Part One: An Introduction to LEE-A Spiritual Tranquilizer

两极哲理

Part One: An Introduction to the Law of Event(s) upon Event - A Spiritual Tranquilizer


I. Definition

The law of event(s) upon event (LEE) refers to the principle that when one event occurs, the potential for the occurrence of another event is created as well. This subsequent event might not have happened yet, but it is bound to happen sooner or later. Such a principle can be illustrated with daily happenings. For instance, when you push one end of a chopstick, the other end also moves; when you throw a coin into the air, it tinkles or even hits the head of a passerby. Throwing the coin, in this case, is the starting event, the latter is subsequent event. Hence every happening in our daily life, visible or invisible, conforms to LEE. For instance, kindness and friendliness will help you to get along well with friends. On the contrary, impudence and arrogance will result in disharmony or even hostility.

The initial happenings can also be called Starting events, and later happenings as subsequent events, which may be illustrated as follows:

Starting Events--(initiate)------->Subsequent Events
1. pushing one end of a chopstick---->The other end moves
2. throwing a coin into the air------>The coin falls, rolls and tinkles
3. being kind and friendly-----------> People like you
4. being arrogant and impudent-------> People dislike you

The relationship between starting events and subsequent events is quite obvious. Good and benevolent starting events create corresponding subsequent events which are beneficial to you, vice versa. Therefore, what LEE advocates is that we should try our best to create good and benevolent starting events, and avoid bad or evil ones. The most commonly seen good starting events may include: being friendly, respecting the old, loving your family and friends, devotion to one’s career, helping the poor and weak, serving the country, loving peace and environment, contributing welfare to the society and to the world, and etc. Bad or evil starting events may include: hating and detesting, suspecting and envying, being arrogant or self-abased, evading responsibilities, cheating and lying, stealing and robbing, betraying friends or country, raping and killing, corrupting, law-perverting, undermining others’ families, polluting the environment, launching wars, and etcs.

II. LEE and Religion

Though not a religion, LEE resembles a number of orthodox religions in essence. It explains in simple everyday terms what may seem obscure or abstruse in the classical works of many religions. In Buddhism, the motto "Doing good deeds and avoid evil ones" urges people to do what is good for the country and the people rather than involve in activities that undermine the country and society. The principle behind this motto coincides with the principle of LEE. In my opinion, "doing good deeds" is a positive starting event which in turn will create a positive subsequent event. While committing evils, negative in itself, will result in a negative subsequent event. For instance, if you beat others, you may also get beaten or be imprisoned, or at least you will be detested or hated. This is in conformity with the Buddhist teaching, i.e., good will be rewarded with good, and evil with evil. However, LEE delves deeper than that. In addition to explaining clearly the relation of causality (karma), LEE also enunciates that causality is prompt, visible or invisible, and retribution is not a future or ultimate event but something that will immediately happen.

Jesus said we should love our enemies. Why so? We cannot find clear explanations in the Bible. One of my Christian friends told me that the Lord told Jesus to do so. Then why? You may find sound answers in LEE. Because "to love the enemy" is a benevolent starting event which will lend to good subsequent events. Perhaps the enemy, moved and impressed, would act kindly to Jesus and the Lord. Hence hostility can be gradually changed into friendship and love, and by doing so we may achieve the lofty ultimate goal of creating world peace and welfare for mankind.

In Islam you may find such admonishments as, "You should urge people to do good deeds and forbid them to do evil. Otherwise, you will possibly be punished by Allah". Why so? And how will Allah punish? The answer is that "doing good deeds" is a positive starting event, while "doing evil" is negative which will lead to negative subsequent events. This is Allah's punishment.

Examples of turning an enemy into a friend, and hostility into love are numerous. For instance, the legend of Sakyamuni curing his enemies, traitors and sinners; the story of Jesus letting the enemy slap both sides of his face; and the story of the Prophet Mohammed taking mutton soup to his Jewish neighbour, to name only a few.

What I want to reiterate is: LEE exists in everything. That is why orthodox religions such as Buddhism, Christianity and Islam (all are positive) can remain perpetual; whereas heathenism (negative in essence) is denounced and rejected.

III. LEE and Daily Life

LEE, though seemingly the patent of saints, is not beyond the understanding of laymen. Entrepreneurs’ donation to charity, their willingness for sponsorship are both good starting events, which will result in the customer’s better understanding and a good reputation of their enterprises.

If you pay very little for a homely dress, you most probably do not regret its homeliness, for it is so cheap. Here lies the principle of LEE. The dress is "homely" (which is a starting event), so it "sells cheap" (which is a subsequent event). And because you "buy cheap" (which is a starting event), you accept its "homeliness" (which is a subsequent event). And you feel psychologically quite balanced. So, this is the pacifying effect of LEE!

Frustrations in daily life may cause series of psychological changes, such as anxiety, envy, fear, gloominess, hatred, resentment, sorrow and suspicion. Such emotions, if long suppressed, will result in illness. Cases of this kind are numerous in both ancient and modern medicine. Yet now you may use LEE to analyse and eventually pacify these psychological changes. Actual application enables better understanding of LEE and its effects, I recommend you to exercise LEE in your daily life for a couple of months, if you are interested in feeling its wonderful effects.

As explained previously, LEE leads to a balanced and peaceful mind. However, the events involved in the illustration are simple, daily occurrence are usually much more complex, involving not only starting and subsequent events, but also derivative events. For example:

Starting Events------->Subsequent Events->Derivative Events
Singleness------------>Loneliness etc.--->Freedom
Failure in Love Affair->Distress etc.----> Possible Better Spouse
Failure in Promotion--->Without Pay Raise->No Increase in Workload or Responsibility
Increase in Workload--->More Responsibilities->Increase in Experience,Position and Boss's Trust

So if you want to live singly, get "prepared" psychologically for the accompanying "loneliness". Likewise, when you experience an increase in workload, do not complain, rather get "prepared". For it shows the boss trusts you, you may get a pay raise or promoted. When you are well "prepared", you feel peaceful and tranquil, which are the result of LEE.

No pain, no gain. Such is the principle of LEE. That whether you are gaining or losing is fairly subjective. Anyway, a good knowledge of the principle of LEE will naturally lead you to a peaceful and tranquil mind.

The examples mentioned above illustrate how LEE enables psychological balance through a simple event. In everyday life, occurrences are much more complex. You must first understand the complicated causality among them before achieving psychological tranquillity. The examples are as follows:

Starting Events--> Subsequent Events--> Derivative Events
Taking a Bus-----> Inconvenient-------> Economical
Taking a Taxi----> Convenient---------> Expensive
Drive -----------> Very Convenient----> Very Expensive

If you think it is better to drive, the above examples show each means of transport has its own respective strength and weakness. So, do not admire those car owners, you may have a more substantial bank account than some of them.

LEE pacifies psychological disturbances, thus eventually creating spiritual tranquillity. Every good deed brings you closer to this end, every good starting event brings you spiritual tranquillity. If you could achieve it, you could also perceive the true meaning of life and the mysteries of the world.

Religion is often the source of social turmoil and war. As LEE resembles a number of orthodox religions in essence, it therefore could possible turn war into peace and eventually it may unite with other orthodox religions and create a harmonious world for mankind.