Via Daily Dharma: Develop a Sense of Closeness with All Beings

 It is not sufficient merely to see that sentient beings are suffering. You must also develop a sense of closeness with them, a sense that they are dear.

—Jeffrey Hopkins, “Everyone as a Friend”

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Would You Still Hookup With Someone After They Said This?

I JUST GOT BACK FROM PUERTO VALLARTA!

Beautiful Thing (1996) | Film4 Trailer

Via Daily Dharma: Sit in the Unconditioned Spaces

Coming into contact—if only for a moment—with the unconditioned, with life as it is without all our fears and preferences—isn’t this what meditation is really about?

—Noelle Oxenhandler, “Go Bang Your Head Against the Wall”

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Via Gay Wisdom // White Crane Institute

 

Noteworthy

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1929 -

 On this date The Rev. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR was born in Atlanta, Georgia. As an African American civil rights leader he spoke eloquently and stressed nonviolent methods to achieve equality. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. In 1983, the third Monday in January was designated a legal holiday in the U.S. to celebrate his birthday. King's message was a catalyst for many in the gay rights movement and continues to be an inspiration for the GLBT community today.

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Via Whatazap...

 My friend Neide sent me this photo of her Nepali prayer flags I gave her

Via English Literature / FB

 

"Helpless Love"

 

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. 

 

Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.

 

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. 

 

Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.

 

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realized it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.

 

Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”

 

“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”

 

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.”

 

Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”

 

Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”

 

When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.

 

Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.

 

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”

 

Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”

 

“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.

 

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring peace and great happiness in this world.”

 

“The important message is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel important, we forget love. Even in happiness and sorrow we forget love. Only with time do we realize the importance of love. Why wait that long? Why not make love a part of your life today?”

 

Author Unknown

Via Daily Dharma: The Meaning of Emptiness

 Emptiness does not mean that things don’t exist, nor does “no self” mean that we don’t exist. Emptiness refers to the underlying nonseparation of life and the fertile ground of energy that gives rise to all forms of life.

—Jack Kornfield, “Identity and Selflessness in Buddhism: No Self or True Self?”

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It's the Creme Egg Golden Goobilee!

Via Daily Dharma: Practice Being Yourself

 Buddhist practice is not about forcing ourselves to be natural. It is about being ourselves.

—Gary Thorp, “Shelter from the Storm”

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - January 13, 2021 💌

 

Jesus said you will get to the kingdom of God and that’s where you’ll find the children. I like to believe in childhood or childlike qualities as a goal. Or a way to reach spiritual awareness. It’s not about going back to being a child, it’s to be childlike, in the sense of innocence, openness, freshness, and beginning.

- Ram Dass -

Via Daily Dharma: Noticing Your Reactions

 When Buddhist teachings talk about emotions, such as love and hate, they are describing our disposition toward the things we encounter.

—Andrew Olendzki, “What’s in a Word? Dukkha”

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Via Tricycle // Karma

 

Karma Is Individual
By Thanissaro Bhikkhu

 

Our karma determines the social and cultural groups we’re born into. Does this mean that “collective karma” is real?

Read more »

Via Daily Dharma: Meditating On Thoughts

 To meditate upon thoughts is simply to be aware, as thoughts arise, that the mind is thinking, without getting involved in the content.

—Joseph Goldstein, “These Are Not ‘Your’ Thoughts”

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Via The Poor People’s Campaign

 

The Poor People’s Campaign witnessed with heavy hearts the events of January 6th, when a mob emboldened by hate, lies, and racism laid siege to the US Capitol and other state capitols across the country in an attempt to subvert our democracy. This attack was carried out at the behest of a narcissistic President and his enablers, who have followed a divisive political strategy that is as old as the deconstructionists of the 1870s and the Southern strategy of the 1960s. We know that the only antidote to this poison in our body politic is a moral fusion coalition committed to reconstructing democracy. Our intersectional movement has been met with arrest while engaged in non-violent protest — praying, singing and peacefully marching. The people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th were not protesting but attempting to overthrow democratic government by mob rule. The fact that these violent rioters were able to break into the Capitol should alarm us all and cause us to question the deference they were given by law enforcement and security forces. This is eerily reminiscent of how law enforcement has often been used to protect violent and racist actors defending the status quo while suppressing non-violent social justice movements. As a state-based national movement that has nonviolently protested at state capitols and the US Capitol, calling out policy violence and pushing for a just moral agenda for and with poor and low-income people, moral leaders, activists and organizers across race, geography, issue area and other lines of division, we must point out that: This did not just happen. For years extremist politicians who call themselves Republicans have sown the winds of division and lies; now the country is reaping the whirlwind of chaos. We call on our lawmakers and justice system to hold President Trump, senators, Congress persons, and all elected and appointed officials who had a role in these heinous attacks accountable for their actions, swiftly and to the full extent of the law. These politicians found time and resources to plan, support, and continue an attack on democracy (even after it turned deadly) but have not found time and resources to expand health care, enact a just stimulus, raise wages, or protect the people they are called to serve.  They push the people into a rage rooted in racism but have refused to push efforts to address systemic racism. They are responsible for the five deaths that occurred in the attack, but their policy inaction is also in large part responsible for the inept response to Covid that has caused nearly 400,000 deaths. They have spent more time lying to the people than lifting the people, especially the least of these of this nation. Such violence always erupts when there is the greatest possibility for change. Throughout history, Native and Indigenous people have seen this kind of mob violence. Black people have seen it. Women have seen it. Asians have seen it. Latino farm workers have seen it. Workers standing for labor rights have seen it. What we saw this week is not the dream of America, but it has too often been the practice of America. This week’s violence is a reaction to record turnout of people of every race, income, region, sexuality, creed and conviction who voted for candidates that pledged to expand health care, raise wages, address systemic racism and poverty, in the general election and the Georgia run-off. It took place as we witnessed cracks in the Southern strategy, which has kept people divided by race for decades. This was an assault rooted in a refusal to believe the legitimacy of an election where people of color and poor and low wealth people united to vote out an extremist President and Senate majority. Lastly, we must not confuse a failed attempt to subvert democracy with popular uprisings to reclaim government for the people. This riot exposes the MAGA movement as a fake populism that serves elites. It is a mistake to scapegoat poor people, especially poor white people for what happened on January 6. Press reports of the rioters included business owners, executives, and multi-millionaires. At a time when something new is breaking through the hate, we cannot let this stop the growth of a moral fusion movement. The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is committed to continuing to build a fusion movement that brings the 140 million poor and low-income people of this country together across race and other historic divisions. This is what will protect our democracy and democratic institutions and build a stronger nation.  Forward together, not one step back! Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II President, Repairers of the Breach Co-Chair, Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis Director, Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice Co-Chair, Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

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