Comments | violetlotus: choosing peace

violetlotus

choosing peace

Oct 14, 2007 17:05

This month's Shambhala Sun magazine has an article on choosing peace by Pema Chodron. Between that piece and some conversations in my local sangha, I've been thinking a lot about peace and the current reality of peace and war ( Read more... )

Comments 6

quite a lot to think about... lisastrawberry October 15 2007, 01:04:49 UTC

Did you write this or did Pema?

:o) And I can say YES to your questions, all of them. It's something that my sangha group has also discussed, this notion of equanimity and of not having "enemies" or "friends" (us vs. them), because they change so quickly and ultimately serve no purpose. Now, in theory I am all on board, in practice, well that is much harder to do. That's why it's called practice I suppose. (Kidding there, but you know what I mean, I hope).

Have you read the Buddhist prayer "8 Verses for Training the Mind" by Kadampa Geshe Langritangpa? It discusses all of this (and much more) so beautifully and succinctly. I recite it whenever I meditate. It helps me focus on what is really important.
http://www.buddhadharma.org/EightVerses/

Re: quite a lot to think about... violetlotus October 15 2007, 16:15:41 UTC

I had seen a version of these verses, though not exactly in this form and I didn't realize it was these! It's wonderful. So succinct.

I wrote this. It felt meaningful enough as I was thinking it that I wanted to get it out of my head. :) Yes, practice and practice. Every day is a new challenge, and I suppose it always will! That is a wonderful beauty of waking life.

braemblerose October 15 2007, 13:49:40 UTC

This reminded me of Thich Nhat Hanh's poem "Call Me By My True Names"...have you read it or heard it before?

http://www.quietspaces.com/poemHanh.html

violetlotus October 15 2007, 16:12:30 UTC

How neat! I had not read this, and you are right, it's extremely relevant to these thoughts I was having!

There is much of Thich Nhat Hanh's writing I will eventually get around to. It's hard when so many of the great modern Buddhist writers are so prolific! He's definitely on my list.

BTW, my friend who has the 2.5 year old little boy gave us some more clothes to pass along to you, and we also have the jogging stroller whenever you think you might want it -- since the weather is so nice lately, I thought you might be interested in using it. Maybe we can find a time to get together soon.

adzukientropy October 15 2007, 15:36:50 UTC

Hey Wendy, zoe_dee is trying to contact you about Wylie. I'm not sure if you knew her or not, but she just found out about him and wanted to speak to you. Could you email her? elektra001@yahoo.com
She was an X gf and found me through my blog. I figured you'd be the best person for her to talk to....thanks.

urania60 October 16 2007, 18:56:14 UTC

I know the "right" answer to this question, but unfortunately, that's not my answer. Some seem so "other" to me that I can't find any commonality upon which to base my change of mind. There are evil people in the world, and evil actions do occur. I guess I'm not evolved enough to unite with those of that ilk.