What's more important looking after your own environment or external?

Question

Working like an anticlockwise spiral, should you look after your mind, body, your personal interests, your family, your friends/community, your local area, your country, etc or other way round in clockwise spiral?

Considering you go up in one direction (anti-clockwise spiral) and down (clockwise spiral)? Any intesting thoughts/comments/ observations?

Answer 1

The most important thing is to look after your mental, or if you like spiritual, wellbeing. Monks have shown for thousands of years that you can live happily with minimal resources from the environment: obviously you need food and protection from inclement weather.

I would depart from the minimalist life of the monk in that family and friends are also of great importance. In particular, the monastic life neglects the crucial importance of chidren, particularly our own children if we have them, for a meaningful future. Indeed, the spiral you describe does not reflect that mothers in particular will put their children before their own mind and body.

The environment is important in that it helps us support a meaningful life. I would add that independently of its importance for our needs we should protect our physical and social environments because they are good in themselves.

Answer 2

I think it's difficult to interpret this as some type of linear succession, because there's no outer or inner direction that you can control. Nature kind of forces you to pay attention to your immediate surrounding and satisfying your needs as a priority. I think the spiral you talk about is more like a fixed spiral of the "coverage of your will", . Most people never get beyond the personal area, but politicians and chiefs of state or industry cover larger areas. Every important decision you make I guess you have to weigh against this context.
Instead of a spiral it should be radiating circles of interdependent layers with equal importance. Or maybe a wheel like in the book "The seven habits of highly effective people."

Answer 3

You have it about right. You mind is the top priority. If you're well balanced and thinking clearly. You can then look after your physical health or solve any problems that may arise. Your emotional security and hence your mind is dependant on the support of firstly your family, then your friends and you want to feel secure within the community you live in. Your community is part of your country and so logically that comes next. The global community is inter-dependant and so finally you should care about global and international issues that will have a bearing on your life and emotional state in some way - however indirectly.

Answer 4

Personally, I feel that if you look after the external environment first, the internal (mind, body, spirit etc..) will follow. It may take time (as with all good things in life).
P.S. Very impressive question - someone here has a brain and uses it.

Answer 5

look after number 1

Answer 6

If you are happy in your life then you will spread happiness, but if you are unhappy you will make others unhappy.

Smile at anybody in the street and they will smile back and feel better for it!

Answer 7

Ohhh... you're just making things complicated. Just have a simple way of living. :)

Answer 8

oh will have to think about that and get back to you

Answer 9

both

Answer 10

very meaningful question!!!!!