Since
the presidential election in November, I've been silent in regards to
national politics.
The
reasons are several. First, I couldn't believe what had happened. It
was painful that people would allow fear, bigotry,
racism, homophobia, and greed to override their commitment to the
ideals of the United States. But it happened. I know powerful emotions can lead one to unhealthy decisions—I have lived a life.
The second reason,
and more to the point, I didn't want emotions to guide my response.
The
Teaching, my training, the Dharma all advise me not project into
the future. No one knows with a certainty what will happen beyond this moment.
The
Teaching and my training, along with common sense, advise me to step
out of the path on a moving truck.
The
Teaching points us to Wisdom, to Understanding, and to Awareness.
We're guided to incorporate the four ideals of Compassion,
Loving-Kindness, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity into our lives, into
our very perspectives.
I
don't know yet what I'll do after January 20. I do know if I allow
fear and/or anger to guide me I'll be of no help to anyone, myself
included.
And
I know, as with the truck bearing down on me, I do have to take
action. And I realize most of that action has to do with myself and my approach.
The
Buddha said we are what we think. He also said each of us must do the
work.
Nelson
Mandela said, “As I walked toward my freedom, I knew if I didn't
leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.”
Whatever
my fears and hopes for the future may be, I don't want to be a
prisoner of hate.
No comments:
Post a Comment