Dear Friends,
This is an extremely confusing time, and it isn’t always so easy to know what to do. Although the path and practices of liberation as taught by the Buddha are no different now than they were in the Buddha’s time, we are being called to apply the teachings to contemporary conditions, finding ways to meet what we are facing in these turbulent and distressing times.
Looking deeply into the question of where we have power and where we do not, we can see that we don’t have control over how other people think, feel, and act. It is easy to feel helpless because of this reality. A meditative question might then be: what IS possible?
Most of us aspire to speak and act in ways that encourage civil liberties, democracy, kindness, and compassion. Thich Nhat Hanh felt strongly that our dharma centers shouldn’t take the side of any political party. However, that doesn’t negate the wise actions that any of us might engage in to resist oppression and injustice.
For instance, I am teaching at the Forest Refuge in Barre, MA this month, and there were pro-democracy demonstrations in downtown Barre; my co-teacher and I were able to briefly support the twenty or so people present in the center of town (Barre is a small town, 20 people was a crowd.) I know this wouldn’t be the best action for everyone in our community. What I am pointing to is not one thing or one prescribed action, but actions that flow out of asking what is possible right now. Cultivating and embodying the paramis of generosity, ethics, letting go, wisdom, wise effort, patience, truthfulness, resolve, metta, and equanimity offer the foundation for bringing our contemplative practices into our daily lives.
I know that many of you are acting in ways that advance what we as a Buddhist sangha hold dear, the commonality of all beings. We know that kindness is empowering because it is a way to express our commonality and to live together with ease and respect. We can encourage intrinsic wisdom to come alive within ourselves and others and to be part of engaging in a collective awakening. In this way, rather than our actions being burdensome, they flow naturally out of living our principles.
The role of contemplation is to meet the torments of heart within us– of greed, hatred, and delusion – and to render them powerless. In this way, we can know peace within ourselves and share this peace with others. We are all participants – bettering the world is not on any one person’s shoulders. To participate is to exemplify one’s Bodhisattva nature – the aspiration to know the deepest peace for all beings everywhere.
One last thought for the moment: this is a truly demanding time that is taking its toll. Please try to balance any actions you might take with the formal practices of sitting and walking. And make sure you are getting enough rest. You are not alone; we are all in this together.