Make America Zen Again! (and Treeleaf's Take on Things) ...

[Sekishi]

I'm not certain how true this is. In my experience, people can very very racist, and not be conscious of it at all (and I'm not talking about systemic, institutionalized racism; I'm talking about individual racial prejudice).In fact, one of the more insidious things about racism is that it is often not conscious. It's much easier to deal with an openly racist person than it is to deal with one who is exhibiting racist and prejudiced attitudes but doesn't believe they are. There is a larger grey area here, I feel.

This is a good point Alan. The grey area is large (all borders dissolve under scrutiny anyway).

I've never met a person who would say "I am a racist", even the really racist ones.

For that matter, pretty much every person I've ever met sees themselves as one of the "good guys". I've yet to meet a self-professed villain.

Robbie Rotten doesn't count...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfLIhiNWtsI

Gassho,
Sekishi #sattoday

[Jishin]

IMG_0670.JPG

Make America great again (in Russian).

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Kyonin]

Thank you Jundo.

Here's my political stance: I am in favor of life, regardless the flag or country. Whomever works and respects all kinds of life, has my unconditional support.

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Aurkihnowe]

Donald Trump is Ameroca's first koan to be elected president.

Gassho

Sat Today

gassho

richard

S@2day

[Jundo]

I've never met a person who would say "I am a racist", even the really racist ones.y

All people, no matter their own race, nationality, social class, gender, sexual orientation or identification, physical abilities or disabilities, are potential racists, bigoted and holding unjustified stereotypes and prejudices to one degree or another about other people and groups. Everyone (at least, everyone I have ever met or seen in the mirror).

Where I live, Japanese people often hold bigoted views about Koreans, Chinese or Americans, while many Koreans are often hold bigoted views about Japanese, Chinese or Americans, as many Chinese often hold bigoted views of Koreans, Japanese and Americans, and American often hold bigoted views on all the forgoing. I do not think any nationality, race, minority or majority, or religion escapes this in America, Europe or anywhere in the world. Some of the most virulent, closed minded, discriminating individuals I have ever encountered are sometimes folks from minorities or social classes who have themselves been victims of discrimination and closed mindedness which that group itself long fought to overturn.

All we can all do is constantly look in the mirror, each one of us, and ask which of our beliefs are justified and which are simply our own ignorance. We need to demand that all people of all social groups receive equal rights and equal opportunity, and that biases and prejudices be dropped away by all of us. No one is immune from the need for this.

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

[Mp]

All we can all do is constantly look in the mirror, each one of us, and ask which of our beliefs are justified and which are simply our own ignorance. We need to demand that all people of all social groups receive equal rights and equal opportunity, and that biases and prejudices be dropped away by all of us. No one is immune from the need for this.

Yes, thank you Jundo! =)

Gassho
Shingen

s@today

[Jishin]

I am a racist. I race all day long. Race race race. Race fast. Race slow. Oh, we are talking about race. My bad.

It's just a word. Words in themselves have no meaning, until we give them meaning. Intent is what is important.

My Speedy Gonzales 2 cents.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_

[Daiyo]

Hi all!

Just dropped by to say hi, and saw this interesting thread.
I can relate to the confusing feelings of many practitioners as you mention.

What happened in the US is similar to what happened in Argentina a year and a bit ago.
I was deeply concerned about the results of the election in our country and started arguing everyone who dared to support the elected president.
I even opened a twitter account for arguing and finger-pointing.
It took me more than a year to step back from political discussions, and I couldn't say that I absolutely got over it.
I'm slowly learning to accept others views even when I believe they are deeply wrong or even with evil intentions.
51% of voters in my country chose to have a certain government which in my -of course biased- opinion is too bad, but I have to live and deal with it in a way as compassionate as I can.
Sitting more consistently has helped me much, but I still have a long way to go to get rid of animosity.
After all that's one of the things practice is about...

I remember Thich Nhat Hanh's poem:

Please Call Me by My True Names

Don't say that I will depart tomorrow—
even today I am still arriving.

Look deeply: every second I am arriving
to be a bud on a Spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with still-fragile wings,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.

I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
to fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and death
of all that is alive.

I am a mayfly metamorphosing
on the surface of the river.
And I am the bird
that swoops down to swallow the mayfly.

I am a frog swimming happily
in the clear water of a pond.
And I am the grass-snake
that silently feeds itself on the frog.

I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
my legs as thin a bamboo sticks.
And I am the arms merchant,
selling deadly weapons to Uganda.

I am the twelve-year-old girl,
refugee on a small boat,
who throws herself into the ocean
after being raped by a sea pirate.
And I am the pirate,
my heart not yet capable
of seeing and loving.

I am a member of the politburo,
with plenty of power in my hands.
And I am the man who has to pay
his "debt of blood" to, my people,
dying slowly in a forced labor camp.

My joy is like Spring, so warm
it makes flowers bloom all over the Earth.
My pain is like a river of tears,
so vast it fills the four oceans.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and laughter at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.
Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up
and the door of my heart
could be left open,
the door of compassion.

Please excuse from jumping in, and let me wish you all a wonderful 2017.

Gassho, Daiyo
Sat today.

[lorax]

While we should avoid attacking and maligning a person, we are obligated to confront actions and behavior that are injurious to our community and our environment. We must not forget or attempt to hide the truth.


echo.jpg

SAT TODAY IN GREAT FEAR

[Jakuden]

Hi all!

Just dropped by to say hi, and saw this interesting thread.
I can relate to the confusing feelings of many practitioners as you mention.

What happened in the US is similar to what happened in Argentina a year and a bit ago.
I was deeply concerned about the results of the election in our country and started arguing everyone who dared to support the elected president.
I even opened a twitter account for arguing and finger-pointing.
It took me more than a year to step back from political discussions, and I couldn't say that I absolutely got over it.
I'm slowly learning to accept others views even when I believe they are deeply wrong or even with evil intentions.
51% of voters in my country chose to have a certain government which in my -of course biased- opinion is too bad, but I have to live and deal with it in a way as compassionate as I can.
Sitting more consistently has helped me much, but I still have a long way to go to get rid of animosity.
After all that's one of the things practice is about...

I remember Thich Nhat Hanh's poem:

Please Call Me by My True Names

Don't say that I will depart tomorrow—
even today I am still arriving.

Look deeply: every second I am arriving
to be a bud on a Spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with still-fragile wings,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.

I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
to fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and death
of all that is alive.

I am a mayfly metamorphosing
on the surface of the river.
And I am the bird
that swoops down to swallow the mayfly.

I am a frog swimming happily
in the clear water of a pond.
And I am the grass-snake
that silently feeds itself on the frog.

I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
my legs as thin a bamboo sticks.
And I am the arms merchant,
selling deadly weapons to Uganda.

I am the twelve-year-old girl,
refugee on a small boat,
who throws herself into the ocean
after being raped by a sea pirate.
And I am the pirate,
my heart not yet capable
of seeing and loving.

I am a member of the politburo,
with plenty of power in my hands.
And I am the man who has to pay
his "debt of blood" to, my people,
dying slowly in a forced labor camp.

My joy is like Spring, so warm
it makes flowers bloom all over the Earth.
My pain is like a river of tears,
so vast it fills the four oceans.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and laughter at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.
Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up
and the door of my heart
could be left open,
the door of compassion.

Please excuse from jumping in, and let me wish you all a wonderful 2017.

Gassho, Daiyo
Sat today.

Wow! That says it all.
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday


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[Kaisho]

Thanks for speaking on this Jundo. I personally feel like this is more of a time to come together rather than be divided. The president elect isn't a part of the minority who is supportive of the hate groups but that doesn't mean they aren't supportive of him. Perhaps it would be better to denounce the hate groups and pray for a shift in perspective?

Chelsea
Sat2day

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[Myosha]

Why we should avoid attacking and maligning a person, we are obligated to confront actions and behavior that are injurious to our community and our environment. We must not forget or attempt to hide the truth.

Hello,

As "they" are one, one is "them". In the words of a future ex-president, "Cut it out."


Gassho
Myosha
sat today

P.S. Always enjoy Dr. Seuss.

[Rakurei]

I find that the key - is to simply, "not bite the hook". Our practice brings such a deep level of understanding, not only of ourselves, but offers up a glimpse of others, too. We are unsure of people's pain and quite often - anger is simply fear, amplified. Lashing out, outlandish Facebook posts - this is just manifestations of fear and hurt.

On a personal level, we must understand our own triggers and what and how to engage. Which zazen has helped me with, tremendously. What are your hooks? Do I engage with that social media comment? Or do I see the hook? Do I look down upon another for a likely programmed emotion - or do I see that as a hook?

Here's a great article via Pema on "shenpa" aka biting the hook - but also how to get unhooked.

http://www.lionsroar.com/how-we-get-hooked-shenpa-and-how-we-get-unhooked/

Palms together,

-w.


Sat Today.

[Byrne]

There's absolutely no reason whatsoever that anyone is more or less in accord with Buddhist teachings because of their political leanings. This is all the more clear when we consider the various types of societies that have passed Buddhism down for 2500 years. Buddha's teachings are for all sentient beings. Be on the look out for Bodhisattva Donald Trump.

Gassho

Sat Today

[Kaisho]

There's absolutely no reason whatsoever that anyone is more or less in accord with Buddhist teachings because of their political leanings. This is all the more clear when we consider the various types of societies that have passed Buddhism down for 2500 years. Buddha's teachings are for all sentient beings. Be on the look out for Bodhisattva Donald Trump.

Gassho

Sat Today

I can see it now: "Make America at Peace Again."

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