George Bush’s favorite reason for the Iraq War is “fighting them there so we don’t have to fight them here.” I knew that was simplistic and misleading but had nothing to refute that until now. In today’s New York Times there is an article that is quite informative and alarming. Continue reading “Living by the sword has its risks”
Compassion in your heart
As a soldier you can be compassionate. You can be loving and your gun can be helpful. There are times you may not have to use your gun. It is like that knife that is used to cut vegetables. You can be a bodhisattva as a soldier or the commander of an army. The question is whether you have understanding and compassion in your heart. That is the question.
–Calming the Fearful Mind: A Zen Response to Terrorism–Thich Nhat Hanh
Random acts of senseless kindness
Today is the Feast of Pentecost. One of the stories from Fr. Bob’s homily today was taken from a real life event that occurred at Bakersfield College in California. Fr. Bob used the story to illustrate the powerful effect we have when we bless others. Continue reading “Random acts of senseless kindness”
In all things
When we are caught in notions, rituals, and the outer forms of the practice, not only can we not receive and embody the spirit of our tradition, we become an obstacle for the true values of the tradition to be transmitted. We lose sight of the true needs and actual suffering of people, and the teachings and practice, which were intended to relieve suffering, now cause suffering. Narrow, fundamentalist, and dogmatic practices always alienate people, especially those who are suffering. We have to remind ourselves again and again of our original purpose, and the original teachings and intention of Buddha, Jesus, and other great sages and saints.”
–Thich Nhat Hanh
I couldn’t say it better myself. Dogma and ritual might be comforting at times but they can be a real hindrance also. I’m currently finishing another of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books, “The Energy of Prayer: How to Deepen Your Spiritual Practice.” It’s been a great book and I’m almost through with it the first time through. He asks a lot of good questions in the book and like most if not all of his other books it really doesn’t matter what tradition you are from. I would love to meet him sometime. However, I enjoy his presence whether that ever happens. He is with me whenever I am mindful of his presence. He has taught me to see good and God in all things.
Satyagraha
Satyagraha is a relentless search for truth and a determination to search truth.–Mahatma Gandhi
As I sit here this morning on the edge of the hundred acre wood that borders our property I am surrounded by peace and yet I know that in much of the world there is violence and killing some of it sponsored by my own government. It pains me deeply to know that my countrymen are being hurt, killed and in some cases doing the killing of others. We are all brothers and sisters in this world. Continue reading “Satyagraha”
I needed that…
I get a regular email from Gratefulness.org. Today’s was very timely for me.
You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.
–Sarah Ban Breathnach–Simple Abundance
Wisdom to know the difference
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.–Reinhold Neibuhr
Where do I get the wisdom to know the difference? Where does that come from? This has been a tough week for me. I’ve given up on American democracy. It doesn’t exist anymore. Continue reading “Wisdom to know the difference”
Death of Democracy
I noted in tonight’s paper a headline that proclaimed “Democrats have to sell their new strategy to liberals.” In other words they’ve caved in to the “Decider in Chief.” Continue reading “Death of Democracy”
Epitaph
Tony Hendra, the author of Father Joe: the Man who Saved My Soul that I mentioned in my three book meme yesterday has a lovely pieced on Huffington Post this morning. Continue reading “Epitaph”
Who supports the troops more?
Scott Adams author of my favorite comic strip character and author of Dilbert Blog has had two consecutive great posts. Actually he’s had numerous insightful posts, but the last two seem more timely than ever. Continue reading “Who supports the troops more?”