[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Simmiah

The "should" word for me indicates that it is an obligation. It is something I must do because.. in a way I believe that there isn't a higher reason for the pain or suffering another is going through.

It is an obligation--to yourself. Consider that, when helping others, this is synonymous to helping yourself. What is the point of personal development? You are not as much as you could be, and you should empower yourself to become more than you currently are. Then enter the notion where you and they are the same.

Originally Posted by Simmiah

My ego may tell me I must help in a particular way

My ego is a unique perspective upon the world. It does not command, but rather provides a viewpoint. Thus, one should learn about others, identify with them, comprehend their viewpoints, so that you have many viewpoints to work with, consider, and decide which is best for the given situation.

Originally Posted by Simmiah

There is a higher purpose I believe to all suffering yet I do not know what it is

Suffering is simply another perspective. Some perspectives we may agree are almost certainly wrong (such as "all Blacks are criminals"), and we may further agree that they should be eliminated. Equally, the various types of suffering we may possibly agree are wrong and should be eliminated. Maybe.

Originally Posted by Simmiah

But thinking you should or should not gets bogged down in a lot of guilt sometimes & I try to avoid that nowadays.

You only feel guilty if you should do something and you don't do it, or if you shouldn't do something and you do it. Guilt does not result from believing in an obligation and fulfilling it.

Originally Posted by Simmiah

I recently came to an understanding that my ego/mind cannot possibly understand the larger consequences/implications of my actions hence I may think I must help but.. in reality I may not be helping.

True, you may very well not be helping. But then again, maybe you are helping. How are you to know? No matter what you choose, there will be consequences. Push them left? Right? Not at all? Into a wall? Out a window? Every action, even those where you do nothing, has a consequence. There is no vacuum, no isolation of effect: only reality, and the ripples you make upon its fabric by existing.

But my question begins with the assumption that "cannot possibly understand" is an incorrect statement. It assumes that you not only can understand, but already do understand.

If you cannot possibly understand the big picture, the larger consequences of your actions, then existence is already futile. Walking down the street tomorrow could cause a world war. How can you be so sure it won't? But failing to walk down the street may instead cause a world war. If you can understand, then you may acquire knowledge, and knowledge is the power to decide which consequences you wish to permit.