The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows. -- Buddha
With six months to go before the election, President Obama has officially launched his campaign. This is an important time for him not to take anything for granted but also to stay true to his beliefs and ethics.
It is extremely hard to stay balanced during difficult and challenging times, as there are always those who want to bring you down at any cost, who disagree, criticize, or act like they know better. It is obvious that it will be a nasty presidential campaign. Both Obama's religion and his birthplace are constantly questioned, yet he holds his head high, speaks calmly and intelligently, and seems to have no malice. His reaction to such dissenters has simply shown his determination to keep going forward. As he said:
"What we can do, as flawed as we are, is still see God in other people, and do our best to help them find their own grace. That's what I strive to do, that's what I pray to do every day."
When people speak badly about you, you should respond in this way: Keep a steady heart and do not reply with harsh words. Practice letting go of resentment, and accept that another's hostility is the spur to your understanding. Be kind, adopt a generous standpoint, treat your enemy as a friend, and suffuse your world with affectionate thoughts, far-reaching and widespread, limitless and free from hate. -- Buddha
The Buddha's teaching is based on our interdependence and interconnectedness. In a very broad sense, the role of the president is similar -- to recognize how we all affect each other, which is our basic interconnectedness. Obama's recent announcement of his support of gay marriage is an example of this, as it reflects the desire that all beings be treated equally. As Obama said four years ago: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
We are delighted that President Obama has recognized gay marriage as a fundamental right, for the soul is neither male nor female, gay or straight. The latest cover of Newsweek features a picture of Obama with a rainbow-colored halo above his head and the heading: "The First Gay President." As Arianna Huffington said in her Sunday Roundup: "... this week's top story was obviously President Obama's 'I do' on gay marriage -- a groundbreaking move that aligned him with Dr. King's evocative suggestion that we be the headlights of history, not the taillights. Thank you for your bold leadership, Mr. President."
We all breathe the same air, drink the same water, eat, sleep, and want to be happy. Love is not determined by gender. Why should anyone be denied the right to live the life they want, as long as they are not creating suffering for another? When we first met with the Dalai Lama at his residence in northern India we prostrated before him, as is the custom. He quickly lifted us up saying, "We are all equal here."
But the differences between us can be huge. Although Obama pledged bipartisanship, in the last four years we have seen the worst partisanship ever, with the Republicans determined to say "no" to whatever Obama proposes. To find unity, we have to go beyond those differences; we have to surrender our own needs for the benefit of all. In the process, our enemies can teach us great patience and even compassion!
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways. -- Buddha
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. -- Buddha
There have been some great achievements in the last four years, as well as promises that haven't been kept. But perfection is knowing one's own imperfections, which gives us the ability to get up each time we fall.
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. -- Buddha
So what are your views? Do comment below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Thursday by checking Become a Fan at the top.
See our award-winning book: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World, forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors Jack Kornfield, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Byron Katie and many others.
Deb is the author of the award-winning YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND, Decoding the Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Messages That Underlie Illness.
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 .
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Do not Kill
Do not Steal
Do not Abuse.
For if so done,'
the waters of the sea
will reflect your hearts' color
For if so done
your centuries will be
behind you and not in front
For if so done
your presence will remain
barren of your hopes
yet filled with the hopes
of those you dispersed
Do not Kill
Do not Steal
Do not Abuse.
Rolf KrogsætherC.2012
Bless you for you are a gift from the Universe-
Continue to share your magic with us all!
It tastes so sweet!
Ed
A complex word for a constitutional lawyer.:-)
You two have a beautiful day among the apple blossoms of May.:-)
Rolf
i wonder if the buddha wouldn't say, keep it real! to me i think of mindfulness with that.
many happy thoughts for you!
p
Enjoy the journey
Hugs,
Us
Yet, i wonder whether this really show us something about ourselves. We are the electorate and in a democratic society the politicians who do well are those that can speak to the people ... and clearly the people have been responding to political nastiness. So if we want a 'culture of kindness' rather than a 'culture of cash' ... then we need to change ourselves.
'Be the change' ... hmmmm.... isn't that the name of your latest book?
Big love
T!M Freke
www.TheMysteryExperience.com
www.TheMysteryExperience.com
Tome, sorta the same thing happened about transparency in government. Obama talked about it--we CHOOSE it and as we see more of what goes on in government (so as we have more transparency), we first see all the sucky stuff, the stuff that doesn't work. BUT-- if we hang in here and stay with it, it will transform into us seeing the Heart of our government-- the part that works.
Ooops--back to watering my flowers!!
I like this:
Ooops--back to watering my flowers!! :-))
Cheers,
Ed
Knowing it will never bring true happiness or contentment!
instead of the wealth within!
He laughed but it was to help people see more clearly!
The first mandate on individuals was enacted six years later, in 1798. The 1790 law only required coverage for physician services and drugs, so Congress added a directive that seamen purchase hospital insurance themselves. That bill was signed into law by President John Adams.
Congress derived its power to enact these early mandates from the Constitution’s Commerce Clause.
great read -
dadw5boys
Thereby, best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. But, I'm not even too certain Obama/Romneycare corporate healthcare bill is noble enough to worry about one way or another unless, as others have suggested, it is a potential legitimate avenue within it's basic structural guidelines to attain Medicare for all eventually. For now, outcome remains to be seen.
While your relative facts are pertinent and righteous justification for action, you're projecting liberal critical thought processes, which aren't valid as applied to conservative thought, and which by nature are driven by other motivating factors completely separate and removed from liberal motivation and action.
When conservative thought continually advocates 2+2= anything but 4, your legitimate facts lose their meaning in conservative reality and since conservatives hold a SCOTUS majority, outcome will be interesting and surely something much different than you and I would normally predict based upon liberal logic.
Did I ever tell you the story about amelioration?
The mini version is … I came across the word, it is a very old word with a very simple definition – albeit, not always easily enlivened!!
Occupying a small space in the dictionary, these few terms explain the concept: “to make or become better; improve.”
It has become the cornerstone of my intentions, the keystone of my life’s arch and I have endeavored to incorporate it – nay, blend it – into the mix of all my days.
This *Global Perspectives* page is offered in the hope and with the belief that, if we the people, of the planet pause to reflect on the perspectives of those making the same journey, we will all have a better trip.
Here are gifts from around the globe. If you would like to participate, please contact me: remarks@gemsviathailand.com
As @viasammilaw often Tweets – “There is always an open door for those who wish to contribute. Once over the threshold, amelioration becomes animated.”
remarks@gemsviathailand.com
I find myself "taking up the fight" against those who would spread false information and encourage discrimination against gays and lesbians through their lack of understanding or sometimes, malice.
I find it to be tiring and it puts me in a sour mood. Your advice has inspired me to be more conscious of the process of engagement.
Also, living in a large city, one of the big challenges I face is violence perpetrated against gays and lesbians when walking on the streets, both in the form of cruel verbal attacks and on occasion physical violence..
I have a question about being in hostile situations where there is a chance of physical violence perpetrated by another on you.....other than cutting and running, what is a good way to back your self out of the situation in a peaceful manner?
Thanks for your posts, I find them to be helpful and insightful..
be spontaneous within the situation & you will know what to do!
LOVE YOU!!
Eli
Happy you are in our life!
Since I am not American it is difficult for me to comment on Obama per se although anyone who allows equal rights for all, be they heterosexual, bisexual, gay, black, red, white, brown, multi-colored... is stepping out of the box and is expanding his/her consciousness and that of the race. As you mention, the Soul has no gender, color or nationality. It is our limited, narrow, concepts and beliefs that need to be challenged and what better "time" than NOW.
I do like your Buddha quotes.
" It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways."
Evil of itself does not exist except in our limiting belief in appearances.
All well....
what you say resonates with many people - I am certain!
Yeah - Buddha had his act together! :-))
One can only hope that the momentum we see for a more just and equitable society will continue until all people can live freely and peacefully.
thank u for your comment!