Good morning! Welcome to the DKos Sangha weekly open thread.
This is an open thread for members of the DKos Sangha and others who are interested in discussions concerning how we integrate our progressive political activism into our spiritual practice. If you have observations about the political discourse of the week, or about practice, or about anything else related to walking a spiritual path through the political world, if you wish to share, or if you seek support, or if you simply want to say hello, please do; this space is for you.
If you would like to write a diary for the DKos Sangha, please let me know.
If you care nothing for spiritual practice and only wish to denigrate and disparage, please do so elsewhere, and respect that this is a community diary for the DKos Sangha.
~~~~
Karma.
Here on Daily Kos, you've probably all read, or even written, that a poll is a snapshot in time. This can be said for the election last Tuesday. It is an indication of where we are as a people.
Using the compare and contrast function of our minds, we can envision what Tuesday's results might mean for this people, and more broadly, all of this earth's people, moving forward. And we might find this scenario somewhat less than desirable. We might reasonably suspect that some significant amount of suffering will result from the course this people have chosen.
But again, this is where we are as a people.
Karma is a word that we can use to talk about history. Karma is the flow of events, the causes and effects, the unfolding of things. All of the events in your life contribute to your karma. Each cause has an effect. Every interaction with others, your parents, schoolmates, teachers, neighbors, strangers, coworkers, and influences like tv, radio, books, movies, etc, changes you; each interaction is a cause which will have an effect in the great flow of causes and effects that is your karma. And each interaction with others is a cause which will have an effect for them as well. Thus, in all these interactions we are all influencing each other.
It is your karma, this great unfolding of events, that has brought you to this very moment, to where you are now, from where you will take the next step.
Karma can be likened to a river; in its flow there is great momentum and energy.
The flow of karma can be seen in micro and macro levels. This large community of people that we call a nation has its own karma. All of the causes and effects of all the lives of all the peoples all interacting all flowing together with a great momentum and energy to where we are now.
When viewed from this perspective, we can see that Tuesday's results are understandable; we can see the great momentum, the great flow of events throughout our history that brought us to this point in time. Viewed from this perspective, we can be understanding, we can be compassionate.
Changing karma, changing this flow of events, begins with the work we do within ourselves.
If we want a more peaceful world, it begins with ending our own suffering and awakening to the peace that is at the core of our being. If we wish that the peoples of the world would stop fighting with one another, stop hurting each other, it begins with letting go of the conditioning within ourselves that cause our own suffering, our own hurting of ourselves and others. If we wish that the peoples of the world would treat each other with respect, understanding, and compassion, it begins with treating ourselves with respect, understanding, and compassion.
As we become more peaceful, more understanding, more compassionate, then, when we move through the world, as we interact with others, these interactions will be causes with effects; we will touch others, and in so doing we will change their karma, and they in turn will touch others.
To the degree that we are able to relieve the suffering within ourselves, to that degree we are more effective in relieving the suffering of others. To the degree that we awaken to the peace that is at the core of our being, to that degree we can be more effective in bringing peace to the lives of others.
As progressives, it is often said that we work for social, economic, and environmental justice. We work to build a global community that is equitable, where all of the world's peoples are treated with respect, where we all work together for the benefit of all of us.
That work begins within each of us. Changing the world isn't something outside of ourselves; the change within is integral, and inseparable, to the change we wish to see in the world.
So this is where we are, this place, this point in time. This nation's karma has brought us to here as a people; and your karma has brought you here to this moment, this now, facing the truth of who you really are, the truth of your own peace, your own compassionate, selfless, loving, sharing, being.
And it is from here, from this very moment, that we move forward and change the world.
~~~~
In this moment
Now
Bring your attention to your awareness
To that within which all phenomena are perceived
To that within which sounds are heard
And thoughts appear
Feel this awareness, this spaciousness,
This vast stillness,
This peaceful equanimity
Feel that this is your very heart
The source of compassion
Of love
Notice that this awareness,
This compassion,
Is always here
It has always been here
It is the core of your very being
You are this ocean of peace
You are the very essence of compassion
~~~~
Namaste
~~~~
You are welcome to join us each week in our Monday night group meditation here at DKos Sangha. This online group meditation is hosted by Ooooh, and the diary is posted at 7:00 Eastern. So that we are able to be together for as many here at Daily Kos as wish to participate, the meditation period runs from 7:30 to 10:00 Eastern. This group sitting is open to beginners and advanced, and is not restricted to any particular traditions or practices. It is not expected that you sit for the entire period; sit for as long as you like, when you like. The idea is that we are here together; supporting each other, holding space for each other.
~~~~
Enjoy your day!
~~~~