27 May 2016
`Every morning I wake to hope, irrational as it may seem; hope for a more civilized world, for kinder, gentler societies and social systems, and concomitant best wishes for our overused, abused, and slowly dying planet.
To help muster the energy required to face the challenges of our complex world, I rely on what Buddhist activists call the 3 freedoms: Freedom from undue hope & expectations; Freedom from fear & anxiety; and Freedom from selfishness & bias. Ah, yes: although it's tough for an old dog, lama or not, to learn new tricks: undo old egocentric preoccupations and bias; and step away from the natural inclination to overlook and even deny the scientific and socioeconomic facts of life---while simple-mindedly hoping for the best, voting with my gut, and assuming it shall all be and be well.
Action is needed as well as better education, listening, communication, and dialogue. We need to focus on effectively channeling our energy and practical efforts towards transforming many of our broken social systems.
I seldom weigh in on our complex, self-indulgent political arena, but lately I feel a sense of sadness with each offensive ad and overzealous news report-- not that we haven't witnessed similar undignified sparring in the past. Yet these are somewhat dirtier, more underhanded and venal, it seems to me; clouded by constant negative overtones, low innuendo and mounting destructive voices. As my dear bubbe would say, "Oy Vey! Gott im Himmel!"
Buddhism teaches that nothing is more dangerous than an untrained or unhealthy mind, and nothing more conducive to great wellness than a well-trained, clear and developed mind. Right action can be a way of achieving one's goals. Practicing patient forbearance in the face of harm and abuse, without being overly passive in our pacifism, we find that nonviolence is and can be a dynamic multi-dimensional means of persuasion, a technique for political activism, and a recipe for peacemaking and harmonizing---a fearless and forceful way of living authentically as well as speaking truth to power. Right action equals right morality, it carries with it a sense of discerning wisdom, precision and skillful means.
May includes the full moon day when Buddhists traditionally celebrate the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. This could happen today, or any day, for those who open their inner wisdom eye and fourth ear of true listening to hear the plaintiff cries of our beleaguered world and endangered species, and awaken together.
Buddha's renowned Eightfold Noble Path is the world's oldest extant business plan-the business being happiness, fulfillment and well-being-- and would be well applied in this destructive arena we call our political system.
But, oh-- Life is like a dream.
And yet, and yet...
With Love and blessings,
Lama Surya Das
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