Now, what exactly is it about complaining that is so infectious? Before you know it, if you’re around people who complain, you become part of a collective dis-ease. We all know that attitudes rub off on others and that the consequences of ones words and actions spread, for good or for ill. When I give meditation instruction I’ll mention that a consequence of meditation and Preceptual living is that some friends fade away and new ones appear. Obviously, if you hang out with people who are deluded or ignorant about the Truth of karmic consequences you’ll end up hurting; along with everybody else.
A company in Germany, reported on the BBC News, has adopted a radical approach to habitual complaining among its staff. It’s become a sackable offence! At first this might seem like an uncompassionate approach however on closer examination, maybe not. Just one person, a chronic complainer, had to be let go and the instruction for people who wake up on the wrong side of the bed is: “stay at home”! Apparently the company and staff are flourishing within the positive climate this change of policy has brought about.
There is a Dharma Talk by Rev. Master Koshin on the North Cascades Buddhist Priory web site that you might want to listen to.
