TheLeaderInside.com

Big Picture – What Would Buddha Say?

” Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

~~~ Buddha

I don’t know where to start today. Yesterday I began writing this blog article about five different times. I scrapped every one of them. Today is my normal day to post an article here, so I’m back at the drawing board to try again. I keep thinking I’d better get off my soapbox with all the “rants” about politics and corruption, and get back to writing more uplifting articles about being better human beings. Since I also write another blog about Buddhist Belief (http://www.buddhistbelief.com) I thought perhaps writing how a Buddhist would feel about all the crazy politics might be something I could write and not feel the need to toss it in the recycling bin. Who knows — here we go for another try ….

I don’t even come close to having any idea what Buddha, or Jesus, or any other of the spiritual avatars we’ve come to know would say about the things going on in our USA political arena. I do know what Buddha taught about the dangers of greed, hatred and ignorance. The Buddha called those the three poisons. Those three aspects of human nature we’re seeing displayed so prominently in this Presidential election cycle are the three primary thieves of our happiness. Greed grabs our desires — hatred plays on our fears and insecurities and convinces us to find blame in everyone other than ourselves — and ignorance clouds our minds so we lose sight of the visions we seek.

Greed is what brought the economy of the world to its knees. Greed has a slew of relatives like jealousy, ambition, addiction, pride, grasping and clinging. All of which lead us into being dissatisfied with our lives. We find ourselves frustrated, irritated, annoyed and even depressed by the way our life is playing out. When we’re being greedy we don’t tend to be generous. It makes us want what we want when we want it and we don’t give a hoot how we get it.

Hate seems to be playing a role this year as well. It is one of the most destructive things we can carry within us. If you look at prejudice against people of different races — or people with differing religious practices — or people with different sexual preferences — or people with opposing political beliefs — it’s all still prejudice and prejudice is embodied in hatred. Whenever we’re caught in the web of believing only our way of being or thinking is the right way — and attacking anyone who says anything opposed to what we believe as being wrong — we then create a concept of someone being the enemy and worthy of such attack. I see much of this kind of behavior in the way we’re being bombarded with nasty mailings and vile robo-phone calls.

One of the principles taught by Buddha was things like hatred, ignorance and greed are the very things causing us to be dissatisfied and unhappy. One of the reasons why we suffer so much is our belief that we are all separate from each other. We really do foolishly believe we can hurt someone else without hurting ourselves. We have this desire to always feel we’re more important than the other guy. This kind of thinking only destroys everything around it — including ourselves. It even has drastic effects on our health — both physical and mental. Prejudice makes us quick to judge or find fault, it closes our heart and shuts down our sensitivity. I read something or heard this somewhere (probably on the Internet) about a family where the word “hate” was not allowed to be spoken in their home. Why not try that in your homes? Just don’t let the word be spoken. It will make a difference.

When you’re thinking about pointing your finger in accusation at the other guy, just remember, there are three or four fingers pointing right back at you.
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Just one more bone to pick and then I’ll get out of here and stop ranting.

I’m sure by now most of you have heard about the Republican National Committee giving Sarah Palin some extra spending money for clothes, hair, and make-up for herself and her family. I don’t know if the figures I heard are true or not, but it was apparently in the six-figures somewhere. Fortunately, I didn’t make any campaign contributions to the Republican party, so I truly don’t have a bone to pick about how they use their money.

But, this comment is not about clothing — I don’t know a thing about fashion. So, ladies, don’t send me letters about picking on someone’s need for style. This is about the issues. It’s just the concept of how we choose people to lead our country. Is this about how they feel about our health care or national security or the economy? Nope! It’s about what they’re wearing or how they tie their tie. This last comment is about the economy and how the candidates feel about it and what their basic understanding is about how we should be using our dollars.

This little video clip I want to show you took place this past July, so I presume that both Barack and Michelle have purchased some new clothes since then. I haven’t heard about them using campaign funds for it, though. My guess is they have enough money of their own to buy a good suit of clothes. I do believe their basic values are rooted deeply in the way they feel about how you and I may have to dig deep to get something nice to wear. Here’s what I mean …

The Obama family sat down for an interview with Maria Menounos of “Access Hollywood.” One of the topics discussed was the Obamas’ style icon status, which amused the family because, as Michelle points out in the interview, Barack is wearing pants he’s had for 10 years, and says that his belt and shoes are pretty shabby, too (“I hate to shop,” he explains). Michelle also reveals that the sundress she’s wearing is from the Gap: “Fortunately they make pretty stuff at all price ranges…[Barack] will be happy to know that this is, like, a $30 dress.” Her husband then high-fives her and daughter Sasha screams out “Mommy buys everything from Gap!”

Here’s a video of that interview…. (Use the link if it doesn’t play for you for some reason) …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vkWRIcezc0

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I don’t know what the next week will bring, so I can’t guarantee we’ll get back to the “other topics” we used to write about. At some point, I know we will. There just aren’t any promises for the immediate future.

And .. Thanks for hanging in here with me. I appreciate it.

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My advice to everyone is this. Be sure to vote. Be sure to check your registration before you vote by contacting your local voter registration office. If somehow your registration is being purged, you will know by checking first. Do it now, so you won’t be pressed for time just before election day. If you can, vote early to avoid long lines at the polls. And my last bit of advice — tell everyone you know to do the same.
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And .. Thanks for hanging in here with me. I appreciate it.

There’s more to come next week. Come back and help us to continue this important conversation. Invite your friends. We need many more people to be listening and sharing.
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Always remember this wonderful quote from Buddha ….

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

~~~ Buddha

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I meditate every day to help keep me sane in this crazy world we live in. Those glimpses we get of peace, love, acceptance and happiness when we’re meditating will soon grow into more than glimpses if we keep practicing. Keep those feelings alive. A meditation can be as simple as one, deep, conscious breath. When something happens in one of your moments to cause you to suffer, just stop and take one of those breaths and remember, “This too shall pass!” Another thing that is wonderful, especially at certain times of the year, is to have a fresh flower where you work. Just stop from time-to-time and look at it — don’t label it — don’t judge it — just be with it for a couple of moments. It really does work. I’m looking at mine as I write this.

“Each flower is a soul blossoming out to nature”

~~~ Gerard de Nerva

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“Those who really seek the path to Enlightenment dictate terms to their mind. Then they proceed with strong determination.”

~~~ Buddha

Namaste!

I share these words for you in closing — remember these words …

“Be happy now, my dear friends. Today is all we have. Be good to one another. Take comfort in whatever spirituality you are so inclined (or not), and learn to be happy despite your circumstances. Follow your path; pursue your dreams. Work hard, love your family be generous and forgiving. Do it today, while you still have the flicker of life, for one day your own candle will dim.”

You are special — and you are loved. You are the greatest gift you can be.

Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

~~~ Buddha

~~~ Ron
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