Good V Evil

Morality:  The mental disposition or characteristic of behaving in a manner intended to produce morally good results; respect for and obedience to the rules of right conduct.

Here's what The Buddha says: We need to be constantly aware of what we are doing with our body and with our speech - the practice of morality must precede the practice of concentrated meditation.

Or in AA-speak: If you want to have self-esteem start doing esteemable things.

I really like this idea that the practice of meditation - of trying to draw closer to my god or higher spirit - requires that I start to behave in a morally conscientious manner.  How many times have I run into someone in The Fellowship who speaks platitude while practicing racism or selfish sexual behavior?  If I want to strangle the shit out of some asshole who desperately needs it then my Quiet Time is not going to bring me much peace.  I've installed a firewall of steel and poisonous snakes between my god and me - whatever god is saying to me isn't going to get through or it's going to come out in tatters and shattered, burnt.