I was once asked during a talk at a local Unitarian church, what is the basis for morality and ethics in the traditions and teachings I speak about? My answer was "no basis at all...morals and ethics are only temporary safeguards for those who do not know any better."

We give our children rules (”don’t play in the street”) in order to protect them and help them do the right things. But eventually, they learn why they should not play in the street (for example) and now the rule serves no purpose. You don’t give a mature adult the rule “don’t play in the street” – for they already know why not to play in the streets and they don’t need the rule.

Likewise, if there are people who do not know what doing the right thing is…then you give them rules (i.e. morality and ethical rules) to guide them. But for someone who has deep understanding…no rules are needed, ethically or morally. The right thing will be done through understanding.

Namaste,

~ Eric Putkonen

P.S. episode 2 of the podcast - Out of Our Minds - should be out by September 30th - www.awaken2life.org/outofourminds.rss