Krishnamurti:
When you
use a word be very careful that you know what it means. Do you know what the
word 'responsibility' means? - not what you think it should mean, but what
it means according to the dictionary. We must first understand the meaning
of that word.
Questioner:
Doesn't it
mean the ability to respond?
Krishnamurti:
That's
right, isn't it? - the capacity to respond.
Questioner:
We often use the word 'answerable'; we say, "I am answerable for
such and such."
Krishnamurti:
If I am
inefficient I can't answer, respond properly. So responsibility means to
respond adequately to the job or the environment or to the incidents around
me. I must respond to my highest capacity: that is what the word
'responsibility' means. See what a lot is involved in that one word.
(Krishnamurti)
What is responsibility?
Taking care of something is the heart of responsibility.
It requires you to make a commitment to some form of action.
Caring requires
attention, observation, thought and
compassion.
It should not be taken lightly.
All too often people mistake responsibility for
authority and seek to boss others around rather than care for
them.
Self
reliance
Being responsible for yourself is important in tai chi.
You are expected to actively
learn the system rather than ask the teacher to somehow give it
to you.
This helps to develop an attitude of resilience and self reliance.
Taking responsibility for your own conduct is an important part of
tai chi.
Learning to be self reliant will make you stronger - it is the process of
taking responsibility for your own life.
Being supportive
Helping others is important in life.
You should give assistance without wanting or expecting anything in return.
Being there for someone else shows great character.
By opening your
heart and mind to another, you share what
is best in yourself.
A samurai - following
bushido - would look for opportunities to
offer help.
Leaning
on others
Whilst it is good to help other people
and be helped in turn, we must be very wary of leaning.
Leaning on somebody involves the inappropriate use of
another for support.
It is the point when help becomes dependency.
Allowing somebody to become dependent upon you is not a good
thing.
Using
people
Some people like to be served and will take every opportunity to make you
their servant.
These people are highly manipulative and can coerce you in a variety of
ways.
They are not necessarily mean - just lazy or insecure.
If using people is their habit, it should not be encouraged.
It is easy to say NO.
You are helping them by refusing - for they are forced to be responsible for
themselves.
Treat their requests with
humour but withhold your assistance.
Page created 10 February 1999