Intro
This brief article highlights the significance of individual responsibility in our daily lives and on the spiritual path. It emphasises how making personal choices and taking ownership of our actions can lead to meaningful change and personal growth.
I recognise that individual responsibility is a crucial aspect of both personal and spiritual development, often overlooked or even neglected in our journeys.
This topic can evoke sensitivity, particularly among those who adhere to teachings from authority figures or holy scriptures, without thoroughly examining the complexities of human awareness. Let us tread gently…
Who will save me?
Many people passively seek a sense of catharsis, hoping for a transformative outside event that will somehow uplift their spirits and bring an end to their struggles. While such moments of change can happen (I suppose), I believe that we all have the ability to actively shape our luck and create a positive shift in our lives.
Instead of waiting for external factors—such as the actions of others, societal changes, or divine intervention—we can take proactive steps to foster our growth and happiness. Quotes and teachings below point in that direction.
I write for those eager to explore teachings that emphasise individual liberty and personal responsibility (let’s face it, not everyone is), empowering them to seek solutions within themselves rather than waiting for external salvation.
This article, along with the subsequent ones, aims to empower you (if you so choose) by highlighting that the keys to overcoming our challenges and finding solutions to our problems can indeed be found within ourselves.
By exploring our inner resources, we can take meaningful steps toward personal growth and constructive change.
Growing up
Embracing our inner strengths, overcoming fears related to authority, and recognising our potential are important steps on our journey of personal development and spiritual awakening. Instead of meekly yielding to others or a priori following authority, we can learn to channel our energy into empowering ourselves and those around us.
By acknowledging and addressing these aspects, we can manifest genuine growth and transformation. Rather than solely looking outward for salvation, it can be advantageous to delve deeply into our inner selves to discover what truly resonates within us.
Having said that, it can be incredibly enriching to draw from the insights of great spiritual masters throughout history—figures like Rev. Michael Laitman, the kind Buddha, Sri Krishna, Muhammad, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Master Therion, Dzogchen Master Namkhai Norbu, Jivanmukhta Anandamayi Devi, Mahavatar Babaji, beloved Jetsun Milarepa, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. They compassionately remind us of the value of self-exploration and inner effort.
By embracing this inner journey, we have the opportunity to transcend simply following external expectations and cultivate a more genuine and fulfilling spiritual experience. Remember, if you will, this path is unique for each of us, and taking the time to reflect and explore can lead to profound growth and understanding.
Looking outside leads to dreaming; looking inside leads to awakening
I understand that this “you tell me” and “please someone, save me” behaviour is often just a part of growing up, something that many children go through. It’s entirely normal for little boys and girls to express uncertainty as they navigate their world.
As we grow and mature, however, we naturally develop more refined approaches to facing challenges and find more effective ways to communicate our thoughts and feelings.
Marshall Rosenberg, the visionary behind the NVC (nonviolent communication) system, captured this profound and mature mindset with clarity:
We deny responsibility for our actions when we attribute their cause to factors outside ourselves…
All violence is the result of people tricking themselves into believing that their pain derives from other people and that, consequently, those people deserve to be punished.
If you want to live in absolute hell, believe that you are responsible for what others feel.
Institutions can’t make you do anything…
…other people can’t make you do anything…
…no human being has ever done anything they didn’t choose to do.”
– Marshall B. Rosenberg (Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, other books and his recorded seminars)
* * *
The quotes shared below spring from genuine Teachers and Masters who offer valuable insights. Regardless of their authority, however, I encourage you to explore your Truth within and find what resonates with you. Your unique journey is important, and it is essential to follow your own heart, in my opinion.
Authentic Kabbalah and Rev. Michael Laitman
The original and authentic teachings of Kabbalah have been hidden for centuries. Since 1995, they have reemerged, and their profound Wisdom is genuinely liberating.
Dr. Michael Laitman, a prominent Kabbalist of our time, shares many important notions on the subject:
“…society has no right or justification to limit or oppress the freedom of the individual. Ashlag even goes so far as to call those who do so “criminals,” stating that concerning one’s spiritual progress, Nature does not oblige the individual to obey the majority’s will. On the contrary, spiritual growth is the personal responsibility of each and every one of us. By doing so, we are not only improving our own lives but also the lives of the entire world.
It turns out that individual freedom can only be achieved through our choice in spiritual evolvement, where others must not interfere.”
– Kabbalah Revealed, Chapter 6: The (Narrow) Road to Freedom, Choosing the Right Environment for Correction by Rev. Michael Laitman (their website >>)
The Buddha on personal responsibility
The famous Buddha quote “Don’t follow me, don’t believe me blindly, etc.” floating on the internet is fake and can be found in none of the available Buddhist Sutras.
This one, however, is not fake:
Kalama Sutra
“Now, Kalamas, don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, ‘This contemplative is our teacher.’
When you know for yourselves that, ‘These qualities are skilful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted and carried out, lead to welfare and happiness’ — then you should enter and remain in them.”
– You can find it here >>
Loosely paraphrasing the Kalama Sutra:
And to drive the point right in:
“You should make the effort; the Tathagatas (Buddhas) can only show the way.”
Dammapada, words of the Buddha, XX. 276
In my opinion, true inner freedom, marked by personal responsibility and intimate effort, is a gift that can not be given away, not even to gurus, lamas, or teachers.
“He abused me, he ill-treated me, he got the better of me, he stole my belongings; “… the enmity of those harbouring such thoughts cannot be appeased.
Dammapada, words of the Buddha, 1.3
Owning our intentions, thoughts, words, and actions is the essential first step to healing our wounds.
Sri Krishna on personal responsibility
In essence, Sri Krishna recognises individual responsibility and leaves the ultimate choice in the hands of the seeker.
Sri Krishna, considered by millions of Vaishnavas to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead, shares His Wisdom on many important topics (as presented in the text known as the Bhagavad Gita).
In the end, He says to Arjuna: Do as you wish:
Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential.
Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.
18.63 BG
The authorised commentary is interesting:
“…Here the words ‘As you like, you may act’ – indicate that God does not interfere with the little independence of the living entity…”
Full commentary on this verse, here >>
Furthermore:
It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous.
3.35 BG
Does Sri Krishna state that it is better to follow your path, even if it leads to death, than to follow the path of others?
What do you think?
Qur’an personal responsibility
“You began to say: Whence is this? Say: It is from yourselves.”
– Sûrah Âl `Imrân: 165
“And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And if a heavily laden soul calls [another] to carry some of its load, nothing of it will be carried, even if he should be a close relative.”
– Surah Fatir: 35:18
“Truly, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.”
– Sûrah al-Anfâl: 53
Only we can change what is within us—not even Allah or God will do that, regardless of our beliefs. So why seek solutions outside ourselves? Let’s tap into our inner strength instead.
Jiddu Krishnamurti: Without responsibility, there is no freedom
“Responsibility has quite a different meaning when there is freedom.
Responsibility does not deny freedom; they go hand in hand. When there is the deep fundamental reality of freedom, responsibility is concerned with the whole of life and not with one fragment of life; it is concerned with the whole movement and not with some particular movement; it is concerned with the entire activity of the mind and the heart and not with one particular activity or direction.
Freedom is the total harmony in which responsibility is as natural as the flower in the field. That response is not induced or imposed; it is the natural outcome of freedom. Without responsibility, there is no freedom.”
– Book: The Whole Movement of Life Is Learning, CH. 66, Without responsibility, there is no freedom
Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche
Namkhai Norbu was the first Dzogchen Master to openly teach the highly secret and precious teachings of the Great Perfection in the West. His approach was open, genuine, down-to-earth, and non-dogmatic.
He often highlighted the importance of the individual over traditions and societies, acknowledging that personal development is essential—a bold viewpoint for a Tibetan.
“Before talking to the teacher, it is better to observe yourself a bit … That is why the teacher, and above all a Dzogchen teacher, teaches us to observe ourselves and to discover our own condition, and always asks us all to become responsible for ourselves.”
– The foundation of the Path book by Namkhai Norbu
“The Truth is that a better society will only arise through the evolution of the individual. This is because society is made up of millions of individuals.
To count to a million, one has to start with number one, which means one has to start with the individual, the only real place one can actually begin to change something.
This doesn’t mean putting oneself first in an egotistical way; rather, it involves coming to understand the condition of humanity as a whole through understanding our own experience.
With this experience as our guide, we will know how to behave with awareness in any circumstance in every type of society.”
– Dzogchen: The self-perfected state book by Namkhai Norbu
Master Therion
Thelema, the system of spiritual practices introduced through Master Therion, is very articulate about individuality and personal and transpersonal liberty.
He uttered many important things, this being appropriate for the subject under discussion:
“It is necessary that we stop, once and for all, this ignorant meddling with other people’s business. Each individual must be left free to follow his own path.”
– Aleister Crowley (1975). “The Commentaries of AL: Being the Equinox Volume V, No. 1”, Weiser Books
The great Master could have expressed it differently:
Stop seeking validation and solutions from others. Rely on yourself and follow your own heart.
The beautiful Anandamayi Devi
She was the one Teacher in India to whom most other teachers turned to send their students and disciples. Her profound Wisdom and Bliss shone brightly, rivalled only by Her extraordinary beauty.
A few jewels from Her teachings:
“The true progress in one’s spiritual experience depends on the sincerity and intensity of one’s aspiration.”
– “Words Of Sri Anandamayi Ma” Translated and Compiled by Atmananda, page 181
“Courage is an important part of sadhana.”– Sri Sri Ma Anandamayi” Volume IV, by Gurupriya Didi, Chapter I, page 3
Not for the faint-hearted, I should think:
“I am against non-violence that makes a human being a coward. Fight for Truth! To face life, you must have great courage every day!
Everyone must be courageous, facing the difficulties of life with bravery! Cowardly people are like dead people! I want a world of brave and courageous people.
Indeed, those who work hard and are agnostics are more acceptable, for a time, than lazy spiritual hypocrites.
Through hard work, you can do what even God can not! Through hard work, you can change Nature itself!”
– Teachings of Babaji book
As challenging as these words might sound, the immortal Mahavatar Babaji hits the nail straight on, doesn’t he?
It is so easy to be “spiritual” and “non-violent” when, in Truth, we are only being silly, passive, and irresponsible, waiting for others to change or something to happen, while nothing ever does. It simply can not unless we instigate things.
And we can do it! It is as simple as that; we are all perfectly capable of finding the Truth for ourselves—no need to passively wait, sitting pretty and living on a prayer.
Jetsun Milarepa, the beloved Tantric master
Milarepa (named Thopaga as a child) endured a profoundly challenging childhood and faced significant struggles in his youth.
At the tender age of seven, he tragically lost his father, a devastating event that left his family in turmoil. In their time of grief, his relatives, particularly his uncle and aunt, took control of his father’s property, subjecting the bereaved family to hardship and mistreatment. This difficult period profoundly shaped Milarepa’s life and journey.
To make a long story shorter, Milarepa met his Vajrayana Teacher and dedicated his life to advanced Tantric (esoteric Buddhist) practices.
His songs are the stuff of legend, and it is said that he used to share:
“My religion is not deceiving myself.”
– Jetsun Milarepa
Interestingly, he should say that. As a devoted disciple, why didn’t he state that his religion is about following his Teacher?
He has mastered advanced non-dual Tantric practices, including Tummo, Anuttarayoga Tantra, Chöd, and Mahamudra. Why didn’t he claim that his religion is non-dual Tantra or Buddhism?
Evidently, Milarepa possessed a profound understanding of human awareness, demonstrating that true Wisdom transcends Tantric or other practices. He recognised that without full accountability for one’s actions—both personally and transpersonally—even these high-level Tantric techniques are not enough.
We can engage in Tantric practices or any other techniques indefinitely, yet without meaningful progress, unless we tenderly nurture our own hearts and take complete responsibility for our inner state.
What is our religion?
<rhetorical question>
Still growing up
When we choose to channel our life energy and awareness inward, we empower our journey toward our true passions, desires, and inner potentials. This focus on self-awareness fosters a genuine sense of responsibility, paving the way for genuine progress.
By embracing our inner thoughts and deeper personal insights, we can enhance our growth and fulfilment, ultimately leading us to a more authentic life and even to spiritual emancipation.
Epilogue
His Holiness the Dalai Lama emphasises the value of acquiring knowledge and actively engaging in personal growth on the spiritual journey.
During one of his public appearances, he shared insights that inspire individuals to take meaningful steps toward their own spiritual development:
“…Buddha stated:
You are your own Master. Your future entirely depends on yourself.”
HH the 14th Dalai Lama
(You can listen to Him here, the above statement is around 1min 32s)
(to be continued)
– Edmond Cigale, PhD
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