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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 31, 2013

Skillful Intention

It’s all about intention. If your intention is skillful, imbued with compassion, the quality of your effort will be skillful. And you can develop skillful intention.

- Peter Doobinin, “Skillful Effort”

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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 25, 2013

Planting the Seeds of Happiness

We spend decades of our lives wanting happiness, peace, and contentment—without sowing the causes for that aspiration. Why did we not plant the seeds of the fruition we aspire to? Buddhist logic says that if you plant a lemon seed and pray for a mango fruit, logically it won’t work. But this is what we do: we wish for happiness without planting the seeds of happiness.

- Khandro Rinpoche, “Planting the Seeds of Happiness”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 26, 2013
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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 24, 2013

True Generosity

The practice of true generosity is rare; it is an exchange in which both giver and receiver are enriched.

- Judy Lief, "The Power of Receiving"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 25, 2013
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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 22, 2013

Starting from Here

Understanding and accepting who you really are right now is as important as the commitment to become someone more open and generous. Whatever the quality of motivation, when we intentionally reach out to others in giving, some degree of transformation occurs.

- Dale S. Wright, “The Bodhisattva’s Gift”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 23, 2013
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Via JMG: Updated Marriage Map

 

Wikipedia's editors are already on it, even though Utah may not stay blue in the short term. 

Labels: marriage equality, United States, Utah

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: INDIA: Government Asks Supreme Court To Review Anti-Homosexuality Law

The Indian government yesterday petitioned the Supreme Court to review its decision to reinstate the criminalization of homosexuality.

The government asked the court to review its order saying it believed it "violated the principle of equality". There has been outrage over the ruling seen as a huge blow to gay rights. There have been street protests and many activists and even government ministers have criticised it. "The government has filed the review petition on Section 377 in the Supreme Court today. Let's hope the right to personal choices is preserved," Law Minister Kapil Sibal tweeted on Friday. In its petition filed in the Supreme Court, the government says "the position of the central government on this issue has been that the Delhi High Court verdict... is correct". The Supreme Court's earlier order was widely criticised in India. The president of the ruling Congress party Sonia Gandhi described it as "an archaic, unjust law" and Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the ruling had taken India "back to 1860".

Very encouraging.

 

Labels: homosexuality, India, LGBT rights

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 21, 2013

Basho on Haiku

If you describe a green willow in the spring rain it will be excellent, but haiku needs more homely images, such as a crow picking snails in a rice paddy.

- Basho (trans. Robert Hass), "Swamp Marigold"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 22, 2013
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Via Wipe Out Homophobia / FB:

 

See / Listen also: 

Henry Rollins - KCRW 89.9 FM | Internet Public Radio Station

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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 19, 2013

Spreading Merit

When a candle is lit in a dark room, it illuminates the room to some extent, but its power is limited. But if you use the same candle to light another candle, the total brightness increases. If you continue to do this, you can fill the room with brilliant illumination. The idea of transferring merit to others is like this. If we keep our own light selfishly hidden, it will only provide a limited amount of illumination.

- Master Sheng Yen, “Rich Generosity”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 20, 2013
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Via JMG: Married After 60 Years

 

From Oregon Public Radio:

Eric Marcoux and Eugene Woodworth have been together since they the day they met in Chicago in 1953. “I am here today to be legally married to Eugene Woodworth, with whom I have had an intimate deeply committed relationship for a little over sixty years,” Marcoux says. Marcoux is 83 years old and Woodworth is 85. They can’t marry in Oregon, where a constitutional amendment outlaws same-sex marriage. When same-sex marriage was legalized in Washington last year, they didn’t rush across the state line to get married. “No, no, no….” says Woodworth. “We wanted to have it in Oregon,” Marcoux explains.
But Woodworth has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and he’s been given weeks to live. They’re getting married today with the hope that Marcoux might be eligible to receive social security benefits as the surviving spouse. “We’ve observed federal government extending privileges. Then it occurred to us, ‘well, maybe we’ll be able to transfer his social security,’ which is significantly greater than mine, to me. And although it’s a modest one, it will make an enormous difference in the kind of life that I will be able to leave – live! – and leave,” Marcoux says. “He deserves it after living with me for sixty years,” Woodworth laughs.

Hit the link for the rest of the story. Take a tissue. (Tipped by JMG reader Homer)

Labels: gay seniors, marriage equality, Oregon

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Karmapa / FB:

When you think about compassion, it’s not just a feeling of empathy for other people or understanding where they come from. Compassion actually has a much stronger power than that.

 

 

Via PoliticusUSA & Politicus Sports / FB:

President Obama Defies Russia By Including Two Openly Gay Athletes In Olympic Delegation

sports.politicususa.com

President Obama announced that two openly gay athletes will be part of the delegation he's sending to Sochi for the Winter Olympics.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 18, 2013

Breaking Through

It’s imperative for us to understand that spiritual practice is not just something we do when we’re sitting in meditation or when we’re on retreat. Failing to see everything as an opportunity for practice is a setup for frustration and disappointment, keeping us stuck where we are and limiting our possibilities for inner growth. The more we include in our practice, the more satisfying our life can be.

- Ezra Bayda, “Breaking Through”

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Via Being Liberal/ FB:

Don't you think that this definition might be actually better definition than this: http://bit.ly/merriam-webster-homophobia?

Navajo Healing Song By The Navajo & The Sioux

Via Gay Politics Report: Social Security Administration to pay some same-sex couples' benefits claims

The Social Security Administration announced Monday that it will begin processing some benefits claims for same-sex couples following June's Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act. "Social Security is processing some widow's and widower's claims by surviving members of same-sex marriages and paying benefits where they are due," Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn Colvin said in a statement. "Our goal is to treat all Americans with dignity and respect." The Baltimore Sun/Gay Matters blog (12/16), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (12/16) 

Via JMG: Chile Elects Pro-Gay Marriage President

Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, that nation's first female leader, was returned to power on Sunday after stepping down in 2010 because of a rule that forbids consecutive terms. Bachelet's campaign platform included a promise to pursue same-sex marriage.

The 62-year-old Bachelet fended off center-right candidate Evelyn Matthei by winning 62 percent of a runoff vote – the highest of any candidate since Chile returned to democratic elections. “The social and political conditions are here and at last the moment has arrived,” Bachelet told supporters. “If I'm here it's because we believe that a Chile for everyone is necessary. It won't be easy, but when has it been easy to change the world?” Bachelet also campaigned on gay marriage, reiterating her supporter in several interviews. However, her center-left New Majority coalition has only a slim majority in both houses and a full plate.

Three South American nations currently permit same-sex marriage: Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Labels: Chile, marriage equality, South America

Reposted from Joe Jervis

JMG Gay Wedding Video Of The Day

Via press release:

A gay military couple has released a one-of-a-kind video citing their journey of love that lead to their marriage and covers their euphoric feelings about the historic steps the LGBT military community has taken in these short three years. The video is titled Jonathan & Dwayne | A Story About Love. The video features Jonathan and Dwayne Beebe-Franqui. They tied the knot not too long ago and show the unique moment of their engagement - the historic 2012 Uniformed Military March in San Diego Pride. The march made national headlines and global news due to the Pentagon issuing a blanket ruling for all LGBT service members and allies to march in uniform for the first time in a Pride parade in United States history.

You might need a tissue.

Labels: gay weddings, military, San Diego

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Resposta de geneticista a Silas Malafaia [CC-eng] [Biologist refutes preacher on homosexuality]

For you pobrecitos who cannot yet understand the World´s Most Beautiful Language it has a link thingy at the bottom you can switch the subtitles to English...

Bob Seger - Kathmandu [HD]

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 17, 2013

Our Fuller Potential

To open to our deepest nature, our buddhanature, is to access a power of loving compassion that has the courage to challenge oneself and others on whatever ways we may hide from our fuller potential.

- John Makransky, “Aren’t We Right to be Angry?”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 18, 2013
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Via the Advocate / FB: Our 2013 Person Of The Year is Pope Francis.

e Advocate magazine

Add caption

Via JMG: Social Security To Pay Survivor Benefits To Gay Widows And Widowers

"I am pleased to announce that, effective today, Social Security is processing some widow’s and widower’s claims by surviving members of same-sex marriages and paying benefits where they are due. In addition, we are able to pay some one-time lump sum death benefit claims to surviving same-sex spouses. As I stated shortly after the Supreme Court decision on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, our goal is to treat all Americans with dignity and respect. We ask for continued patience from the public as we work closely with the Department of Justice to develop policies that are legally sound so we can process claims. If you believe you may be eligible for Social Security, I encourage you to apply now to protect against the loss of any potential benefits. We will process claims as soon as additional instructions become finalized." - Carolyn Colvin, acting commissioner of Social Security.

Labels: DOMA, feds, marriage equality, Social Security

Reposted from Joe Jervis

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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 16, 2013

Selfless Acts

Giving needs to be practiced and developed because our underlying tendency toward attachment, aversion, and confusion so often interferes with a truly selfless act of generosity. Consummate observer of human nature that he was, the Buddha pointed out the many ways we can give with mixed motives: we give out of fear, or in accordance with tradition; we give with the expectation of return; we give in hope of gain, or a favorable reputation or rebirth; we give to adorn our mind, or simply because giving brings joy.

- Marcia Rose, “Dana: The Practice of Giving”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 17, 2013
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Via JMG: This Is An Ad For Something

Via JMG: Feds Recognize All Gay Marriages For Student Financial Aid Applicants

Citing Edith Windsor's victory at the Supreme Court, yesterday the Department of Education announced that all same-sex marriages will be recognized for the purposes of federal financial aid grants regardless of the state where the applicant resides.

For purposes of the Title IV HEA programs, a student or a parent is considered married if the student or parent was legally married in any domestic or foreign jurisdiction1 that recognizes the relationship as a valid marriage, regardless of where the couple resides. The Department is applying a “place of celebration” rule and, accordingly, has determined that any legal marriage that is recognized by the jurisdiction in which the marriage was celebrated will be recognized for Title IV HEA program purposes without regard to whether the marriage is between persons of the same sex or opposite sex, and without regard to where the couple resides. This determination applies to both a student and to the parents of a dependent student. It also applies to a student attending an institution located in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage and in a jurisdiction (e.g., a state) that does not recognize same-sex marriage. Further, this determination applies only to marriages and does not apply to registered domestic partnerships, civil unions, or similar formal relationships recognized under state law.  Finally, this determination is relevant to all questions concerning marriage and marital status on the FAFSA.

Labels: DOMA, Edith Windsor, education, feds

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 15, 2013

No Words

Zen practice is always about returning to that place where there are no words. Early on, I realized that to use words, you have to live life beyond words, before words, without words. Only then do you have the right to speak.

- Seido Ray Ronci, "No Words"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 16, 2013
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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 14, 2013

Give Everything

Underneath the panoply of Buddhist teachings on bodhisattvahood, compassion, and the like, lies one radically simple law: We must be willing to give all for all, to sacrifice everything for the sake of other beings, up to and including our lives. In the eternal scheme of things, we all sacrifice our lives, whether we are awake to this fact or not.

- Clark Strand, “The Wisdom of Frogs”

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Via JMG: Indian AG Denounces Ruling

"The world has moved on. It is fast changing. Perceptions have changed. Attitudes have changed. Law does not and cannot remain static. Whenever necessary, the Supreme Court has reflected changed perceptions of the law and has struck outmoded laws down. They did so when striking down rent control laws as socially irrelevant. They also did it by breathing fresh life into Article 21, protecting life and personal liberty. They did it by consigning the archaic judgment in A K Gopalan vs State of Madras, rendered in 1950, into the dustbin of history. Unfortunately, they declined to give a similar treatment to Section 377. Therein lies the tragedy." - Goolam Vahanvati, Attorney General of India.

Labels: homosexuality, India, LGBT rights

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: SUNDAY: Global Protests Planned In Support Of Indian LGBT Community

On Sunday there will be protests of the Indian Supreme Court ruling in major cities around the world. The list of cities so far: Sydney, Toronto, Cambridge, London, Delhi, Ann Arbor, Chennai.  More locations will be added at this link, at which you can find details for each city.

Labels: activism, India, LGBT rights, protests

Reosted from Joe Jervis

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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 13, 2013

Cultivating An Open Mind

Zen Master Jizo said that ‘not knowing is the most intimate thing.’ Not knowing means to be open to all eventualities, to not prejudge a person or situation. If your mind is full of preconceived notions, there is no room for an unbiased view. It is like when your hands are full of objects—you cannot pick up anything new. A closed mind causes separation and suspicion. Like an umbrella, a mind is only useful when it is open. The first step toward maintaining an open mind is to understand the nature of mind or self.

- Gerry Shishin Wick Sensei, “Zen In The Workplace: Approaches To Mindful Management”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 14, 2013
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Via JMG: INDIA: Top Politicians Vow To Repeal Law Against Homosexuality

In the wake of yesterday's shocking recriminalization of homosexuality by the Indian Supreme Court, politicians there today vowed to repeal the law legislatively.

"We will have to change the law. If the Supreme Court has upheld that law, then we will certainly have to take firm steps," Thursday. "Change has to be made fast, and any delay cannot take place." Sibal's comments were echoed by other government officials. Sonia Gandhi, the head of the ruling Congress Party, who is among the most powerful political figures in the country, said Thursday she was disappointed by the Supreme Court's ruling, adding she hopes "Parliament will address the issue and uphold the constitutional guarantee of life and liberty to all citizens of India, including those directly affected by the judgment." The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, fresh off massive wins in state elections last week, refused to comment on the ruling, "react when we see the government's proposal." The BJP is seen as a front-runner ahead of next year's national elections.

Labels: homosexuality, India, LGBT rights

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Science and Nonduality Conference / FB:

Science and Nonduality Conference

first there is a mountain
then there is no mountain
then there is a mountain again

~ Zen Proverb

photo: Joel Santos

 

Via Have A Gay Day / FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 12, 2013

Fearlessness

If we’re afraid of who we are, we continually feel frantic about filling that space, anything to avoid that persistent unease beneath the surface of our lives. The fearlessness of the warrior comes from stepping again and again into open space, with body, breath, and heart exposed. It is the fearlessness that is willing to be intimate with fear.

- Aura Glaser, “Into the Demon’s Mouth”

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Via JMG: Indian LGBT Group Denounces Ruling

 

The Indian LGBT rights group Orinam has issued a reaction to the today's shameful ruling by the Indian Supreme Court.

We are deeply disappointed at the decision of the Supreme Court in Suresh Kumar Kaushal v. Naz Foundation. The decision by overturning the historic Delhi High Court judgment which recognized that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) persons are full citizens of India, attempts to stem the tide of history. By overturning the Naz Foundation judgment, the Supreme Court has, in one fell stroke again reduced LGBT persons to the status of what the Delhi High Court memorably called 'unapprehended felons'. The judgment of the Supreme Court is a unconscionable blow to the dignity of LGBT persons who as per the Indian Constitution are entitled to equal treatment. It withdraws the protective arm of the constitution from LGBT persons and renders LGBT persons vulnerable to discrimination, violence and harassment. It is a tragedy that this judgment forgets the vision of the founders of the Indian republic which was so eloquently captured by the Delhi High Court. By re-criminalizing LGBT persons the judgment ignores the spirit of inclusiveness which is the heart of the Indian Constitution as articulated by Jawaharlal Nehru. It equally abandons the principle of constitutional morality (ie majorities dont have a charter to discriminate against minorities purely because they are majorities) articulated by Dr. Ambedkar which is the cornerstone of a diverse and plural nation.

Read the full statement.

Labels: homosexuality, India, LGBT rights

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: Sporting Bodies To Respect LGBT Rights

Martina Navratilova and Jason Collins yesterday called on international sporting groups to respect LGBT rights. The pair spoke at a United Nations event marking International Human Rights Day.

They focused in part on the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia, which passed a law this summer banning homosexual "propaganda." The law has drawn international condemnation and sparked calls for a boycott, though no nations have threatened to pull their athletes. Navratilova, who lost lucrative endorsements when she came out in 1981, said she doesn't support boycotts of any kind. But she said the IOC is "putting its head in the sand" and criticized FIFA, the world soccer body, for awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. "Nobody's talking about Qatar and the World Cup. You can get a jail term there," she said of consensual gay sex in the Persian Gulf nation. In six other countries, including Saudi Arabia, simply being gay is punishable by death, she said. "Gays and lesbians seem to be the last group it's seen as OK to pick on," she said.

Watch video here.

Labels: FIFA, gay athletes, Jason Collins, LGBT rights, Martina Navralitova, Qatar, Russia, Sochi Olympics

Via Freedom to Marry / FB:

Edie Windsor has been named one of TIME's Top 5 People of the Year! 

 

Don't miss TIME's beautiful tribute to the woman whose love story made 2013 amazing: http://ti.me/1aV3jKY

 

 

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma December 11, 2013

The Matter of Truth

One finds in Buddhist tradition a distinction between “words” and “meaning,” which are often very different from one another, and we would do well to consider the traditional advice—whether we are looking at statues or interpreting teachings—to pay attention to symbolic meaning and not be limited to literal meaning.

- Rita M. Gross, “The Matter of Truth”

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through December 12, 2013
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Is Being Gay a choice?

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Tricycle Daily Dharma December 10, 2013

Spiritual Stinginess

We try to turn a profit in practice—to get something from it. We try to get better. We try to get enlightenment. We try to get seen for doing it right. What are we being stingy with here? Wholehearted surrender to the present moment or to what is. Think how stingy we are with that. Think how tightly we hold on. We also imagine that in practicing, what we will “get” will be ours—which is, of course, the greatest delusion of all.

- Sensei Nancy Mujo Baker, "On Not Being Stingy"

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Via JMG: Edith Windsor: Top Ten Finalist For TIME Magazine's Person Of The Year

 

TIME Magazine today released the top ten finalists for Person Of The Year. On the list is Edith Windsor.  Here are the finalists in alphabetical order. 

Bashar Assad, President of Syria
Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder
Ted Cruz, Texas Senator
Miley Cyrus, Singer
Pope Francis, Leader of the Catholic Church
Barack Obama, President of the United States
Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services
Edward Snowden, N.S.A. Leaker
Edith Windsor, Gay rights activist

The 2013 Person Of The Year will be revealed on Wednesday.

Labels: 2013 in review, DOMA, Edith Windsor, Time Magazine

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: BRASIL: 130 Couples Participate In Mass Wedding As Rio Legalizes Gay Marriage

Yesterday Rio De Janeiro became the 14th Brazilian state to legalize same-sex marriage. Over 130 couples married in a mass wedding at the state's Superior Court of Justice.

In mid-May, Brazilian courts determined that public offices that oversee marriages cannot reject gay couples, even though Brazil's national congress has passed no law on the matter. Some public offices had already been accepting marriage applications from homosexual couples, while others denied them. An emotional Viviane Soares Lessa de Faria, 38, smiled at her partner and told news site G1 "I've dreamed of marrying her since I met her." Her wife's 29-year-old son was the couple's best man. For Giuseppe Laricchia, 21, marrying his boyfriend was about guaranteeing rights. "We need to have equality compared with heterosexual couples," he said.

(Via Towleroad)

Labels: Brazil, marriage equality, Rio de Janeiro

 
Reposted from Joe Jervis