Third Eye on the News: Talking to Buddhists About the '08 Race and the "Rough Old Trade" of Politics

Serenity? Yeah, that would be good. Some sense of what happens when I die? That would be nice, too, as the decades whirl by. But there's a world on fire out there -- and anyway, some of us aren't made for the monastic life. These election years are especially challenging: One candidate plays dirty, the other occasionally disappoints, and the media rig the game.

Same old same old.

It seemed like a good idea to ask some Buddhists for guidance. So I did, in my second piece for the Buddhist magazine Tricycle. It's called "Election Returns: The Politics of Karma, the Karma of Politics." A number of wise people gave me real wisdom -- far more than I could fit into a 2500-word piece.

Am I a Buddhist? I don't feel completely comfortable saying so. That's certainly how I roll meditation-wise, and Buddhism makes sense to me metaphysically. But I feel some loyalty to my Jewish upbringing. And to the Christians who took me in and showed me love. And to the agnostics and nonbelievers, including the one who raised me. Question: Does calling yourself something make you disloyal to everything else?

And I don't think people should have to label themselves religiously. But if I had to state my religion on a passport or a hospital admission form, then yeah, I'd put "Buddhist." But which kind? There are so many flavors: Zen, Tibetan, Vipassana. I don't know. And on second thought, I've stopped caring what happens when I die, anyway. If it's oblivion, fine. If it's reincarnation or some other continuance, fine. I lean toward the latter, but as Bob Hope said when someone asked if he'd rather be cremated or buried: Surprise me.

As I was saying, I learned a lot. I especially liked what Thai activist Sulak Sivaraksa told me: "You (Americans) must try to help each other fight structural violence. It's not Buddhist to pursue a selfish Nirvana." (The other Buddhists I spoke with liked it too.) And Robert Thurman was especially taken with a little problem I was having seeing a certain prominent Republican (and Halliburton executive) in meditation.

Vipassana teacher Jack Kornfield "encourages political engagement as a dimension of spiritual life." Wes Nisker helped with my burning resentments and provided a bright vision of the future. Roshi Bernie Glassman talked about social engagement as a reflection of inner states. Radio host Thom Hartmann (somebody else who doesn't label his beliefs) reflected on the optimism he has felt in different political movements.

Poet/activist Anne Waldman, speaking during the primary contest, reflected on Hillary Clinton's siddhis (abilities) and hoped she would put them to good use after the "grasping" of the primaries ended. (She has, and Bill will hopefully follow.)

Many of the Buddhist teachers I interviewed were enthusiastic Obama supporters, seeing in him a certain balance, focus, and ability to create reconciliation. I started to wonder if there had been a meditators' caucus somewhere ...

British practitioner/activist Ken Jones discussed the "vortex of party politics ... a rough old trade, and not for any of our co-religionists who crave Purity and Perfection." That's the real question: How can a person be politically effective without becoming trapped in that eternal cycle of resentment and payback? Otherwise we remain enslaved to the never-ending conflicts, generation after generation and life after life.

Same old same old.

The folks I interviewed gave me so much good material that I'll be excerpting more of it shortly. If you have a chance to read the Tricycle piece in the meantime, let me know what you think.

RJ Eskow blogs at:

A Night Light
The Sentinel Effect: Healthcare Blog
Future-While-U-Wait
RJ Eskow at the Huffington Post

Follow RJ Eskow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rjeskow

Comments

[Dap]

"Until you have learned to serve man, how can you serve Ghosts" Confucius

[Jonahson]

I call you a confusing Buddhist. Too much knowledge even for a buddhist can lead you round and round. Instead of jumping around finding out for the ultimate practrice and instant enlightenment why not got back to basics and practice what little you learned and see the truth for yourself or not?

[larry278]

RJ, have you checked out Judiasm? There are at least 3 flavors of Judiasm. Islam has more flavors than Judiasm & Christianity has a myriad of flavors. If you want to say implicitly that you are Buddhist you could try saying that you're an atheist since Buddhism is a non-thiestic system of beliefs. LOL

[Arithrianos]

There is a vast difference between atheism and non theism. Buddha never denied the existance of gods, if fact all sentient beings have had members of the 6th world of samsara, known as the god realm. It just is another state of suffering and is not very important. In fact the best possible realm to be in as far as liberation is concerned is the human realm, because this realm has the perfect blend of suffering and space to appreciate suffering.

[OtayPanky]

Arithrianos: There is a vast difference between atheism and non theism. Buddha never denied the existance of gods.

===

Thank you.

I've seen more ignorance about this than any other topic related to spirituality or relgion.

The transcendental is an intrinsic part of Buddha-dharma. But when pressed about details concerning the existence or non-existence of what we in the west call "God", he refused to answer.

First become fully enlightened, he said. Then we'll have a useful discussion about such things. Until then you won't understand, and you'll simply fight among yourselves over your different views anyway.

[OtayPanky]

In Christianity they say, "Hate the sinner, not the sin".

In Buddhism, we might similarly say, "Hate the deluded, not the delusion".

Remember when you wrote here on HuffPo that you wanted to punch Joe Klein out? Why not just beat him to death with a baseball bat?

That's the cycle of structural violence we're trying to break.

When we can't look at Joe Klein, or Dick Cheney, or whomever, with compassion, it's time to take off the pundit identity and step away from the keyboard until we find a Buddha view once again.

Then we can re-engage, powerfully, even fiercely - wielding a Dharma sword of truth that will - bit by bit - cut through delusion.

[RJ Eskow - Huffpost Blogger]

Exactly. While the Joe Klein piece was satire, not meant to be taken literally, I nevertheless wrote about it - and the feelings that led to it - in Tricycle's Fall 2007 edition. ("Above the Fray.")

A nit-pick, though: that's not an example of "structural violence." It's an example of "psychic" or "personal violence." Consumerism and economic colonialism would come under the "structural violence" category in my book. So would the use of female imagery in advertising.

Nevertheless, I agree with your basic point. I've reflected on it and written about it and will continue to do so. I wish more people would do the same - but I suppose that's just over-discrimination and spiritual striving on my part.

[OtayPanky]

Buddhism, and eastern thougt generally, really dovetails well with a fractal view of the universe. So the psychic "fractal" of violence, and the toxic memes behind it, manifest in the small (aka the personal) and the large (the corporate, the national, the global). When we look deeply, we see how it's all the same basic stuff.

I commend you, RJ, for being willing to step away from your own blind passions, and to admit they were not healthy for you, or for the blogging community. It's a sterling example - one I wish would be widely seen and imitated by liberals, lefties and progressives of all stripes - and of course by the "others" who oppose us politically. Somehow we need to learn political "skillful means" - how to fight fiercely, and fairly, at the same time.

I actually think this ability is one the gifts Barack brings to the table this year.

FInally - for whoever's reading - I got my nouns confused. My original comments should have read thusly:

In Christianity they say, "Hate the sin, not the sinner".

In Buddhism, we might similarly say, "Hate the delusion, not the deluded".

My best to you...

OtayPanky

[Saitia]

RJ,
Here, spirituality is chiefly a concern for salvation. Take salvation for granted. There is only one struggle; the good fight of faith. The believer has only one battle, and that is against doubt— unbelief.
As for politics and religion, remember to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And never forget that to those who are spirit led, all things work together for good.

[RJ Eskow - Huffpost Blogger]

Beautifully said.

[SBlackmun]

Hmm. I thought you were raised by TWO atheistic/agnostic parents?! Love, Sarah

[HilaryMcBama]

Love comapssion and removal of suffering are at the heart of Bhudda dharma
Material concerns are distractions from the path
Likemost teachings seekers interpret the easy bits.
Tibetanmahahna has plenty of wrnings of hell and practices to prepare for the transition.
Dhayna or Zen to has approaches our slow old hinyana is the Model T but offers love wisdom and knowledge
Few politicians in recent times have eschewed fame wealth and 'material growth' Mandela in jail could be asetic but America has feasted on more for a long time.
Patrician Al Gore seems to be closest to Mies van der Rohe's maxim
'more is less.With homes under 100k in Stockton and basic food so cheap it's amazing with so much leisure most people just want work and pleasure.Luckily there are endless lifetimes to learn
Nice Blog well done Huff for hosting a refreshing view of US

[OtayPanky]

Great nick.

[SD61]

Your link points to the last page of the Tricycle piece, BTW. You may want to edit it to point to page one.

[RJ Eskow - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks. Fixed it.

Forgot we weren't reading this back-to-front, like some ancient scroll. (Actually, I just messed up.)

[SD61]

Nice column, RJ, and your Tricycle piece was excellent. As far as "religion" goes, Buddhism is the diamond in the rough. How can anyone listen to the Dalai Lama and not instantly like him?