The Danger

What Do We Choose?

Dear Friends,

One thing I am pretty sure of: No matter our political or religious affiliations, we are all more similar than different.

We may create various labels “I am a this, you are a that,” but we also have a shared humanity. And how do we support his humanity?

When people vote, I wish there could be a way of determining not only who, but what we vote for.

For example, in the last US election, what did we vote for? 

Did we vote for our shared humanity? Did we vote for love or hate, for togetherness or division?

I find it interesting that so many faith-based traditions have such inspiring intentions and teachings.

Jesus is a case in point.

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (From the Gospel of Luke)

But where in the political world does anyone ever talk about loving your enemy or even your neighbor? Yet almost all of them say they are people of faith.

Of course. I could have just easily grabbed quotes from Buddhism, Hinduism, or other faiths.

Media

Watch any media, be it mainstream media like Fox News or MSNBC, or alternative media, and they mainly spend their time sharing about how awful the other party is. Hate, it turns out, is a great way to keep someone glued to a screen, be it via Tik Tok, Instagram, Youtube, or cable news. 

What you will almost never find is anything positive about the other party. Likewise, you will never find them saying, “Want to actually help make our country great. Turn off the TV or close your phone, and go out and actually help someone!” 

The goal is to keep us glued to the phone and computer. 

What We Vote For

In our next voting cycle, I would love to choose not only who, but what I want to vote for. 

We can call ourselves “Christian” or “Buddhist” and live nothing like Jesus or the Buddha taught. The labels do not matter much.

So when Trump says immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country,” and wants to deport millions, can we please not call this “the Christian thing” to do? Or can someone show me where Jesus suggests this?

I think Biden did a very poor job on the border (and I do not agree with everything in the Bible or any other religious text) but hate is not the answer.

Love or Hate?

Like me, you may disagree with some of Trump's or another leaders' initiatives and you may agree with others. However, the real danger lies in allowing ourselves to hate. This sentiment seems to be on the rise, and no one is immune.

And maybe it is time we actually do some of what Jesus suggested: treat people as we wish to be treated, love others as ourselves, help the poor, be humble.

There will likely always be politicians (from all parties) that try to get is to hate one another to serve their ambitions. Our capacity to care and to see our commonalities may be tested in the coming years (both nationally and internationally) and I trust we are up for the challenge!

Lets not let anyone take that.

See online and in person offerings below. One on meditation, one on social change, and one retreat.

SOREN

Social Change Series

Dick Schwartz, IFS founder, and I will be leading a series in Personal Change, Collective Impact. We will explore how work on ourselves supports our work in the world.

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Meditation Series

Join us for Stillness Within: Cultivating Presence in Uncertain Times. With an amazing group of guest teachers including Roshi Joan Halifax, Trudy Goodman, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Sharon Salzberg.

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In Person Retreat

My partner Cecily Mak and I are also co-leading a retreat December 9-14 titled, A New Year Reset: Shedding Unwanted Habits with Self-Grace and Presence.

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