Among the concepts I regard as guides are three with
non-English names, from three different cultures.
Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word which literally means
non-harming, the most basic Buddhist precept. Poet Gary Snyder, who studied Buddhism for many years, defines
the concept as “do the least possible harm.”
So it is less restrictive than total non-violence, but it is broader in
application. It means do the least
possible harm to everything—not just humans but animals, plants and even
rocks. It turns out to be an ecological
as well as a moral principle. In life it means a change in assumptions—that is,
think first before making a harmful change, not exactly second nature to
western civilization. Personally it means
being mindful, respecting the other, and sincerely evaluating whether causing
harm is necessary. This is a key to the
sacred attitude towards eating and other aspects of ordinary life that
nevertheless have profound meaning.
Hozho is a concept from Navajo culture, part of the
Beauty Way. A Navajo character in a
Tony Hillerman novel explains it with an example: In times of drought the Hopi
and some other cultures will pray for rain.
“The Navajo has the proper ceremony done to restore himself to harmony
with the drought…. The system is designed to recognize what’s beyond human
power to change, then to change the human’s attitude to be content with the
inevitable.” This does not eliminate trying to right wrongs, address problems,
or change what needs to be changed. But
where it applies, this concept is not only a profound act of humility, but a
necessary human response of adjustment to reality. It’s something that other animals do instinctively—they find ways
to cope with drought, for example. They adapt to the environment. Instead of being angry or frightened, or
obsessing on things as unjust and taking them personally, people accept the
conditions and work within them to make life better—by conserving water, for
instance. Being in harmony is not easy. The Navajo ceremonies take days. But as a general principle, it only makes sense.
The third concept is Italian, and so part of my own Italian
American culture. Sprezzatura
can be defined in various ways, but it can come down to making a personal style
part of life, an elegance that is natural and appears effortless. Tony Bennett applied it to music, but
outwardly it can most often be seen in modes of dress. There are places where such expression is
noticed and valued, but more places where it isn’t. But that doesn’t matter so much, because sprezzatura is an
attitude, and expression (playfulness, authenticity) for its own sake.
Or to quote another Italian saying: Niente senza gioia. Nothing without joy.
