After spending a four to five month stint in the nether regions of Iowa working at the monastery, I'm back and I'm going to be posting more often. (I know I've said that many times before, but I do always return ;) ).
Some serious food for thought is included in the link below. Enjoy, and see you soon. Gassho.
The Universe in Prospective (interactive)
(be sure you scroll the bar all the way to the left to begin)
A Buddhist and traditional martial artist living in a modern and urban world
Showing posts with label Compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Compassion. Show all posts
Friday, May 25, 2012
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Ego-patrio-tism
I wasn't sure if I should post this on the 10th anniversary of the "9/ll attacks" or for Columbus Day. So I chose Columbus day.
If it weren't for ego, many things in history, including many atrocities wouldn't have happened. Radical religious practitioners are no different. Crusaders, Jihad, Conquistadors, they are all based on an attitude that of ego, that their religion is best. And it always ends up in unnecessary deaths and disposal of innocent lives.
With that in mind, for Columbus Day, I leave you with this video. But consider it has not only been Columbus and his time, but so many other "leaders" who have killed and harmed many innocent people in the sake of ego.
If it weren't for ego, many things in history, including many atrocities wouldn't have happened. Radical religious practitioners are no different. Crusaders, Jihad, Conquistadors, they are all based on an attitude that of ego, that their religion is best. And it always ends up in unnecessary deaths and disposal of innocent lives.
With that in mind, for Columbus Day, I leave you with this video. But consider it has not only been Columbus and his time, but so many other "leaders" who have killed and harmed many innocent people in the sake of ego.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
More Than Just Compassion
The place I currently work at has me on a mixed schedule. I often don't know when I'm supposed to show up for work, and sometimes (like the other day) I get up at 4 a.m. to show up at 5 a.m. (like my schedule says) and nobody is there. So I go back home and receive a call informing me that I'm supposed to go in at 8.
This incident got me thinking as I sat in contemplation. I was getting angry at my supervisors when I realized I should have compassion for them. Now the dictionary definition of compassion is: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Those who practice Buddhism know that "dictionary definitions" do not always pertain to the terms used in our practice. As such, I find that compassion has many more meanings.
To me, out of compassion comes sincerity, patience, acceptance, and unbiased love. So practicing this compassion helped me accept the fact that even though I got up so early for work when I didn't need to, I was able to subdue my anger and frustration.
Dogen Zenji states that when we understand one aspect of practice, understanding of all other aspects will follow. I believe compassion is a good example of this. With reflection on what is causing our suffering, when we look at it with a compassionate mind, we are able to see the many sides of the cause of that suffering without bias. We can accept, gain patience, and work out obstacles in a calm and more productive manner.
This incident got me thinking as I sat in contemplation. I was getting angry at my supervisors when I realized I should have compassion for them. Now the dictionary definition of compassion is: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Those who practice Buddhism know that "dictionary definitions" do not always pertain to the terms used in our practice. As such, I find that compassion has many more meanings.
To me, out of compassion comes sincerity, patience, acceptance, and unbiased love. So practicing this compassion helped me accept the fact that even though I got up so early for work when I didn't need to, I was able to subdue my anger and frustration.
Dogen Zenji states that when we understand one aspect of practice, understanding of all other aspects will follow. I believe compassion is a good example of this. With reflection on what is causing our suffering, when we look at it with a compassionate mind, we are able to see the many sides of the cause of that suffering without bias. We can accept, gain patience, and work out obstacles in a calm and more productive manner.
