Paddy Parties?

Saint Patrick's Day is a Catholic "Holy Obligation Day"-- a Solemnity of the Roman Catholic Church is a principal holy day in the liturgical calendar. The Catholic Code of Canon Law states:

On holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.

I may be of Irish ancestry, but I am not Catholic, so this day really has no particular significance to me, right?

Then how did this come to be such a goofy "Kiss Me I'm Irish" parade/party, shamrock-wearing, drinking-green-beer day? I guess the same way Easter has been co-opted by bunnies and egg hunts, or Christmas (which really is a mid-winter Pagan celebration) is more about decorating trees and gift-giving, than a religious observance.

I'm glad that most people don't know about our major Tibetan Buddhist holidays, like Losar, Saga Dawa Düchen (aka Wesak), Chokhor, or Lha Bab Düchen. Would they don some colorful Tibetan costumes and mock all the rituals? Acting foolish on Buddhist "holy" days could cause some karma, since in the Tibetan tradition all actions are amplified by TEN MILLION times on those days! GADZ ;)

So today I'll pass on the McD's shamrock shake, reflect a bit on poor Patrick, who was actually from Wales then captured and tortured by Irish raiders (suffering like our monks.) Perhaps the Catholic faithful might consider their canonical rites rather than jiggin' off to another green-faced Paddy parade.

A Quiet Christmas

I keep thinking of what Michelle said when I told her I would be on retreat through the holidays. She said, "So it will be a quiet Christmas for you this year." I didn't realize how quiet. I didn't think we were taking vows of silence for this retreat, but I see we really are. During the instructions and orientation this past week, we were told that the retreatants at Sravasti Abbey (the photo) are to turn off their cell phones, computers and that they will watch no TV or movies. Video Dharma talks are allowed and we were told we can access the internet Dharma pages, but no other type of "chit chat", in chat rooms, tweeting or emails. (Sravasti is a savvy abbey with plenty of digital dharma!)

So, I am actually violating the rules by blogging. But, I really felt as part of my purification process I need to post weekly. I am journaling a LOT. Keeping very detailed notes on the teachings, my reactions, and the effects. I would love to give my own big dharma talk by writing a Facebook note on all the nuances of this purification retreat, but that would be a complete violation, so I won't. I am learning to be quiet with my thoughts and reactions. To absorb and practice the teachings rather than feel compelled to share every feeling and insight. That is a breakthrough for me and enough said. Yes, Michelle, it is a very quiet Christmas! Holiday Blessings to my friends of all faiths and Namaste to all.

Bodhi Day and holiday thoughts

I've really been wrestling with the "holiday" concept this year. The last thing I want to come off as is a Grinch or Scrooge. Dickens' story of keeping Christmas in one's heart all year long had a HUGE impact on me when I was young, and profoundly affected my life. However more recently I've been pondering what exactly affected me, and it's not really "Christmas" -- it's the spirit of giving.

Charity is something we should keep in hearts year-round, but that's for everyone -- not just Christians. Charity and compassion are an essential part of our Buddhist precepts. The term Bodhichitta means compassion and it arises from realizing how interconnected we all are. Buddhist teachers often use the analogy of our body like this: you wouldn't cut off your hand because it offends you. After all, our hand is part of us. In the Buddhist cosmic view, everything is part of us and the complete realization of that is considered Enlightenment (click on the art above, to read another Buddhist viewpoint on Bodhi Day and Enlightenment.)

Christmas has become so complicated and commercialized that it's hard to know what people are celebrating. Gift-giving is a beautiful sentiment, but not when it means shoving and pepper-spraying others to buy some product that no one really needs in the first place. Even more civilized shopping raises questions of why buy more things for people who have plenty, rather than practicing real charity toward those who have nothing? And, for those who consider themselves Christians (yet criticize those who aren't), how about practicing some of the concepts Jesus actually taught: love, mercy and tolerance.

Finally, I am far from a perfect practitioner (still easily agitated by right-wing political nonsense and many other Kleshas.) That is why I feel compelled to participate in a serious winter retreat this year to "take the Dharma medicine" (as one of my teachers says) with the intention to get healthier every day (and that is in thought, speech and action.) Namaste!

Bodhi Day

You can't really call yourself ZenWoman and not blog on Bodhi Day ;) Even tho I have long celebrated May 8 and/or Wesak (Full Moon in May) as the Day of Enlightenment, many traditions claim it was December 8. Whenever, the Infinity symbol is probably the most significant part of that! And, all traditions agree that as the Morning Star rose in the sky (whatever day it was) Siddhartha finally found the answers he sought, became Enlightened, and experienced Nirvana. Having done so, Shakyamuni or Siddhartha Gautauma, now became a Buddha an “Awakened One”. … So, click on the Wiki link in the title or here for a longer Dharma Talk. Namaste!

Mindfulness

Why "mindfulness?" I'll come to that. But, as an American I can't ignore the elephant in the living room which of course was John McCain in tonight's Presidential debate.

A McCain presidency is only beneficial to a very narrow group of people. It's a very simplistic, controlled world view of right and wrong. A view where everyone else is bad and we're good; We must Win at all costs, because we're right. It's a fear-based reality where the boogeyman is out to get us, and EVERYONE else is the boogeyman. We need wars, weapons, and a very jaundiced eye toward anyone who talks or looks different. It's very convenient to play on this type of fear when Obama is so clearly "different." Russians, Iranians, and yes, Obamas are the enemy. The danger of this type of thinking is that at any time, YOU could easily become one of the bad and disenfranchised. Lose your home, or job and you're on the wrong side. Make a wrong decision, lose your health insurance, go broke and you're on the wrong side. Gay or alternative lifestyle? You are definitely wrong -- and here's the real danger -- not part of the Christian Pro-Life? War protester? You are anti-American! More wire-tapping and witch hunting. NO! It must stop!

If you care about real American values, like freedom and choice, then you simply cannot vote for McCain; it's too dangerous. We've seen our rights eroding over the past eight years and after watching tonight I felt a chill up my spine at the thought of McCain/Palin being the next "deciders." We're in trillions of dollars of debt and about to take on more. We can't continue favoring only the wealthiest (or war heroes or Christians) at the expense of everyone else.

Now, back to mindfulness. I had decided I simply couldn't continue with the political ranting. As I retire from my government day job, I've been spending more and more time with creative and spiritual pursuits. Mindfulness training is my true passion. The goal is to be mindful -- not just during meditation -- but off the cushion, as well. That means considering how my speech and actions affect others. Do no harm. So, I will strive to be more mindful of my actions, but at the same time, those who aspire to the highest office in this Democracy (and I still believe it is a Democracy not a banana republic) must also. Who is the most mindful candidate? For me, that is clearly Barack Obama. If you can make another case, please post below.