Thursday, September 15, 2016
Via The Huffingtonpost and Mormons for Equality / FB: LGBT Mormons Boldly Claim Both Their Orientation And Their Faith
More and more LGBT Mormons are stepping up to claim both their religious heritage and their identity--no longer buying into the false choice that they have to choose one over the other, and recognizing that they are exactly who we are supposed to be.
"I’m proud to walk with my LGBT Mormon brothers and sisters on this journey — as some have called it, a Hero’s Journey. And as we continue our journey, we welcome our Latter-day Saint fellows to walk by our side — gay, straight, and everywhere in between. For those who cannot yet do so, we will hold a space for you. But we will no longer believe that we are broken, suffering, or unworthy of Christ’s love and full inclusion."
----
Artist Melinda Hannah finalizing portraits of LGBT Mormons. Photo courtesy of Melinda Hannah.
“You can be gay, or you can be Mormon. But you can’t be both.”
I grew up hearing that a lot as a gay Mormon kid in Idaho. I guess in some ways it was no surprise to hear that from my Mormon friends, family and leadership since by and large, most of them didn’t understand what it actually meant to be LGBT. But as I grew up, I heard it from some of my friends in the LGBT community as well — and for a time, I actually allowed myself to believe it.
It was a
painful place to be. I felt tossed back and forth between two
communities, neither of them wanting to claim me as a whole, integrated
person. One the one hand, I had no choice over whether or not I was gay —
I’m a firm believer I was this way before I came to this life and I’ll
be this way when I get to the next. And on the other, being Mormon is
much more complicated than just an activity I practiced for a few hours
on Sunday; it is a culture deeply steeped into my identity, and it’s not
something I could turn my back on without leaving behind a core part of
who I am (not to mention my family, friends, and faith practice).
My world was
full of people who weren’t shy about telling me how to live my life —
and on any given day, I couldn’t be Mormon enough for my Latter-day
Saint family and friends, and I couldn’t be gay enough for my LGBT
community. I felt like a man with a foot in two worlds, but I didn’t
fully belong in either. No matter which one I chose, I still lost part
of myself.
But today
that’s different. Today, when someone tells me, “You can’t be both gay
and Mormon,” I gently reply, “Watch me. I do it every day.”
And I am not alone.
Today, there
are thousands — perhaps tens of thousands — of LGBT Mormons like me
throughout the world, and we claim both our religious roots and our
orientation without apology. We don’t view ourselves as “broken and
suffering,” the way many inside Mormonism see us. Instead, we have come
to realize that the only thing “broken” about us is the way we were
taught to understand ourselves in relation to God and our fellow humans;
and any “suffering” we have experienced has come largely at the hands
of our brothers and sisters inside the Mormon church — including our
leadership.
Health,
wholeness, and happiness for us comes not from choosing one side of
ourselves at the expense of the other — but instead, from integrating
them and forging our path through life as LGBT Mormons. And while it may
once have felt like we were people with a foot in two worlds that
didn’t seem to intersect, we’ve come to understand that those two worlds
do indeed intersect — and that we are that intersection point.
An art show
opening in Provo, Utah later this month features portraits of some of
these LGBT Mormons — many of them alongside their partners and spouses
of the same gender. The show runs from September 22-25 with a special
reception on Friday, September 23 at 5:30 P.M., at Writ and Vision Rare Books and Fine Art in downtown Provo.
The exhibit is
officially named “The Hero’s Journey of the LGBT Mormon,” after the book
by prominent Latter-day Saint author and LGBT ally Carol Lynn Pearson. The exhibit coincides with the annual conference of Affirmation, an organization run by and for LGBT Mormons.
Melinda Hannah is the artist and brainchild behind the event.
“I’ve long held
that art can be a unique and powerful way to capture the beauty that is
found inside authenticity, and the LGBT Mormons I’ve had the honor to
work with in this show have a genuine spirit of authenticity and
wholeness that I wanted to bring to life—and bring to others,” said
Hannah, who is based in Seattle.
Hannah has
prior experience with communities who’ve suffered trauma yet emerged
whole and healthy. Her art show in 2014 focused on women survivors of cancer and it’s her passion for ‘healing through art’ that inspired her again here.
In November of last year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints enacted a worldwide policy
that mandates church discipline (the process that leads to
excommunication) for LGBT Mormons who choose to live authentic lives and
marry someone of their same gender and bars children with LGBT parents
from being baptized into the faith until those children turn 18 — and
only then if they openly disavow the relationship of their parents.
“When the November policy was announced in church, I sat with a gay Mormon friend of mine for several hours one Sunday. I saw her pain, her fear, and I held her as she cried. I recognized that there is healing to be done here — and I feel called to help,” added Hannah.
“When the November policy was announced in church, I sat with a gay Mormon friend of mine for several hours one Sunday. I saw her pain, her fear, and I held her as she cried. I recognized that there is healing to be done here — and I feel called to help,” added Hannah.
She continued:
“Not every LGBT Mormon is in the same place spiritually and emotionally
as the ones depicted in the show — it is my hope that their portraits
will inspire others to begin to view themselves as whole and loved by
God. Even if the Mormon Church itself is unable to welcome and love its
LGBT members right now, I have a firm testimony that God certainly does.
He always has.”
The LGBT
Mormons featured in the show agree with Hannah. A few of my fellow LGBT
Latter-day Saints featured in the exhibit shared their thoughts with me
here.
“I have
always believed that there could be a place for everyone in the Mormon
Church, and that happiness and love could be a real part for everyone in
this life, too. As a lesbian Mormon, I felt called to boldly be in the
pews; to be tolerant while creating tolerance, and hold space to help
stop so much unnecessary grief and pain. Like many that held this space
before me and those that will follow, I feel a deep honor that I have
had a chance to run my lap; to carry the baton for the team and pass it
to the next gay Mormon advocate, until I am called to run another leg
for change.”
-A. Celeste Carolin, Seattle, WA
“I’m gay
and very proud of it. I suspect I’m the first gay rights activist to
join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the November
policy. I was baptized Dec. 5, 2015. I’m reclaiming the place I had in
our pre-mortal family council, where all of God’s LGBT children had an
honored place. If we LGBTs didn’t have an honorable place, we wouldn’t
have a body right now. We were loved and nurtured before the world
began. My Heavenly Father manages this universe. He would not send me
here only to forget about me. God is arranging all things gloriously for
his LGBT children. We only have to watch it unfold.”
-Derek Knox, Boston, MA
“Mormonism
is my home — it is my religion and the religion of my family—and through
it I have developed a firm testimony of the Gospel of Christ. It is
through Christ’s Gospel that I found the courage to come out, to be
honest about who I am as a gay man. A tenet of living the Gospel of
Christ is living an authentic life. And because I am now living an
authentic life as a follower of Christ, I have an abundance of peace and
joy that I never had while I was denying my orientation. For me, living
my truth is part of living the gospel—I cannot be a true follower of my
Savior and be dishonest about who I am.”
-Roger Sanchez, Roseburg, OR
Each of the
LGBT Mormons in the art show have written similar statements about their
journey as LGBT Mormons, and you can learn more about the show on the Facebook event page.
I’m proud to
walk with my LGBT Mormon brothers and sisters on this journey — as some
have called it, a Hero’s Journey. And as we continue our journey, we
welcome our Latter-day Saint fellows to walk by our side — gay,
straight, and everywhere in between. For those who cannot yet do so, we
will hold a space for you. But we will no longer believe that we are
broken, suffering, or unworthy of Christ’s love and full inclusion.
When you are ready, we will take your hand as equals in our family of humanity, and together we will build a better Zion.
See the orginla nd more here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mitch-mayne/refusing-to-choose-lgbt-mormons_b_12011380.html
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del día- Flower of the day - 15/09/2016
“O que te impede de assumir compromisso e responsabilidade? Sendo o
compromisso e a responsabilidade aspectos do movimento natural da vida,
assim como o rio que se move em direção ao oceano, qual é a pedra que te
impede de fluir nesse movimento natural? Quais são as crenças e imagens
congeladas no seu sistema que te fazem crer que assumir compromisso e
responsabilidade é ruim? A pedra representa algum aspecto do passado
te impedindo de manifestar a presença. A presença é a unidade com o
Ser; é de onde flui a espontaneidade.O Ser assume compromisso e
responsabilidade, pois esses são aspectos do amor, e o amor é a essência
do Ser.”
“¿Qué es lo que
te impide asumir compromiso y responsabilidad? Siendo el compromiso y la
responsabilidad aspectos del movimiento natural de la vida, así como el
río que se mueve en dirección al océano, ¿cuál es la piedra que te
impide fluir en ese movimiento natural? ¿Cuáles son las creencias e
imágenes congeladas en tu sistema que te hacen creer que asumir
compromiso y responsabilidad es malo? La piedra representa algún aspecto
del pasado que te está impidiendo manifestar la presencia. La presencia
es la unidad con el Ser, es de donde fluye la espontaneidad.El Ser
asume compromiso y responsabilidad puesestos son aspectos del amor, y el
amor es la esencia del Ser.”
“What prevents us from making commitments and assuming responsibility? Commitments and responsibility are like natural movement in life, just like a river that moves in the direction of the ocean. What is the rock that prevents the flow of this natural movement? What are the beliefs and frozen images in our system that makes us believe commitments and responsibility are bad? The rock represents something from the past that robs us of presence. Presence is unity with the being. From presence flows spontaneity. The being assumes responsibility and commitment, because these are aspects of love, and love is the essence of the being.”
“What prevents us from making commitments and assuming responsibility? Commitments and responsibility are like natural movement in life, just like a river that moves in the direction of the ocean. What is the rock that prevents the flow of this natural movement? What are the beliefs and frozen images in our system that makes us believe commitments and responsibility are bad? The rock represents something from the past that robs us of presence. Presence is unity with the being. From presence flows spontaneity. The being assumes responsibility and commitment, because these are aspects of love, and love is the essence of the being.”
Via Daily Dharma / September 15, 2016: At The End
Within
the silence that follows the final breath of a dying person is the
certainty that something is occurring. In the nonmoving movement of air
in the room one senses a deep, deep loneliness and at the same time the
connectedness of everything.
—Robert Chodo Campbell, "Death Is Not an Emergency"
—Robert Chodo Campbell, "Death Is Not an Emergency"
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del día- Flower of the day - 14/09/2016
“Só é possível haver crescimento real se houver comprometimento com a
verdade. Mas, muitas vezes, é difícil distinguir entre a mentira e a
verdade, entre o falso e o real. Por isso, tenho transmitido
instrumentos que possibilitam mensurar até que ponto estamos alinhados
ou não com a verdade. Um deles é muito simples:observe suas
insatisfações e identifique as situações negativas que se repetem na sua
vida; situações que você tenta mudar
através da vontade consciente, mas não consegue. Isso indica a
existência de uma máscara, uma camada de falsidade encobrindo a verdade.
Em algum ponto você está sendo desonesto consigo mesmo; você está
fugindo de alguma coisa. A disposição para se ver é a base para o real
crescimento.”
“Solo es
posible que haya crecimiento real si hay compromiso con la verdad. Pero
muchas veces es difícil distinguir entre la mentira y la verdad, entre
lo falso y lo real. Por eso hetrasmitido instrumentos que posibilitan
medir hasta qué punto estamos alineados o no con la verdad. Uno de ellos
es muy simple: observa tus insatisfacciones e identifica las
situaciones negativas que se repiten en tu vida; situaciones que
intentas cambiar a través de la voluntad consciente, pero no lo
consigues. Eso indica la existencia de una máscara, una capa de falsedad
encubriendo la verdad. En algún punto estas siendo deshonesto contigo
mismo;estás huyendo de alguna cosa. La disposición para mirarte es la
base para el real crecimiento.”
“We can only have real growth when there is commitment to truth. Many times, it is difficult to distinguish between lies and truth, between the false and the real. For this reason, I have given many instruments to determine the extent to which we are aligned with truth or not. One of the more simple tools is to observe our dissatisfactions and identify repetitive negative situations in our lives. These are the situations that we try to change through our conscious will, but are unable to shift. This shows us that there is a mask, acting in us, that there is a layer of falseness covering the truth. Somewhere we are being dishonest with ourselves; we are hiding from something. Having the willingness to see ourselves is what is needed for real growth.”
“We can only have real growth when there is commitment to truth. Many times, it is difficult to distinguish between lies and truth, between the false and the real. For this reason, I have given many instruments to determine the extent to which we are aligned with truth or not. One of the more simple tools is to observe our dissatisfactions and identify repetitive negative situations in our lives. These are the situations that we try to change through our conscious will, but are unable to shift. This shows us that there is a mask, acting in us, that there is a layer of falseness covering the truth. Somewhere we are being dishonest with ourselves; we are hiding from something. Having the willingness to see ourselves is what is needed for real growth.”
Via Daily Dharma / September 14, 2016: What Giving Is
Generosity
takes many forms—we may give our time, our energy, our material
possessions, our love. All are expressions of caring, of compassion, of
connection, and of renunciation—the ability to let go.
—Joseph Goldstein, "The Evolution of Happiness"
—Joseph Goldstein, "The Evolution of Happiness"
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del día- Flower of the day - 13/09/2016
“Sem honestidade só é possível crescer no mundo material(se é que
podemos chamar isso de crescimento). Alguns chegam a construir impérios
com base na mentira, mas tudo o que é construído sobre fundações de
mentira - fundações irreais - está fadado a, em algum momento,
desmoronar. Tudo que nasce da mentira é ilusório e temporário; tudo que
nasce da verdade é real e eterno.”
“Sin honestidad solo es posible crecer en el mundo material (si es que podemos llamar a eso crecimiento). Algunos llegan a construir imperios en base a la mentira, pero todo lo que es construido sobre cimientos de mentira – cimientos irreales – está destinado a desmoronarse en algún momento. Todo lo que nace de la mentira es ilusorio y temporario; todo lo que nace de la verdad es real y eterno.”
“Sin honestidad solo es posible crecer en el mundo material (si es que podemos llamar a eso crecimiento). Algunos llegan a construir imperios en base a la mentira, pero todo lo que es construido sobre cimientos de mentira – cimientos irreales – está destinado a desmoronarse en algún momento. Todo lo que nace de la mentira es ilusorio y temporario; todo lo que nace de la verdad es real y eterno.”
“Without honesty it is only possible to grow in the material world, if
we can actually call this growth. Some even build empires with
foundations based on lies, but everything built on falsehood with unreal
foundations, sooner or later, is bound to fall. Everything that is born
from deceit is illusory and temporary. Everything that is born from
truth is real and eternal.”
Via DailyDharma / September 13, 2016: Natural Creativity
When
we trust our creative energy, we encounter a supreme kind of
enjoyment—an amazement at the natural unfolding of life beyond our
ordinary way of looking at things. When we talk about creating art—or
more importantly, the art of living a sane life—it means trusting our
basic nature and its natural creativity.
—Dzigar Kongtrul, "Free Expression"
—Dzigar Kongtrul, "Free Expression"
Via Daily Dharma / September 12, 2016: A Useful Reminder
While
the practice of dharma may (and often does) bring some comfort,
enjoyment, and even happiness in this life, the seeking of these states
has always been the very definition of what is not dharma practice. We
seek these naturally, no practice required.
—Linda Heuman, "What’s at Stake as the Dharma Goes Modern?"
—Linda Heuman, "What’s at Stake as the Dharma Goes Modern?"
Monday, September 12, 2016
Via Ram Dass: September 11, 2016
September 11, 2016
It's only when caterpillarness is done that one becomes a butterfly. That again is part of this paradox. You cannot rip away caterpillarness. The whole trip occurs in an unfolding process of which we have no control.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Via Daily Dharma / September 11, 2016: Why Practice?
This
is what we’ve been practicing for: the situations where the practice
doesn’t come easily. When the winds of change reach hurricane force, our
inner refuge of mindfulness, concentration, and discernment is the only
thing that will keep us from getting blown away.
—Thanissaro Bhikkhu, "What We've Been Practicing For"
—Thanissaro Bhikkhu, "What We've Been Practicing For"
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del día- Flower of the day - 11/09/2016
“Ao acreditar que um objeto externo trará felicidade, você se torna
dependente dele para ser feliz. Essa crença é uma ilusão que serve
apenas para alimentar o desejar compulsivo e a ideia de que a felicidade
vem da matéria. Nossa ciência tem sido conduzida por essa falsa crença
há séculos. Tanto tempo e dinheiro, tanta energia já foi desperdiçada na
tentativa de dominar a matéria por conta disso. Mas agora nós chegamos
num ponto de colapso e precisamos fazer uma curva radical: precisamos
dedicar toda nossa energia na conquista do mundo interior. E, para isso,
a ciência precisa se unir à espiritualidade.”
“Al creer que un objeto externo traerá felicidad, te vuelves totalmente
dependiente de él para ser feliz. Esa creencia es una ilusión que
apenas sirve para alimentar el desear compulsivo y a la idea de que la
felicidad viene de lomaterial. Nuestra ciencia ha sido conducida por esa
falsa creencia por siglos. Tanto tiempo y dinero, tanta energía ya fue
desperdiciada en la tentativa de dominar la materia por cuenta de eso.
Pero ahora llegamos a un punto de colapso y necesitamos hacer una curva
radical: necesitamos dedicar toda nuestra energía en la conquista del
mundo interior. Y para eso, la ciencia necesita unirse con la
espiritualidad.”
“To believe that an external object will bring happiness creates a dependency within us. This belief is an illusion that only serves to feed compulsive desire and the idea that happiness comes from the world of matter. Our science has been led by this false belief for centuries. Due to this belief, great amounts of money, time and energy have been wasted to try and dominate the material world. Now we have gotten to the breaking point and we need to make a radical turn; we need to dedicate all our energy to the conquest of the internal world. Thus, science must be united with spirituality.”
“To believe that an external object will bring happiness creates a dependency within us. This belief is an illusion that only serves to feed compulsive desire and the idea that happiness comes from the world of matter. Our science has been led by this false belief for centuries. Due to this belief, great amounts of money, time and energy have been wasted to try and dominate the material world. Now we have gotten to the breaking point and we need to make a radical turn; we need to dedicate all our energy to the conquest of the internal world. Thus, science must be united with spirituality.”
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del día- Flower of the day - 11/09/2016
“Ao acreditar que um objeto externo trará felicidade, você se torna
dependente dele para ser feliz. Essa crença é uma ilusão que serve
apenas para alimentar o desejar compulsivo e a ideia de que a felicidade
vem da matéria. Nossa ciência tem sido conduzida por essa falsa crença
há séculos. Tanto tempo e dinheiro, tanta energia já foi desperdiçada na
tentativa de dominar a matéria por conta disso. Mas agora nós chegamos
num ponto de colapso e precisamos fazer uma curva radical: precisamos
dedicar toda nossa energia na conquista do mundo interior. E, para isso,
a ciência precisa se unir à espiritualidade.”
“Al creer que un objeto externo traerá felicidad, te vuelves totalmente
dependiente de él para ser feliz. Esa creencia es una ilusión que
apenas sirve para alimentar el desear compulsivo y a la idea de que la
felicidad viene de lomaterial. Nuestra ciencia ha sido conducida por esa
falsa creencia por siglos. Tanto tiempo y dinero, tanta energía ya fue
desperdiciada en la tentativa de dominar la materia por cuenta de eso.
Pero ahora llegamos a un punto de colapso y necesitamos hacer una curva
radical: necesitamos dedicar toda nuestra energía en la conquista del
mundo interior. Y para eso, la ciencia necesita unirse con la
espiritualidad.”
“To believe that an external object will bring happiness creates a dependency within us. This belief is an illusion that only serves to feed compulsive desire and the idea that happiness comes from the world of matter. Our science has been led by this false belief for centuries. Due to this belief, great amounts of money, time and energy have been wasted to try and dominate the material world. Now we have gotten to the breaking point and we need to make a radical turn; we need to dedicate all our energy to the conquest of the internal world. Thus, science must be united with spirituality.”
“To believe that an external object will bring happiness creates a dependency within us. This belief is an illusion that only serves to feed compulsive desire and the idea that happiness comes from the world of matter. Our science has been led by this false belief for centuries. Due to this belief, great amounts of money, time and energy have been wasted to try and dominate the material world. Now we have gotten to the breaking point and we need to make a radical turn; we need to dedicate all our energy to the conquest of the internal world. Thus, science must be united with spirituality.”
Via Bipartisan Report & LATimes: Bernie Sanders Publishes Stunning OpEd In LA Times, Makes Major Announcement
The LA Times published a beautifully written opinion article
by former Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders. He felt the need to
explain to his millions of loyal fans that letting Donald Trump win the
Presidency was just not an option. Below is the letter.
The conventions are over and the general election has officially begun. In the primaries, I received 1,846 pledged delegates, 46% of the total. Hillary Clinton received 2,205 pledged delegates, 54%. She received 602 superdelegates. I received 48 superdelegates. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee and I will vigorously support her.
Donald Trump would be a disaster and an embarrassment for our country
if he were elected president. His campaign is not based on anything of
substance — improving the economy, our education system, healthcare or
the environment. It is based on bigotry. He is attempting to win this
election by fomenting hatred against Mexicans and Muslims. He has
crudely insulted women. And as a leader of the “birther movement,” he
tried to undermine the legitimacy of our first African American
president.
That is not just my point of view. That’s the perspective of a number of conservative Republicans.
In these difficult times, we need a president who will bring our nation together, not someone who will divide us by race or religion, not someone who lacks an understanding of what our Constitution is about.
On virtually every major issue facing this country and the needs of working families, Clinton’s positions are far superior to Trump’s. Our campaigns worked together to produce the most progressive platform in the history of American politics. Trump’s campaign wrote one of the most reactionary documents.
Clinton understands that Citizens United has undermined our democracy. She will nominate justices who are prepared to overturn that Supreme Court decision, which made it possible for billionaires to buy elections. Her court appointees also would protect a woman’s right to choose, workers’ rights, the rights of the LGBT community, the needs of minorities and immigrants and the government’s ability to protect the environment.
Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear that his Supreme Court appointees would preserve the court’s right-wing majority.
Clinton understands that in a competitive global economy we need the best-educated workforce in the world. She and I worked together on a proposal that will revolutionize higher education in America.
It will guarantee that the children of any family in this country with an annual income of $125,000 a year or less – 83% of our population – will be able to go to a public college or university tuition free. This proposal also substantially reduces student debt.
Trump, on the other hand, has barely said a word about higher education.
Clinton understands that at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, it is absurd to provide huge tax breaks to the very rich.
Trump, on the other hand, wants billionaire families like his to enjoy hundreds of billions of dollars in new tax breaks.
Clinton understands that climate change is real, is caused by human activity and is one of the great environmental crises facing our planet. She knows that we must transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and move aggressively to energy efficiency and sustainable energy.
Trump, on the other hand, like most Republicans, rejects science and the conclusions of almost all major researchers in the field. He believes that climate change is a “hoax,” and that there’s no need to address it.
Clinton understands that this country must move toward universal healthcare. She wants to see that all Americans have the right to choose a public option in their healthcare exchange, that anyone 55 or older should be able to opt in to Medicare, and that we must greatly improve primary healthcare through a major expansion of community health centers. She also wants to lower the outrageously high cost of prescription drugs.
And what is Donald Trump’s position on healthcare? He wants to abolish the Affordable Care Act, throw 20 million people off the health insurance they currently have and cut Medicaid for lower-income Americans.
During the primaries, my supporters and I began a political revolution to transform America. That revolution continues as Hillary Clinton seeks the White House. It will continue after the election. It will continue until we create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1 percent – a government based on the principle of economic, social, racial and environmental justice.
I understand that many of my supporters are disappointed by the final results of the nominating process, but being despondent and inactive is not going to improve anything. Going forward and continuing the struggle is what matters. And, in that struggle, the most immediate task we face is to defeat Donald Trump.
Make the jump here to read the original and more
The conventions are over and the general election has officially begun. In the primaries, I received 1,846 pledged delegates, 46% of the total. Hillary Clinton received 2,205 pledged delegates, 54%. She received 602 superdelegates. I received 48 superdelegates. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee and I will vigorously support her.
That is not just my point of view. That’s the perspective of a number of conservative Republicans.
In these difficult times, we need a president who will bring our nation together, not someone who will divide us by race or religion, not someone who lacks an understanding of what our Constitution is about.
On virtually every major issue facing this country and the needs of working families, Clinton’s positions are far superior to Trump’s. Our campaigns worked together to produce the most progressive platform in the history of American politics. Trump’s campaign wrote one of the most reactionary documents.
Clinton understands that Citizens United has undermined our democracy. She will nominate justices who are prepared to overturn that Supreme Court decision, which made it possible for billionaires to buy elections. Her court appointees also would protect a woman’s right to choose, workers’ rights, the rights of the LGBT community, the needs of minorities and immigrants and the government’s ability to protect the environment.
Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear that his Supreme Court appointees would preserve the court’s right-wing majority.
Clinton understands that in a competitive global economy we need the best-educated workforce in the world. She and I worked together on a proposal that will revolutionize higher education in America.
It will guarantee that the children of any family in this country with an annual income of $125,000 a year or less – 83% of our population – will be able to go to a public college or university tuition free. This proposal also substantially reduces student debt.
Trump, on the other hand, has barely said a word about higher education.
Clinton understands that at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, it is absurd to provide huge tax breaks to the very rich.
Trump, on the other hand, wants billionaire families like his to enjoy hundreds of billions of dollars in new tax breaks.
Clinton understands that climate change is real, is caused by human activity and is one of the great environmental crises facing our planet. She knows that we must transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and move aggressively to energy efficiency and sustainable energy.
Trump, on the other hand, like most Republicans, rejects science and the conclusions of almost all major researchers in the field. He believes that climate change is a “hoax,” and that there’s no need to address it.
Clinton understands that this country must move toward universal healthcare. She wants to see that all Americans have the right to choose a public option in their healthcare exchange, that anyone 55 or older should be able to opt in to Medicare, and that we must greatly improve primary healthcare through a major expansion of community health centers. She also wants to lower the outrageously high cost of prescription drugs.
And what is Donald Trump’s position on healthcare? He wants to abolish the Affordable Care Act, throw 20 million people off the health insurance they currently have and cut Medicaid for lower-income Americans.
During the primaries, my supporters and I began a political revolution to transform America. That revolution continues as Hillary Clinton seeks the White House. It will continue after the election. It will continue until we create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1 percent – a government based on the principle of economic, social, racial and environmental justice.
I understand that many of my supporters are disappointed by the final results of the nominating process, but being despondent and inactive is not going to improve anything. Going forward and continuing the struggle is what matters. And, in that struggle, the most immediate task we face is to defeat Donald Trump.
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Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del día- Flower of the day - 10/09/2016
“A crença de que a felicidade depende do outro está por trás de todos
os problemas de relacionamento. Essa é a raiz do sofrimento nas relações
humanas. Por isso, se puder voltar-se para dentro e finalmente buscar a
felicidade no lugar certo (em si mesmo), você estará contribuindo não
somente para a sua própria evolução, mas para a evolução do ser humano
como espécie.”
“La creencia de que la felicidad depende del otro está por detrás de todos los problemas de las relaciones. Esa es la raíz del sufrimiento en las relaciones humanas. Por eso, si pudieras ir para adentro y finalmente buscar la felicidad en el lugar exacto (en ti mismo), estarás contribuyendo no solamente a tu propia evolución, sino para la evolución del ser humano como especie.”
“La creencia de que la felicidad depende del otro está por detrás de todos los problemas de las relaciones. Esa es la raíz del sufrimiento en las relaciones humanas. Por eso, si pudieras ir para adentro y finalmente buscar la felicidad en el lugar exacto (en ti mismo), estarás contribuyendo no solamente a tu propia evolución, sino para la evolución del ser humano como especie.”
“The belief that happiness depends on the other is behind all
relationship problems. It is the root of suffering in human relations.
So, if we could turn inwards and finally pursue happiness in the right
place, within ourselves, we would be contributing not only to our own
evolution but to the evolution of the human species.”
Via Daily Dharma / September 10, 2016: Nothing to Fear
As
long as we think we shouldn’t feel something, as long as we are afraid
of feeling vulnerable, our defenses kick in to try to get life under
control, to manipulate ourselves or other people. But instead of either
controlling or sequestering our feelings, we can learn to both contain
and feel them fully.
—Barry Magid, "No Gain"
—Barry Magid, "No Gain"
Friday, September 9, 2016
Via Walter Kirn / FB: The story from Standing Rock
Walter Kirn
Listen.
This is important. It will affect you, though you may not know it yet.
Tonight on North Dakota's Cannon Ball River, near its convergence with
the Missouri, on a wide, grassy meadow ringed by sloping hills and lit
by scores of smoky orange campfires, hundreds or maybe thousands of
Native people who have not come together in this way for well over a
century have gathered, along with supporters from many backgrounds, to
sing and drum and pray for the protection of the earth and water. It is
not a romantic or fanciful event but an earnest and passionate spiritual
intervention by people for whom spirit and matter are not separate
categories at all but a living, interpenetrating unity.
Their immediate concern is with a pipeline capable of fouling the local waters with toxic oil from the nearby fracking fields. Their larger concern is with a mad philosophy that pits human beings against their natural home for vain and temporary benefits. Against this pipeline and this philosophy they have arrayed the powers of tradition, family, community, magic, music, prophecy, and simple human courage.
Will they prevail? They will, they must, and they are certain of it, though in what fashion or on what schedule they don't yet fully know. You are with them even if you don't think so because they are battling for life itself.
Does that sound lofty? Let me bring it down some. The camp is electric tonight. A stream of vehicles with yellow headlights clogs the entry road. Smoke is everywhere, creating a spectral geometry of softened angles and misty silhouettes. Down the hill from me, half a mile to my right, an amplified rapper is exhorting a crowd to stand strong in its convictions. In front of me, at the same distance, a drummer is beating a steady, insistent rhythm accompanied by a rising and falling chant. The stars are crackling in the cold black sky. I have been many places as a reporter, to great political conventions, important congresses of leaders, championship sports events, and somber public memorials, but never have I felt such power, such energy. I am not even sure what year it is right now.
Tomorrow a judge will rule in the pipeline matter, giving the people massed around these fires a victory or a defeat or some muddy combination of the two. Their leaders have urged them in the sternest tones not to be enraged if disappointed. Violence will not be tolerated. And despair will not be tolerated. That is because however the ruling goes, something abiding has been accomplished here: The unification of a hundred nations in a refreshed sense of relevance and purpose. They were divided, these people, and then conquered. Sickness and hunger and material poverty were some of the results. They might never have recovered, never have regained their footing, never have reasserted their common vitality. But they did, they prevailed. Their family is intact.
Spirituality. In the culture I'm from it's something you slot in to a busy, hectic, willful life. You go to church. You take a yoga class. You climb into bed with an inspiring book. These people approach the spirit differently. They live inside it all day long, and then in their dreams, and then when they wake up. It is how they say hello and how they eat and how they walk across a road. There is nothing else but spirit for them. It has made them more than a little out of step with us. It hasn't added to their bank accounts. It wasn't a route to success as we define it. It didn't make them famous on TV.
It has only made them indomitable, I've noticed.
And that is the news. The story from Standing Rock.
Their immediate concern is with a pipeline capable of fouling the local waters with toxic oil from the nearby fracking fields. Their larger concern is with a mad philosophy that pits human beings against their natural home for vain and temporary benefits. Against this pipeline and this philosophy they have arrayed the powers of tradition, family, community, magic, music, prophecy, and simple human courage.
Will they prevail? They will, they must, and they are certain of it, though in what fashion or on what schedule they don't yet fully know. You are with them even if you don't think so because they are battling for life itself.
Does that sound lofty? Let me bring it down some. The camp is electric tonight. A stream of vehicles with yellow headlights clogs the entry road. Smoke is everywhere, creating a spectral geometry of softened angles and misty silhouettes. Down the hill from me, half a mile to my right, an amplified rapper is exhorting a crowd to stand strong in its convictions. In front of me, at the same distance, a drummer is beating a steady, insistent rhythm accompanied by a rising and falling chant. The stars are crackling in the cold black sky. I have been many places as a reporter, to great political conventions, important congresses of leaders, championship sports events, and somber public memorials, but never have I felt such power, such energy. I am not even sure what year it is right now.
Tomorrow a judge will rule in the pipeline matter, giving the people massed around these fires a victory or a defeat or some muddy combination of the two. Their leaders have urged them in the sternest tones not to be enraged if disappointed. Violence will not be tolerated. And despair will not be tolerated. That is because however the ruling goes, something abiding has been accomplished here: The unification of a hundred nations in a refreshed sense of relevance and purpose. They were divided, these people, and then conquered. Sickness and hunger and material poverty were some of the results. They might never have recovered, never have regained their footing, never have reasserted their common vitality. But they did, they prevailed. Their family is intact.
Spirituality. In the culture I'm from it's something you slot in to a busy, hectic, willful life. You go to church. You take a yoga class. You climb into bed with an inspiring book. These people approach the spirit differently. They live inside it all day long, and then in their dreams, and then when they wake up. It is how they say hello and how they eat and how they walk across a road. There is nothing else but spirit for them. It has made them more than a little out of step with us. It hasn't added to their bank accounts. It wasn't a route to success as we define it. It didn't make them famous on TV.
It has only made them indomitable, I've noticed.
And that is the news. The story from Standing Rock.
Via Sri Prem Baba: Flor do dia - Flor del día- Flower of the day - 09/09/2016
“Muitos confundem egoísmo com amor. Uma coisa é você estar com alguém
porque é bom estar próximo, porque existe uma sinergia, uma afinidade, e
a energia de ambos cresce nesse encontro. Outra coisa é estar com
alguém porque você acredita que será feliz através dessa pessoa; porque
espera receber dela alguma coisa. Nesse caso, você não quer alguém para
amar, você quer é alguém para atender às suas necessidades e expectativas. Isso chama-se egoísmo.”
“Muchos confunden egoísmo con amor. Una cosa es que estés con alguien
porque es bueno estar cerca, porque existe una sinergia, una afinidad, y
la energía de ambos crece en ese encuentro. Otra cosa es estar con
alguien porque crees que serás feliz a través de esa persona; porque
esperas recibir alguna cosa de ella. En ese caso, no quieres alguien
para amar, quieres alguien para atender tus necesidades y expectativas.
Eso se llama egoísmo.”
“Many confuse selfishness with love. It’s one thing to be with someone because it is good to be together, because there is a synergistic affinity, and a positive energy grows for both in this union. It’s another thing to be with someone because you believe you will find happiness through this person, because you think you will get something from him or her in return. In this case, you don’t want someone to love. You want someone to attend to your needs and expectations. This is what is known as selfishness.”
“Many confuse selfishness with love. It’s one thing to be with someone because it is good to be together, because there is a synergistic affinity, and a positive energy grows for both in this union. It’s another thing to be with someone because you believe you will find happiness through this person, because you think you will get something from him or her in return. In this case, you don’t want someone to love. You want someone to attend to your needs and expectations. This is what is known as selfishness.”
Via BuzzFeed : Australia’s Second Biggest Church Says It’s OK To Vote “Yes” On Marriage Equality
In the letter, Freier differentiates between types of marriage, saying that if civil marriage is amended to include same-sex couples, the church can still reserve its definition of marriage as between a man and a women.
“We can still stand for and offer holy matrimony between a man and a woman as a sacred ordinance given by God, while accepting that the state has endorsed a wider view of marriage,” he wrote.
In the 2011 census, 17% of Australians identified themselves as Anglicans – second to 25% who are Catholic.
Freier also noted that Anglicans are not uniform in their positions on same-sex marriage, and gave the green light for people to land on either side of the debate.
“Individual Anglicans have adopted a variety of positions taken in good conscience based on their Christian understanding of the principles and issues, and this is right and proper,” he wrote.
Freier said he personally welcomed the plebiscite, but feared a divisive debate, and called for more pastoral sensitivity towards LGBT people in the church.
“I am very concerned that the discussion does not become harsh or vilifying – on either side, for it is not only Christians who have sometimes failed on this score,” he said.
Alex Wong / Getty Images
The president of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), Stuart McMillan, told BuzzFeed News the church would not take part in the plebiscite campaign as it has been engaged in an internal discussion on marriage theology since 2012.
The Uniting Church is Australia’s third largest, encompassing 5% of the population, and currently defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
“As we are engaged in our own discernment process, we will not be formally involved with other groups lobbying on the marriage issue,” McMillan said.
Instead, the church’s involvement will consist of “resources for respectful conversations on marriage” available on the UCA website.
“Uniting Church ministers and members are free to express personal opinions or take part in campaigns in the course of the national debate, so as long as they are clear that they are expressing personal views and not speaking on behalf of the Uniting Church,” McMillan added.
McMillan published a blog on Friday urging church members to remain graceful throughout the marriage debate.
“It is easy to harm each other with careless words. So we should all choose ours carefully,” he said.
“We are committed to being an inclusive Church that embraces LGBTIQ people as full members and to culturally appropriate discussion about relationships and marriage across our diversity.”
Lane Sainty is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in Sydney, Australia.
Contact Lane Sainty at lane.sainty@buzzfeed.com.
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