SPIRITUALITY, FAIR TRADE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Forum Search Login Register Forum Blog Picture Gallery

19	November 2013

Work as a Spiritual Practice

Actual Text #1:

Organizations and societies are the sum total of all the individuals in them. To transform one person is to begin the process of transforming many people. If our modern workplace is to become more humane, caring and devoted� and less obsessed with the short-term efficiency and profit, then that larger transformation must begin one person at a time.

Response #1:

This is a very important statement to look at because we all greatly contribute to the well-being of society and our world whether we realize it or not. If you look at Kant�s universality, you can see that if one person is not looking out for the well-being and progress of everyone then the system will not work. In order to create great monumental change we need everyone working on themselves individually and for the greater good of all. It will not make things different over night, but treating everyone as ends, rather than means to an end, will create a huge difference.

Actual Text #2:

Our consumer society is based on the premise that it is, that any human desire worth having is worth fulfilling.

Response #2:

When looking at this statement, it is clear that we are directly at the heart of most if not all problems in society. We can blame it on external sources, but it is internally within ourselves that we feel like we are entitled to so much more than we really are. We are constantly always wanting more and never fully satisfied. It is a sad reality, if we can not recognize that its our thoughts and actions that are having a global effect on everything then we will continue to harm ourselves and our planet one day at a time. We somehow think that power, wealth, and material things buy you a good happy life but that is not true. You can full your life with excess products and frills but that will only mask your real internal happiness. Happiness comes from having meaningful conversations and enjoying the simplicity of being in your own skin, being loved, and having just the bare necessities.