Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 15, 2012

The Real Meaning of Mindfulness

When mindfulness is equated with bare attention, it can easily lead to the misconception that the cultivation of mindfulness has nothing to do with ethics or with the cultivation of wholesome states of mind and the attenuation of unwholesome states. Nothing could be further from the truth.

- B. Alan Wallace, "A Mindful Balance"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 17th, 2012
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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 14, 2012

Take A Moment

As an experiment, the next time you are doing an errand, stuck in traffic, or standing in line at the supermarket, instead of being preoccupied with where you’re going or what needs to be done, take a moment to simply send loving wishes to all those around you. Often, there is an immediate and very remarkable shift as we feel more connected and more present.

- Joseph Goldstein, "Triumph of the Heart"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 16th, 2012
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Via God / FB:

God says,

"The extra big time bonus winner of SMITE TUESDAY is any US citizen who wants their state to secede from the USA.

These people are still quite mad that their political team didn't win the election. They are sore losers. Rather than just move on, they are signing worthless Internet petitions.

WELL I SHALL SMITE THEM! Their pitiful Internet petitions will be ignored! Their states shall stay part of the USA!! And they shall suffer the agony of defeat and curse their lives every single day.

SMITE!"

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Dangerous consequences will follow when politicians and rulers forget moral principles. Whether we believe in God or karma, ethics is the foundation of every religion. - His Holiness the Dalai Lama More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet :

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Clearly, buddha-dharma is not practiced for one's own sake, and even less for the sake of fame and profit. Just for the sake of buddha-dharma you should practice it. All buddhas' compassion and sympathy for sentient beings are neither for their own sake nor for the sake of others. It is just the nature of buddha-dharma. - Dogen, "Moon in a Dewdrop" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 12, 2012

Being In Touch

You cannot achieve enlightenment by locking yourself in your room. Transformation is possible only when you are in touch.

- Thich Nhat Hanh, "The Fertile Soil of Sangha"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 14th, 2012
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California, USA: After Electoral Wins, Gay Activists Await the Supreme Court

Written by scott on November 11th, 2012 The historic votes of four states this week in favor of gay marriage — an apparent sea change in U.S. public opinion — have sparked the hopes of many Californians who want to turn the tide in the Golden State. But that doesn’t mean advocates of gay marriage want to see Californians vote on another ballot measure here. Instead, they’re counting on a relatively conservative U.S. Supreme Court to make same-sex unions legal throughout the country.
“We shouldn’t have to go state after state after state — it’ll take forever,” said gay marriage activist Billy Bradford of Castro Valley. He said activists are hoping for a ruling similar to the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended all restrictions on interracial marriage, “so we can move on to other things that face this country.”

read the full article here

What makes a gay soldier different from a straight soldier?

JMG Quote Of The Day - Maureen Dowd

"Romney and Tea Party loonies dismissed half the country as chattel and moochers who did not belong in their 'traditional' America. But the more they insulted the president with birther cracks, the more they tried to force chastity belts on women, and the more they made Hispanics, blacks and gays feel like the help, the more these groups burned to prove that, knitted together, they could give the dead-enders of white male domination the boot. The election about the economy also sounded the death knell for the Republican culture wars. Romney was still running in an illusory country where husbands told wives how to vote, and the wives who worked had better get home in time to cook dinner. But in the real country, many wives were urging husbands not to vote for a Brylcreemed boss out of a ’50s boardroom whose party was helping to revive a 50-year-old debate over contraception. Just like the Bushes before him, Romney tried to portray himself as more American than his Democratic opponent. But America’s gallimaufry wasn’t knuckling under to the gentry this time." - Maureen Dowd, writing for the New York Times.

Labels: 2012 elections, Mitt Romney, Quote Of The Day

Reposted from Joe

Via O Bosque de Berkana / FB:

Poema de Jiddu Krishnamurti

''Eu não tenho nome,
Eu sou como a brisa fresca das montanhas.
Eu não têm abrigo;

Sou como as águas errantes.
Eu não tenho nenhum santuário, como os deuses escuros;
Também não estou à sombra dos templos da profundidade.
Eu não tenho livros sagrados;
Também não sou bem-temperado na tradição.
Eu não estou no incenso
Montagem sobre os altares elevados,
Nem na pompa de cerimônias.
Eu não sou nem na imagem de escultura,
Nem no canto rico de uma voz melodiosa.
Eu não sou limitado por teorias,
Nem corrompido por crenças.
Não estou realizado na escravidão das religiões,
Nem na agonia piedosa de seus sacerdotes.
Eu não estou preso por filosofias,
Nem no realizadar no poder de suas seitas.
Eu não sou nem baixo, nem alto,
Eu sou o adorador eo adorado.
Eu sou livre.
Minha canção é a canção do rio
Apelando para o mar aberto,
Errante, errante,
Eu sou a Vida.
Eu não tenho nome,
Eu sou como a brisa fresca das montanhas.''

Jiddu Krishnamurti

 

 

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 11, 2012

A Life Informed by Death

If we really faced our fear of death, our lives would ultimately be lighter and more joyful. I don't propose death awareness to depress us. It enhances our ability to live more fully.

- Larry Rosenberg, "Only the Practice of Dharma Can Help Us at the Time of Death"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 13th, 2012
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Via humanmedia.org:

Thich Nhat Hanh. In this period of reflection on the fall of Saigon in 1975, Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hahn.

 [more]

Via JMG: Pat Boone Has The Sadz

"For over 200 years, we were the most successful, admired and envied nation in world history. Unashamedly, we declared ourselves to be a Christian nation, granting security and protection to all faiths, creeds and ethnicities. Our laws demanded obedience to the laws of God – because they had proven to be the best ever conceived for creating and maintaining a healthy, productive and fair society. Friend, our people have rejected the very same God and His way, and clamored after a king who has promised to provide, protect and lead them into a Promised Land where 'everybody has everything.' So that same God must take His hand off those who have rejected Him and allow them to reap the consequences." - Pat Boone, writing for World Net Daily.

Labels: crackpots, Pat Boone, religion, World Net Daily

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 10, 2012

The Reverence of Attention

You come to learn, you’re asking to be taught, and what you give is your attention. That can include asking skeptical questions, intellectual questions, any kind of questions. Devotion and reverence don’t necessarily depend on bows and accolades.

- Lama Surya Das, "Old Wine, New Bottles"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 12th, 2012
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Via Gay Politics Report:

• “Breathtaking leap forward” for LGBT equality
  Elections in the U.S. this week delivered unprecedented victories for the nation’s LGBT community, including a clean sweep of marriage-related ballot initiatives, the first openly gay U.S. senator and at least three new out members of the U.S. House of Representatives. "This wasn’t incremental progress. This was a breathtaking leap forward,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, describing Election Day outcomes. Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin agreed, calling 2012 “a milestone year” for LGBT political causes. The Atlantic online (11/8), CNN (11/7), BuzzFeed (11/7), The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/7)

 

• 7 states gain their first LGBT state legislators: Openly LGBT candidates made history in state legislative races across the country this year, winning seats in states where they will be the first or only out lawmakers, including Florida, West Virginia, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. The wins leave just 10 states with no out lawmakers in their legislatures. In New Hampshire, Stacie Laughton became the first openly transgender candidate elected to a state legislature in the U.S. Metro Weekly (Washington, D.C.)/Poliglot (11/8), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.)

• Gay, lesbian lawmakers set to take charge in Colo., Ore.: Openly gay Colorado State Rep. Mark Ferrandino was nominated by his peers to become the next speaker of the state’s House of Representatives after Democrats took control of the chamber in Tuesday’s elections. Meanwhile, the Democratic takeover of the Oregon House means Rep. Tina Kotek is expected to become the first openly lesbian speaker of a state house in U.S. history. The California and Rhode Island legislatures are currently served by openly gay house speakers. The Denver Post (11/9), The Oregonian (Portland)

Via Sick of the Slant - A Fair Look at the News of the Day / FB:

Via Via OccupyMarines / FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 9, 2012

The Meaning of Dharma

First, one must get to know oneself. Then, having become familiar with oneself, one can live one’s life more deeply. Living one’s life more deeply is the meaning of dharma.

- Ogyen Trinley Dorje, "Intelligence & Investigation"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 12th, 2012
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JMG Photo Of The Day

 

Matt Stopera reports at Buzzfeed: "Keesha Patterson of Ft. Washington, Maryland, proposed to her girlfriend, Rowan Ha, during the election night victory rally at President Barack Obama's headquarters in Chicago. Maryland voted in favor of gay marriage last night." The best part is the onlookers.  (Via Zack Ford @Think Progress)

Labels: 2012 elections, Chicago, LGBT rights, Maryland

Reposted from Joe

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet / FB:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	If the perfection of generosity Were the alleviation of the world's poverty, Then since beings are still starving now In what manner did the previous Buddhas perfect it? The perfection of generosity is said to be The thought to give all beings everything, Together with the fruit of such a thought. Hence it is simply a state of mind. - Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via JMG: HomoQuotable - Dan Savage

"Before I say anything else—before I say what I dragged myself out of bed to say—let me say this: we did this. LGBT people came out, fought back, and changed the world. There's a fuck of a lot left to do—repealing DOMA, passing ENDA, completing the repeal of DADT (trans people are still barred from serving in the military), fighting for the rights of queers around the world—but LGBT people have come so far since Stonewall due to our own efforts and sacrifice. It has gotten better for us because we fought to make it better. We demanded better.

"Now here's what I want to say: I know so many straight people in Seattle who worked unbelievably hard to approve R-74. They gave money, they volunteered their time, they reached out to friends and relatives and coworkers, all in an effort to make it possible for same-sex couples to marry. Gays and lesbians are a tiny percentage of the population. We couldn't do this on our own. A majority of the legislators who voted for same-sex marriage? Straight. The governor who signed the law making same-sex marriage legal in Washington state? Straight. The majority of the folks manning the phone banks for R-74? Straight. The overwhelming majority of people who voted to approve R-74? Straight. The president who took a huge political risk and came out for marriage equality before his reelection campaign? Straight. It has gotten better for us—better, not perfect—but it hasn't gotten better for us in a vacuum. It's gotten better for us because straight people have gotten better about us." - Dan Savage, writing for Slog.

Labels: American history, Dan Savage, HomoQuotable, LGBT History, LGBT rights, marriage equality, straight allies, Washington state

Reposted from Joe

OM BHAGAVAN SHRI

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 8, 2012

Radiant Equanimity

Equanimity, one of the most sublime emotions of Buddhist practice, is the ground for wisdom and freedom and the protector of compassion and love. While some may think of equanimity as dry neutrality or cool aloofness, mature equanimity produces a radiance and warmth of being.

- Gil Fronsdal, "A Perfect Balance"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 11th, 2012
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Obama's Complete Victory Speech: Obama Wins the 2012 Election

Via JMG: The Castro Celebrates

 

Photo by Steve Heist.

Labels: 2012 elections, celebration, The Castro

Reposted from Joe

JMG Quote Of The Day - Chris Kluwe

 

"I would like to thank every single person that helped defeat the same-sex marriage ban in Minnesota, as well as every person who contributed to passing marriage-equality legislation in Maryland and Maine and (likely) Washington. Together, we made a statement that America is tired of division. America is tired of discrimination, of exclusion, and of unthinking oppression—the belief that people have to live their lives according to someone else's views rather than their own free will.

"Together, we made sure that the world our children will grow up in is one step closer to tolerance, love, and equality; a world where our children can make their own choices instead of being shackled to dusty hate from the past. Together, we showed this nation that a polity functions best when it includes all of its citizens, when it celebrates their differences as part of one glorious whole, when it synthesizes a wide assortment of cultures and beliefs under the guiding principles of freedom and happiness for everyone.

"Together, we can approach the work still at hand. We can face the continuous fight for equality that every society must wage each generation. We may not know the specifics until they’re upon us, but the underlying foundation is always the same—living your own life vs. someone else making your choices for you.

"Together, we can promote free will over oppression. We can treat others the way we want to be treated, with dignity and respect. We can work together to find common ground, despite our differences, and build a stable, nurturing society. There is work yet to be done, but we passed an important milestone today. Ten, 15, 20 years from now, when our children ask us, 'What did you do when it came time to fight for someone else?,' we can tell them about Minnesota and Maryland and Maine, states where people finally said: Enough.

"Enough with the hate. Enough with the bigotry. Enough with the discrimination. We are all Americans, and we are all in this together. Without each other, we have nothing." - Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, writing for Slate.

Labels: American history, football, heroes, LGBT History, LGBT rights, marriage equality, Minnesota, sports, straight allies

Reposted from Joe

Via Buddhism on Beliefnet / FB:

Today in buddhism

	15 Quotes that Motivate and Inspire Get motivated and inspired by these quotes! Click to view >>

Via O Bosque de Berkana / FB:

 

O Bosque de Berkana

Não acredite em algo simplesmente porque ouviu. Não acredite em algo simplesmente porque todos falam a respeito. Não acredite em algo simplesmente porque esta escrito em seus livros religiosos. Não acredite em algo só porque seus professores e mestres dizem que é verdade. Não acredite em tradições só porque foram passadas de geração em geração. Mas depois de muita análise e observação, se você vê que algo concorda com a razão, e que conduz ao bem e beneficio de todos, aceite-o e viva-o."

Siddhartha Gautam Buddha

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 7, 2012

Simply Listening

'Simply listening' seems to be better for whomever I’m talking with. They feel fully heard without being judged. Better connections tend to flow naturally. The irony is, when we don’t need things to be better than they are, they tend to end up that way.

- Marshall Glickman, "Talk Like a Buddha"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 9th, 2012
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Via The Rachel Maddow Show:

The Rachel Maddow Show

Yes, he did. Yes, he did. Yes, he did. Yesterday's election served as a referendum on the liberal experiment. Now Obama's agenda has a new opportunity to make a meaningful, positive difference in the lives of America's middle class. And establishes a precedent for history -- presidents can pursue big, bold, consequential priorities, and be rewarded for it.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2012/11/07/14992802-yes-he-did?lite

Via JMG: Barack Obama REELECTED

 

All the networks including Fox News have called it. Congratulations to everybody here, this arguably means more to us that to anybody else.

Labels: 2012 elections, American history, Barack Obama

Reposted from Joe

Via LGBT News / FB:

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 6, 2012

Election Day

Voting is a manifestation of the law of interdependence: Each of our actions, no matter how small, affects the whole cosmos. Our votes count.

- Susan Moon, "Ten Practices to Change the World"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 9th, 2012
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Via ABC / FB:

Earth amazing sights (HD) - Music: Loreena McKennitt

OM (aum)

Om Mani Padme Hum

Mantra of Avalokiteshvara, Om Mani Padme Hum, Prajna-paramita Hrdaya

Eternal Om (full)

Immigration & Gay Marriage

Via JMG: Cuomo Slams Rabbi Who Claims Sandy Was God's Revenge For Gay Marriage

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has denounced Rabbi Noson Leiter, who made news earlier this week with his claim that Hurricane Sandy was God's retribution upon the state for legalizing same-sex marriage.

“The comments made by Rabbi Noson Leiter that sought to link the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy to our state’s embrace of marriage equality are as offensive as they are ignorant,” Mr. Cuomo said. “This catastrophic storm claimed the lives of more than forty New Yorkers. This kind of hateful rhetoric has no place in our public discourse, and is particularly distasteful in times of tragedy.” Governor Cuomo went on to demand an apology from the rabbi. “Our state is proud to offer equal rights to all our citizens, and we will never tolerate the use of a tragedy like Hurricane Sandy to promote a divisive and bigoted agenda,” he said. “I call on Rabbi Leiter to apologize immediately for his hurtful comments.”

Leiter is supporting GOP state Senate candidate Neil DeCarlo, who is working (with NOM's help) to unseat Sen. Stephen Saland, one of the four Republicans who voted in favor of New York's marriage bill. GOP former Gov. George Pataki has also denounced Rabbi Leiter and has demanded that DeCarlo distance himself.

Pataki called on fellow Republican Neil DiCarlo — who is running on the Conservative Party line for a state Senate seat from the Hudson Valley — to denounce the remarks of Rabbi Noson Leiter. DiCarlo opposes gay marriage, and the orthodox rabbi made the statements in support of his third-party candidacy. “It’s simply incomprehensible that anyone could attribute the devastation and loss of life caused by Hurricane Sandy to divine retribution against the New York State legislature,” Pataki railed. “It’s like blaming America’s belief in freedom for the attacks of Sept. 11,” Pataki added. Pataki argued that because Leiter’s remarks were made in support of DiCarlo, the candidate “has a responsibility to repudiate them.” Reached by phone, DiCarlo refused to take that step when asked repeatedly. He instead questioned Pataki’s motives. “Ask Mr. Pataki why he endorsed my opponent, and why he is bringing this up two days before the election — and then I’ll answer your question,” DiCarlo said before hanging up.

Labels: 2012 elections, Andrew Cuomo, crackpots, crazy people, natural disasters, New York state, NY Senate, religion

Reposted from Joe

Via I bet this turkey can get more fans than NOM / FB:

Via JMG: Final Nate Silver Forecast

This time I used Silver's "now-cast." This is as "now" as it gets.

Labels: 2012 elections, electoral college, Nate Silver

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Final Pew Presidential Poll

Details.

Labels: 2012 elections, Pew Project, polls

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 5, 2012

Politics on the Path

One way to read the injunction for Right Conduct, an essential part of the Eightfold Path, is to see it as calling us—as citizens—to translate the dharma into specific acts of social responsibility. In a democratic republic, that surely means voting for those initiatives that we believe will reduce suffering and violence, ignorance and hatred—and the very divisions fueled by politics itself.

- Charles Johnson, "Accepting the Invitation"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 7th, 2012
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Don't Let Mitt Turn Back Time On Women

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 2, 2012

Nothing Happens Without a Cause

Nothing happens without a cause. Things are the way they are not because of chance or the will of a deity but because people have acted in particular ways and generated particular consequences. The world we inhabit is the product of our actions, which are themselves reflections of our minds.

- Andrew Olendzki, "Medicine for the World"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 4th, 2012
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Via Buddhism on Beliefnet:

	Daily Buddhist Wisdom
	Buddhas teachings are so simple and straightforward. If you find them complicated, it is only because you have made them so. You may think, I have a Ph.D. and have amassed all this knowledge, yet I still cant figure out how to begin practicing Dharma. The remedy is to take a good look at your own mind. - Lama Thubten Yeshe, in "Wisdom Energy" More Buddhism Quotes >>

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma November 1, 2012

Learning from Relationships

You do not learn non-attachment by disengaging and avoiding the intensity of relationships, their joy and their pain. It is easy to disguise as non-attachment what is not non-attachment at all, but your fear of attachment. When you really care about someone and you are willing to commit to that friendship, then you have fertile ground to learn about both attachment and non-attachment.

- Judy Lief, "Tying the Knot"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through November 3rd, 2012
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JMG HomoQuotable - Jeff Whitty

"I spent most of the day with no idea what was happening anywhere beyond a few blocks of my East Village apartment. I had no cellular service or old-fashioned battery-powered radio available. Only late in the day did I find scant wireless Internet access outside a hospital where people were crammed shoulder-to-shoulder. The wireless finally shut down, too, and my phone battery was running low. Rumors abounded on the street -- power would be on in a few hours, in three days, in a week. No clue on water, hot or cold. I peeked into underground parking garages in my complex: the cars appeared to be floating. Alongside many others I scoured shadowy delis with my flashlight, looking for water and food that could keep for unknown amounts of days. All of the battery-powered AM/FM radios had been bought up.

"I had no idea if the power outage was widespread to millions or just in the East Village. Nobody seemed to have a clear idea what was happening anywhere else. But throughout the day I felt a connection that reminded me of 9/11 and the summer night in 2003 when New York City went dark for 24 hours. New Yorkers are awesome. Nobody was an asshole. Nobody was sketchy. People helped each other and shared the misery together. I talked and joked with people in my building I'd only passed before with maybe a 'hello.' In the attached article you'll see a photo of a deli with its awning yanked down by the winds. I passed by it this morning and saw a lot of merchandise available within easy reach through a broken window. I passed by that deli again hours later and nobody had taken anything. New Yorkers." - Avenue Q playwright and Tony winner Jeff Whitty, writing on his Facebook page.

RELATED: Whitty's latest show, Bring It On: The Musical, is now playing at the St. James Theater.

Labels: Broadway, HomoQuotable, Jeff Whitty, NYC

 

Reposted from Joe