Every time there's an election, I find myself going to the polls somewhat unprepared and not entirely informed. It's my own fault, I know, but keeping abreast of the presidential candidates is hard enough without having to know the judges, commissioners, and constitutional amendments up for change too. Anyway, this time around I wont be left unprepared. I found a great site for Florida that lists all the folks on the ballot, what they stand for, what they've done, and what they plan to do. It also breaks down all the proposed changes for the state constitution and what each really means for the every day person. The site is sponsored by the Community Empowerment Organization (We’re committed to making sure every member of our community has the information to make an informed vote at the polls.) and I want to thank them for translating the political blah-blah into something I can make an informed decision on.
October 30, 2008
Children Singing about Voting
My friend Maria sent me this link to a school chorus that has created a song about the presidential election. It's so cool.
Kid's Political Jam
October 29, 2008
Obama Shines
Sometimes living in Brevard County Florida can be kind of discouraging. Being as liberal as I am, a registered democrat, and a practicing Buddhist, it can be depressing to drive around town and see sign after sign for McCain/Palin. Don't get me wrong, there is quite the contingent of democrats and others who are choosing to make the change we crave in this country and are supporting Obama/Biden. But it's the ones who literally advertise their choice for change when they live in an area that is heavily in support of no change that warms my heart and gives me hope. In fact, that is the very word that is emblazoned in lights on top of a particular house in Satellite Beach. HOPE. Oh and Obama is lit up in red, white, and blue too.
Dear Brave Resident,
Thank You!
October 27, 2008
No on 2 gets Big Corporate Support
Tell Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida -
"We Have Your Back"
When the largest and oldest health insurance provider speaks out against Amendment 2 people listen. And Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS-FL) has been speaking out against the deceptively named "marriage protection" amendment quite a bit.
Their clear and public stand has earned them high points for courage and integrity but it has also earned them the animosity of the far right backers of Amendment 2.
Since publicly announcing their opposition to this discriminatory amendment, BCBS-FL has been targeted by the far right. They stood up for all Floridians and now we need to stand up for them.
Far right backers of Amendment 2 are already starting challenges to municipalities' domestic partnership benefits. David Caton, of the Florida Family Association, has already started laying the groundwork to challenge partner benefits that the City of Tampa provides to police officers, firefighters and all municipal employees.
Proponents of the Michigan amendment claimed that it was only about marriage - just as those pushing the Florida Amendment are now doing. Then, those very same people turned around and challenged Michigan Domestic Partner Benefits programs and stripped away the rights and benefits of thousands of couples.
Write to BCBS-FL today and tell them how much we appreciate their principled stand.
"Amendment 2 is going to have a major impact on our ability to provide benefits for domestic partners, and we're opposed to anything that gets in the way of providing benefits." Randy Kammer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Emergence of the Amero
A few months ago, I wrote about a life changing movie called Zeitgeist that I had seen through my friends of the Brevard County Buddhist Fellowship. One of the many eye opening moments revealed in this must see documentary was the introduction of a new monetary system known as the Amero which sounds like Euro, yet it's no joke. Below is a quote from the website Amero currency regarding the state of the U.S. economy and plans that are already in place to reformulate not only the money we use but the expansion of our borders as well.
"The United States economic condition now abysmal, the stage is set to realign and redesign how our national business is conducted. It has been suggested the U.S. Government nationalize the mortgage and banking industries. It has long been suggested our medical system be nationalized. Higher taxes, fewer services and wider borders.
The Security Prosperity Partnership of North America is a U.S. State Department reality. The proposals include minimalizing borders between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, creating a continental perimeter border for defense, technologies reducing the necessity to inspect inbound import cargo and tolling the superhighways on which we and the mystery cargos will travel."
Julian Beever is a British chalk artist who creates 3D chalk drawings on pavement using a projection called anamorphism that creates the illusion, or Trompe-l'oeil. His street paintings appear to defy the laws of perspective. Besides the 3D art, Beever paints murals and replicas of the works of masters. He is often hired as a performance artist and to create murals for companies. Beever is interested in advertising and marketing, as well. He has worked in the UK, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, the USA and Australia. Many people have speculated that his work is a result of digital photo editing. These images are actually authentic. He also has some very nice wall murals.
Reiki II
This past Saturday, I had the amazing opportunity to receive Reiki Level II Attunements that were taught and given by Shanti Johnson of the Brevard County Buddhist Fellowship. The class was held at Unity of Melbourne in an intimate room used for manifestation prayer work at the back of the building. There were about 11 people in the class from various walks of life. We had counselors, teachers, artists, caregivers, a retired gentleman, and others. Shanti's teaching style was very easy to follow and helped create a warm and comfortable atmosphere for this exciting process. She provided detailed information from her own experience as a Reiki practitioner and licensed esthetician in the state of Florida and completely covered all the legal ramifications of practicing Reiki in this state. In many ways, her class went above and beyond what one would typically encounter in a Reiki II class. She role played a client visit with a Reiki practitioner for the students to see how an actual Reiki session may be run. Everyone appreciated the time and effort she put into the class and the sense of camaraderie she helped engender amongst all who were present. Just prior to the attunement process, Shanti's friend and Reiki Master, Tom prepared the way with a guided meditation that took us to a very deep meditational level and opened a channel for the attunements. Many participants stated they had profound experiences both during and after receiving the attunements. Some carried a deep level of relaxation for the remainder of the day while I became charged up and needed to expend excess energy. One participant went through a physical detoxification.
For anyone who may be interested in learning or receiving Reiki for themselves, family, friends, or others, I highly recommend Shanti Johnson. You can contact Shanti through the Brevard County Buddhist Fellowship website. Of course, I'm also available and would enjoy sharing Reiki with you too. I can be reached via email at michael.staples@yahoo.com or at The Herb Corner and Learning Center. I'm also a certified herbal practitioner and can work with you to create an herbal protocol to support complete wellness without pharmaceuticals.
October 22, 2008
Child's Logic
A little boy goes to his dad and asks, 'What is Politics?'
Dad says, 'Well son, let me try to explain it this way:
I am the head of the family, so call me The President.
Your mother is the administrator of the money, so we call her the Government.
We are here to take care of your needs, so we will call you the People.
The nanny, we will consider her the Working Class.
And your baby brother, we will call him the Future.
Now think about that and see if it makes sense.'
So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what Dad has said.
Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him.
He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper.
So the little boy goes to his parents' room and finds his mother asleep.
Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny's room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny.
He gives up and goes back to bed.
The next morning, the little boy says to his father, 'Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now.'
The father says, 'Good, son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about.'
The little boy replies, 'The President is screwing the Working Class while the Government is sound asleep. The People are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit.
October 20, 2008
How I Saved John McCain
Last Friday, after a busy day at the Herb Corner, I was sitting in my car and making a few calls before heading out to my Buddhist fellowship. I noticed a man arrive at the bus stop and begin looking over the bus schedule. He called out to me and asked if I knew the name of that particular stop. I didn't and he went back to waiting. After I completed my calls, I started the engine and backed out of the space I was in. At that point, the man at the bus stop waved in my direction. I rolled down the window and he asked if I could take him to the King Center. I said I couldn't take him all the way but I could get him closer than he was at that moment. He declined and decided to wait for the bus. I continued on my way out of the parking lot but as I approached the stop sign to make my turn out onto Babcock Street, I glanced at the clock and noticed I had enough time to give him a ride all the way to the King Center after all. I called him over. He approached readily and carried a very large black duffel bag. He was wearing a long sleeve white cotton t-shirt and grey sweat pants. He also had on white socks and sandals. He got in the passenger seat and we went along our way. I noticed he didn't put on his seat belt and for some reason it disturbed me. I asked him to please put it on and he complied. As we drove along towards US1, he began to tell me he was on a mission from god.
"I've been sent on a mission from god," he said.
"Really, what's your mission," I replied.
"God has told me that man should not kill another.
"That's a good message," I responded while looking at him quizzically.
"He has also told me that those who support the killing of others should be killed."
"Really."
"I see you are a Buddhist," he said as he motioned to my beads and the OM symbol hanging on the mirror. I was also wearing a Brevard County Buddhist Fellowship t-shirt.
"Yes, I practice Shin Buddhism. We certainly believe in the sanctity of life."
"I am on a walking quest. I have been walking since Miami and I will go all the way to New York."
"Wow, where are you from?"
"I'm from Colombia but now I live in Miami with my family. My father works in oil and I told him his money has the blood of innocent people on it and I can no longer work for him. He was disappointed but I must follow my mission," he rambled out.
I didn't say anything but just focused on the drive. I realized he didn't need any promptings from me, I was a captive audience. He went on to tell me how enlightened he had become and that I had a lot of learning yet to do before I would see the world through his new vision. I inwardly hoped I'd never succumb to such a vision. He saw the world as having only two kinds of people. Good and Evil. The good could live and the evil must die. He felt confident that god would tell him which was which and then god's will be done. At that point, I was feeling very uneasy.When we reached the intersection of US1 and Aurora Road, about four cops on motorbikes appeared and halted all traffic in the east/west lanes and those going north. They allowed those coming south to continue and seemed to be trying to clear the southbound lanes while also not allowing anyone to go north either. My passenger continued to ramble about his mission but I was distracted by the cops. He seemed a little uneasy and kept looking at the clock.
"Are you going to make your event," I asked?
"No, it's already over."
Just then we heard a voice on one of the police radios say that they were at Parkway. Other drivers who were waiting beside me began to speculate that the police were chasing someone south on US1. My passenger kept urging me to just go on but I told him we could not go until the police gave us the signal to do so. A driver on his right wondered allowed what could this be.
"It's John McCain," my passenger said to me.
"What's he doing in town," I asked?
"There was a rally at the King Center. I was going there to share my message from god."
I shared the information with the other drivers around me that we were being held up for McCain's entourage but nothing about my passenger. No one around me seemed aware that he was even in town and all were annoyed that we should be held up for him. It was about then that we saw the first flashing lights in the distance and it was at that very moment that I got goose bumps from head-to-toe. This very creepy feeling overcame me and a sense of foreboding was strong. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my passenger step out of the car and I watched him walked calmly around to the back of the vehicle. Everyone around us were concentrating on the coming entourage of cops and limos. Something in me told me to lock all the doors which I did immediately. My passenger attempted to access the rear hatch but was unable to. He seemed perplexed and uncertain. I motioned to him to get back in the car. As he did so, the last of McCain's cars passed us by. For a moment he seemed upset but then he settled back into his seat as we continued on our way. I drove him the rest of the way to the King Center but continued to feel uneasy the whole way. He said he was going to get his bag and just stand in the car's path. I didn't say anything to that. What was there to say? I just wanted him out of my car. After arriving at the King Center, there were tons of cars leaving the area and people milling about. I dropped him off adjacent to the main entrance. I made sure he collected all his belongings and wished him good luck in his mission. As I watched him walk away, my uneasiness did not go away. I began to look around for some type of security personnel but none were to be seen. Once I got back on the road, as I still had to get to my fellowship, I decided to call my friend Maria for her advice and take on the situation. She convinced me to report him to the police just to be on the safe side. Strangely, it was only after making the report that my uneasiness subsided. I don't know whatever happened to my passenger. I never heard anything about him or from the police. I don't know if he was simply disturbed or truly a threat to John McCain. Maybe he was on a mission from god. Maybe he was on his own mission. All I know is what I felt and the signs I read in the situation. May all be well.
If you're not already familiar with Amendment 2 you will be soon. It's up for a vote come November and it's to change the Florida constitution to reflect that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. It would not only ostracize all gay men and women from ever having their unions recognized (there is already a law on the books called the Defense of Marriage Act) but it would also keep anyone who isn't legally married from receiving partner health benefits, inheritances, tax benefits, and/or making health decisions for a loved one. This umbrella would also include long-term friends and others who have made decisions for those they care about but are not married to. No matter what you may feel about gay men and women and other types of life partners, everyone deserves the right to be able to care for those we love and be protected when it's needed most. I support a NO vote on Amendment 2 and I hope you will too.
Did You Know?
This is a cool media ad that my friend Maria sent me. It's kind of the scoop on technology in the world today and a bunch of miscellaneous facts about the U.S. and other nations. Check it out.
http://release.theplatform.com/content.select?pid=x7aVOMrlfkkijQwcLllwk6WjB5JE0zrF
October 15, 2008
October 14, 2008
A Walk in the Park
After almost a week of daily rains, we finally had a warm and sunny day. I decided to put it to good use and get in a long hike through Wickham Park. After a quick shower and my morning meditation, I slipped out into the pleasant morning air and made my way down to the ground floor. I went out the back of my building and along the lake (pond) behind where one can regularly see ducks, ibises, and other birds taking their morning swim. I crossed over Post Road and into the park. Once inside I began encountering all kinds of friendly animals. The first was a Great Blue Heron who was patiently waiting along a canal bank for passing fish to be caught for its breakfast. I greeted it with the honor such a great bird deserves. We exchanged glances and tips of the head but no words were spoken. Heron is patient, quiet and wise but rarely has anything to say. Very soon after, as I made my way through thick palm fronds, I encountered a gentle turtle enjoying the cool morning shade. At first it shied from my approach and retreated into its shell but after I stopped to share my presence, it slowly came out to share its own. Turtle has been on this earth for so long that it relishes in the most minute detail and always takes its time. We as well took our own sweet time together before I moved on.
Along the way I encountered quite a number of unusual mushrooms. I'm fascinated by the mysterious fungi but I don't dare disturbed its artful poses since you never know who it may be aligned with. Some shrooms can be doors to other realms while others can swiftly take one to their grave. I admire its uniqueness and respect its privacy.
Further down the path I took, I came upon a pair of Mourning Doves. Surely this was a good omen if ever there was. They cooed not a sound nor flew off when I approached but sat watching me as I passed under their perch above. The Mourning Dove teaches me grace and its song inspires me. I thanked them for their presence and continued on through the park. Down the way from the doves perch, my path was crisscrossed by a wayfaring dragonfly. It flew up and down, backwards and still on the air. It came to tell me that life was meant to be explored and we are supposed to forge our own way. I thanked it for its wisdom and it soon was on its way. It was around this point that I was startled by a small sleeping dragon. Now, I'm not very conversant in dragon lore but I know one when I see one. Anyone who thinks dragons are extinct or just beasts of imagination obviously never encountered one. There's no telling how long this one has been around, probably hundreds of years. It's size was small, probably near 15 feet from head to tail and its body was camouflaged to look like a pile of pine needles. This is one of the many unique traits of dragons that they can match their bodies to their surroundings and thus hide in plain sight. Dragon teaches me, even in slumber, that one does not have to be seen to gain others respect. Respect comes from one's bearing, spirit, and presence as much as whatever accomplishments one has made. I silently and carefully acknowledged the dragon and moved on. Now I'd like to be able to say I next came upon a murder of crows just because I love that phrase but in fact it was a flock of blackbirds making quite a ruckus. Blackbirds are another one to bring good omens to those aware enough to see it. They told me I was moving into deeper levels of spirit and what was once mysterious would become known. Sounds like a bad fortune teller, I know. But it makes sense to me because of the path I am on and I am not so foolish as to ignore the prophecies of blackbirds. It wasn't until the end of my hike that I met a most auspicious creature. Under a large shade tree, amongst a gathering of white ducks and mallards, was a lone peacock. It's not often one comes across such a magnificent being as this out in a park. The peacock stood very still as if in pose and then would continue to fluff its plumage or take the gentlest of steps and pluck seeds from the grass. Occasionally, it would raise up its neck and look around the area like a grand monarch looking over his land. I sat in awe and honor of Peacock for a long while. Someone else, not too far away, played a relaxing tune on a guitar. I felt as though I was being allowed to sit with Peacock and its court. It taught me humility in the presence of Nature and a universal oneness with all sentient beings. I felt completely at peace and wanted to stay all day. However, I was soon visited by Red Ant(s) and had to bid my farewell. The way I experienced my walk in the park is also the way I strive to experience my walk in life. I seek to learn from all who have something to teach and share my spirit with all.
October 7, 2008
Made in China
Urgent Appeal: Torture Survivors at Risk of Abuse, Death after Daring Escape from Labor Camp
Falun Gong adherents held incommunicado, families also arrested and beaten
“Masanjia is known as one of the most brutal forced labor camps in the country where detainees are regularly tortured with electric batons, beaten and raped.”
New York (FDIC)—A group of Falun Gong adherents from Liaoning province are at grave risk of torture after being arrested following a daring escape from Masanjia labor camp in August, the Falun Dafa Information Center warned on Friday.
On August 11, adherents assisted Cui Dejun (崔德军), a practitioner detained at Masanjia labor camp, in escaping from the camp’s hospital where he was being held after suffering abuse. According to sources inside China, Cui was then taken to the nearby provincial capital Shenyang and placed at the home of Yu Ming (于溟), a 37-year-old adherent also held at the camp.
Two days later, agents of the Public Security Bureau broke into the house and arrested Cui and others present, taking Cui to an unknown location. In the meantime, guards suspecting that Yu may have aided the escape have also moved him elsewhere, ignoring his scheduled release date of September 2.
“Masanjia is known as one of the most brutal forced labor camps in the country where detainees are regularly tortured with electric batons, beaten and raped. These peaceful religious believers should never have been there in the first place,” says Falun Dafa Information Center spokesperson Gail Rachlin.
“That Cui escaped and may have told the world of the horrors taking place in Masanjia has sent the Chinese communist authorities into a panic. Based on the past experience of Ms. Gao Rongrong’s case and the use of incommunicado detention, Cui and Yu’s lives are in grave danger.”
In a widely publicized incident in 2004, Ms. Gao Rongrong escaped from Masanjia and photos of her face disfigured from electric baton shocks spread around the world (news). She was arrested shortly after and according to Amnesty International, died in custody in 2005 (news).
Like Gao, Yu and Cui have both been victims of extreme torture in the past, including being shocked with electric batons on their genitals, being subject to other forms of sexual abuse, and being forced to squat in an iron cage for three months. As recently as June, Cui had fallen unconscious and become incontinent.
Cui and his wife Gao Zhuo were both arrested in July 2007, along with seven of their employees who practiced Falun Gong. All were sentenced without trial to labor camp terms of 1.5 to 2 years. Yu has spent eight of the past nine years in labor camps because he continues to practice Falun Gong.
Family members and bystanders also targeted
In their efforts to catch Cui and retaliate for his escape, the Chinese authorities have also targeted the families of Cui and Yu. According to sources inside China, when agents of the Public Security Bureau broke into Yu’s home on August 13, they badly beat Yu’s nephew, and arrested him along with Yu’s wife Ma Li and his young son, leavingYu’s ten-year-old daughter Yu Zhenzhen at home by herself. They were all reportedly released several days later.
On August 14 and 15, police in the cities of Dalian and Wafandian then arrested Cui’s brother and two sisters-in-law. Cui’s brother and his wife, as well as one of their employees, were detained at the store the couple owns. The women were released shortly after, but the men’s whereabouts remain unknown.
The Falun Dafa Information Center is providing leads and phone numbers related to the case (see below) and urging human rights groups, foreign journalists and other members of the international community to:
- Conduct their own investigation into the case.
- Call Masanjia and Wafangdian officials and demand proof that these individuals are not being tortured.
- Apply pressure on the Chinese authorities to ensure the safety of those arrested and their immediate release.
Masanjia “re-education through labor” camp:
For background on the camp, see: http://www.humanrightstorch.org/news/2008/07/27/masanjia-labor-camp/
Main numbers: 86-24-89210822、89212252、89210454
Masanjia Camp Chief Zheng Mingqiang: 86-24-89216801 or 86-24-89212321 (Office)
Reformatory Chief Wei: 86-24-89212261
Political Head Gong Lian: 86-24-89216802(Office)
Masanjia Forced Labor Camp operator: 86-24-89210074
No. 1 Camp (for male prisoners)
Chief Zhang Guangbin: 86-24-89295031
Deputy chiefs: 86-24-89295032, 89295033, 89295035
No. 1 Division (division where Cui Dejun was originally held)
Wang Xiaofeng, head, No.1 Division: 86-24-89210406,
Wang Shuzheng, deputy head of No. 1 Division: 86-13982207608 (cell)
No. 2 Division
Leader Gao Zongzhi: 86-24-89295057
Deputy Chiefs: 86-24-89295058, 86-24-89295059
Wafangdian:
Lei Shuqing, Wafangdian City Police Department chief: 86-411-85611666 (office)
Guan Jichuan, Deputy Party Secretary of the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee in Wafangdian, head of local 610 Office: 86-13998512139 (Cell)
Zhang Hua, Director of Wafangdian City Supervising Team (Detention Center): 86-411-85569991 (Office)
October 2, 2008
We Marched, They Listened!
A few weeks ago, I took part in a local peace march against stirrings in the House for war with Iran over their nuclear ambitions. I received the below correspondence this morning from the march organizer, Jeff Nall, that our efforts combined with other progressive groups around the country were successful. I know it often seems as though we have no voice in American politics but I've learned that having a voice means using your voice in any way you can, whether with a group or on your own. If you want to see changes in this country or on this planet, then you must become the change.
From Jeff Nall:
All of our hard work to stop war with Iran has paid off: we stopped House Con. Res. 362. On September 29, Asia Times credited “an unexpectedly strong lobbying effort by a number of grassroots Iranian-American, Jewish-American, peace and church groups” for derailing the initiative. The publication also called our victory “a significant and highly unusual defeat for the so-called ‘ Israel lobby’” (“Israel lobby loses on Iran resolution”).
On the 26th, the Washington Times reported that the House Democratic leadership “shelved” the resolution because they fear “it could be viewed by the Bush administration as a green light to use military force against Iran ” (“Dems bury resolution due to war fears”). The only reason House Democrats changed their tune is because peace activists stood up and shouted out about the dangers of this bill.
The irony is that when we win we never know how much of an impact our efforts made. We can be certain, however, that our mass march; our barrage of emails and phone calls; our conversations with friends and family helped smother the sound of the political establishment’s war drums.
________________________________________________________________
In addition to the above, I forwarded the below letter to my state representatives regarding the Banker's Bailout legislation under consideration in the Congress. Whether you are in support of a bailout or not, if you don't let your representatives know where you stand, then you can't be surprised by how it turns out. Send your own letter too.
The people of this country have spoken. The bailout legislation has been defeated. We oppose the bankers' bailout. Backroom arm-twisting is an unacceptable hijacking of democracy. I will not accept any vote change in favor of the bailout.
Fallout from bad business practices cannot fall on the tax payers' shoulders. American families and individuals are financially burdened as it is. The current administration has strapped all our financial resources to fund the unjust actions in Iraq and now they expect us to support the unjust bailout of billionaires. It's time the United States Congress returned its focus to the American people. Education, health care, and quality of life are all in a sad state of affairs for Americans across our country.
America is part of the world but we are not the world police. There are times, many times, when we must rely on other nations to carry the burden of world affairs. If the U.S. continues to send so much financial and military support outside its borders, then we will never have the resources to repair the weaknesses within.
Living Home Free or Without a Home
Dear Friends,
On Tuesday, September 30th, I gave up my apartment in Melbourne, FL and have not yet reestablished myself at a new permanent location. I'm currently staying with very dear friends, Shanti and Tony, who have been very supportive through this transition. As many of you may know, I have been going through a personal transformation over the past 5-6 months that has enriched my spiritual life to heights I have been working toward for many years, and reduced my material burden on the world to nearly ascetic lows. Everything I materially own can be found in my car. It's filled to the rafters, so to speak, and I need to reduce the burden a little more. Ideally I want to create a kind of modern day gypsy caravan. I want to be able to use it as a personal sacred, yet mobile space. A place I can retreat to for meditation and peace. And a way I can easily move from place to place. Through my transformation, my awareness and spiritual strength have grown 10 fold or more. I've acquired skills of healing (herbalism and reiki) that I can use anywhere and spiritual practices that transcend religion. My entire worldview has been altered (left of liberal) and my compassion for others has increased well beyond my own circle of friends and family. I know my purpose in life is to help others in any way I am able. My daily prayer and meditation always includes the Universal Love Prayer. Perhaps you may want to include it in your own life or share it with others too.
Peace and Blessings
UNIVERSAL LOVE PRAYER
From the Metta Sutra
“May all beings be filled with joy and peace.
May all beings everywhere,
The strong and the weak,
The great and the small,
The mean and the powerful,
The short and the long,
the subtle and the gross:
May all beings everywhere,
Seen and unseen,
Dwelling far off or nearby,
Being or waiting to become:
May all be filled with lasting joy.
Let no one deceive another,
Let no one anywhere despise another,
Let no one out of anger or resentment
Wish suffering on anyone at all.
Just as a mother with her own life
Protects her child, her only child, from harm,
So within yourself let grow
A boundless love for all creatures.
Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
