Being Offended

The world is getting both better, and worse, in so many ways. While there is still an unnecessary debate on women's rights, abortion laws and rape sentences we are doing better as human beings with gay rights (go, Taiwan!), environmental movements and spiritual awakening.

And although there is much to be celebrated there is also much to be fixed. And within that that needs to be fixed we can adopt one of two attitudes:

The first is to feel deep compassion for those suffering from our lack as a human race, engage in meaningful, practical and applicable conversations and actions of how to implement change and to be an advocate of a cause. This is an attitude of saying "I see this, it does not serve us or the planet we're on, I am willing to gather my troops and do something about it".

The second is to get offended. This is when the issue is no longer about those affected but more of how my ego self, the "I", feels that I am superior to accepting that this issue exists. It is a near useless emotion as it does not evoke change, it drives people apart rather than bring them together and fails to inspire. This is the attitude of saying "I am frustrated that this is happening and although it is pretty serious, I am making it more about how I am better than those making mistakes rather than trying to come up with a solution. In fact, my emotions have taken over completely and rendered me incapable of looking at the big picture, I will remain in my mental conversation of how I am better than those doing those mistakes!"

The reason people choose the second one is that on a very subtle level, it feels good. The rage at someone else's action creates a perceived hierarchy of righteousness. It generates a temporary feeling of grandiose and entitlement. But what purpose does it serve?

Not being offended does not mean not caring about some real and serious issues around us. On the contrary, it means that your complete attention is on the issue rather than making it about you. Not being offended means honing in the magical power of bringing people together and applying change rather than isolating groups and creating further issues. Not being offended means that you recognise that every time you get offended you are clearly looking at a quality within yourself that you have not made your peace with, and then owning that quality and healing it. Not being offended is being completely engaged, rather than resistant of reality in this moment.

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