"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Lao Tsu
As, the Executive Director of Medical Whistleblower, I strive to provide spiritual and emotional support to those who have courageously stepped forward to report Medical Fraud, Abuse and Neglect. Each of us, as Medical Whistleblowers, are injured and traumatized by the retaliation we suffered. Each of us has our own pathway to recovery from the emotional trauma of workplace violence and Whistleblower Retaliation. As our investigative and legal cases drag on for years often through many court hearings, we often lose the support of our families, friends and co-workers who do not understand our commitment to the Truth and our commitment to stand up for those who are harmed within the medical community. The criminals who prey on the medically vulnerable, disabled and financially challenged will use every means to discredit our Whistleblowing efforts. As a result we often lose our financial security, our careers and often our emotional balance. As we struggle to put our lives back together and face that healing journey we will many times revert back to an earlier stage of vulnerability or lapse in our forward momentum. But I believe that when we work together as a team, we can accomplish great things and will change the legal and medical system in ways, even we, can not anticipate.
The great Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King, Jr. called it "Fearful faithfulness." In Fearful faithfulness – one does not have to feel courageous to be an effective activist. Dr. King explained that those opposing evil or the abuse of power, may not feel particularly courageous, or embody inner peace but could still effectively strive to attain their goals. Dr. King did not hide the fact that to oppose evil would expose the truth sayer to possible violence. Violence begets violence. Toughness begets toughness, Force greater force. Dr. King told his followers that the path of non-violent resistance required great courage. The non-violent dissenter is just as opposed to the evil he resists as the violent resister. It is not a method for cowards. MLK also noted that if the only alternative to violence was cowardice, it was better to fight. Non-violent dissent is not stagnant passivity but instead an act of spiritual strength to stand up confidently and even militantly to challenge the abuse of power. It is passive physically but aggressive spiritually. In opposing evil with non-violent dissent, the mind must always be active, alert to new ways and means to persuade the opponent that he is wrong. Non-violent dissent is a means to shame and awaken a sense of conscience in those who abuse power. It does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent but instead win his friendship and understanding. Through non-violent dissent one can not only defeat the evil system and stem the abuse of power but also win over the hearts and minds of the perpetrators of the system and thus make meaningful and lasting change. Non violence brings love into being alongside with the determination not to hate. Non violent dissent is a means to an end not the end in itself. The aftermath of non-violence is beloved community while in aggression or violence the aftermath is bitterness.
Martin Luther King, Jr. took many of his ideas from Mohandas Gandhi and the teaching of Mahayana. Mahatma Gandhi told his followers "Be the change you want to see in the world." Gandhi used the method of non-resistance effectively in the struggle for justice in India and to free his people from British political domination, economic exploitation, and humiliation.
Mahayana. महायान means in Sanskrit "Great Vehicle" and is a classification of Buddhism. "The Buddha-dhatu is the True Self and, like a diamond, for example, it cannot be destroyed". This principle is the acknowledgment of the transforming redemptive value of suffering. Compassion, or Karuna is linked to the idea that acquired merit can be transmitted to others. Thus the gift of inner peace you acquire for yourself can be transforming to others as well. Those who are emotionally, physically and financially hurt can provide the beacon of light to expose the corruption and greed within the medical community. These wounded warriors can in spite of their difficulties, provide mentoring and support to others who are in a more vulnerable position. The Whistleblower does not need to have become completely successful to provide an admirable moral and ethical example for others and through their own suffering. Many a successful movement has been accomplished by ordinary people doing extraordinary even heroic accomplishments. No one who was ever perfect led a successful movement for change. These tasks were accomplished by ordinary people, not waiting for perfection or sainthood. You do not need the most perfect understanding. You do not need to have more perfect moral consistency of character. You do not need to be gifted with perfect eloquence. You just need to take the first step in that spiritual journey that will rebuild the rest of your life.
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