Comments on: Altruism: an interview with Bahram Elahi, M.D. http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/ Ethics and the process of perfection Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:23:56 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: wire http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-5382 wire Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:15:06 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-5382 This is a major point that I am dealing with lately: "Any impulse towards the Good will have to overcome some opposition to accomplish its goal." Tests of sincerity are some of the hardest for me...the key is to recognize them as tests, and then move beyond the imperious self's voice telling me to stop... This is a major point that I am dealing with lately:

“Any impulse towards the Good will have to overcome some opposition to accomplish its goal.”

Tests of sincerity are some of the hardest for me…the key is to recognize them as tests, and then move beyond the imperious self’s voice telling me to stop…

]]> By: Eileen http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-2663 Eileen Tue, 15 Feb 2011 05:12:45 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-2663 Thank you Prof. Elahi for this interview, for really explaining and clarifying how we should act to practice altruism, about the importance of our intentions and about the possibilities to "propel our soul to higher spiritual levels". After reading everyone's comments, I feel profoundly affected by the sharing of thoughts, feelings and experiences, in this case, on the subject of altruism. Thank you Prof. Elahi for this interview, for really explaining and clarifying how we should act to practice altruism, about the importance of our intentions and about the possibilities to “propel our soul to higher spiritual levels”. After reading everyone’s comments, I feel profoundly affected by the sharing of thoughts, feelings and experiences, in this case, on the subject of altruism.

]]> By: Zara http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-1478 Zara Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:01:27 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-1478 Thank you for making this wonderful interview possible Thank you for making this wonderful interview possible

]]> By: Naghme Dabaghian http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-663 Naghme Dabaghian Mon, 17 May 2010 20:36:28 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-663 Altruistic action on a practical level means <em>"in every situation, put yourself in the place of others"</em> this means to wish for others every good that I wish for myself and to refrain from wishing for others any harm that I do not wish for myself. By observing this golden rule I not only help others but in reality myself. The goal is not necessarily to satisfy what others may desire but rather to avoid treating others in ways I do not want to be treated myself. In his <em>100 Maxims of Guidance</em> Ostad Elahi says: <em>hidden in the heart of every human being is a divine particle so, attracting the hearts of others is attracting the divine grace.</em> Altruistic action on a practical level means “in every situation, put yourself in the place of others”
this means to wish for others every good that I wish for myself and to refrain from wishing for others any harm that I do not wish for myself. By observing this golden rule I not only help others but in reality myself. The goal is not necessarily to satisfy what others may desire but rather to avoid treating others in ways I do not want to be treated myself. In his 100 Maxims of Guidance Ostad Elahi says: hidden in the heart of every human being is a divine particle so, attracting the hearts of others is attracting the divine grace.

]]> By: Bijan http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-555 Bijan Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:39:32 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-555 I enjoyed reading this article. what I need now is to practice these points to cultivate altruism in myself. What really works for me is that important strategy: putting myself in the place of others to be totally aware of their needs and troubles. Many Thanks for this great interview. I enjoyed reading this article. what I need now is to practice these points to cultivate altruism in myself.
What really works for me is that important strategy: putting myself in the place of others to be totally aware of their needs and troubles.
Many Thanks for this great interview.

]]> By: Holly http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-406 Holly Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:40:37 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-406 I always thought I had developed this characteristic, however, after reading the interview I realise how far away I am in understanding and practicising this concept. My first lesson is being aware of one's intention, for example in helping others and to want nothing in return; no material or emotional gains—I can say that almost always I have received one of these in return. Secondly, to show kindness, forgiveness and gentleness to those closest to me even when they frustrate me, defy me and hurt me, is the true meaning of altruism in my personal context and that is the second lesson I take from this interview, I really hope that I can practice them. Thank you so sincerely. I always thought I had developed this characteristic, however, after reading the interview I realise how far away I am in understanding and practicising this concept. My first lesson is being aware of one’s intention, for example in helping others and to want nothing in return; no material or emotional gains—I can say that almost always I have received one of these in return. Secondly, to show kindness, forgiveness and gentleness to those closest to me even when they frustrate me, defy me and hurt me, is the true meaning of altruism in my personal context and that is the second lesson I take from this interview, I really hope that I can practice them. Thank you so sincerely.

]]> By: Lia http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-384 Lia Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:50:50 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-384 This was indeed a great interview, lecture and lesson for me. I definitely benefit from all the aspects of altruism that have been discussed but what I learned and loved the most was to pay attention to my act(s) of altruism and recognize first if it stems from my ethical beliefs or from my true compassion for all beings. I find it a great practice for me to promote the latter. This was indeed a great interview, lecture and lesson for me. I definitely benefit from all the aspects of altruism that have been discussed but what I learned and loved the most was to pay attention to my act(s) of altruism and recognize first if it stems from my ethical beliefs or from my true compassion for all beings. I find it a great practice for me to promote the latter.

]]> By: Sammi http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-371 Sammi Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:37:37 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-371 Something that jumped out at me and I had not known/considered before was the following: "The value of this spiritual capital is so great that in some cases, it is enough in itself to propel the soul to higher levels." I had always thought of altruism as something that earns you "spiritual points" and not as something that directly changes your soul's substance to help you advance spiritually. Dr. Elahi's following point really crystalized the importance of altruism for me and its place in practical and cognitive spirituality: "Cultivating a love for others within ourselves is one of the foundations of true ethics." That makes more sense to me now with my new outlook towards altruism, because in order to practice it correctly as Dr. Elahi describes, it is essential that we make fundamental changes in our attitude and behavior. And this makes the practice of altruism not optional, but essential. Something that jumped out at me and I had not known/considered before was the following: “The value of this spiritual capital is so great that in some cases, it is enough in itself to propel the soul to higher levels.” I had always thought of altruism as something that earns you “spiritual points” and not as something that directly changes your soul’s substance to help you advance spiritually. Dr. Elahi’s following point really crystalized the importance of altruism for me and its place in practical and cognitive spirituality: “Cultivating a love for others within ourselves is one of the foundations of true ethics.” That makes more sense to me now with my new outlook towards altruism, because in order to practice it correctly as Dr. Elahi describes, it is essential that we make fundamental changes in our attitude and behavior. And this makes the practice of altruism not optional, but essential.

]]> By: hadi a http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-319 hadi a Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:42:09 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-319 Thank you for a great article. I think it is important that the topic of altruism is being discussed, as it is a fundamental aspect of daily life. I hope to be able to take advantage of the opportunities to show altruism towards others at works, and in my daily interactions. Thank you for a great article. I think it is important that the topic of altruism is being discussed, as it is a fundamental aspect of daily life. I hope to be able to take advantage of the opportunities to show altruism towards others at works, and in my daily interactions.

]]> By: noel http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/altruism-an-interview-with-bahram-elahi-m-d/comment-page-1/#comment-314 noel Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:24:47 +0000 http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/?p=831#comment-314 Until I read this interview I had never realized that I wanted approval and admiration when helping my friends and family. Even though on the surface, I do want to help them, I became aware of this subtle aspect in myself that also wanted to be recognized and loved for what I did. I began to look inside to see whether this desire for approval was motivating my actions more generally. Lo and behold this internal need was lurking beneath the surface of many, if not all of my actions. Now that I am aware of this aspect of myself, I am self-suggesting that I should help others for God's satisfaction and trying not to expect anything in return. While this is certainly a long term work-in-progress, I've noticed that when I try to correct my intention, I have a more serene feeling when I try to help, seem to be able to help more effectively and feel that my relationship to the Source is closer and more alive. This interview completely changed my understanding of altruism and how to practice it and in doing so opened up another area of self-exploration. Thank you. Until I read this interview I had never realized that I wanted approval and admiration when helping my friends and family. Even though on the surface, I do want to help them, I became aware of this subtle aspect in myself that also wanted to be recognized and loved for what I did. I began to look inside to see whether this desire for approval was motivating my actions more generally. Lo and behold this internal need was lurking beneath the surface of many, if not all of my actions. Now that I am aware of this aspect of myself, I am self-suggesting that I should help others for God’s satisfaction and trying not to expect anything in return. While this is certainly a long term work-in-progress, I’ve noticed that when I try to correct my intention, I have a more serene feeling when I try to help, seem to be able to help more effectively and feel that my relationship to the Source is closer and more alive. This interview completely changed my understanding of altruism and how to practice it and in doing so opened up another area of self-exploration. Thank you.

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