Changing the Way We Change

Dear Readers,

Before the last U.S. presidential election back in 2004, What Is Enlightenment? magazine posed the following query to five religious leaders: “Many people argue that the upcoming presidential election is the most important in our lifetime. Do you
agree?” 

Four of the respondents said, in effect, “Yes, because George Bush is bad for America and the world.”

But the fifth religious leader, Zen Buddhist Jan Chozen Roshi, replied, “I don't know. Our existence is so short, it's like a dust mote in the eye of God. To say that the time in which my dust mote existed was the most important is a self-centered view.”

Roshi's wisdom reminded me of an anecdote told by Henry Kissinger, an American politician who was Secretary of State in the 1970s. Kissinger once asked Chinese premier Zhou Enlai what he thought of the French Revolution, which had happened two centuries earlier. “Too soon to tell,” Chou answered.

I always like to keep these ideas in mind, even in times of relative peace and calm. But I'm especially fond of focusing on the *very* big picture when divine chaos is whirling around – like now. It helps keep me humble, and discourages me from any temptation I might have to believe I know the Whole Truth about anything, let alone about the mysterious long-term processes at work in the evolution of the human race.

There's another factor that makes me cautious about getting embroiled in partisan politics and the narrow-minded hostility that fuels it. One of my main goals in life is to love everyone with passionate intensity – no exceptions. Not just the people I find beautiful and helpful and interesting and attractive. But also the people I don't like and the people who don't like me and the people I disagree with and the people who can't or won't do anything for me.

In order to become the gorgeous genius I aspire to be, in order to fulfill the unique destiny I came to Earth to embody, I have to hold EVERYONE in my heart with compassion and empathy. As I contemplate how every single part of creation is interconnected, I've got to be aware that the creatures I'm allergic to and inclined to feel alienated from are also part of the great web of life.

That's my spiritual goal; it's essential to awakening my best self and cultivating an intimate connection to Spirit. It's also my selfish goal; it's critical to my physical and mental health. Hatred always sickens me. Love always invigorates me.

*

On the other hand:

I was born at a specific moment in history with a unique outlook and a particular assignment. I can't help but be passionate about the truth as I see it.

And the truth as I see it is that Barack Obama is the best choice for President of the United States. He is definitely the most pronoiac candidate.

That's why I'm voting for him and feel good about saying:

BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

Re: Changing the Way We Change

It's good to be able to vote for a candidate for a change instead of voting for someone simply to keep a worse choice out…

It's interesting to be a 'dust mote in God's eye” and see things as they are today knowing that in a god's blink this life we have is all an illusion. It sure feels real and lengthy to me!

Thanks for the Good News Post David!

Re: Changing the Way We Change

Hey Amber… you can say this again and again.  Go ahead we got time.

Re: Changing the Way We Change

Life just got 'real and lengthy' for me, this Halloween evening… can you say, “Stop this ride I wanna get off”? Sometimes the Big Picture takes a close up of the very second you are living in and uses it as a main feature in an Action Scene.

I vote for the guy who can ride the roller coaster, throw up his hands, and say, “Wheeeeeeee!”

Hugz!
amber

Re: Changing the Way We Change

Amber -Nice analogy… do tell!

Re: Changing the Way We Change

Apologies…  It seems neither here or in other places I posted the above did I cut and paste the blurb attributing it to Mr Rob Brezsny.  That's who wrote it.  I meant to say I thought it was such a wonderful way to look at the whole picture and still act.

Blessings, David

Re: Changing the Way We Change

Wow, Great News is here to be shared.  How wonderful to run into you two here, David and Amber. Thanks for what you are sharing here.

Still so moved by the recent events, and trust you are both as elated as I am.

Hereby today's musings  

on rising (or in other words, changing the way we change).

In gratitude,
Nell ;-)

Re: Changing the Way We Change

Having assimilated an OSHO-type mind-set of ZEN, which has been very influential in making me a better “christian” - one that now understands Jesus as Jesus and NOT Jesus as Christ - the ZEN gift of understanding which IS most important to me is the ABSOLUTELY precious experience of every moment, moment by moment, which is itself the gift of the present; WHAT IS, IS and sure ain't NO ISER and their are a hell of a lot of moments to experience in just one dust mote.

Re: Changing the Way We Change

So in summary, you are in favor of letting Jesus be Jesus and Christ be Christ.

It's all in the Eye - or shall we say I of the beholder anyway.

Thank you, Michael, for sharing what is Absolutely precious ;-)