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Strain Out Whatever's Inessential | November 30, 2014
Zazen [meditation] and poetry are both studies of the mind. I find
the internal pressure exerted by emotion and by a koan to be similar in
surprising and unpredictable ways. Zen is a wonderful sieve through
which to pour a poem. It strains out whatever’s inessential.
- Chase Twichell, "The Ghost of Eden"  |
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Flower of the Day: 11/29/14
“All
events that occur in life happen due to the law of karma; they act
under the law of cause and effect. Still, not everything that happens to
you is related to an image from your past. You can tell whether or not a
particular event is actually related to a past frozen image by looking
at the nature of the repetition and noticing whether it causes any
internal division. If your conscious will is heading towards a
particular direction, but life's experiences bring you to the exact
opposite direction, then there is still an image from the past that
needs to be dissolved. In order to dissolve an image that attracts
negative situations, one needs to illuminate the value of acceptance.”
Sri Prem Baba
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Via Daily Dharma
Being No One | November 29, 2014
Allow yourself to be no one; allow your mind to be empty of
thought, unfurnished, until the identities gradually filter back in.
Notice the space between your identities and the awareness of them.
Notice if a similar gap appears at other times during the day, an empty
space that you may have ignored before but can now lean into and
prolong. Continue to open to the openness.
- Stephan Bodian, "Being No One"
Friday, November 28, 2014
Flower of the Day: 11/28/14
“The
experience of jumping into the abyss of denied feelings can only happen
once you have understood the importance of this experience. If you have
not yet understood this, you won't be able to jump because you will be
terrified. At this moment, you become aware of your false faith. Without
true faith, you could remain paralyzed on the edge of the abyss unable
to jump for a long time, perhaps for many life times. Such skepticism is
actually an elevated state of consciousness since it acts as a bridge
that leads from false faith to true faith. In order to go beyond
skepticism, it’s necessary to understand the importance of
re-experiencing one’s denied feelings.”
Sri Prem Baba
Via Dialy Dharma
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Grief Bringing Us Home | November 28, 2014
It is our grief / heavy, relentless, / trudging / us, however
resistant, / to the decaying and / rotten / bottom of things: / our
grief bringing / us home.
- Alice Walker, "Turning Madness into Flowers" |
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Via Zeit online: Wie eine Perversion menschlicher Natur
Wie eine Perversion menschlicher Natur
Ich bin schwul und Anhänger der Bahai-Religion. Ein Dilemma, denn die Bahai erlauben keine Homosexualität. Ein Leserartikel
A few years ago I resigned from the church and converted to the Baha'i faith. Baha'is believe that the Divine for humans is not clear but is revealed through spiritual personalities in different cultures and eras. These figures include not only Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha'i faith, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna, and the founders of other religions.
The aim of the Baha'i Revelation is the unity of mankind in diversity. Bahai not proselytize why. They recognize the other religions unconditionally and enter into a dialogue with them. You want to build a peaceful and united society of people in all their diversity.
These views and the lived spirituality in the form of simple devotions, prayers, meditations and the service of the people told me too much. In a pretty young church I learned to better understand the scriptures, to broaden my horizons to develop myself spiritual, human and intellectual further. Soon I also took over functions in the community. I became a member of spiritual councils, even once chairman of such Council. It was a wonderful time.
But I could never resolve a conflict: I'm gay - gay Bahais but may not live their sexuality. I should seek therapeutic help me and take steps towards heterosexuality, I was advised. They gave me writings of religious figures from the 1950s to read, where homosexuality is described as a disease as a disorder, as a perversion of human nature.
However, the Baha'is believe that religion and science are to enter into a harmonious relationship. If the religious teachings contain something that is contrary to science, it must be revised. This is a fundamental principle of the Baha'i faith. And while it is being applied in other areas, it is ignored when it comes to homosexuality.
Due to some failed relationships with men I took the writings on homosexuality unfortunately very much to heart. I began to think that the problems in the gay community had its basis in homosexuality. I began to see myself as a perversion of human nature. For two years I denied myself and tried to develop feelings that I had not. Every time I saw an attractive man, I told myself that it was wrong to feel that way. I hated myself.
Fortunately, I finally met capable therapists who advised me, myself, so assume I am. So I began again more open with my homosexuality. I also told them some Bahai and only learned tolerant to very positive reactions. However, some of the religious leaders advised me not to serve within the community. Above all, I should not conduct children's classes and youth groups. The highest national body, the National Council, called on me in a letter not to participate in activities for children.
I was shocked and hurt. Was that the much-vaunted unity in diversity? The abolition of prejudice? The harmony of science and religion?
Why Readers item?
Write reader articles
The TIME ONLINE Forest
Text and image contributions from our readers enrich our content with additional perspectives, experiences and opinions. You are from people who know what they are talking because they have experienced it themselves or are directly affected. Or because they are familiar very well in a particular subject. Tell our readers the stories we can not tell. And show them the pictures and videos that should see them. Back to the category input
I sought contact with other lesbian and gay Bahai. I found them online. Tucked away. Injured. Excluded. The website gaybahai.net lists some of their stories. There are stories of pain, suffering and self-hatred - fueled by a religion that is committed to the aim of reducing prejudice and to create unity in diversity.
At the moment I consider myself as an agnostic rather than a believer. Much of the Bahai I see now critical. Even my connection to spirituality, religion and belief, I have lost, weakened to God. I guess I should leave the Bahai, on the other hand I love and appreciate my community.
I still believe that the Baha'i religion has great potential to contribute good in the world. But first she must be self-critical and its principles match with their dogmas. You must finally the issue of homosexuality the same openness have placed such other topics as well.
The author writes under a pseudonym. His real name is known to the editors.
This post is part of our series who believes it.
The original is here
The aim of the Baha'i Revelation is the unity of mankind in diversity. Bahai not proselytize why. They recognize the other religions unconditionally and enter into a dialogue with them. You want to build a peaceful and united society of people in all their diversity.
These views and the lived spirituality in the form of simple devotions, prayers, meditations and the service of the people told me too much. In a pretty young church I learned to better understand the scriptures, to broaden my horizons to develop myself spiritual, human and intellectual further. Soon I also took over functions in the community. I became a member of spiritual councils, even once chairman of such Council. It was a wonderful time.
But I could never resolve a conflict: I'm gay - gay Bahais but may not live their sexuality. I should seek therapeutic help me and take steps towards heterosexuality, I was advised. They gave me writings of religious figures from the 1950s to read, where homosexuality is described as a disease as a disorder, as a perversion of human nature.
However, the Baha'is believe that religion and science are to enter into a harmonious relationship. If the religious teachings contain something that is contrary to science, it must be revised. This is a fundamental principle of the Baha'i faith. And while it is being applied in other areas, it is ignored when it comes to homosexuality.
Due to some failed relationships with men I took the writings on homosexuality unfortunately very much to heart. I began to think that the problems in the gay community had its basis in homosexuality. I began to see myself as a perversion of human nature. For two years I denied myself and tried to develop feelings that I had not. Every time I saw an attractive man, I told myself that it was wrong to feel that way. I hated myself.
Fortunately, I finally met capable therapists who advised me, myself, so assume I am. So I began again more open with my homosexuality. I also told them some Bahai and only learned tolerant to very positive reactions. However, some of the religious leaders advised me not to serve within the community. Above all, I should not conduct children's classes and youth groups. The highest national body, the National Council, called on me in a letter not to participate in activities for children.
I was shocked and hurt. Was that the much-vaunted unity in diversity? The abolition of prejudice? The harmony of science and religion?
Why Readers item?
Write reader articles
The TIME ONLINE Forest
Text and image contributions from our readers enrich our content with additional perspectives, experiences and opinions. You are from people who know what they are talking because they have experienced it themselves or are directly affected. Or because they are familiar very well in a particular subject. Tell our readers the stories we can not tell. And show them the pictures and videos that should see them. Back to the category input
I sought contact with other lesbian and gay Bahai. I found them online. Tucked away. Injured. Excluded. The website gaybahai.net lists some of their stories. There are stories of pain, suffering and self-hatred - fueled by a religion that is committed to the aim of reducing prejudice and to create unity in diversity.
At the moment I consider myself as an agnostic rather than a believer. Much of the Bahai I see now critical. Even my connection to spirituality, religion and belief, I have lost, weakened to God. I guess I should leave the Bahai, on the other hand I love and appreciate my community.
I still believe that the Baha'i religion has great potential to contribute good in the world. But first she must be self-critical and its principles match with their dogmas. You must finally the issue of homosexuality the same openness have placed such other topics as well.
The author writes under a pseudonym. His real name is known to the editors.
This post is part of our series who believes it.
The original is here
Flower of the Day: 11/27/14
“Free
will is a great mystery. It’s true that it does exist, for it is a law
of this realm – the question is, ‘Who in you uses this power of choice?’
The human being does have a free will, but until one learns how to use
this power of choice, there are many ups and downs, many mistakes and
successes. All of this is absolutely necessary because only by making
these mistakes does one learn.”
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
We Receive This Food in Gratitude | November 27, 2014
We receive this food in gratitude
From all beings who helped to bring it to our table,
And vow to respond in turn to those in need
With wisdom and compassion.
- Zen Mountains and Rivers Order, "A Vegetarian Thanksgiving"
From all beings who helped to bring it to our table,
And vow to respond in turn to those in need
With wisdom and compassion.
- Zen Mountains and Rivers Order, "A Vegetarian Thanksgiving"
Via Daily Dharma
Strain Out Whatever's Inessential | November 30, 2014
Zazen [meditation] and poetry are both studies of the mind. I find
the internal pressure exerted by emotion and by a koan to be similar in
surprising and unpredictable ways. Zen is a wonderful sieve through
which to pour a poem. It strains out whatever’s inessential.
- Chase Twichell, "The Ghost of Eden"
- Chase Twichell, "The Ghost of Eden"
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Via JMG: FLORIDA: Lawmakers Introduce Sweeping LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill
Earlier today, Representative Holly Raschein (R- Key Largo) and Democratic Whip Senator Joseph Abruzzo (D- Boynton Beach) filed legislation in the Florida House and Senate respectively that would prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT) in employment, housing and public accommodations. Known as the Florida Competitive Workforce Act (FCWA), the legislation would amend Chapter 760 of the Florida State Statutes that currently prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap or marital status to include sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The bill would add protections for more than 536,000 LGBT adults living in Florida. Despite overwhelming public support and the passage of local equal rights ordinances throughout the state, there is no statewide law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida,” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida.The map above shows the states that presently provide employment and housing protections. The darker-shaded states include gender identity as well as sexual orientation. For a slightly different map that depicts public accommodation protections, click here.
Labels: employment, Equality Florida, Florida, housing, LGBT rights, public accommodations, transgender issues
Via justabahai: Bahais are not united in being against same sex marriage!
A
friend wrote: "Yesterday during the celebration of the Day of the
Covenant, the issue of homosexuality popped up during a talk citing how
America is legalizing marriage for gays, state by state. The person
giving the talk said this is wrong and that what keeps the Baha'is
united from these negative forces is the […]
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Flower of the Day: 11/26/14
“Every
change has three phases: a death or deconstruction (an ending), a
neutral zone (a waiting period where nothing happens), and a
rebirth (the emergence of something new). Usually, the greatest
difficulty lies in this first phase because we have been conditioned to
believe that all deconstruction is negative – but this is not true. At
the deepest level, all deconstruction is positive, but it is always
painful. This is because human beings cling to everything, from
relationships, to work, to their house, to their children. The change
may only occur internally, such as a pattern that is being dissolved,
and if one is attached to this pattern, one will suffer.”
Sri Prem Baba
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