We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. -- Buddha
One of the truly great things in life is to discover our genuine and authentic self, to dance to the beat of our own drum. And so, conversely, one of the greatest challenges is to know what we think, feel, and believe, for ourselves. It is far easier to agree with others, or be influenced by them to believe as they do, than it is to be firm in our own convictions.
Trying to please others by always agreeing with them, or saying what he thinks they want to hear even if it means constantly contradicting himself, is an obvious trait of Mitt Romney's. He appears to have no idea what he really thinks, feels, and believes for himself. As a result he is constantly flip-flopping to fit in with current policies. Hence the comparison to Etch-A-Sketch. For instance:
Flip: "I saw my father march with Martin Luther King."
Flop: "I did not see it with my own eyes."
Flip: "Roe v. Wade has gone too far."
Flop: "I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it."
Flip: "I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose."
Flop: "I never really called myself pro-choice."
Flip: "I have a gun of my own. I go hunting myself. I'm a member of the NRA and believe firmly in the right to bear arms."
Flop: "Asked by reporters at the gun show whether he personally owned a gun, Romney said he did not."
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. -- Buddha
Another word for flip flop is confusion. When we are confused we lose sight of what is real or where we are going. This is what can happen when money and power take over and add to the delusion that we are invincible. The Buddha taught of the dangers of greed, hatred and ignorance, that he called the three poisons. Where greed grabs our desires, hatred abuses our fears, while ignorance clouds our vision.
Greed has many relatives, such as jealousy, ambition, self-centeredness, pride, and grasping, which lead to dissatisfaction, irritation, even depression. The craving to possess generates a fear of not having and limits our generosity. Romney personifies greed, not just in his many houses and cars, but in his desperate desire to win, no matter how.
Hate is destructive, indiscriminate, and like a snake it can rise up out of nowhere and attack. When we are fixed in the belief that we are right then anything that questions or threatens that belief becomes the enemy to be done away with. Such hatred becomes its own worst enemy, however, for no matter how much we try to annihilate the hated one the hate remains within us.
Words have power to destroy or heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world. -- Buddha
Where hatred closes our heart, delusion makes us believe there is a permanent, separate and fixed "me," which means we take ourselves much too seriously; it is the belief that "me" is all-powerful, and the ignorance of our essential connectedness with others. But when we constantly focus on ourselves we can create suffering; such selfishness means there is no room for kindness or compassion.
When we met with the Dalai Lama, he said to us: "We are all equal here." This is something that Mitt Romney seems to have a real difficulty with, as he continues making insensitive comments such as, "I like being able to fire people who provide services to me," and how his wife Anne "drives a couple of Cadillacs." Or, as Arianna Huffington said in her last Sunday Roundup blog: "... Mitt Romney once again failed to defuse the dog-on-car-roof controversy, conceding that if given the chance he'd do things differently -- not because it was cruel but because of the flak he's received in the ensuing years."
Surely it's time for Mitt to stop trying to be loved and convince everyone he is the man of the people. He comes across as hopelessly awkward when he attempts to put himself in someone else's shoes or equate himself with their problems, such as saying that he too was unemployed while at the same time having $100 million in the bank. Rather, it's time for him to discover who he is and what he genuinely believes.
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. -- Dalai Lama
Are you more like a Mitt or more like a Buddha? Do comment below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Thursday by checking Become a Fan at the top.
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"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. -- Buddhah"
And how much I adore YOU!!! Thank you so much for the illuminating article on the flipping and flopping of Mitt.
After my 'engage-acation' in Hawaii I had to take some time to align with what Spirit really wanted me to do. I needed time and space out of the blogoshere to get clear direction.
It came very quickly and in 6 months I had my first $100,000 day. (Actually it was $130,000) The Universe seems to be giving me and those that do this new work very clear feedback with some very big thumbs up.
It is such a blessing to now be able to help those who are on the planet to make a big positive impact. This is giving me the space to give more and be of greater service.
In the last few weeks I have been thinking of sharing with other HuffPo bloggers...and there are no more favorite bloggers that YOU!
a special friend
blessings & love,
Ed
No two souls can occupy the same space.
We are not our thoughts, we are the observer of these thoughts.
Karma always, always has the last word, except where moderated by the Sat Guru.
We are truly blessed to have a human incarnation. Make the most of it.
Always have loved what you say here:
"We are truly blessed to have a human incarnation. Make the most of it."
shared their wisdom -
but most
important is for all people to find what is
real for themselves!
To know what the wisdom teachers taught is invaluable
But no one can do it for you!
Each one of us must discover -
what makes us tick!
The truth is within-
It cannot be without!
Enjoy the journey -
Swami Brahmananda (Ed Shapiro)
but
say more
or
are you saying-
Maybe "oh God, please"
you are more like a Buddha
:-))
One of the truly great things in life is to discover our genuine and authentic self...."
Slight problem here. The Buddha opposed the very idea of a 'self'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatta
Yes no self - is -
NO SOLID SELF-
There is absolute & relative reality!
as the Buddha taught-
The absolute is -
'Radiant Emptiness'
The relative is this phenomenal world of name & form - samsara!
Om mane padme hum!
Jygme Powa - Ed Shapiro
it says - as we say in this article - that there is not a solid 'me' which means a solid self-
so if you reread what we wrote you will see that we are in agreement with the Buddha:
Where hatred closes our heart, 'delusion' makes us believe there is a permanent, separate and fixed "me,"
Also the Buddha said:
"Don't do what I say find out what is real for yourself!"
what is real for you VikingViking?
Mitt knows exactly what he's doing and if it means hocking his soul to reach his goal, well, so be it.
He thinks he can resurrect himself once he gets there.
I think you are being too kind- giving Mitt too much credit!
I don't think Mitt Romney would have a clue who or what the Buddha was about.
He is much too wrapped up in greed, selfishness & delusion.
MR is much too narcissistic!
Ed
Humble living does not diminish, it fills.
Going back to a simpler self gives wisdom.
When a man makes up a story for his child,
he becomes a father and a child
together, listening.
RUMI
Ahhh
RUMI
Being humble is a great gift to ourselves & others!
Ed
Fanned & Fav'd
He doesn't have a clue what it takes to be POTUS -
The way he speaks says so much -
He appears to believe it is a popularity contest!
or a beauty contest & he wants to win!
His smile reveals much!
Fanned & Fav'd
Ed
These are well known quotes!
No need to cite them!
"We really don't know what we'll get from him.'
Not what you want to feel about the most powerful person in the world.
Chances are he won't be a man of the people.
What the USA needs is someone who really really cares!
Ed