This has been the strangest election time ever, with weird and unqualified people vying for top government positions. Perhaps there should be a test to see who is mentally stable and intellectually astute enough to hold a political office. We need a license to be a hairdresser, therapist, or an accountant. Isn't a governor, congressman or senator just as significant?
Many will be elated and thrilled at the results, while others will be very bummed out, even devastated. Either way, this election has the potential to change millions of lives, and we are all going to have to live with the outcome.
It is our ability to be fully present and engaged that enables us to accept every situation exactly as it is, without preconceptions or judgments; to embrace difficulties, deep sadness, upset feelings, or injustice while staying aware, present, and available.
In our book "Be the Change" (see below), psychotherapist Maura Sills told us, "A monk who used to come to the institute was asked how we can measure spiritual progress, and he said it was by our capacity to be effective, which he saw as listening and being present." She added, "When the capacity to be effective is diminished or lost, then I think we have lost our humanity."
We can bring that sense of presence into our daily lives. As Jon Stewart said at the Rally to Restore Sanity, "All I want is your presence." It may not be possible to maintain it all the time; there are endless external distractions, let alone the demands of the ego-mind and ongoing internal chatter. But we don't have to let such distractions rule.
Accepting and being with what is doesn't mean we are powerless or become a victim. In fact, it is quite the opposite; it makes us even more powerful. We cannot change anything until we totally accept it as it is, for in that moment of acceptance we can move to transform it. If we do not accept what is, then we will keep resisting or denying, making transformation impossible. For example, if pouring rain is thwarting our plans, then we can either get upset and moan and groan, or we can accept that it is raining and see what else we can do instead.
Everything we think, say, and do has an immediate effect on everyone and everything else. This means that our thoughts and actions can lead to chaos and destruction as easily as they can lead to creativity and transformation. It also means that we have enormous resources available to us at all times.
"Do not make the mistake of thinking you are a powerless individual in a vast world," writes Tai Situ Rinpoche in our book "The Way Ahead." "Know that you are armed with three great powers. You have the power of the body -- the source of all action; the power of speech -- the source of all expression; and the power of the mind -- the source of all thought."
Our actions, obviously, have the most direct impact on others. The destructive results of the belief that we are disconnected and that, therefore, what we do has no bearing on others is apparent everywhere.
While Deb and I were in southern Egypt, we hiked far up a dry riverbed into silence and beauty and rubbish: piles of polystyrene and plastic dumped in the middle of nowhere. While in Sri Lanka, Deb was happily swimming in the beautiful Unawatuna Bay when human feces floated past her. We have all just experienced such selfish and mindless behavior with the oil spill in the Gulf, which wrecked untold damage due to this same belief that it does not matter how our actions affect others.
We misuse the world when we believe that we are independent from it or in some way superior. Every action we take, even the smallest and simplest of everyday choices, has a consequence, no action is independent of its effects. Nothing is without a purpose. And yet we think we are separate from this.
The impact of our words is less obvious than that of our actions, but they are just as effective. Words are heard and felt; they reverberate throughout our system, affecting those who hear them and causing either joy or conflict. They can start wars or mend hearts. As such, they should not be used lightly but with consideration of their influence.
Thoughts may be subtler, but when used purposefully, they are equally powerful. From our thoughts are born our words and our actions; they influence our behavior and beliefs, whom we care for and whom we dismiss. They also influence the unseen and unknown as we send our thought waves and energy out into the universe. Positive thoughts and feelings bestow all the riches life can offer, while negative ones deplete our whole being. Which will you chose?
How can you use your actions, words, or thoughts help others? Do comment below.
You can receive notice of our blogs every Tuesday by checking "Become a Fan" at the top of this page.
See our award-winning book, "Be the Change: How Meditation Can Transform You and the World," with forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman and contributions from Jack Kornfield, Gangaji, Jane Fonda, Ram Dass, Byron Katie, Jon Kabat-Zinn and others.
Our three meditation CDs -- "Metta: Loving-Kindness and Forgiveness," "Samadhi: Breath Awareness and Insight" and "Yoga Nidra: Inner Conscious Relaxation" -- are available at www.EdandDebShapiro.com.
Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/edanddebshapiro
Darren Littlejohn: The 12-Step Buddhist: Why Do We Have Drinking Dreams?
David Rock: How Often Are We on Mental Autopilot? You Might Be Surprised
Mariana Caplan, Ph.D.: 10 Spiritually Transmitted Diseases
Sarah van Gelder: Eight Ways to Confront Extremism on 9/11
I am your first fan!
and I applaud you!
Cheers ~ Ed
How you deal with lives situations & whatever gets you through the day & night is what matters.
How you deal with stress is important - for me nothing comes close to meditation -
you are mindful. see things from a greater perspective and can make peace with whatever is!
Treasure yourself,
Ed
Sure is!
FANNED & FAV'D
"We need a license to be a hairdresser, therapist, or an accountant. Isn't a governor, congressman or senator just as significant?"
I'm grateful to say that on some level I have learned to "accept what is" In the midst of all the craziness of the elections this week, my brother is visiting form the east coast, I am dog sitting for a friend, and I learned that a friend completed suicide. When I learned about his death I recognized the part of me that wanted to know ,"why, what happened?" I remembered that this was an ego attemtp to understand and control what may not be understandable or controllable. I quickly and gently let myself know that all I needed to know was that he is dead, accept it, and stay in my heart/loving.
thanks for the reminder.
Yeah - how in the world can we have so many fools even run for high political office - let's be real it is archaic to stay with tacky laws ~ this is 2010 almost 2011 - oh well at least many of the arses lost!
I love what you say here:
"I'm grateful to say that on some level I have learned to "accept what is" In the midst of all the craziness of the elections this week"
an honest reply for sure!
Danny Miller, http://www.losingcontrolfindingserenity.com
Danny's Decontrol Yourself Blog: http://www.losingcontrolfindingserenity.com
I love what u say here:
"Not until we can do this will we be able to recognize where our real power to change and improve our lives lies--whether in politics, at work, friendships, family, performance, or love and romance. This is the very essence of the Serenity Prayer. Accepting "what is" is also instrumental in letting go of our often harmful compulsion to control."
Danny Miller, http://wwwÂ.losingconÂtrolfindinÂgserenity.Âcom
Danny's Decontrol Yourself Blog: http://wwwÂ.losingconÂtrolfindinÂgserenity.Âcom
So, when things suddendly go wrong (and that's life esp when travelling) - is there a technique to "keep calm and carry on"?
:)
Next what you went through involving the airlines is major bummer for anyone -
guess what u r normal ... - I have been in a situation that was appalling, delayed flight causing me to miss a connection and so on.
But it is ok to feel whatever you feel but do know when to move on. If you can't do anything about it then best not to drive yourself crazy.
So learn to breathe - deep breaths through the nostrils into the belly - gentle inhalations and exhalations - saying soft belly - soft belly & relax & breathe.
we have 3 CD's - if you are interested check our website:
www.EdandDebShapiro.com
i had submitted two previous posts and they havent shown up. i suspect gremlins in the system.
all i had to say in my 1st post is chod baby chod. which i have avoided because i didnt want to face that its time to take ownership of my own projections, my shadow self. its a little humbling to listen mitch to mc connell, cantor, boehner and accept i project the negative qualities of my own mind onto them. that they and i share something, when i so desperately want to reject them, the vilify them, to stand above them in my smug judgment. egads. the light of self reflection can seem to burn a bit. time to breath and get on the zafu.
i didnt plan a confession but i guess its impossible to time them.
thanks for a wonderful blog, and an open heart.
happiness,
p
well luckily many of them lost buy many other characters are in etc.
sure it is the pits but this is the way it is - I could let it do me in or I could see that maybe there is something I can learn
One thing is for sure it will be a different ball game & the other team (the Republicans) will now have to do something other than complain and say NO .. all the time cause they have to prove they have a solution to things
BUT
Life wasn't meant to be easy - it is a mystery - an unknown -
it is time yo make friends with ourselves & our world
to make peace with whatever happens -
only then are we making a true contribution!
Treasure yourself
life is a great gift
May all people be happy & free from suffering!
I hope you are able to move on soon as these feelings will continue to cause you suffering.
See if you can use this energy constructively & creatively to work towards future change.
How can I use my actions, thoughts or words to help others? By connecting to to the loving in my heart as I express myself. To love, appreciate and value all of life around me - including me. To recognize the innate goodness in all of life. etc So many ways.
Very to the point article - thank you for your wise and thoughtful words.
With love and joy to you,
Anne
You are a beacon of love for all of us in the HuffPo community!
Thanks!
I'm reading: "It is our ability to be fully present and engaged that enables us to accept every situation exactly as it is, without preconceptions or judgments; to embrace difficulties, deep sadness, upset feelings, or injustice while staying aware, present, and available."
...and confusion is arising within me. It feels like my ability to comprehend is blocked. I struggle to make sense out of it. Re-reading for a few times... No it does not click and resonate within. May be I'll understand if I take the statement apart.
- Ability to be present enables to accept every situation as it is. I think "accept" and "every" together confuse me. "Accept" is conformistic and submissive. "Accept" does not go well with "every situation" even if I'm totally engaged.
-Accept every situation without preconception. That's sound impossible. Am I living in timeless emptiness?
-or judgment. Well, can we really be non-judgmental if we are involved?
-embrace difficulties. Hah, first I would try to figure if there is a way out of embracing difficulties. If not, I'll just deal with them, no need to think I'm embracing by choice.
- embrace sadness, upset feelings and injustice. Where these feelings would arise from if I would enable myself into a state of non-judgmental, non-preconceived acceptance? Can you feel injustice if you are non-judgmental?
No, taking it apart did not help a bit. SOS!
It is an experience rather than an intellectual understanding.
It is entering into your heart & out of your mind.
The mind is a perfect servant but a terrible master.
What do you mean by being in the heart?
I agree with you that mind should not be the master. Do you think you yourself had arrived to the balance when mind does not take over? If not, why do you propose to accept you as spiritual teachers and buy your opinion on how to leap beyond the mind?
I'm totally accepting the reality of the moment when I'm writing to you. I'm curious, trying to understand you... It does not mean that I have no judgments, formed opinion about you and expectation about what you would answer. Are you going to surprise me or confirm to my expectations?
it is not the superficial - or romantic heart
the true mind- the wisdom is pure heart
the heart you are speaking of is mind
monkey mind that keeps us locked in confusion
when we are not clear and the chattering mind is in play it is monkey mind!
Bastante - enough!
I awoke to the election results. I need some thoughts about meditation...............I am working on my anger and it's going ok, but what do you have that might help me with accepting stupid?
I hope to be laughing by the end of the day...................Peace, SOF.
the nature of the ego-mind is to keep us in chaos & confusion. When we see blatant stupidity it is difficult because stupidity is so obvious & we wonder how can anyone be such a jerk.
Meditation helps us see ~ become aware and all we need to do is wish them well and hope they get it together.
They too are worthy of love. They may even need more loving-kindness and compassion.
Every thing you say is true. I told you I would laughing at the end of the day. When I laugh, EVERYTHING is all right. I find it consumes me with only good feelings.
I will work on giving more loving kindness; I will go help with the dishes!..........Too funny.
Take care...................SOF.
your beautiful heart and inquiring mind will bring you much joy & freedom
Treasure yourself,
Life is a precious gift ~ a treasure to be enjoyed!
Ed
thank you SilGal -
yes the election was a day to reckon with ~ the political scene has changed in a flash
Being with what is ~ the mantra for the political moment!
First, to avoid misunderstanding, can I ask the authors to clarify what do they mean by mindfulness?
Do you act with aggression or respect for your world.
Do you care!