Monday, June 1, 2015
Sri Prem Baba: Flor do Dia- Flor del Día- Flower of the day 01/06/2015
“Estamos atravessando tempos difíceis. O sofrimento e a crueldade do
mundo estão por toda parte e é inevitavelmente que você sinta isso
passando por você. Em tempos como esse é preciso aprender a transmutar
essas energias no seu próprio aparelho, no seu corpo, caso contrário
você se desespera. É como se houvesse uma nuvem negra encobrindo sua
visão e gerando medo. Você se sente muito solitário. E por mais que
existam hierarquias espirituais te dando proteção e apoio, essa nuvem impede que você perceba essa conexão.”
“Estamos atravesando tiempos difíciles. El sufrimiento y la crueldad
del mundo están en todas partes y es inevitable que sientas eso pasando a
través de ti. En tiempos como este, es necesario aprender a transmutar
estas energías en tu propio aparato, en tu cuerpo, de lo contrario te
desesperas. Es como si hubiese una nube negra cubriendo tu visión y
generando miedo. Te sientes muy solo. Y por más que existan jerarquías
espirituales dándote protección y apoyo, esta nube impide que percibas
esa conexión”
“We are experiencing difficult times on Earth. Suffering and cruelty are all around us in the world, and it is inevitable that we will feel this passing through us. At times like this we need to learn how to transform these energies within ourselves through our bodies, otherwise we will enter into despair. It’s as though a black cloud is blocking our vision and generating fear. We feel very alone, and even though spiritual hierarchies really are protecting and supporting us, this cloud prevents us from perceiving this connection.”
“We are experiencing difficult times on Earth. Suffering and cruelty are all around us in the world, and it is inevitable that we will feel this passing through us. At times like this we need to learn how to transform these energies within ourselves through our bodies, otherwise we will enter into despair. It’s as though a black cloud is blocking our vision and generating fear. We feel very alone, and even though spiritual hierarchies really are protecting and supporting us, this cloud prevents us from perceiving this connection.”
Today's Daily Dharma: A Voice from the Outside
A Voice from the Outside
The
recluse appears to be useless. He?s off in the middle of nowhere, doing
nothing. And yet what he?s able to see because of his doing nothing is
important for everyone. It would be nice if the shakers and the movers
were able to see what the recluse sees, now and then.
- David Budbill, "A Voice from the Outside"
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Sunday, May 31, 2015
Via Washington Post: If I understand the history correctly…
"If I understand the history correctly, in the late 1990s, the President
was impeached for lying about a sexual affair by a House of
Representatives led by a man who was also then hiding a sexual affair,
who was supposed to be replaced by another Congressman who stepped down
when forced to reveal that he too was having a sexual affair, which led
to the election of a new Speaker of the House who now has been indicted
for lying about payments covering up his sexual contact with a boy. "
Make the jump here to read the full article
Make the jump here to read the full article
Sri Prem Baba: Flor do Dia- Flor del Día- Flower of the day 31/05/2015
“Espiritualidade é poder manifestar a consciência amorosa em qualquer
situação ou lugar. Não é mais tempo de fugir para as cavernas ou para as
montanhas e ficar meditando sozinho. Isso é injusto com a sociedade que
trabalha tanto. Se você pode, de alguma maneira ser canal da luz, é
preciso compartilhar com os outros.”
Para ler o Satsang completo, acesse: bit.ly/1C7lIW2
“Espiritualidad es podes manifestar la consciencia amorosa en cualquier
situación o lugar. Ya no es tiempo de huir a las cavernas o a las
montañas y quedarse meditando solo. Esto es injusto con la sociedad que
trabaja tanto. Si puedes de alguna manera ser canal de la luz, es
necesario compartirla con los otros.”
“Spirituality is being able to bring loving awareness into any situation or place. It’s no longer the time to retreat to caves or to the mountains and to meditate alone. This is unfair in a society that works so hard. If in some way you can be a channel of light, you must share this with others.”
“Spirituality is being able to bring loving awareness into any situation or place. It’s no longer the time to retreat to caves or to the mountains and to meditate alone. This is unfair in a society that works so hard. If in some way you can be a channel of light, you must share this with others.”
Today's Daily Dharma: Salvation Beyond Self.
Salvation Beyond Self
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Each deepening of refuge is a lessening of ego. More faith, less ego. Thus Buddhism finds salvation beyond self.
- David Brazier, "It Needs Saying" |
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Saturday, May 30, 2015
JMG REPORT: Pentagon Set To Add Sexual Orientation As A Protected Class
Via the Washington Blade:
Reposted from Joe Jervis
The Pentagon is preparing to update its Military Equal Opportunity Policy to include sexual orientation as a protected class and the change could be made final as soon as the end of next month, the Washington Blade has learned. A senior defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed late Friday the Defense Department is planning to update the Military Equal Opportunity Policy to add the words “sexual orientation” as part of the non-discrimination policy.
The proposed change is set to be delivered as early as the middle of next week to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter for his review and final approval, the official said. Each of the military services has already agreed to the change, the official said. The planned change follows an internal review at the Pentagon of the Military Equal Opportunity Policy, which the official said lasted about 12 months. Efforts to include sexual orientation in the revision were languishing, but were re-energized after the appointment in April of Brad Carson as under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, the official said.
The Military Equal Opportunity Policy identifies classes of service members that should be protected from discrimination to allow them to rise to highest level or responsibility possible. As it stands, the Military Equal Opportunity Policy includes race, color, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sex and national origin. However, service members as of right now have no recourse for anti-gay discrimination outside of their chain of command.
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do Dia- Flor del Día- Flower of the day 30/05/2015
“Porque tratamos a natureza como um objeto a ser comercializado? Porque
não podemos ver o espirito divino que está na árvore, no rio, no
animal? Essa indiferença é um mecanismo de defesa que nos mantém
distante da dor – a dor de não ter sido amado. Quando criança, seus pais
fizeram algo diferente do que você esperava, e você compreendeu isso
como desamor. E até pode ser que eles realmente não tenham te amado. Mas
o problema é que, até hoje, você está preso nisso. Você não quer perdoar, e por isso segue destruindo tudo ao seu redor.”
Para ler o Satsang completo, acesse: bit.ly/1QYPXF2
Para ler o Satsang completo, acesse: bit.ly/1QYPXF2
“¿Por qué tratamos a la naturaleza como un objeto para ser
comercializado? ¿Por qué no podemos ver el espíritu divino que está en
el árbol, en el río, en el animal? Esta indiferencia es un mecanismo de
defensa que nos mantiene distantes del dolor – el dolor de no haber sido
amado. Cuando niño, tus padres hicieron algo diferente de lo que
esperabas, y comprendiste esto como desamor. Y hasta puede ser que ellos
realmente no te hayan amado. Pero el problema es que, hasta hoy, estás
preso en eso. No quieres perdonar, y por eso sigues destruyendo todo a
tu alrededor.”
“Why do we treat nature like an object to be commercialized? Why can’t we see the Divine Spirit in trees, rivers and animals? This indifference is a defense mechanism that we use to keep pain at a distance: the pain of not having been loved. As a child, our parents did something different from what we had expected, and we understood this to mean that they did not love us. Maybe they didn’t actually love us, but the problem is that until today we still remain trapped in these thoughts. We don’t want to forgive them, which is why we continue to destroy everything around us.”
“Why do we treat nature like an object to be commercialized? Why can’t we see the Divine Spirit in trees, rivers and animals? This indifference is a defense mechanism that we use to keep pain at a distance: the pain of not having been loved. As a child, our parents did something different from what we had expected, and we understood this to mean that they did not love us. Maybe they didn’t actually love us, but the problem is that until today we still remain trapped in these thoughts. We don’t want to forgive them, which is why we continue to destroy everything around us.”
Today's Daily Dharma: Searching for Ego
Photo: Bill Armstrong
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Searching for Ego
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If we carefully analyze our body and mind, we will never find in them anything that corresponds to the ego?ego really is an illusion. Being selfish, then, is merely enacting an illusion, not being what we truly are, which is awakened, a buddha. - Karma Trinlay Rinpoche, "What We've Been All Along" |
Friday, May 29, 2015
Via JMG: Mozambique Legalizes Homosexuality
Via JMG: Obama Issues Pride Month Proclamation
"From the moment our Nation first came together to declare the
fundamental truth that all men are created equal, courageous and
dedicated patriots have fought to refine our founding promise and
broaden democracy's reach. Over the course of more than two centuries of
striving and sacrifice, our country has expanded civil rights and
enshrined equal protections into our Constitution. Through struggle and
setback, we see a common trajectory toward a more free and just society.
But we are also reminded that we are not truly equal until every person
is afforded the same rights and opportunities -- that when one of us
experiences discrimination, it affects all of us -- and that our journey
is not complete until our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
(LGBT) brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.
"Across our Nation, tremendous progress has been won by determined individuals who stood up, spoke out, and shared their stories. Earlier this year, because of my landmark Executive Order on LGBT workplace discrimination, protections for Federal contractors went into effect, guarding against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Federal Government is now leading by example, ensuring that our employees and contractors are judged by the quality of their work, not by who they love. And I will keep calling on the Congress to pass legislation so that all Americans are covered by these protections, no matter where they work.
"In communities throughout the country, barriers that limit the potential of LGBT Americans have been torn down, but too many individuals continue to encounter discrimination and unfair treatment. My Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors because the overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that it can cause substantial harm. We understand the unique challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities -- especially transgender and gender non-conforming individuals -- and are taking steps to address them. And we recognize that families come in many shapes and sizes. Whether biological, foster, or adoptive, family acceptance is an important protective factor against suicide and harm for LGBTQ youth, and mental health experts have created resources to support family communication and involvement.
"For countless young people, it is not enough to simply say it gets better; we must take action too. We continue to address bullying and harassment in our classrooms, ensuring every student has a nurturing environment in which to learn and grow. Across the Federal Government, we are working every day to unlock the opportunities all LGBT individuals deserve and the resources and care they need. Too many LGBTQ youth face homelessness and too many older individuals struggle to find welcoming and affordable housing; that is why my Administration is striving to ensure they have equal access to safe and supportive housing throughout life. We are updating our National HIV/AIDS Strategy to better address the disproportionate burden HIV has on communities of gay and bisexual men and transgender women. We continue to extend family and spousal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
"And because we know LGBT rights are human rights, we are championing protections and support for LGBT persons around the world. All people deserve to live with dignity and respect, free from fear and violence, and protected against discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as they are.
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2015 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth. - BARACK OBAMA.
Reposted from Joe Jervis
"Across our Nation, tremendous progress has been won by determined individuals who stood up, spoke out, and shared their stories. Earlier this year, because of my landmark Executive Order on LGBT workplace discrimination, protections for Federal contractors went into effect, guarding against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Federal Government is now leading by example, ensuring that our employees and contractors are judged by the quality of their work, not by who they love. And I will keep calling on the Congress to pass legislation so that all Americans are covered by these protections, no matter where they work.
"In communities throughout the country, barriers that limit the potential of LGBT Americans have been torn down, but too many individuals continue to encounter discrimination and unfair treatment. My Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors because the overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that it can cause substantial harm. We understand the unique challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities -- especially transgender and gender non-conforming individuals -- and are taking steps to address them. And we recognize that families come in many shapes and sizes. Whether biological, foster, or adoptive, family acceptance is an important protective factor against suicide and harm for LGBTQ youth, and mental health experts have created resources to support family communication and involvement.
"For countless young people, it is not enough to simply say it gets better; we must take action too. We continue to address bullying and harassment in our classrooms, ensuring every student has a nurturing environment in which to learn and grow. Across the Federal Government, we are working every day to unlock the opportunities all LGBT individuals deserve and the resources and care they need. Too many LGBTQ youth face homelessness and too many older individuals struggle to find welcoming and affordable housing; that is why my Administration is striving to ensure they have equal access to safe and supportive housing throughout life. We are updating our National HIV/AIDS Strategy to better address the disproportionate burden HIV has on communities of gay and bisexual men and transgender women. We continue to extend family and spousal benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
"And because we know LGBT rights are human rights, we are championing protections and support for LGBT persons around the world. All people deserve to live with dignity and respect, free from fear and violence, and protected against discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as they are.
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2015 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth. - BARACK OBAMA.
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do Dia- Flor del Día- Flower of the day 29/05/2015
“O adolescente rebelde está pedindo amor incondicional. Na verdade,
ele não está dando conta do que sente, ele está desesperado. Esse é um
amor exigente. Enquanto você está ali dando o seu melhor, ele está
jogando pedras. Mas é preciso compreender que esse é o seu material de
escola. Você está aprendendo a não se identificar com sua própria
criança ferida, a manter sua mente equânime e não aceitar o convite para
a guerra. No momento, esse filho é o seu mestre.”
“El adolescente rebelde está pidiendo amor incondicional. En verdad,
no se está dando cuenta de lo que siente, está desesperado. Este es un
amor exigente. Mientras tú estás ahí dando lo mejor, él está tirando
piedras. Pero es necesario comprender que este es tu material de
escuela. Estás aprendiendo a no identificarte con tu propio niño herido,
a mantener tu mente ecuánime y no aceptar la invitación a la guerra. En
ese momento, ese hijo es tu maestro.”
“Rebellious teenagers are asking for unconditional love. In truth, they are not managing to cope with their feelings, and are in a state of despair. This is a very demanding form of love. While you are there giving your best efforts, they are hurling stones back at you. You must understand that this is your learning material. You are learning not to get identified with your own wounded child, and how to keep your mind balanced and not take up the gauntlet or accept the invitation to fight. At this moment, your child is your teacher.”
“Rebellious teenagers are asking for unconditional love. In truth, they are not managing to cope with their feelings, and are in a state of despair. This is a very demanding form of love. While you are there giving your best efforts, they are hurling stones back at you. You must understand that this is your learning material. You are learning not to get identified with your own wounded child, and how to keep your mind balanced and not take up the gauntlet or accept the invitation to fight. At this moment, your child is your teacher.”
Today's Daily Dharma: The Myth of Enlightenment.
The Myth of Enlightenment
One
idea that really hampers us is to believe that people get
'enlightened,' and then they’re that way forever and ever. We may have
our moments, and if we get sick and have lots of things happening, we
may fall back. But a person who practices consistently over years and
years is more that way, more of the time, all the time. And that’s
enough. There is no such thing as getting it.
- Charlotte Joko Beck, "Life's Not A Problem"
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Via American Atheists's / FB
Since Senator Rubio seems to be confused about this: We don't want to criminalize Catholic teachings or even call them "hate speech." But his religious beliefs don't excuse his bigotry. And criticizing him for his bigotry isn't persecution, it's holding him accountable.
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