A personal blog by a graying (mostly Anglo with light African-American roots) gay left leaning liberal progressive married college-educated Buddhist Baha'i BBC/NPR-listening Professor Emeritus now following the Dharma in Minas Gerais, Brasil.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma June 26, 2013
Allegiance to Life
Feeling
alarm or devastation can guide us to a deep sanity, reminding us of who
we are and what we need. It can remind us that we belong to this larger
body and that we care for it. Our power to act, our power to take part
in the healing of our world, our power to bring things back into
balance, comes from the same source as that devastation. Our pain for
the world, and our power to take part in the healing of our world, both
come from the same place.
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- Joanna Macy, "Allegiance to Life"
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma June 25, 2013
Gradual Transformation
The
movement from ordinary states of self-concern to selfless giving always
involves a gradual transformation of character, not a sudden leap. Like
any form of strength, generosity needs to be intentionally cultivated
over time, and everyone must begin in whatever state of mind they
already happen to be.
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- Dale S. Wright, “The Bodhisattva’s Gift”
Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:
Daily Buddhist Wisdom | |||
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma June 24, 2013
Knowing is not Enough
If
you know dharma but do not apply it, then you have more regret than if
you had never learned any dharma in the first place. If you are not
going to apply dharma knowledge to your life—better not to know it at
all.
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- Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, "Keys to Happiness"
Monday, June 24, 2013
Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:
Daily Buddhist Wisdom | |||
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Brazilians Protest "Gay Cure" Bill
EuroNews reports:
In the midst of the biggest nationwide protests against the government in decades Brazilians have taken to the streets to express their anger at a controversial law known as the “gay cure” proposed by the the president of the Brazilian Parliament’s Commission for Human Rights, Marco Feliciano. If passed the change in legislation would permit psychologists to treat “homosexuality” as an illness.
(Tipped by JMG reader Robert)
Reposted from Joe
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma
Tricycle Daily Dharma June 23, 2013
What Nature Teaches
Nature teaches us simplicity and contentment, because in its presence we realize we need very little to be happy.
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- Mark Coleman, "A Breath of Fresh Air"
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Baha'i participation in Springfield Missouri LGBT Civil Rights Survey
Hello friends,
I wanted to share an interesting, yet upsetting situation out
of Springfield Missouri's Baha'i community concerning participation in
an LGBT civil rights survey. As always there is something
to be learned from such a situation, and of course I had to write the
National Spiritual Assembly bringing this to their attention. A lot has
happened in the American Baha'i community as we face this sensitive ,
yet timely subject. Much I do not agree with, but any talk is good
(voice of optimism). Progress can only happen if those who remain
silent speak up and bring forth a voice of reason, love, acceptance to
the table. I look forward to National's response.
love,
S R
Palm Springs, CA
____
Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2013 11:37 PM
Subject: Baha'i participation in Springfield Missouri LGBT Civil Rights Survey
I do hope that there can be consultation with the LSA
of Springfield Missouri regarding this sensitive topic. I appreciate
your continued efforts in addressing this topic, and look forward to
your guidance in the future.
Subject: Baha'i participation in Springfield Missouri LGBT Civil Rights Survey
Dear National Spiritual Assembly,
With a heavy heart I write you with news published online
and in print concerning a survey that representatives of the Local
Spiritual Assembly of Springfield Missouri took part in. The survey is
from a local faith subcommittee task force on faith and gender identity
concerning LGBT civil rights and protection in the city of Springfield. As a gay man I am concerned that an LSA would publicly endorse discrimination against LGBT people in light of your recent guidance that has been recirculated this year. The civil rights of LGBT
people (workplace protection, fair and equal housing, and inclusion in
being a protected minority class) does not conflict with Baha'i law.
There has been some progress in the American Baha'i community in
regards to
this topic, discussions are occurring, presentations are being made, LGBT Baha'is
are meeting each other for the first time in a spirit of love and
support, yet moments like this take our community ten steps back. The
following was the response of the Springfield LSA to the survey:
- Do you agree that the Springfield City Code should be amended to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance? No
- Would your answer reflect the majority of members in your congregation? Yes
- If the task force finds that there is discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in housing, employment, and/or public accommodations in Springfield, would you support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance? No
- Would your answer reflect the majority of members in your congregation? Yes
With love always,
S R
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma
Tricycle Daily Dharma June 22, 2013
Imagination vs Fantasy
Imagination
confronts desire directly, in all its discomfort and intensity,
deepening the world right where we are. Fantasy and reality are opposing
forces, but imagination and reality are not in opposition: Imagination
goes toward reality, shapes and evokes it.
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- Norman Fischer, "Saved from Freezing"
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Via JMG: Tricycle Daily Dharma
Tricycle Daily Dharma June 20, 2013
The Path of Engagement
The
starting point is overcoming ignorance. That’s where the Buddha said we
should start. We have to make it part of our daily discipline to become
better informed about the world we live in. We need to be able to
distinguish between truth and falsity such as misinformation from our
governments and from mainstream news media. We also have to learn to
deal steadfastly and intelligently with suffering.
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- Richard Reoch, "The Path of Complete Engagement"
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma June 19, 2013
How to Give
An
act of giving is of most benefit when one gives something of value,
carefully, with one’s own hand, while showing respect, and with a view
that something wholesome will come of it.
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- Andrew Olendzki, “Dana: The Practice of Giving"
Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:
Daily Buddhist Wisdom | |||
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:
Daily Buddhist Wisdom | |||
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:
Tricycle Daily Dharma June 18, 2013
Respecting the Practice
When
people use spiritual practice to try to compensate for feelings of
alienation and low self-esteem, they corrupt the true nature of
spiritual practice. Instead of loosening the manipulative ego that tries
to control its experience, they strengthen it, and their spiritual
practice remains unintegrated with the rest of their life.
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- John Welwood, “The Psychology of Awakening”
Monday, June 17, 2013
Via JMG: Pew Research Survey: 48% Of LGBT USAans Have No Religious Affiliation
In another release from the latest survey from Pew Research, we learn the unsurprising news that gays are more than twice as likely to be atheists or religiously unaffiliated.
When it comes to religion, the LGBT population has a distinctly different profile than the general public. Fewer LGBT adults have a religious affiliation. About half of LGBT respondents describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or having no particular religion (48%)─more than double the portion of the general public that is religiously unaffiliated (20%). Young LGBT adults are particularly likely to have no religious affiliation, a pattern that is also found among the general public. However, compared with the general public, a higher share of LGBT adults are unaffiliated across all age groups. For example, among adults ages 18 to 29 in the general public, 31% are religiously unaffiliated, while roughly double that share (60%) are unaffiliated among LGBT adults of the same age. And roughly one-in-eight adults ages 50 and older in the general public are unaffiliated (13%), compared with about four-in-ten (39%) of older LGBT adults.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Via JMG: Rallies Planned For "Decision Day"
Activist groups across the nation are gearing up for celebrations or
protests on the day that the Supreme Court hands down its decisions on
DOMA and Prop 8. Go to this interactive map for details on events near you. The Bay Area Reporter has details on what is planned for San Francisco:
Reposted from Joe
In San Francisco a group of volunteers known as the Day of Decision Committee is planning for a party, hopefully, in the heart of the gay Castro district. Police are expected to shut down the 400 and 500 blocks of Castro Street from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for the event. Drivers are being warned to avoid parking on Castro Street the evening of the decision; cars will not be towed but vehicles could be stuck there until after the event ends. Should Prop 8 be struck down then the plan is to have sound trucks with DJs playing music and speeches by community leaders. Similar events have been held in the past to either celebrate or protest court decisions.New Yorkers are invited to gather outside the Stonewall Inn at 5:30PM on the day of the ruling.
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