff.

PasoBaby_CarolU

jackspark

There was a personal payoff for her. Like I said, it can be as benign as "I want to feel like I am helping" that is a payoff because it makes ya FEEL good about yourself.

appellativo

I think this is true. However, you also have to analyze the motive (of the self.)

if our true purpose is to grow personally so that we may feel the highest feelings we can imagine, then helping others to feel the highest feelings that they can feel, sure that makes you feel good, but it also helps others towards their purpose (if that is their purpose.) So, it's still 'selfish' but on a whole new level (a higher one). I don't think you can 'fault' that. Because your purpose is IN ALIGNMENT with their purpose. So it respects their freedom of choice, and their autonomy.

jackspark

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the words motive or payoff have negative connotations; they just describe the reasons for doing something. Let's face it, true altruism is a rare thing. People that exhibit that are truly old souls and you're right Erin, that is a totally different selfish (motive)

thelmanelle

Man! I find that interesting....because SHI is not fun at times...we struggle for funds to survive...so if I make a post about a stolen or missing horse? You think it is because I want the joy? heck no! I want my horses safe! I am trying to educate folks about SHI ...not about me at all.

So figure this one out...because it is not fun talking with someone who just found out very bad information....yet, sometimes, we get a wonderful response.

We have a 48% recovery rate....not about us, about our volunteers who are part of us.

So this is not totally correct.