Sheep Follow Blindly…

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. —Buddha

Buddha’s words seem more pertinent than ever today. Maybe time is the truest test of wisdom?

Back in high school, a friend of mine from a neighboring town was arrested for smoking pot. The following day I nervously stopped by his house, uncertain of what to expect. His mom, whom I knew well and respected greatly, answered the door. She was clearly (and understandably) shaken up by the event. At some point, my buddy, his mom and I ended up at the kitchen table talking about what happened… and more importantly, what my buddy’s future held.

I will never forget that discussion, mostly because of the way his mom reacted to the problem at hand. She seemed less concerned about him getting caught, or even smoking pot—than the fact it wasn’t his idea to smoke it. Unlike most parents who would have been screaming about the dangers of drugs, how marijuana was an illegal gateway drug, how this would hurt the family’s reputation, and so on… she mentioned none of these things. At first I thought I must be missing her point. But as the conversation continued, she made it perfectly clear—I wasn’t.

To her way of thinking, not being a leader was bad… but not thinking the situation through and caving in to peer pressure… that was unacceptable. In fact, she considered these issues a bigger crime than the one he had been caught committing. She said, “Sheep follow blindly… individuals think and then take appropriate action, regardless of what others say or believe!” She explained that not thinking independently and taking personal responsibility was a serious character flaw. And when people don’t think for themselves, it becomes dangerous—not only for them but for those around them. Her insight and wisdom that day had a great impact on me—and her son, too. She made his problem a learning experience.

Today when I see adults blindly follow rhetoric or chanting group-speak, I see more than sheep—I see danger. As an American, I defend everyone’s freedom of speech and expression—especially those with whom I vehemently disagree. As an individual, I cherish the freedom and power of independent thought. As a truth seeker, I listen to many points of view and then spend time in personal contemplation.

Whether it’s politics, religion, business, healthcare reform, corporate bailouts, drugs… or anything else… when we blindly go along with the crowd, we lose our true independence and freedom. Without taking personal responsibility and seeking the truth, we are no different than my buddy was back in high school. Actually, we’re much worse… we’re old enough to know better.

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