Via JMG: Texas Caves On National Guard

Via press release from Lambda Legal:

After increasing pressure to follow U.S. Department of Defense guidelines, the Texas Military Forces today allowed Lambda Legal's client, Alicia Butler the wife of 1st Lt. Judith Chedville to register for federal military benefits at Camp Mabry. "We are thrilled for Alicia and Judith who just wanted to take steps, like all military families, to access critical support networks and benefits provided to families of servicemembers," Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Paul Castillo said. "Texas Military Forces implements a host of federal benefits programs for all National Guard units in the state and it should be no different for married same-sex couples."
In September, Lambda Legal submitted a letter urging the commanding officer of the Texas Military Forces to abide by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines and allow married same-sex military couples to register for federal benefits at any military base in the state. Since that first contact, Lambda Legal has engaged in continued aggressive advocacy at all levels to urge this result. I am so pleased to have this spousal ID card and begin to access a range of benefits," Butler said. "My wife served our country and our family needs support like all military families."

The American Military Partner Association reacts:

“We applaud the Texas Military Forces for changing course and the Department of Defense for making sure this issue is resolved in Texas," said Stephen Peters, president of AMPA. "All military spouses, regardless of orientation or gender, deserve to treated with the same dignity, respect, and support for their sacrifices in support of our nation, no matter what state they serve in. We urge the remaining states who have not yet complied with Department of Defense policy to do so quickly and affirm their commitment to all military families."

Labels: gay soldiers, military, National Guard, Texas

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 27, 2013

Concern for Others

For modern Buddhists, the world shows us daily that our own awareness cannot thrive indifferent to what is happening to the awareness of others. As the old sociological paradox puts it, people create society, but society also creates people. Our economic and political systems are not spiritually neutral; they inculcate certain values and discourage others. As our awareness becomes more liberated, we become more aware of the suffering of others, and of the social forces that aggravate or decrease suffering.

- David Loy, "Why Buddhism Needs the West"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 28, 2013
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 26, 2013

How to Be

Dogen said: ‘Directly upon encountering the dharma, we will abandon the law of the world.’ In other words, once we discover the true order behind the appearance of things, our lives will no longer be dominated by the conventional values of society—the seeking to outshine, outrace, outgain.

- Henry Shukman, "How to Be in the World"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 27, 2013
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JMG Quote Of The Day - Tom Comstock

"I told God, if he's going to save me from death from this and he doesn't send me a boyfriend, I'm going to call a party foul." - Portland resident Tom Comstock, after pieces of lumber speared the cabin of his SUV when he was rear-ended during rush hour traffic. Emergency room doctors gave him a tetanus shot and told him to go buy a lottery ticket. KATU-TV has video and more photos at the link. (Tipped by JMG reader Bobby)

Labels: bears, cars, Oregon, traffic

Reposted from Joe Jervis

The Most Powerful Video on Spirituality and Happiness - Rare Eckhart Tolle Teaching - Must See

Bill Maher New Rules - Kennedy was cooler than Reagan

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 25, 2013

What the Buddha Never Said

When the Buddha speaks, it is said, he always intends his words to lead to the welfare and happiness of the hearers. But his words are not always tied to the theme of “suffering and its cessation.” To insist on confining them to this topic is to drastically narrow the range of the dharma.

- Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, "'I Teach Only Suffering and the End of Suffering'"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 26, 2013
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Via Being Liberal / FB:

Via Lady Liberals / FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 24, 2013

How to Become Lucid

If you’ve ever had a lucid dream before, you may have an idea how this unique state of awareness can open up incredible opportunities for discovery, healing, and growth. The idea is not new: Tibetan Buddhists have practiced lucid dreaming for at least a thousand years, referring to it as dream yoga. Dreams often act like mirrors, presenting you with a reflection of yourself. By becoming conscious in your unconscious, you’re able to explore and deepen the connection to your own inner world.

- Dylan Tuccillo, Jared Zeizel, and Thomas Peisel, "Taking Flight"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 25, 2013
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His Holiness the Karmapa: The Technology of the Heart

Hmmmm... but it does exist... click below:

http://www.ted.com/talks/his_holiness_the_karmapa_the_technology_of_the_heart.html

The Heart Is Noble: The Moon

Lua Cheia - Ouro Preto, MG - Nov 16, 2013 / Daniel C. Orey

I want to share with you a feeling I have. I feel that my love does not have to remain within the limitations of my own life or body. I imagine that if I am no longer in the world, my love could still be present. I want to place my love on the moon and let the moon hold my love. Let the moon be the keeper of my love, offering it to everyone just as the moon sends its light to embrace the whole earth. 

- The Heart Is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out by Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient - Tam O'Shaugnessy on Behalf of Sally Ride

Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 23, 2013

Freedom and Choice

Most people equate choice and freedom. It seems so reasonable. Freedom means you are free to choose, right? It means you are free from restrictions. If you can’t choose, then you are not free. And it would seem to follow that the more choice you have, the more freedom you have. But it doesn’t work out that way.

- Ken McLeod, "Freedom and Choice"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 24, 2013
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Dalai Lama's guide to happiness

Publicado em 08/10/2013

 

This video looks at 'Buddhism and Happiness', as we ask are they a match made in heaven or something else? This eight minute epic reveals some incredible insights into human behaviour and values that impact our happiness, particularly in this materialistic Western life so many are living, or reaching for.

The Dalai Lama's talk is from his 'the quest for happiness' public talk in Adelaide during his 'Beyond Religion' tour in Australia.

While we would have ideally used footage of Tibetan monks in this video, we were unable to and instead used footage from our recent trip to Burma, where we acknowledge there may be subtle differences in how Buddhism is practiced. We do not mean to offend anyone by this and if you would like to fly us to Tibet to re-film this we'll happily take up the offer.

PLUS... Find us on Facebook to see more than 20,000 smiles!!!

Via JMG: OREGON: Christian Group Files Measure To Legalize Anti-Gay Discrimination

An anti-gay Christian group has filed an Oregon ballot measure that would make it legal for businesses to refuse to provide wedding services to gay people on the grounds of religious belief.

The initiative comes after Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian launched a well-publicized investigation against a Gresham bakery that refused to provide a cake for a marriage between two women. "We are deeply concerned that even Oregon elected officials are becoming hostile towards religious freedom," said Teresa Harke, spokeswoman for Friends of Religious Freedom, a group formed to support the initiative campaign. Harke is also communications director for the Oregon Family Council, a group opposing the proposed initiative that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, the state's major gay-rights organization, said in a statement that "while we are all entitled to our religious beliefs, those beliefs don't entitle any of us to discriminate against others, or disobey laws that are already in place to ensure that everyone is treated equally."

The group must have the wording for the measure approved before it can begin collecting the required 87K signatures to place it on the 2014 ballot. (Tipped by JMG reader Sam)

Labels: 2014 elections, bigotry, hate groups, marriage equality, Oregon, public accommodations, religion

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 22, 2013

Necessary Failure

Do not fear failure. Whatever happened in the past is past; do not worry about it happening again. Before you meet with success, failure is natural and necessary.

- Master Sheng-Yen, "Being Natural"

Read the entire article in the Wisdom Collection through November 23, 2013
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Via The Gaily Grind.com / FB:

JMG Facebook Graphic Of The Day

Source.

Labels: marriage equality, Mary Fallin, National Guard, Oklahoma

Reposted from Joe