www.RogerWendell.com
Roger J. Wendell
Defending 3.8 Billion Years of Organic Evolution^SM
Line

Roger's Rules of Order

"Primum non nocere"
(First, do no harm)

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean.
It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."

- John Wayne

"The fewer rules the better. Rules reduce freedom and responsibility. Enforcement of
rules is coercive and manipulative, which diminishes spontaneity and absorbs group energy."

- John Heider's The Tao of Leadership, p. 113

"For what, in the final analysis, is morality but the command of conscience seasoned
by a rational examination of consequences?"

- Edward O. Wilson in his book, The Diversity of Life, p. 351

Roger's Rules:

Family always comes first

The strong do not victimize the weak

Never destroy another living thing without sufficient reason

Never, ever, mix government and religion

Abhor and avoid war

Protect Nature and the Earth

Recycle

Limit office meetings to 55 minutes

Limit teleconferences and video meetings to 50 minutes

Limit family size to two children

After age 25 you can't blame your parents

Don't take anything without giving something back

Don't compare your life with others, you have no idea what
their journey is all about

Give away 10% of your income

Make peace with your past so it doesn't spoil your present

Stay on the trail when hiking

Never disturb a cairn

Never give a teenager a new car

Birthday parties are for children and elders

Big weddings don't make cents!

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship

Spend some time alone

When you lose, don't lose the lesson

When you say "I love you" mean it

Wilderness is sacred

Don't wear shoes inside the house

"Every being in the universe knows right from wrong."

- Prot, in the 2001 movie K-PAX

"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show
to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

- Stephen Grellet

"Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect."

- Margaret Mitchell

Remove Your Shoes!

"This custom of removing your footwear before entering a home has many benefits; First, it makes for a much quieter environment, one without all kinds of footgear clanging around; second, it makes for a much cleaner home because you leave the dirt of the outside world where it belongs - outside; third, it puts everybody at their real height and does away with all this three-inch-heel intimidation; fourth, it provides a sensuality in walking about that the hard soles of a shoe deny you; fifth, it lets your feet breathe; sixth, it gives you a chance to show off your socks, a part of our dresswear that seldom gets seen otherwise; seventh, you can tell who is already in the house by giving the shoes outside a quick once-over, thereby avoiding contact with a person(s) you may want to avoid. I could continue, but I think you get the point."

- Dirk Benedict in his book,
Confessions of a Kamkiaze Cowboy, p. 124

Bonus Points:
Five Main Buddhist Precepts (PANCA SILA)

PANATIPATA VERAMANI SIKKHA-PADAM SAMADIYAMI (Refrain From Killing)

ADINNADANA VERAMANI SIKKHA-PADAM SAMADIYAMI (Refrain From Stealing)

MUSAVADA VERAMANI SIKKA-PADAM SAMADIYAMI (Refrain From Lying, Slandering, Gossiping and Spreading Rumours)

KAMESU MICCHACARA VERAMANI SIKKHA-PADAM SAMADIYAMI (Refrain From Sexual Misconduct)

SURA-MERAYA-MAJJA-PAMADATTHANA VERAMANI SIKKHA-PADAM SAMADIYAMI (Refrain From Taking Intoxicants)

Not Killing and Not Hurting

(Click for larger view)

The five Buddhist precepts can kind of considered to be similar to the Bible's Ten Commandments.
These precepts provide moral guidance for lay Buddhists as well as monks and nuns.
Here I again sum them up as they're so basic yet obviously important:

He who destroys life, who utters lies, who takes what is not given to him, who goes to the wife of another, who gets drunk with strong drinks -- he digs up the very roots of his life. (Dhammapada, 246-247)
The injunction against destroying life is known as the First Precept. The fact that this Precept and other teachings forbid killing and hurting is not in question or controversial although there is dispute, sometimes, about whom Buddhists are forbidden to kill or hurt (things like killing during war, or to protect somebody, can be confusing issues...).
Anyway, as far as hurting goes, the Buddha also tells us not to do it, either, and his suggestion looks pretty clear to me! Here's an example:
He who for the sake of happiness hurts others who also want happiness, shall not hereafter find happiness. (Dhammapada, 131.)

Because not killing and not hurting are so important, Buddha repeatedly asks us not to do either in many places throughout the Dhammapada.

In conclusion, it makes perfect sense to never hurt another being let alone kill them! In Deep Ecology there's been a longstanding "rule" that, We have no right to destroy other living things without sufficient reason. I agree!

- Roger J. Wendell

Ahimsa is a principle that Jains teach and
practice not only towards human beings but
towards all nature. It is an unequivocal teaching
that is at once ancient and contemporary. The
scriptures tell us (from BODHICITTA.NET):

"All the Arhats (Venerable Ones) of the past, present and future discourse, consuel, proclaim, propound and prescribe
thus in unison: Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being."

Tecumseh's Poem

Native American Tecumseh (March 1768 - October 5, 1813) was leader of the Shawnee and
a large tribal confederacy that opposed the encroachment of Americans on Indian territory.

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
"Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
"When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
"Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

Native American
Code of Ethics:

Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.

Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.

Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.

Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.

Respect all things that are placed upon this earth-whether it be people, animal or plant. Honor the Spirit in all things.

Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.

Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.

Nature is not for us, it is a part of us. They are part of your worldly family.

Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.

Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.

Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.

Keep yourself balanced. Your mental self, spiritual self, emotional self, and physical self-all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.

Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others-especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.

Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.

Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.

Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity. Be willing to give back to the people, so that People will live.

Simple Formula for Living

Live beneath your means.
Return everything you borrow.
Stop blaming other people.
Admit it when you make a mistake.
Give clothes not worn in 3 years to charity.
Do something nice and try not to get caught.
Listen more, talk less.
Every day, take a 30 minute walk.
Strive for excellence, not perfection.
Be on time.
Don’t make excuses.
Don’t argue.
Get organized.
Be kind to kind people.
Be kind to unkind people.
Let someone cut ahead of you in line.
Take time to be alone.
Reread your favorite book.
Cultivate good manners.
Be humble.
Realize and accept that life isn’t fair.
Know when to keep your mouth shut.
Go an entire day without criticizing anyone.
Learn from the past.
Plan for the future.
Live in the present. (Be Here Now!)
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
It’s all small stuff.

"Nothing Good Happens After Midnight"

Marriage

Interview with Chris Harris, www.mtv.com. November 1, 2008

Links:

A Short Dance
Barefoot - A lifetime without shoes!
Creation Theories
Deep Ecology
Dhammapada (revered and authoritative Buddhist texts)
Friendly Advice
Leave No Trace - Center for Outdoor Ethics
Life
Links

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