Thursday, December 18, 2014
Via JMG: Tim Cook Gives Big To HRC
The Human Rights Campaign today announced that Apple CEO Tim Cook has made a large donation to help fund LGBT advocacy in southern states including his native Alabama.
The amount of Cook's contribution to the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign wasn't disclosed, but the advocacy organization called it "substantial." Organizers said it would help fund a three-year, $8.5 million campaign launched in April in Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi. Called Project One America, the goal of the public relations effort is to build acceptance for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in the states. The campaign includes advertising on TV and elsewhere, direct-mail fliers and staff members hired in each state. "We hope Tim Cook's substantial personal investment inspires others to support this vital and historic project," Jason Rahlan, a spokesman for Human Rights Campaign, said in an email.Cook formally came out in October, spawning widespread condemnation by anti-gay groups but no organized campaign to boycott Apple has yet developed.
Via JustaBahai: How is the following statement by the N.S.A. of Guyana not about human rights?
“The
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Guyana asks that your
Government ensure that any legislation enacted safeguards the rights of
all, but only insofar as the limits of morality may not be transgressed.
It would not be acceptable for example, if the Constitution implicitly
allows same sex persons to demand the right to be married. We do not
believe this may have been the intention of the Amendment, but it should
be sufficiently carefully constructed that such a situation does not
automatically follow.”
Found at: http://justabahai.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/mainly-about-homosexuality/#paederasty
Found at: http://justabahai.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/mainly-about-homosexuality/#paederasty
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 18/12/2014
“A jornada da alma nesse planeta é um movimento em direção à união; essa é a essência do jogo. Mas, como é difícil para o ser humano ser realmente amigo - de si mesmo e do outro. Se a grande meta é criar união porque a humanidade segue criando desunião? Por que você se machuca? Por que cria situações difíceis? Por que não consegue interromper o fluxo do mal através de você? A resposta está na compreensão do casamento da sua energia vital com o sofrimento. Isso quer dizer que você tem prazer na maldade, e é esse prazer que faz com que ela continue existindo.”
“El camino del alma en este planeta es un movimiento en dirección a la unión, esa es la esencia del juego. Pero cómo le es difícil al ser humano ser realmente amigo – de sí mismo y de otro. Si la gran meta es crear unión, ¿por qué la humanidad sigue creando desunión? ¿Por qué te lastimas? ¿Por qué creas situaciones difíciles? ¿Por qué no logras interrumpir el flujo del mal a través de ti? La respuesta está en la comprensión del casamiento de tu energía vital con el sufrimiento. Eso quiere decir que tienes placer en la maldad, y es ese placer que hace que ella continúe existiendo.”
“The journey of the soul on this planet is a movement towards oneness. Union is the essential nature of the game, but still, it is incredibly difficult for human beings to really be there for each other. If the greater goal is to create unity, why does humanity continue to create disharmony? Why do we hurt ourselves? Why do we create difficult situations? Why can’t we stop evil from flowing through us? The answer lies in understanding just how our vital energy has become intrinsically connected to suffering. We take pleasure in evil, and it is this pleasure that keeps it alive.”
- Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
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Reversing Our Priorities | December 18, 2014
If we are serious about combating selfishness and promoting
compassion in the world, then is it not vital that we develop the tools
of intellectual self-defense to deal with these assaults on our minds
and hearts? The solution must lie in reversing the priorities, in
subordinating dead things—money, capital, profits—to life: people,
animals, the planet.
- David Edwards, "Life or Death"  |
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 17/12/2014
“Quando falo do processo identificação e transformação do eu inferior,
me refiro a um processo de cura que às vezes chamo de “ABC da
espiritualidade”. Esse é o nome de um dos instrumentos do método Caminho
do Coração, mas também é um estágio do processo evolutivo da alma, no
qual precisamos lidar com os aspectos sombrios da personalidade:
mágoas, vergonhas, sentimentos negados... Sem tomar consciência desses
aspectos, não é possível realizar a alquimia do sofrimento para alegria,
pois estando relegados ao plano da sombra, eles geram impulsos que agem
a revelia da nossa vontade consciente, causando destrutividade.”
“Cuando hablo del proceso de identificación y transformación del yo inferior, me refiero a un proceso de cura que a veces llamo “ABC de la espiritualidad”. Este es el nombre de uno de los instrumentos del método Camino del Corazón, pero también es un estadio del proceso evolutivo del alma, en el cual necesitamos lidiar con los aspectos sombríos de la personalidad: heridas, vergüenzas, sentimientos negados... Sin tomar consciencia de esos aspectos, no es posible realizar la alquimia del sufrimiento a la alegría, porque estando relegados al plano de la sombra, ellos generan impulsos que actúan más allá de nuestra voluntad consciente, causando destructividad.”
“When I speak of the process of identifying and transforming the lower self, I am referring to the healing process known as the ‘ABC of Spirituality’. This is one of the tools of the Path of the Heart method, but it is also a stage in the soul’s evolutionary process. At this stage we deal with the shadowy aspects of our personality, such as grudges, shame, and all sorts of denied feelings. Unless we become aware of these aspects we can't alchemize suffering into joy. When these aspects are relegated to the realm of the shadow they generate reactions which bypass our conscious will, causing destruction.”
“Cuando hablo del proceso de identificación y transformación del yo inferior, me refiero a un proceso de cura que a veces llamo “ABC de la espiritualidad”. Este es el nombre de uno de los instrumentos del método Camino del Corazón, pero también es un estadio del proceso evolutivo del alma, en el cual necesitamos lidiar con los aspectos sombríos de la personalidad: heridas, vergüenzas, sentimientos negados... Sin tomar consciencia de esos aspectos, no es posible realizar la alquimia del sufrimiento a la alegría, porque estando relegados al plano de la sombra, ellos generan impulsos que actúan más allá de nuestra voluntad consciente, causando destructividad.”
“When I speak of the process of identifying and transforming the lower self, I am referring to the healing process known as the ‘ABC of Spirituality’. This is one of the tools of the Path of the Heart method, but it is also a stage in the soul’s evolutionary process. At this stage we deal with the shadowy aspects of our personality, such as grudges, shame, and all sorts of denied feelings. Unless we become aware of these aspects we can't alchemize suffering into joy. When these aspects are relegated to the realm of the shadow they generate reactions which bypass our conscious will, causing destruction.”
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Via JMG: Ferguson Protesters Wed
Alexis Templeton and Brittany Ferrell first met while demonstrating in Ferguson, Missouri, following the death of unarmed Michael Brown and a grand jury’s subsequent decision to not indict the police officer who shot him. The two activists were married Tuesday at St. Louis City Hall — months after meeting while demonstrating in Ferguson. Both Templeton and Ferrell are prominently involved in Millenial Activists United, a youth-led organization that focuses on “educating and empowering” communities.
Via Daily Dharma
Freedom from Dukkha | December 17, 2014
Freedom from dukkha doesn't mean eternal youth, or that we are never
going to have a headache, never going to feel irritation, or loss, or
get betrayed and hurt by others. Freedom from dukkha is not abdication
from the human race, but a deeper acceptance of how we are, an
acceptance that brings both equanimity, and also a clearer response.
- Thanissara, "The Grit That Becomes a Pearl"
- Thanissara, "The Grit That Becomes a Pearl"
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Flower of the Day: 12/16/14
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 16/12/2014
“Para haver um intimidador é preciso haver um intimidado. Para que haja
alguém que abusa do poder, deve haver alguém permitindo que esse abuso
aconteça. A distorção do poder na forma da agressividade e da violência
tem o mesmo peso que a distorção do amor, que é a submissão e o
vitimismo. A distorção do poder é distorção do masculino; a distorção do amor é a distorção do feminino - uma depende da outra para existir.”
“Para que haya un intimidador es necesario que haya un intimidado. Para que haya alguien que abusa del poder, debe haber alguien permitiendo que ese abuso suceda. La distorsión del poder en la forma de agresividad y de violencia tiene el mismo peso que la distorsión del amor, que es la sumisión y el victimismo. La distorsión del poder es la distorsión de lo masculino; la distorsión del amor es la distorsión del femenino – una depende de la otra para existir.”
“There can’t be someone intimidating without there being someone intimidated in turn. In order for someone to abuse power there has to be someone allowing the abuse to occur. The distortion of power happens when the masculine principle is turned into aggression and violence. The distortion of love occurs when the feminine principle gets twisted into submission and victimhood. Each are equally destructive, and depend on the other in order to exist.”
“Para que haya un intimidador es necesario que haya un intimidado. Para que haya alguien que abusa del poder, debe haber alguien permitiendo que ese abuso suceda. La distorsión del poder en la forma de agresividad y de violencia tiene el mismo peso que la distorsión del amor, que es la sumisión y el victimismo. La distorsión del poder es la distorsión de lo masculino; la distorsión del amor es la distorsión del femenino – una depende de la otra para existir.”
“There can’t be someone intimidating without there being someone intimidated in turn. In order for someone to abuse power there has to be someone allowing the abuse to occur. The distortion of power happens when the masculine principle is turned into aggression and violence. The distortion of love occurs when the feminine principle gets twisted into submission and victimhood. Each are equally destructive, and depend on the other in order to exist.”
- Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
Immeasurable Light | December 16, 2014
The historical Buddha, like you and me, had physical form, was born,
and was destined to die. But the content of his being did not die and
continues to live. And that is immeasurable life. And not only life.
Because it brings us to awakening, it is also immeasurable light.
- Taitetsu Unno, "Even Dewdrops Fall"
- Taitetsu Unno, "Even Dewdrops Fall"
Monday, December 15, 2014
SAÚDE DE THICH NHAT HANH - 13/12/14
"A eternidade pode ser tocado no momento presente, e do cosmos na palma da sua mão."Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay)
Com confiança e amor, Os monges e monjas de Plum Village
SAÚDE DE THICH NHAT HANH - 13/12/14
Comunicado oficial do Mosteiro de Plum Village
Thay continua a surpreender os médicos com seus fortes sinais vitais e estável, pacífica respiração. Eles ainda estão surpresos que Thay tem sido capaz de sobreviver e até mesmo para mostrar pequenos sinais de progresso.
Há poucos dias, um dos médicos compartilhou que "Thay é um enigma", e outro disse que eles foram "testemunhas de um milagre." Quando um neurocirurgião top dos EUA o visitou na semana passada, ele estava profundamente impressionado com o empenho da equipe médica para dar a Thay todas as chances possíveis de recuperação.
Nos últimos dias Thay foi mostrando algumas indicações de vigília, mas ele continua a permanecer em coma profundo. Houve momentos em que Thay teve os olhos abertos por mais de
duas horas, e é sensível, mas ele ainda não está mostrando sinais claros de comunicação. o médicos lembram-nos que pode ser semanas ou meses antes que possamos entender o dano
causada por hemorragia e descobrir a extensão de cura que pode ser possível.
A equipe médica começou a estimular Thay estar mais em vigília. Todos os dias o enfermeiros ajudam Thay sentar em uma cadeira, e, além de acupuntura e massagem dos assistentes, fisioterapeutas vêm para ativar o corpo de Thay. Cantamos a Thay, e nós também ouvimos os cânticos Sangha e belos sons da natureza.
Queridos e amigos. Encontrar tempo para estar com a natureza, para apreciar as estrelas, e as nuvens brancas e para realmente voltar para casa e estar em casa dentro de nós mesmos, como Thay sempre nos incentiva a fazer. Você pode gostar de escrever cartas de amor, em vez de gastar dinheiro e consumindo mais. O Ano Novo é uma ótima oportunidade para começar de novo com nós mesmos e deixar ir de ressentimentos e pesar.
Vamos publicar outra atualização sobre a saúde de Thay no Ano Novo. Até então, você e sua família podem tocar a verdadeira paz e felicidade. Que você seja capaz de desfrutar de seu verdadeiro lar.
"A eternidade pode ser tocado no momento presente,
e do cosmos na palma da sua mão."Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay)
Com confiança e amor,
Os monges e monjas de Plum Village
Com confiança e amor, Os monges e monjas de Plum Village
SAÚDE DE THICH NHAT HANH - 13/12/14
Comunicado oficial do Mosteiro de Plum Village
Thay continua a surpreender os médicos com seus fortes sinais vitais e estável, pacífica respiração. Eles ainda estão surpresos que Thay tem sido capaz de sobreviver e até mesmo para mostrar pequenos sinais de progresso.
Há poucos dias, um dos médicos compartilhou que "Thay é um enigma", e outro disse que eles foram "testemunhas de um milagre." Quando um neurocirurgião top dos EUA o visitou na semana passada, ele estava profundamente impressionado com o empenho da equipe médica para dar a Thay todas as chances possíveis de recuperação.
Nos últimos dias Thay foi mostrando algumas indicações de vigília, mas ele continua a permanecer em coma profundo. Houve momentos em que Thay teve os olhos abertos por mais de
duas horas, e é sensível, mas ele ainda não está mostrando sinais claros de comunicação. o médicos lembram-nos que pode ser semanas ou meses antes que possamos entender o dano
causada por hemorragia e descobrir a extensão de cura que pode ser possível.
A equipe médica começou a estimular Thay estar mais em vigília. Todos os dias o enfermeiros ajudam Thay sentar em uma cadeira, e, além de acupuntura e massagem dos assistentes, fisioterapeutas vêm para ativar o corpo de Thay. Cantamos a Thay, e nós também ouvimos os cânticos Sangha e belos sons da natureza.
Queridos e amigos. Encontrar tempo para estar com a natureza, para apreciar as estrelas, e as nuvens brancas e para realmente voltar para casa e estar em casa dentro de nós mesmos, como Thay sempre nos incentiva a fazer. Você pode gostar de escrever cartas de amor, em vez de gastar dinheiro e consumindo mais. O Ano Novo é uma ótima oportunidade para começar de novo com nós mesmos e deixar ir de ressentimentos e pesar.
Vamos publicar outra atualização sobre a saúde de Thay no Ano Novo. Até então, você e sua família podem tocar a verdadeira paz e felicidade. Que você seja capaz de desfrutar de seu verdadeiro lar.
"A eternidade pode ser tocado no momento presente,
e do cosmos na palma da sua mão."Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay)
Com confiança e amor,
Os monges e monjas de Plum Village
Via Daily Dharma
Our Path | December 15, 2014
Repetition and ritual and their good results come in many forms:
changing the oil filter, wiping noses, going to meetings, picking up
around the house, washing dishes, checking the dipstick . . . such a
round of chores is not a set of difficulties we hope to escape from so
that we may do our practice, which will put us on the path. It is our
path.
- Gil Fronsdal, "Evaluate Your Meditation"
- Gil Fronsdal, "Evaluate Your Meditation"
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Via Daily Dharma
Difficult at the Beginning, Easy at the End | December 14, 2014
Worldly life is easy at the beginning and difficult at the end. A
spiritual life is difficult at the beginning and easy at the end.
- Ani Chudrun, "Unusual Choices"
- Ani Chudrun, "Unusual Choices"
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Flower of the Day: 12/13/14
"During
a certain phase of the journey, we are not open to understanding the
parts of ourselves that play against our own happiness. We are not
really willing to get to know ourselves – we just want to get rid of our
symptoms that bring suffering. In this phase, prayer and devotion are
like a bargain that we use because they meet our needs. It is natural to
start off like this, but at some point we must let go of this
bargaining in order to continue along the path of love. Devotion is not
meant as an occasional practice; only when it is firm and steady can it
lead us to the experience of oneness. What builds this steadiness is
self-awareness."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
The First Step | December 13, 2014
For white America, [the] systematic undoing of centuries of racial
indoctrination, [the] letting go of the 'conceptual paint' it has
uncritically absorbed about black Americans, is the necessary first step
toward the epistemological humility and egoless listening we are
morally obliged to bring to our encounters with all Others. Another name
for such selfless, healing listening is love.
- Charles Johnson, "Every 28 Hours"
- Charles Johnson, "Every 28 Hours"
Friday, December 12, 2014
Flower of the Day: 12/12/14
"Many
people ask for enlightenment, but are not yet ready to abandon their
identification with the body, becoming empty vessels. We want to be
free, but we still need to be someone special and maintain the idea of
‘me’. We are still attached to the past. As you observe yourself
desiring enlightenment, ask yourself, ‘Am I really ready to give up my
story? Am I ready to leave the past behind?’ This can happen right now,
or it can be in many incarnations from now: the choice is yours."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daiy Dharma
Avoiding What's Unlovely | December 12, 2014
We instinctively avoid unpleasantness, often without our awareness.
When we touch something unlovely in ourselves—fear, anger, jealousy,
shame, disgust—we tend to withdraw emotionally and direct our attention
elsewhere. But denying how we feel, or projecting our fears and faults
onto others, only drives a wedge between us and the people we yearn to
be close to.
- Christopher K. Germer, "Getting Along"
- Christopher K. Germer, "Getting Along"
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Via JMG: Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) To Introduce Sweeping Federal LGBT Rights Bill
Merkley said that while the Senate’s passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in November of last year by a 64-32 vote after the bill failed by one vote in 1996 was a “tremendous victory,” if discrimination is wrong in employment, it also must be wrong in areas such as housing, public accommodations and financial transactions. “Such an act would be a major advance for opportunity and equality for the LGBT community and would be a major stride toward a more just society,” said Merkley, who has been the lead sponsor of ENDA in the Senate since assuming that role from Sen. Ted Kennedy in 2009. Merkley made the announcement during the unveiling of a new report by the Center for American Progress addressing the need for comprehensive LGBT nondiscrimination protections.Merkley spearheaded the passage of a similar bill while speaker of the Oregon House.
Labels: Congress, Democrats, employment, feds, housing, Jeff Merkley, LGBT rights, public accommodations, Senate
JMG HomoQuotable - Dan Savage
Labels: brainwashing, Dan Savage, ex-gay, HomoQuotable, Ladybird, LGBT youth, Michele Bachmann, religion, torture
Via PnkNews: After half a century of waiting – this gay couple were finally allowed to tie the knot
While many same-sex couples celebrated as they converted their civil partnerships to marriage starting yesterday, one couple had waited longer than most.
Percy Steven, 75, and Roger Lockyer, 87, became one of the first couples in the UK to convert their civil partnership to a marriage yesterday at Westminster Council.
But having been together for 49 years, it was long overdue.
When they first got together, gay sex was still illegal, and when civil partnerships were introduced in 2005, they were one of the first to enter one.
Lockyer told the Guardian that being able to refer to themselves as married, finally, was “really rather lovely”.
On signing the marriage certificate at Westminster Council, he said: “I feel different already.”
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/12/11/after-half-a-century-of-waiting-this-gay-couple-were-finally-allowed-to-tie-the-knot/
Via Fox News Latino: Brazil had 3,701 gay marriages in 2013, the 1st year such unions were legal
Brazil celebrated 3,701 gay weddings in 2013, the first year a
judicial decision authorized same-sex marriage, officials announced
Tuesday.
Of all gay marriages last year, 52 percent were between women and 48 percent between men, according to figures of the civil registry published by the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute, or IBGE.
Same-sex marriages were pronounced legal in Brazil in a May 2013 decision of the National Judiciary Council (CNJ), though gay activists demand that their rights be confirmed in a law.
Previously, a same-sex couple could only register as a "stable union," which in terms of its rights were judged equivalent to marriage in a May 2011 decision of the Supreme Court, which acted in lieu of any existing legislation on the matter.
In those two years, up to the granting of the right to gay marriage, 1,277 stable unions of same-sex couples were registered, according to official figures.
The IBGE also said that the total number of same-sex marriages increased by 1.1 percent in the country in 2013 over the previous year to number 1.1 million, while 324,921 divorces were granted, a drop of 4.9 percent.
Make the jump here to read the full / original article
Of all gay marriages last year, 52 percent were between women and 48 percent between men, according to figures of the civil registry published by the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute, or IBGE.
Same-sex marriages were pronounced legal in Brazil in a May 2013 decision of the National Judiciary Council (CNJ), though gay activists demand that their rights be confirmed in a law.
Previously, a same-sex couple could only register as a "stable union," which in terms of its rights were judged equivalent to marriage in a May 2011 decision of the Supreme Court, which acted in lieu of any existing legislation on the matter.
In those two years, up to the granting of the right to gay marriage, 1,277 stable unions of same-sex couples were registered, according to official figures.
The IBGE also said that the total number of same-sex marriages increased by 1.1 percent in the country in 2013 over the previous year to number 1.1 million, while 324,921 divorces were granted, a drop of 4.9 percent.
Make the jump here to read the full / original article
Flower of the Day: 12/11/14
"The word religion comes from the Latin word religare
(reuniting or union), which is synonymous with yoga: it is the union of
the individual soul with the Absolute. This is what I call ‘vertical
religion.’ Even though religions have lost their ‘vertical’ traits, they
still contain some of their pearls, which are expressions of the
eternal truth. One example is the prayer of St. Francis: ‘Lord, make
me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love… O
divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to
console… To be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive…’ This is one of the pearls of Christianity."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
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Liberation. Period. | December 11, 2014
Freedom from desires and passions is not the same as the attainment
of 'liberation by mind' and 'liberation by insight' which alone can cut
the root of dependent origination: ignorance. Buddhism was not conceived
as a means to become liberated from desire, but as a means to become liberated.
- Stuart Smithers, "Freedom's Just Another Word" |
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The Sati Center for Buddhist Studies
The Sati Center for Buddhist Studies supports the study of Buddhist teachings through these venues:
• Daylong Community Classes, Sutta Study, and Study Retreats
• Buddhist Chaplaincy Training
• Compassion Cultivation Training™
Make the jump here to vist the Sati Center website
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Flower of the Day: 12/10/14
"There
are times when we make others feel guilty for what's really our own
inability to love – that's truly malicious. We rob the other’s energy
for us to feel more powerful; and this brings us a momentary
satisfaction. But the load of taking someone away from their path by
putting the blame on them is very heavy. We point the finger at them and
say, ‘You are guilty for my misery.’ The person then has to go to hell
and back to be accepted by you. The needier the person is, the greater
their need will be to please you."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
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Waiting for American Buddhism | December 10, 2014
Americans tend to be impatient. We think if Buddhism has been here
for a hundred and fifty years, of course it should be totally American.
But that ignores the fact that in Asia it took centuries for Buddhism to
become fully acculturated when it moved to a new cultural region. . . .
It will take time.
- Charles Prebish, "Pursuing an American Buddhism" |
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Via Gay Politics Report: Pope Francis calls for church support of LGBT families
Pope Francis calls for church support of LGBT families
Pope Francis on Sunday called on the Catholic Church to provide support for parents with LGBT children. "We come across this reality all the time in the confessional: a father and a mother whose son or daughter is in that situation. ... We have to find a way to help that father or that mother to stand by their son or daughter," Francis said during a discussion of the church's Synod of Bishops in the fall. A day earlier, the pontiff urged his fellow officials to recognize the "signs of the times."
International Business Times/Independent (London) (tiered subscription model), The (12/8), Advocate.com/LaNacion.com.ar (Argentina) (Spanish-language content) (12/8)
Pope Francis on Sunday called on the Catholic Church to provide support for parents with LGBT children. "We come across this reality all the time in the confessional: a father and a mother whose son or daughter is in that situation. ... We have to find a way to help that father or that mother to stand by their son or daughter," Francis said during a discussion of the church's Synod of Bishops in the fall. A day earlier, the pontiff urged his fellow officials to recognize the "signs of the times."
International Business Times/Independent (London) (tiered subscription model), The (12/8), Advocate.com/LaNacion.com.ar (Argentina) (Spanish-language content) (12/8)
Flower of the Day: 12/09/14
"Competition
is at the service of adding value to the idea of ‘me’: we want to be
recognized since that makes us feel we have found our place in the
world. When we feel isolated and separate, and start competing with
others, it’s almost impossible for us to discover our place in the
world. I invite you to give up the ‘doer,’ since compulsive doing serves
this sense of competition. Each time we do something compulsively, we
get further imprisoned in the webs of karma."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
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The World of Interaction | December 9, 2014
Awakening is not an individual achievement but arises because of and along with the awakening of others.
- Rev. Patti Nakai, "The Tie That Need Not Bind" |
Monday, December 8, 2014
Flower of the Day: 12/08/14
"Deconstructing
the masks, our false identities, implies reliving certain wounds. It
means getting in touch with the feelings of abandonment, humiliation,
rejection and exclusion that were experienced in the past. This is not
easy, but you can only move forward in your evolutionary journey if you
can free yourself of denied feelings. Some people believe that it is
enough to just focus their awareness on the present moment without
paying attention to the past, but this approach can be dangerous
precisely because it is suppressing the past. The past cannot be denied:
it needs to be transcended. Transcendence is only possible when you
understand the past and can be in harmony with it."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
The Care We Share | December 8, 2014
Like an underground spring that nourishes living things but goes
unseen, the care we share is the underpinning of our life, its hidden
support.
- Andrew Cooper, "Life's Hidden Support"
- Andrew Cooper, "Life's Hidden Support"
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Flower of the Day: 12/06/14
"When
we arrive in this realm through the physical body, our vision gets
veiled, meaning that our perception diminishes. Thus, we take the real
for the unreal, and we believe the unreal to be real. This is the main
source of human suffering. We then continue to deal with suffering until
we reach a saturation point and get tired of it. At that point, we
start seeing that there may be something wrong with our perception, and
so begin the work of self-awareness by increasing our perception. That's
how we remove the veil of ignorance that covers our higher self."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
Fear of Silence | December 6, 2014
I have the impression that many of us are afraid of silence. We’re
always taking in something—text, music, radio, television, or
thoughts—to occupy the space. If quiet and space are so important for
our happiness, why don’t we make more room for them in our lives?
- Thich Nhat Hahn, "Fear of Silence"
- Thich Nhat Hahn, "Fear of Silence"
Friday, December 5, 2014
Flower of the Day: 12/05/14
"The
first layer of the veil of illusion is forgetting life’s purpose. Being
aware of our purpose connects us to the source and enables us to
remember the truth. Being enveloped by the veil of illusion, we feel
separate and isolated, and a by-product of this isolation is anguish.
This anguish is a great poison, which often finds its way in through a
sadness that seemingly comes out of nowhere. This opens the door to bad
habits, which in turn opens the door to evil."
Sri Prem Baba
Innate Dignity | December 5, 2014
My own practice of loving kindness has opened me to the power of
compassion and to the fact that all beings want to be happy. Everybody
wants to have their innate dignity recognized and to recognize the
innate dignity of others.
- Sharon Salzberg, "Why I Support Fast Food Workers"
- Sharon Salzberg, "Why I Support Fast Food Workers"
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Flower of the Day: 12/04/14
"Children
must be free, and at the same time, they need firm boundaries and care.
But these boundaries must be born from a loving heart that truly sees
the child. They must be born out of respect, and not from the adult’s
wounded child."
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
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Creating Compassion | December 4, 2014
The idea of creating compassion for our environment, for something
that we take for granted daily—something that, as a human race, we are
just absolutely destroying, for the most part without a care—I think
that connecting compassion to that is really, really powerful.
- Emily Burke, "Meditating in Public" |
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Via JMG: Labor Department Issues Final Rule On LGBT Anti-Discrimination Measures
Via press release:
A new rule prohibiting discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity in the federal contracting workforce is being announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor. The rule implements Executive Order 13672, which was signed by President Obama on July 21.The press release notes that today's action becomes effective 120 days after being formally entered into the Federal Register and will apply to all "new and modified" civilian contracts with the federal government from that date forward.
"Americans believe in fairness and opportunity. No one should live in fear of being fired or passed over or discriminated against at work simply because of who they are or who they love," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "Laws prohibiting workplace discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity are long overdue, and we're taking a big step forward today to fix that."
EO 13672 tasked the department with updating the rules implementing EO 11246 to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the classes it protects. While 18 states, the District of Columbia and many businesses, large and small, already offer workplace protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, July's executive order was the first federal action to ensure LGBT workplace equality in the private sector.
Labels: Barack Obama, business, employment, executive orders, feds, Labor Department, LGBT rights, Obama cabinet, Tom Perez
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