Monday, January 26, 2015
Via Daily Dharma
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Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 26/01/2015
“A orientação espiritual de um mestre é a voz do seu coração, é a sua
própria intuição falando. E como nem sempre você pode ouvir a sua
intuição (que é o seu coração), você sai em busca de uma resposta,
através de uma visão, de um sinal, ou de uma orientação que te guie na
jornada.”
“Spiritual guidance from a master teacher is the voice of our hearts
and our own intuition speaking to us. Since we aren’t always able to
listen to our intuition, we seek answers through a vision, a sign, or
some guidance that orients us on our journey.”
- Sri Prem Baba
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 25/01/2015
“O que sustenta a negatividade é a inconsciência sobre o seu desejo
pelo negativo. E preciso reconhecer que, na verdade, você é quem escolhe
ser canal da maldade. Você escolhe segregar veneno para se proteger.
Talvez a percepção dessa escolha ainda não esteja clara, mas a escolha
existe. Enquanto não toma consciência da sua intenção de ferir o outro,
você segue acreditando não ter forças para fazer diferente. Em parte
isso é verdadeiro porque se você não se responsabiliza pela sua atuação
negativa no mundo, ela age à revelia da sua vontade consciente.”
Acesse o Satsang completo: bit.ly/25012015
“Lo que sustenta la negatividad es la inconciencia sobre tu deseo por lo negativo. Es necesario reconocer que, en verdad, tú eres quien elije ser canal de la maldad. Elijes segregar veneno para protegerte. Tal vez la percepción de esa elección aún no esté clara, pero la elección existe. Mientras no tomas conciencia de tu intención de herir al otro, sigues creyendo en no tener fuerzas para cambiar. En parte esto es verdad porque si no te responsabilizas por tus actos negativos en el mundo, ellos actúan en contra de tu voluntad consciente.”
“What sustains negativity is our unconscious desire for the negative. It’s necessary to recognize that, in truth, we are the ones who choose to be a channel for evil. We choose to spit poison to protect ourselves. Perhaps we still do not clearly perceive this choice, but the choice does in fact exist. Until we become aware that our intention is to hurt the other, we go on believing that we don’t have the power to do things differently. In part this is true because if we do not take responsibility for our negative actions in the world, life acts in defiance of our conscious will.”
- Sri Prem Baba
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 24/01/2015
“A poluição, o aquecimento global, a falta de água ou o excesso dela...Todas essas questões ambientais são reações, são respostas da natureza para a ignorância e o descaso com que temos tratado ela. A natureza está tentando nos ensinar alguma coisa. Mas, o que ela está tentando nos ensinar? Como o externo é somente um reflexo do interno, a resposta certamente está dentro de nós. Por isso, as ações a serem realizadas lá fora têm que nascer de dentro; elas precisam nascer da consciência amorosa.”
“La polución, el calentamiento global, la falta de agua o su exceso...
Todas estas cuestiones ambientales son reacciones, son respuestas de la
naturaleza a la ignorancia y la negligencia con la que la hemos tratado.
La naturaleza está intentando enseñarnos algo. Pero, ¿qué es lo que
está tratando de enseñarnos? Como lo externo es solamente un reflejo de
lo interno, la respuesta ciertamente está dentro nuestro. Por eso, las
acciones a ser realizadas allá afuera tienen que nacer de adentro;
necesitan nacer de la conciencia amorosa.”
“Environmental issues such as pollution, global warming, and both the lack and excess of water are all nature’s responses to the ignorance and neglect with which we have treated Her. Nature is trying to teach us something. But what is she trying to teach us? Since the external is merely a reflection of the internal, the answer certainly lies within us. For this reason, the actions to be carried out externally must be born from within us through loving consciousness.”
“Environmental issues such as pollution, global warming, and both the lack and excess of water are all nature’s responses to the ignorance and neglect with which we have treated Her. Nature is trying to teach us something. But what is she trying to teach us? Since the external is merely a reflection of the internal, the answer certainly lies within us. For this reason, the actions to be carried out externally must be born from within us through loving consciousness.”
Via Daily Dharma
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Friday, January 23, 2015
Via Daily Dharma
A Living Principle | January 23, 2015
There is no way that the dharma can survive as a living principle unless
it can be offered and received as a gift, in an atmosphere where mutual
compassion and concern are the medium of exchange, and purity of heart
is the bottom line.
- Thanissaro Bhikkhu, "The Economy of Gifts"
- Thanissaro Bhikkhu, "The Economy of Gifts"
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Via Rumi / FB:
This is how I would die
into the love I have for you:
As pieces of cloud
dissolve in sunlight. ~ Rumi
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 22/01/2015
“É verdade que a jornada espiritual é individual. É verdade que o
masculino e o feminino se encontram dentro de você, e que o encontro
entre o rio e o oceano é interno, porém, o mais poderoso instrumento de
realização dessa união interior é o que chamamos de relacionamentos.
Portanto, o maior desafio para o ser humano nesse atual estágio da
jornada evolutiva é aprender a se relacionar de forma pacífica e
amorosa. Essa deve ser sua principal prática espiritual.”
“Es verdad que el camino espiritual es individual. Es verdad que lo
masculino y lo femenino se encuentran dentro de ti, y que el encuentro
entre el río y el océano es interno, sin embargo, el instrumento más
poderoso para realizar esta unión interior es lo que llamamos
relaciones. Por lo tanto, el mayor desafío para el ser humano en esta
etapa actual del camino evolutivo es aprender a relacionarse en forma
pacífica y amorosa. Esta debe ser tu principal práctica espiritual.”
“It is true that the spiritual journey is an individual process. It’s true that the masculine and feminine unite within you, and that the merging of the river and ocean happens internally. However, the most powerful instrument for realizing this internal union is relationships. The greatest challenge for the human being at this current stage of evolution is to learn how to relate in a peaceful and loving way. This should be your main spiritual practice.”
“It is true that the spiritual journey is an individual process. It’s true that the masculine and feminine unite within you, and that the merging of the river and ocean happens internally. However, the most powerful instrument for realizing this internal union is relationships. The greatest challenge for the human being at this current stage of evolution is to learn how to relate in a peaceful and loving way. This should be your main spiritual practice.”
Via Daily Dharma
Giving Up Transcendent Teachings | January 22, 2015
Is Buddhism harmed by giving up claims that its teachings transcend
human time and space? I think not. In fact, I would claim that such a
view is more in accord with foundational buddhadharma than its
alternative.
- Rita Gross, "The Truth About Truth"
- Rita Gross, "The Truth About Truth"
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Via JMG: IRELAND: Government Releases Wording Of Referendum On Same-Sex Marriage
Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins said his party was happy to support the referendum and welcomed the wording, saying it was clear and concise. The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Marriage Equality have said the publication was "historic". GLEN Chair Kieran Rose said: "Today we move a step closer to full inclusion in our Constitution for lesbian and gay couples." ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly added: "The proposed amendment would update the Constitution to say that any two people can marry, regardless of their sex." Marriage Equality Chair Grainne Healy said: "We look forward to a positive campaign for the referendum, which focuses on the value of marriage to everyone in Irish society and explains why marriage matters to lesbian and gay couples."While polls indicate strong support for the referendum's passage, activists are urging caution. Via the Irish Times:
Campaigners on both sides cite the 2012 children’s referendum as proof that polls can be a poor guide. In that case, the polls at one stage showed 80 per cent in favour but, despite a poorly funded No campaign whose most prominent faces were a former MEP (Kathy Sinnott) and a newspaper columnist (John Waters), the Yes vote on polling day was only 58 per cent. I think this will be a very tight referendum,” says Brian Sheehan of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen). “I think Irish people rightly take constitutional change very seriously. We know that from every other referendum. Despite the strong support in the polls, we know we’ll need every single possible vote on the day in order to win the referendum.” On this, both sides agree. “I’ll put it this way,” says the columnist David Quinn, who heads the Iona Institute, a Catholic advocacy group that opposes same- sex marriage. “It’s beatable with a really good campaign but on the other hand it could also pass by 20 or 30 points.”RELATED: Last week Northern Ireland saw its first same-sex marriage lawsuit.
Via JMG: CHILE: Civil Unions Near Final Hurdle
Last night Chile's Chamber of Deputies overwhelmingly approved a civil unions bill with a vote of 86-23. Two weeks ago the Chilean Senate approved the bill with a 28-6 vote after which anti-gay protesters had to be forcibly ejected from the gallery. The bill must now return to the Senate for another vote as the Deputies last night approved an amendment regarding parental rights. The bill also appears to legalize the recognition of foreign same-sex marriages, unless Google Translate is deceiving me. Readers?
UPDATE: JMG reader Douglas clarifies: "The bill does appear to recognize foreign marriages, but it is not clear at what level
they will be recognized; it sounds like such marriages will only be
given the same status as Civil Unions in Chile (with whatever
restrictions might apply)."
Via JMG: NOM Busted Again For Fake Photo
JMG reader Gary points out the above photoshop fakery seen yesterday on NOM's Facebook page. You may recall that NOM has been busted for faking massive crowds in the past, perhaps most notably when they used an image from an Obama rally
in St. Louis in a post which implied that tens of thousands attended an
anti-gay rally in New Hampshire. As we all know, NOM's hate marches on
the Supreme Court have been hilarious failures.
Reposted from Joe Jervis
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 21/01/2015
Acesse o Satsang completo: bit.ly/1Cf8hRR
“El camino hacia la morada sagrada puede ser descripto como un tránsito
de lo falso hacia lo real, de la falsa idea de quienes somos hacia
aquello que somos realmente. Sin embargo, este tránsito no es fácil, ya
que es necesario renunciar a esta falsa identidad, lo que, para el ego,
es lo mismo que morir.”
“The journey back to the sacred dwelling place can be described as a transition from the false to the real. We move from the false idea of who we are to that which we truly are. This transition is not easy, but it is necessary to let go of this false identity, which, for the ego, is death itself.”
“The journey back to the sacred dwelling place can be described as a transition from the false to the real. We move from the false idea of who we are to that which we truly are. This transition is not easy, but it is necessary to let go of this false identity, which, for the ego, is death itself.”
The Economy of Salvation | January 21, 2015
Vital to Buddhist doctrine is the conviction that all people, regardless
of social position, are capable of becoming enlightened, of becoming
buddhas. Poverty and the stress it entails, however, can be real
barriers to spiritual development. The Buddha recognized that becoming
free of worries about our material welfare enables us to develop our
potentials.
- Alex Caring-Lobel, "The Economy of Salvation"
- Alex Caring-Lobel, "The Economy of Salvation"
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Via JMG: TONIGHT: Married Florida Couple To Attend State Of The Union Address
Via Equality Florida:
RELATED: The Delmays were represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Equality Florida Foundation in their winning lawsuit against Miami-Dade County. NCLR head Kate Kendell: "The true heroes in the march to win the freedom to marry have been the couples, who sacrificed their privacy and risked ridicule in standing up to demand that we live up to our ideals of equality and justice for all. It is fitting that our clients—and truly all same-sex couples—will be acknowledged and honored with this invitation of a lifetime. We all share in this thrilling moment. Once again, history is made."
Reposted from Joe Jervis
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) has invited newlyweds Todd and Jeff Delmay to accompany her to Washington, D.C. for President Obama’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 20. Residents of Hollywood, Florida, Todd and Jeff were the second couple in Florida to marry on January 5th when Judge Sarah Zabel lifted her stay on same-sex marriage; the first in Broward County to be married. They were plaintiffs, along with Equality Florida Institute and five other same-sex couples, in Pareto v. Ruvin, which successfully challenged Florida’s ban on marriage equality.It will be a teasplosion. Whee!
RELATED: The Delmays were represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Equality Florida Foundation in their winning lawsuit against Miami-Dade County. NCLR head Kate Kendell: "The true heroes in the march to win the freedom to marry have been the couples, who sacrificed their privacy and risked ridicule in standing up to demand that we live up to our ideals of equality and justice for all. It is fitting that our clients—and truly all same-sex couples—will be acknowledged and honored with this invitation of a lifetime. We all share in this thrilling moment. Once again, history is made."
Via JMG: Bret Baier: Why I Pulled Out Of Legatus
"I pulled out of the speech at Fox’s request - because of the
controversy surrounding some of these articles and editorials that have
been published in the Legatus magazine. I am a lifelong mass attending
Catholic - I’m a lector at my parish. I consider myself to be in line
with my Church on most things. This isn’t about me.. but, describing
homosexuality as a ‘disorder’ and talking about ways to ‘cure’ people
from it – does not seem to line up with the loving, accepting Church
that I know. Nor does it match up with how Pope Francis has talked about
the issue recently. I couldn’t speak because of that - I don’t wish the
group any harm, but after Gary Sinise pulled out.. as a newsman, Fox
agreed that I could not be surrounded by that controversy… as much as I
would have loved to have talked about my book, my faith, and my son’s
battle with congenital heart disease. That is the truth." - Fox News
anchor Bret Baier, from an email published today by Porno Pete, who is ever so pissed at Fox. (Via Good As You)
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 20/01/2015
“A principal distração dessa jornada é a ideia da vítima, ou seja, a
ilusão de que existe algum culpado pelo seu sofrimento que não seja você
mesmo. Independentemente das falhas reais do outro, o melhor que você
pode fazer é olhar para os seus próprios defeitos; é identificar a sua
responsabilidade no conflito. Caso contrário, você fica preso num
infinito jogo de acusações e desperdiça a vida olhando para o erro do outro.”
“La principal distracción de este camino es la idea de la víctima, es
decir, la ilusión de que existe algún culpable por tu sufrimiento que no
seas tú mismo. Independientemente de las fallas reales del otro, lo
mejor que puedes hacer es mirar hacia tus propios defectos; es
identificar tu responsabilidad en el conflicto. De lo contrario, te
quedas atrapado en un infinito juego de acusaciones y desperdicias la
vida mirando el error del otro.”
“The main distraction on this journey is the idea of the victim. There exists the illusion that there is someone to blame for our own suffering rather than us. Regardless of the other’s real faults, the best we can do is to look at our own defects and identify our own responsibility in the conflict. If we do not look at ourselves, we remain imprisoned in this endless game of accusations, wasting away our lives looking at others’ faults.”
“The main distraction on this journey is the idea of the victim. There exists the illusion that there is someone to blame for our own suffering rather than us. Regardless of the other’s real faults, the best we can do is to look at our own defects and identify our own responsibility in the conflict. If we do not look at ourselves, we remain imprisoned in this endless game of accusations, wasting away our lives looking at others’ faults.”
Via Daily Dharma
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The Joy of No Sex | January 20, 2015
The Buddha taught that sexual activity is part and parcel of craving (kama-tanha,
the craving for sensuality), described in the second noble truth as the
cause of suffering, a source of clinging and attachment (upadana,
or attachment to sensual pleasure), a hindrance to meditation and a
fetter or obstruction to liberation. More obstructive than the object of
desire itself is the mental activity we generate around it—the constant
thinking and planning and anticipation about how we get the goods. When
sex is involved, kama-tanha is a given. When sex is not involved, it can be easier to see how kama-tanha takes over.
- Mary Talbot, "The Joy of No Sex" |
Monday, January 19, 2015
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 19/01/2015
“O desejo é um saco sem fundo - você nunca está satisfeito, e sempre
quer mais. Não importa se o desejo esteja direcionado a práticas
espirituais - isso é gula, é voracidade. E a gula está a serviço de
amortecer o seu sistema para você não sentir. Quando a voracidade é
direcionada para o mundo material, você tenta preencher o vazio
comprando, falando ou comendo demais. E quando é direcionada a
espiritualidade, você não para de buscar
novas práticas que te ajudarão a se livrar do sofrimento. Mas, essa
atitude é justamente o que te impede de encontrar o seu lugar, de
relaxar, e de receber a graça divina.”
“El deseo es un barril sin fondo - nunca estás satisfecho y siempre
quieres más. No importa si el deseo está direccionado hacia prácticas
espirituales - eso es gula, es voracidad. Y la gula está al servicio de
adormecer tu sistema para que no sientas. Cuando la voracidad se
direcciona hacia el mundo material, intentas llenar el vacío comprando,
hablando o comiendo demasiado. Y cuando se direcciona hacia la
espiritualidad, no paras de buscar nuevas prácticas que te ayudarán a
librarte del sufrimiento. Pero esta actitud es precisamente lo que te
impide encontrar tu lugar, relajarte, y recibir la gracia divina.”
“Desire is a bottomless pit: we are never satisfied and are always left wanting more. Regardless of whether these desires are aimed towards spiritual practices, they still involve gluttony and greed. This gluttony is at the service of numbing our systems so that we are unable to feel. When greed is aimed towards the material world, we attempt to fill the inner void by buying things, speaking or eating compulsively. When this voracity is directed towards spirituality, we endlessly seek new practices that will help relieve our suffering. However, it is precisely this approach that prevents us from finding our place in the world, relaxing, and receiving divine grace.”
“Desire is a bottomless pit: we are never satisfied and are always left wanting more. Regardless of whether these desires are aimed towards spiritual practices, they still involve gluttony and greed. This gluttony is at the service of numbing our systems so that we are unable to feel. When greed is aimed towards the material world, we attempt to fill the inner void by buying things, speaking or eating compulsively. When this voracity is directed towards spirituality, we endlessly seek new practices that will help relieve our suffering. However, it is precisely this approach that prevents us from finding our place in the world, relaxing, and receiving divine grace.”
Talk on Peace and Compassion at the Baha'i Lotus Temple // January 17th 2015
New Delhi, India, 16 January 2015 - This morning
His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a talk on Peace and Compassion and
attended a prayer gathering at the Baha'i House of Worship in Baharpur,
commonly known as the Lotus Temple. The Baha'i Faith was founded by
Bahá'u'lláh more than a century ago in Iran teaching the oneness of God,
the oneness of the human family, and the oneness of religion.
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| The Lotus Temple, venue for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's talk in New Delhi, India on January 16, 2015. |
His Holiness was warmly received by Ms. Nazneen
Rowhani, the General Secretary of Baha'i Faith in India and Ambassador
Ashok Sajjanhar, Secretary of the National Foundation for Communal
Harmony (NFCH).
Ms. Rowhani introduced His Holiness to an audience that included
students from 14 different schools in Delhi, diplomats, school
principals, and other guests as the light that beckons unity of all
spiritual traditions.
"I usually don't like formality,” His Holiness began, “because we are
all the same mentally, emotionally and physically. All of us have
problems, physical and mental. No one is without problems. However,
education enables us to view our problems from a wider perspective so we
can deal with them.”
Looking at the many school children in the audience, His Holiness said,
"You are very important to humanity’s future. You are the generation of the twenty-first century. In you lies the hope of creating a better future for the world. It will fall to you to solve the problems created by my generation in the twentieth century."
His Holiness explained that the immense violence of the twentieth century arose largely due to short-sighted, narrow-minded thinking, when people only considered the narrow interests of their own group rather than those of humanity as a whole. He urged the younger generation:
“Concern yourselves more with the needs of others, with the needs of all humanity, and you'll have peace of mind. Selfishness creates a distance between us and other people, leading to suspicion and mistrust, ultimately resulting in loneliness. Think of others' well-being and you’ll be happy.
"Young brothers and sisters, think more broad-mindedly. Warm-heartedness and compassion are conducive to our physical and mental well-being, while anger, hatred, and fear are not. This is why some scientists today talk about warm-heartedness ensuring a 'healthy mind and a healthy body'.
"Because the existing education system is oriented towards materialistic goals we need to pay special attention to inner values such as tolerance, forgiveness, love and compassion. If we are to present these in a way that appeals to everyone we need to cultivate secular ethics. This is an approach followed in India for more than a thousand years, but which remains relevant today. India’s deep-seated tradition of ahimsa or non-violence is reflected in this age-old respect for all religious traditions and even the views of those who have no faith.”
Among questions from the audience His Holiness was asked how to cope with the threat of terrorism. He responded that many of the problems we face today are symptoms of our past mistakes. Resorting to the use of force, however decisive it may seem to be in the short run, is out of date, because violence only leads to more violence. Instead, whenever we face problems amongst ourselves, we should solve them through dialogue not force.
"You are very important to humanity’s future. You are the generation of the twenty-first century. In you lies the hope of creating a better future for the world. It will fall to you to solve the problems created by my generation in the twentieth century."
His Holiness explained that the immense violence of the twentieth century arose largely due to short-sighted, narrow-minded thinking, when people only considered the narrow interests of their own group rather than those of humanity as a whole. He urged the younger generation:
“Concern yourselves more with the needs of others, with the needs of all humanity, and you'll have peace of mind. Selfishness creates a distance between us and other people, leading to suspicion and mistrust, ultimately resulting in loneliness. Think of others' well-being and you’ll be happy.
"Young brothers and sisters, think more broad-mindedly. Warm-heartedness and compassion are conducive to our physical and mental well-being, while anger, hatred, and fear are not. This is why some scientists today talk about warm-heartedness ensuring a 'healthy mind and a healthy body'.
"Because the existing education system is oriented towards materialistic goals we need to pay special attention to inner values such as tolerance, forgiveness, love and compassion. If we are to present these in a way that appeals to everyone we need to cultivate secular ethics. This is an approach followed in India for more than a thousand years, but which remains relevant today. India’s deep-seated tradition of ahimsa or non-violence is reflected in this age-old respect for all religious traditions and even the views of those who have no faith.”
Among questions from the audience His Holiness was asked how to cope with the threat of terrorism. He responded that many of the problems we face today are symptoms of our past mistakes. Resorting to the use of force, however decisive it may seem to be in the short run, is out of date, because violence only leads to more violence. Instead, whenever we face problems amongst ourselves, we should solve them through dialogue not force.
Hindu, Moslem, Buddhist, Christian and Baha'i prayers were recited in a
number of languages including English, Hindi, Arabic and Sanskrit during
a gathering His Holiness attended in the actual Lotus Temple after his
talk.
Via Daily Dharma: MLK's Beloved Community | January 19, 2015
MLK's Beloved Community | January 19, 2015
We are caught up in an inescapable network of mutuality. . . . Strangely
enough I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought
to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought
to be. This is the way the world is made.
- Martin Luther King Jr., "A Sangha by Another Name"
- Martin Luther King Jr., "A Sangha by Another Name"
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 18/01/2015
“Uma parte fundamental do processo de cura e transformação que tenho chamado de “ABC da Espiritualidade” é fazer as pazes com a sua constelação familiar, ou seja, é se harmonizar com o passado para que possa se libertar dele. Durante esse processo, você é levado a tomar consciência de que muitas vezes seus desejos não são atendidos porque você não está pedindo de verdade; porque a parte consciente que está pedindo é pequena comparada à parte inconsciente que não está querendo. Portanto, existe uma relação entre esse aspecto e a sua história familiar. Eu posso te dar instrumentos para que você faça essa relação, mas somente você poderá compreendê-la através do estudo de si mesmo.”
Acesse o Satsang completo: bit.ly/1CviIRC
“Una parte fundamental del proceso de cura y transformación que vengo llamando "ABC de la Espiritualidad" es hacer las paces con tu constelación familiar, es decir, armonizarte con el pasado para que puedas liberarte de él. Durante este proceso, eres llevado a tomar conciencia de que muchas veces tus deseos no son atendidos porque no estás pidiendo de verdad; debido a que la parte consciente que está pidiendo es pequeña en comparación con la parte inconsciente que no está queriendo. Por lo tanto, existe una relación entre este aspecto y tu historia familiar. Te puedo dar instrumentos para que hagas esta relación, pero solo tú puedes comprenderla a través del estudio de ti mismo.”
“A fundamental part of the process of healing and transformation that I call the ‘ABC’s of Spirituality’ is to make peace with our family constellation. This happens by harmonize ourselves with the past so that we may become liberated from it. During this process, we begin to gain the awareness that oftentimes our desires are not fulfilled because we are not truly asking for them to be. The part of us that is asking is small in comparison to the unconscious part that truly doesn’t want it. Thus, there is a connection between this aspect of us and our family history. I can give you the tools to make this connection, but you will only understand this by studying yourself.”
Via Daily Dharma
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A Bigger Worldview | January 18, 2015
The dharma teachings of liberation and freedom enable us to have a much
bigger worldview because we learn what it is not to cling to a position
or opinion or religion. Finding skillful ways and means within different
religious and political structures is something we as Buddhists can
offer.
- Christopher Titmuss, "Rising to the Challenge: A Step Toward Peace" | |||||
Via The New Civil Rights Movement: Pope Francis: Same-Sex Marriage 'Threatens To Disfigure God's Plan'
Pope Francis on Friday in front of a large audience in the Philippines attacked same-sex marriage.
"The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage, by relativism, by the culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness to life,” the Pontiff told thousands at a Mass in Manila. "These realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces, which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for creation."
The 78-year old Argentinean also referred to the movement in many countries to accept same-sex marriage as an "ideological colonization that we have to be careful about that is trying to destroy the family."
"Every threat to the family is a threat to society itself," Francis also told the conservative Catholic nation. "The future of humanity, as Saint John Paul II often said, passes through the family."
Ironically, Pope Francis concluded his speech by saying he was "very moved after the Mass today when I visited that shelter for children with no parents." Those "children with no parents" likely could have parents if same-sex couples were allowed to marry and adopt.
http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/pope_francis_says_gay_marriage_threatens_to_disfigure_god_s_plan
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Via JMG: Editorial Of The Day
From the editorial board of the New York Times:
Justice Antonin Scalia, who has voted against constitutional protections for gays and lesbians at every opportunity, foresaw this moment more than a decade ago, when the court reversed its own precedent and banned state anti-sodomy laws.
In the 2003 case of Lawrence v. Texas, Justice Kennedy wrote that the Constitution protects “adult persons in deciding how to conduct their private lives in matters pertaining to sex.” The opinion said it was not deciding the question of same-sex marriage, but Mr. Scalia begged to differ. If states may not use laws to express moral disapproval of homosexual conduct, he wrote in dissent, “what justification could there possibly be for denying the benefits of marriage to homosexual couples exercising the liberty protected by the Constitution?”
Precisely.
The 12 years since 2003 have seen enormous social change on this issue. Before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court legalized same-sex marriage in November 2003, no state permitted such marriages. Today, 36 states do, along with the District of Columbia — representing more than 70 percent of all Americans. A solid and growing majority now believes in marriage equality; among those 18 to 29, support is at nearly 80 percent.
For same-sex couples and their families, friends and communities, this moment has been a long time coming. The justices have the power and the responsibility to give meaning to the promises embedded in the Constitution, and end the exclusion and inequality of gays and lesbians in America.
Labels: Antonin Scalia, editorials, LGBT rights, marriage equality, New York Times, SCOTUS, Sixth Circuit Court
Via JMG: IRAQ: ISIS Executes Two Men Accused Of Being Gay By Hurling Them Off Roof
The Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq has published photographs that appear to show a man being thrown from the roof of a tall building apparently in Mosul, as punishment for being gay. The graphic photographs were uploaded to the Justpaste.it website on January 15 and shared on social media. One photograph, taken from the top of the building from where the man was apparently pushed to his death, shows a large crowd gathered in the public square below.According to the above-linked report, ISIS yesterday also stoned a woman to death after accusing her of adultery. (Tipped by JMG reader Zachary)
Another image shows a man with his face covered by a black balaclava, reading out the sentence imposed on the man under the IS group's version of Shari'a law. The caption to the photograph says that the verdict was issued by a Shari'a court in "Wilayat Nineveh," IS's name for Mosul and its environs.
Another image shows the victim being held by another man, apparently his executioner, on the edge of a rooftop. Text accompanying the photograph says that the man is being punished with "Hadd," meaning a punishment that is determined in the Koran and the Hadith for crimes considered to go against the rights of God. The caption noted that the man had committed the crime of the practices of the "people of Lot," a euphemism for sodomy, and that he must be killed by being "thrown from a high place."
Via LGTB Nation: Thousands protest lesbian couple’s ejection from Vienna cafe for kissing
Ronald Zak, AP
Protestors
hold a poster which reads “Join us in the 21st century” during an
protest in support of gay kissing, in Vienna, Austria, on Friday, Jan.
16, 2015. The protest was called after the manager of a cafe in Vienna
told a smooching lesbian couple to leave.
Ronald Zak, AP
Protestors
hold a poster reading ” Kiss me I’m cute” during an protest in support
of gay kissing, in Vienna, Austria, on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015.
Police estimated around 2,000 people participated in the protest Friday, forcing the closure of one downtown street. Some of the demonstrators exchanged long kisses.
The manager of Cafe Prueckel has apologized for telling the couple to leave last weekend. But the pair – Anastasia Lopez and Eva Prewein – say the demonstration is meant to draw attention to the general prevalence of discrimination against gays in Vienna.
Vienna hosts several events each year that attracts gays, bisexuals and cross-dressers from across Europe, and Austrian singer Conchita Wurst has become the figurehead for Europe’s non-straight community.
Vienna’s tourist agency has criticized the expulsions.
Flor do Dia - Flor del Día - Flower of the Day - 17/01/2015
“Amor, assim como Deus, é uma palavra que foi muito distorcida. Muita
gente usa essa palavra para expressar nada. Dizem “eu te amo” quando, no
fundo, sentem raiva. Mas, se pudermos ser mais honestos com o uso das
palavras, reencontraremos seu verdadeiro sentido. Amor no seu estado
mais puro é sinônimo de doação desinteressada; é o desejo sincero de ver
o outro feliz, de ver o outro brilhar. Essa capacidade de se doar,
essa capacidade de ser um canal de bênçãos para o outro, é a fragrância
do divino no ser humano. É por isso que eu digo que Deus é amor, e que o
amor é Deus.”
“Amor, assim como Deus, é uma palavra que foi muito distorcida. Muita gente usa essa palavra para expressar nada. Dizem “eu te amo” quando, no fundo, sentem raiva. Mas, se pudermos ser mais honestos com o uso das palavras, reencontraremos seu verdadeiro sentido. Amor no seu estado mais puro é sinônimo de doação desinteressada; é o desejo sincero de ver o outro feliz, de ver o outro brilhar. Essa capacidade de se doar, essa capacidade de ser um canal de bênçãos para o outro, é a fragrância do divino no ser humano. É por isso que eu digo que Deus é amor, e que o amor é Deus.”
“Amor, así como Dios, es una palabra que fue muy distorsionada. Mucha
gente usa esta palabra para expresar nada. Dicen "yo te amo" cuando, en
el fondo, sienten rabia. Pero si podemos ser más honestos con el uso de
las palabras, reencontraremos su verdadero sentido. Amor en su estado
más puro es sinónimo de donación desinteresada; es el deseo sincero de
ver al otro feliz, de ver al otro brillar. Esta capacidad de donarse,
esta capacidad de ser un canal de bendiciones para el otro, es la
fragancia de lo divino en el ser humano. Es por eso que digo que Dios es
amor, y que el amor es Dios.”
“Love, just like God, is a word that has become very distorted. Many people use the word ‘love’ to not really express anything. They say ‘I love you’ when, below the surface, they feel anger. If we could be more honest with our use of words, then we would rediscover their true meaning. Love in its purest state is synonymous with selfless giving. It is the sincere desire to see the other be happy, to see the other shine. This capacity to give of oneself and to be a channel of blessings for the other is the fragrance of the Divine in a human being. This is why I say that God is love, and that love is God.”
“Love, just like God, is a word that has become very distorted. Many people use the word ‘love’ to not really express anything. They say ‘I love you’ when, below the surface, they feel anger. If we could be more honest with our use of words, then we would rediscover their true meaning. Love in its purest state is synonymous with selfless giving. It is the sincere desire to see the other be happy, to see the other shine. This capacity to give of oneself and to be a channel of blessings for the other is the fragrance of the Divine in a human being. This is why I say that God is love, and that love is God.”
Killing in the Name | January 17, 2015
What does it mean to call oneself a Buddhist when these are the actions
committed in the name of Buddhism? I'm sure this is a question that
Muslims are faced with constantly, as they are caught in the vice
between Islamic fundamentalism and international anti-Muslim fervor. . .
. Ultimately, whether Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, or any
other -ism, the worldwide push toward fundamentalism is also
heartbreaking in that it forces those of us sustained by some sort of
faith to have to say what should be obvious: these acts of violence do
not speak for us.
- Nayomi Munaweera, "The Real Enemy is Religious Extremism"
- Nayomi Munaweera, "The Real Enemy is Religious Extremism"
Friday, January 16, 2015
Via JMG: Catholic Bishops Have The SCOTUS Sadz
"It’s hard to imagine how the essential meaning of marriage as between
the two sexes, understood in our nation for over two hundred years, and
consistent with every society throughout all of human history, could be
declared illegal. To those arguing for a constitutional redefinition of
marriage, one must ask: when did the Constitution suddenly mandate a
novel and unfounded definition of marriage? To ask such a question is
not a judgment on anyone. It is a matter of justice and truth. The
central issue at stake is: what is marriage? The answer is: a bond which
unites a man and a woman to each other and to any children who come
from their union. Only a man and a woman can unite their bodies in a way
that creates a new human being. Marriage is thus a unique and beautiful
reality which a society respects to its benefit or ignores to its
peril." - "Father of Prop 8" and drunk driver Archbishop Salvatore
Cordileone, in a press release issued on behalf of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Labels: California, Catholic Church, drunk driving, marriage equality, Proposition 8, religion, Salvatore Cordileone, SCOTUS, The Sadz
Via Daily Dharma
Practice for the People | January 7, 2015
How fantastic if we, as a Buddhist community, had a tradition of
supporting sangha to study and practice. Of course there are many
Buddhist retreat centers in the West and many are as generous as they
can be to those who cannot afford to pay full fare. But more ubiquitous
and affordable retreats offered to more people would be a sign of good
times. Getting to that point would require more people to cultivate a
habit of giving joyfully and generously to sustain the practice of
others.
- Noa Jones, "If You Build It, They Will Need Food"
- Noa Jones, "If You Build It, They Will Need Food"
Via JMG: Supreme Court To Consider All Four Cases From Sixth Circuit Court
Via SCOTUSblog:
Taking on a historic constitutional challenge with wide cultural impact, the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon agreed to hear four new cases on same-sex marriage. The Court said it would rule on state power to ban gay and lesbian marriage and state power to refuse to recognize such marriages performed out of state. A total of one hour and ninety minutes was set for the hearings, likely in the April sitting. The Court fashioned the specific questions it is prepared to answer, but they closely tracked the two core constitutional issues that have led to a lengthy string of lower-court rulings striking down state bans. As of now, same-sex marriages are allowed in thirty-six states, with bans remaining in the other fourteen but under court challenge.
Labels: Kentucky, LGBT rights, marriage equality, Michigan, Ohio, SCOTUS, Sixth Circuit Court, Tennessee, United States
Via JMG: LGBT Rights Groups React To SCOTUS
Freedom To Marry
"The Supreme Court's decision today begins what we hope will be the last chapter in our campaign to win marriage nationwide - and it's time," said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry. "Freedom to Marry's national strategy has been to build a critical mass of marriage states and critical mass of support for ending marriage discrimination, and after a long journey and much debate, America is ready for the freedom to marry. But couples are still discriminated against in 14 states, and the patchwork of discrimination harms families and businesses throughout the country. We will keep working hard to underscore the urgency of the Supreme Court's bringing the country to national resolution, so that by June, all Americans share in the freedom to marry and our country stands on the right side of history."People For The American Way
“This is unquestionably an important step towards marriage equality for all Americans,” said Michael Keegan, President of People For the American Way Foundation. “Since the Sixth Circuit got this wrong and denied people in four states their basic rights, the Supreme Court did the right thing by taking these cases. Now the Court needs to do the right thing by making a clear statement about the Constitution’s guarantee of fundamental equality for all people. The time is long overdue for every American to have the right to marry the person they love.” “That said, this is likely to be yet another five-four decision from the Court that gave us Citizens United and Hobby Lobby and gutted the Voting Rights Act. That should be a reminder that our fundamental rights are in jeopardy in our nation’s highest court— and the future of the Court and these rights will be in the next President's hands. Americans should be able to depend on the Supreme Court to defend the rights of ordinary Americans—whether that’s the right to marry, or to vote, or to be treated fairly on the job, or to control their own reproductive health.National Center For Lesbian Rights
The Tennessee plaintiff couples are Dr. Valeria Tanco and Dr. Sophy Jesty of Knoxville; Army Reserve Sergeant First Class Ijpe DeKoe and Thom Kostura of Memphis; and Matthew Mansell and Johno Espejo of Franklin. They are represented by Shannon Minter, Christopher F. Stoll, and David C. Codell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Tennessee attorneys Abby Rubenfeld, Maureen Holland, and Regina Lambert, and the law firms of Sherrard & Roe PLC and Ropes & Gray LLP. Today’s decision follows the couples’ request that the Supreme Court hear the case to ensure that the marriages of same-sex couples are treated equally across the country. “This is an important day because it means that our family will finally have an opportunity to share our story with the Court and explain how this discriminatory law hurts us each day,” said Tanco, who has a young daughter with Jesty. “We live in fear for ourselves and our little girl because we don’t have the same legal protections in Tennessee as other families. We are hopeful the Supreme Court will resolve this issue so we no longer need to live in fear.”Lambda Legal
The U.S. Supreme Court today announced it has granted review of all six marriage equality cases decided by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, including two Ohio cases litigated by Lambda Legal, the ACLU and Gerhardstein & Branch. The two cases are Henry v. Hodges, where Lambda Legal joined Gerhardstein & Branch, and Obergefell v. Hodges, where the ACLU joined Gerhardstein & Branch. Oral argument is expected to take place later this year. “After years of struggle and the dedicated work of thousands across the movement, we are finally within sight of the day when same-sex couples across the country will be able to share equally in the joys, protections and responsibilities of marriage,” said Jon W. Davidson, Legal Director and Eden/Rushing Chair at Lambda Legal. “While these cases will carry the marriage standard before the Supreme Court, they represent literally dozens of cases in state and federal courts nationwide and the collective effort of Lambda Legal, NCLR, the ACLU, GLAD, and other sister LGBT groups and private (often pro-bono) counsel dating back years.”ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union and Stanford Law School Supreme Court Litigation Clinic are co-counsel in the two Kentucky cases, Bourke v. Beshear and Love v. Beshear, brought by lawyers at Clay Daniel Walton & Adams and the Fauver Law Office. These cases challenge Kentucky’s anti-marriage laws on the ground that they violate due process and equal protection provisions of the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU along with Lambda Legal and Gerhardstein & Branch are also co-counsel in the Ohio case, Obergefell, et al v. Hodges. “We are thrilled the court will finally decide this issue,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & HIV Project. “The country is ready for a national solution that treats lesbian and gay couples fairly. Every single day we wait means more people die before they have a chance to marry, more children are born without proper protections, more people face medical emergencies without being able to count on recognition of their spouses. It is time for the American values of freedom and equality to apply to all couples.”
Labels: ACLU, Freedom To Marry, Kentucky, Lambda Legal, LGBT rights, marriage equality, Michigan, NCLR, Ohio, People For The American Way, SCOTUS, Sixth Circuit Court, Tennessee
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