A personal blog by a graying (mostly Anglo with light African-American roots) gay left leaning liberal progressive married college-educated Buddhist Baha'i BBC/NPR-listening Professor Emeritus now following the Dharma in Minas Gerais, Brasil.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Via JMG: MAP: Our Historic Year For Marriage
Embiggen the above map from Freedom To Marry and marvel at this year's
progress. As seen in the graphic below, even more action is coming early
in 2015.
Reposted from Joe Jervis
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 23/12/2014
"O princípio único da vida se expressa de diferentes maneiras através
de cada um. Ele nos dá a chance de experimentar a matéria, e ela nos
permite conhecer essa tão complexa e misteriosa criação que é o ego
humano. E através dessa experiência, dessa grande aventura, amadurecemos
e aprendemos a ir além da consciência humana, para alcançarmos a
consciência crística.”
“El principio único de la vida se expresa de diferentes maneras a través de cada uno. Él nos da la chance de experimentar la materia, y ella nos permite conocer esa tan compleja y misteriosa creación que es el ego humano. Y a través de esa experiencia, de esa gran aventura, maduramos y aprendemos a ir más allá de la consciencia humana, para alcanzar la consciencia crística.”
“The one and only principle of life is expressed in a number of ways
through each one of us. It gives us the chance to experience matter and
it allows us to get to know the complex and mysterious creation of the
human ego. By experiencing this great adventure, we mature until we are
able to go beyond the human awareness to reach the Christ
consciousness.”
- Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
What Poetry Needs | December 23, 2014
Poetry needs the breath. It needs the voice. It needs the body. It needs the mind.
- Anne Waldman, "Radical Presence"
- Anne Waldman, "Radical Presence"
Monday, December 22, 2014
Via Daily Dharma
The Second Arrow | December 22, 2014
Our minds are habituated to relate to suffering by resisting it
through blame, bitterness, anger, resentment. That resistance is what
the Buddha called 'the second arrow,' which follows the first arrow, the
direct experience of pain. So much additional suffering comes from
believing that 'things shouldn’t be this way'—when in fact they are that
way.
- Ronna Kabatznick, "Sea of Sorrow"
- Ronna Kabatznick, "Sea of Sorrow"
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 21/12/2014
“Se déssemos mais atenção para a educação das nossas criança e
adolescentes, o tão extenso, profundo e desafiador processo de cura do
eu inferior seria minimizado. Dar atenção significa perceber e
compreender o que aquela alma precisa para expandir. Essa compreensão é
possível quando você pode ir além de si mesmo, ou seja, ir além do papel
de mãe, pai, ou educador, e simplesmente se colocar a disposição para
sentir, ouvir e captar o que aquela alma está querendo dizer, por que
ela está constantemente te dando sinais. Mas, estando identificado com
esses papeis e com a sua ferida infantil, você se irrita e age a partir
da sua própria dor. Então, a tendência é repetir a cena do passado.”
Si diéramos más atención a la educación de nuestros niños y adolescentes, el tan extenso, profundo y desafiante proceso de cura del yo inferior sería minimizado. Dar atención significa percibir y comprender lo que aquella alma necesita para expandirse. Esa comprensión es posible cuando puedes ir más allá de ti mismo, o sea, ir más allá del papel de madre, padre o educador, y simplemente colocarte a disposición para sentir, oír y captar lo que aquella alma está queriendo decir, porque ella está constantemente dándote señales. Pero estando identificado con esos papeles y con tu herida infantil, te irritas y actúas a partir de tu propio dolor. Entonces la tendencia es repetir la escena del pasado.”
“If we paid more attention to how we raise our children and teenagers, the extensive, deep and challenging healing process of the lower self would be minimized. Paying attention means noticing and understanding what that soul needs in order to grow. This understanding is possible when you are able to see beyond your self, going beyond your role as mother, father or educator. Be available to feel, hear and recognize what that soul is trying to express, as it is constantly giving you signs. As long as we are still identified with these roles and with our own wounded child, we get irritated and act out of our own pain. Then we continue to endlessly repeat scenes from the past.”
Si diéramos más atención a la educación de nuestros niños y adolescentes, el tan extenso, profundo y desafiante proceso de cura del yo inferior sería minimizado. Dar atención significa percibir y comprender lo que aquella alma necesita para expandirse. Esa comprensión es posible cuando puedes ir más allá de ti mismo, o sea, ir más allá del papel de madre, padre o educador, y simplemente colocarte a disposición para sentir, oír y captar lo que aquella alma está queriendo decir, porque ella está constantemente dándote señales. Pero estando identificado con esos papeles y con tu herida infantil, te irritas y actúas a partir de tu propio dolor. Entonces la tendencia es repetir la escena del pasado.”
“If we paid more attention to how we raise our children and teenagers, the extensive, deep and challenging healing process of the lower self would be minimized. Paying attention means noticing and understanding what that soul needs in order to grow. This understanding is possible when you are able to see beyond your self, going beyond your role as mother, father or educator. Be available to feel, hear and recognize what that soul is trying to express, as it is constantly giving you signs. As long as we are still identified with these roles and with our own wounded child, we get irritated and act out of our own pain. Then we continue to endlessly repeat scenes from the past.”
-Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
Gift-giving | December 21, 2014
Gift-giving is a basic lesson in detachment as well as an exercise in
metta—lovingkindness. Irrespective of the gift, the act of giving
expresses good will.
- Joan Duncan Oliver, "Gifts That Keep Giving" |
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 20/12/2014
“Como curar a relação com seus pais? Olhando de frente e com
honestidade para eles. Tendo coragem de admitir aquilo que você ainda
não conseguiu superar e perdoar; e expressando seus sentimentos até que
possa curar as feridas emocionais, e finalmente renunciar a vítima e
seus pactos de vingança. Só você pode fazer isso; só você tem esse poder.”
“¿Cómo curar la relación con tus padres? Mirando de frente y con honestidad hacia ellos. Teniendo coraje de admitir aquello que aún no lograste superar y perdonar, y expresando tus sentimientos hasta que puedas curar las heridas emocionales y finalmente renunciar a la víctima y sus pactos de venganza. Solo tú puedes hacer esto, solo tú tienes ese poder.”
“How can you heal your relationship with your parents? Start by looking directly and honestly at them. Have the courage to admit whatever you have still not overcome and forgiven, and continue expressing your feelings until your emotional wounds are healed. Finally, renounce the victim entirely, along with any pacts of revenge. You alone can do this. You alone have this power.”
“¿Cómo curar la relación con tus padres? Mirando de frente y con honestidad hacia ellos. Teniendo coraje de admitir aquello que aún no lograste superar y perdonar, y expresando tus sentimientos hasta que puedas curar las heridas emocionales y finalmente renunciar a la víctima y sus pactos de venganza. Solo tú puedes hacer esto, solo tú tienes ese poder.”
“How can you heal your relationship with your parents? Start by looking directly and honestly at them. Have the courage to admit whatever you have still not overcome and forgiven, and continue expressing your feelings until your emotional wounds are healed. Finally, renounce the victim entirely, along with any pacts of revenge. You alone can do this. You alone have this power.”
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
Motivation is Vital | December 20, 2014
If we don’t have motivation, of course we’re going to sit there
feeling bored, irritated, and in pain. With motivation, we can dedicate
our lives: 'I am here, fully present, and I vow to wake up fully so that
all beings may be released from suffering.' It’s that simple.
- Roko Sherry Chayat, "Nirvana: Three Takes" |
Friday, December 19, 2014
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 19/12/2014
“É preciso haver transparência na relação com as crianças, pois
através da transparência, do respeito e do exemplo poderemos ensiná-las
sobre os valores da honestidade e da autorresponsabilidade. Você precisa
ter coragem de admitir suas falhas e imperfeições quando elas surgem,
procurando evitar que a criança se sinta errada, ou inferior,
mas sem alimentar a ideia de que ela é uma vítima, pois isso aciona a
ingratidão e os pactos de vingança. Ensinar autorresponsabilidade sem
cair no jogo de acusações, ou seja, sem fazer a criança sentir-se
culpada, é uma grande arte que pais e educadores precisam aprender.”
“Es necesario que haya transparencia en la relación con los niños, porque a través de la transparencia, del respeto y del ejemplo podremos enseñarles sobre los valores de la honestidad y de la autorresponsabilidad. Necesitas tener coraje para admitir tus fallas e imperfecciones cuando éstas surgen, buscando evitar que el niño se sienta equivocado o inferior, pero sin alimentar la idea de que es una víctima, porque eso acciona la ingratitud y los pactos de venganza. Enseñar autorresponsabilidad sin caer en el juego de acusaciones es decir, sin hacer al niño sentirse culpable, es un gran arte que padres y educadores necesitan aprender.”
“Transparency is necessary when relating to children. By being transparent and respectful, and by truly walking our talk, we can teach them about honesty and about taking responsibility for oneself. Some courage is needed to admit our own faults and imperfections as they emerge. Children should not be made to feel wrong or inferior, and any ideas of victimhood should be avoided, as this activates ungratefulness, along with various pacts of revenge. Teaching about taking responsibility for one’s own actions, without falling into blaming games or guilt, is an art that parents and educators need to learn.”
“Es necesario que haya transparencia en la relación con los niños, porque a través de la transparencia, del respeto y del ejemplo podremos enseñarles sobre los valores de la honestidad y de la autorresponsabilidad. Necesitas tener coraje para admitir tus fallas e imperfecciones cuando éstas surgen, buscando evitar que el niño se sienta equivocado o inferior, pero sin alimentar la idea de que es una víctima, porque eso acciona la ingratitud y los pactos de venganza. Enseñar autorresponsabilidad sin caer en el juego de acusaciones es decir, sin hacer al niño sentirse culpable, es un gran arte que padres y educadores necesitan aprender.”
“Transparency is necessary when relating to children. By being transparent and respectful, and by truly walking our talk, we can teach them about honesty and about taking responsibility for oneself. Some courage is needed to admit our own faults and imperfections as they emerge. Children should not be made to feel wrong or inferior, and any ideas of victimhood should be avoided, as this activates ungratefulness, along with various pacts of revenge. Teaching about taking responsibility for one’s own actions, without falling into blaming games or guilt, is an art that parents and educators need to learn.”
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
Challenges Unite Us | December 19, 2014
The world is facing unprecedented challenges—environmental, economic,
social, and moral—and to successfully rise to meet these challenges we
must draw on the wisdom of the East and the West, of the ancient and the
modern. The same challenges that imperil our very existence may help us
unite in ways never before witnessed in human history.
- B. Alan Wallace, "Six Questions for B. Alan Wallace" |
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Via JMG: TURKEY: US Diplomat Charles Hunter To Marry Local Musician Boyfriend
Charles Hunter, US Consul General to Turkey, has confirmed to the local press that he will marry his Turkish boyfriend with the ceremony to take place in Wisconsin.
Hunter was at an event at the Dutch consulate the previous day where he sang at an a capella choir. He responded to reporters' questions afterward. Naturally, almost all questions were about his affair with Turkish artist Ramadan Çaysever, and Hunter spoke about the affair for the first time. He said he "confirmed" all the reports in the press about his affair and planned marriage, but avoided elaborating on the matter. Çaysever, who frequently accompanies the Consul General at events, was absent at Tuesday night's event. Meanwhile, rumors made the rounds in the media about the top diplomat's affair. Some media outlets claimed Çaysever converted to Christianity for his partner. Milliyet, a Turkish daily, claimed Hunter asked for assignment of a bodyguard for Çaysever who has moved in with him, but has not been assigned one yet.Hunter reportedly met Çaysever at one of his concerts. His music sounds quite like 80s Italo.
Reposted from Joe Jervis
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
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
Via Buzzfeed:
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
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
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today announced that in the next session he will introduce a sweeping federal LGBT rights bill that will cover employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations. Justin Snow reports at MetroWeekly:
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
"Look at Marcus Bachmann, Michele Bachmann’s husband. Anybody who has gaydar—anybody who has eyes—looks at him and sees a tormented closet case who has externalized his internal conflict and is abusing other people, doing his reparative-therapy bullshit. It’s so sad and pathetic. A lot of the self-destructive behaviors gay people are prone to drifting into are directed inward, and then you have these shitbags like Marcus Bachmann for whom it’s all directed outward. Marcus Bachmann is the photo negative of the guy on the last bar stool in the gay bar, drinking and smoking himself to death, except instead of destroying himself, he’s destroying other vulnerable queer people in an effort to destroy the queer inside himself." - Dan Savage, speaking to Playboy. Hit the link and read the full piece - I could have pulled at least a dozen other quotes for this post.
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
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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