"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.
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.
Monday, December 16, 2013
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.
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma
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.
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- Marcia Rose, “Dana: The Practice of Giving”
Sunday, December 15, 2013
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
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.
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- Seido Ray Ronci, "No Words"
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma
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.
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- Clark Strand, “The Wisdom of Frogs”
Friday, December 13, 2013
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.
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.
Reosted from Joe Jervis
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma
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.
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- Gerry Shishin Wick Sensei, “Zen In The Workplace: Approaches To Mindful Management”
Thursday, December 12, 2013
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.
Via Science and Nonduality Conference / FB:
first there is a mountain
then there is no mountain
then there is a mountain again
~ Zen Proverb
photo: Joel Santos
then there is no mountain
then there is a mountain again
~ Zen Proverb
photo: Joel Santos
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.
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- Aura Glaser, “Into the Demon’s Mouth”
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
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.
Reposted from Joe Jervis
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
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
Reposted from Joe Jervis
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.
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- Rita M. Gross, “The Matter of Truth”
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Via Tricycle Daily Dharma
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.
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- Sensei Nancy Mujo Baker, "On Not Being Stingy"
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