Peaceful Year?

Wow, while I was writing my NYE post about Peace and pondering my ability to present the Peace Treatise this year, I inadvertently caused a mini riot in our Virtual Sangha on FB. I didn't even know this until many hours later (today, New Year's Day.) What a lesson!

One of the group members (former member now) always encourages the group to participate in other year-long projects. Last year it was Stephen Levine's "Year to Live" and this time she was proposing we all follow a Thich Nhat Hanh course. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have loved "Thay" (name of endearment for TNH) for years. But this group is called "Pema Practitioners." So I reminded her that perhaps we should stick to our group topic. TNH is Zen and the previous Levine project wasn't particularly Buddhist-oriented at all. I posted my response, logged off and finished my mini Vajrayana retreat. When I logged in this AM I was surprised at the virtual tongue-lashing I received from her. She UN-joined the sangha and DE-friended me. I posted the following apology:

You are right... I must have been "fussy" last night Forgive me. After all this year is all about PEACE, I hope! Namaste and post away! Happy 2013!

I was saying she was right that we had never formally restricted the postings or ideas to only Pema-related or even Buddhist-related. That's true and I said she was right. Too late, she's gone.

Not the way I wanted to begin my Year of Peace, but an important lesson and reminder. We must be constantly vigilant of how we sound or come across to others. We never know what is going on with the other party and how our words are received. I still feel I was considering the greater interest of the group (which I moderate) but in retrospect I should have posed a question and let others decide. A year of lessons - and hopefully Peace, too -- is in store!

the Peace Page

Nearly ten years ago (2003) I wrote "the Peace Page." I sent it as a holiday letter and then posted on my old web page. I was going to post it here, and had thoughts of using it and some other material as a first draft of the Peace Treatise my dad so wanted me to write. But, I have to say it's just not as great as I remember it. Here is a quickly edited, abridged version:
On Being Mad: Many of us spend a lot of energy on anger. We feel frustrated when things don't go the way we want. We get angry at others who hurt or disappoint us, or steal our joy. The truth is, no one can make us angry or steal our joy. We make ourselves mad, sick and angry. Being mad only hurts us. We get sick and dis-eased. Remember;

• How people ACT is their business. How we RE-ACT is our business.
  
• Hatred does not hurt our enemies -- it only hurts us.

On Letting Go: We often hear, "just let it go." Buddhism teaches about "letting go." But how do we do that? We can know that clinging to bitterness and other toxic emotions, like anger, only hurts us, but how can we actually let go of those emotions? Visualizations can help more than layering on more thoughts and feelings. Picture the hate, frustration, despair (insert any emotion here) as an actual object. Make it gross and disgusting. Perhaps a rotted, stinking piece of food. Why cling to that? Would you want to consume that thing? Hell NO! Then why keep bitter, rotting feelings within you? Remember, toxic emotions -- like rotted food -- only hurt you, no one else. Let go of them! Okay, that's just a couple of ideas from the Peace Page. Next I'll post my edited "take" on a friend's Facebook note about the Shift. Did it happen and what is it? Til then, take a breath, smile and toss out the rotted food. ahhhh!

Mayan Mayhem

I hardly know where or how to begin... such sychronicity! Yesterday as I was logging off Facebook, I caught a glimpse of a link, not even on my own page, but on the "scroll" or "stream" of updates. And, "Elder Brother Bear" who posted the link (I'd never heard of him before) said, "I don't normally post others information about events..." but he did and I saw it. You see how random this is. I could have forgot all about it, but last night I remembered this tid bit of info and watched the video link.

It opens with a little, old Mayan Shaman dreaming. The moment I saw him, I thought it's Don Alejandro. Then I laughed out loud. Like he's the only Mayan. The subtitles told of the Great Change of Suns with an image of an angry sun and solar flares (like "Flare Aware".) Again, the Mayan Shaman. I thought, there are many old Mayan Shamans and they probably all look like him. But soon I learned it actually IS Don Alejandro!

So, who is Don Alejandro and why such a reaction? JC, Eileen and I had readings with him, actually traveled to Chaco Canyon with him, in 1991. I have often thought about the reading and went to great lengths to find the tape and transcript of it in 2010 when I was publishing AKS. He was an inspiration for parts of the novel. He was old then, and seems ancient now, but determined to live on to help the world with this Great Shift that is about to take place on 12.21.

Don Alejandro tells us this is a time to end injustice, and heal ancestral wounds. I must warn it's a long, winding road with him on this video journey. I was engrossed because of my previous contact with him. It prompted me to locate the transcript of the reading he gave me (again.) It's fascinating so many years later. Everything he predicted has come to pass. He did not think my GodForce book, or "the next one" (AKS), would "go far", but he did see that I would live a comfortable life and never lack for material things. He also said my Mission (something very different, very unique) would come to pass. My Mission? The one I mentioned just yesterday-- writing a Peace Treatise. The timing is all so intriguing. Perhaps the world is finally ready for peace.

Here is the link to Don Alejandro's site: The Shift of the Ages. At least watch the 90 sec clip on the home page. Below is another fascinating exploration of "the Shift" from Ac Tah, a younger Mayan Shaman. He was in Albuquerque a year or so ago, and mentions Albuquerque, in this thirty minute video that explores the effect of particle accelerators, magnetics, and other aspects of the coming alignment. GOOD NEWS: Neither Mayan Shaman suggests the world will end, but that shifts will change our perceptions and possibly our way of life.

dramatic shots

When I decided to blog every day for the rest of the month, I thought about including a dramatic photo each day -- something like this. I never thought the term "dramatic shots" would have such a tragic meaning.

Even as I posted yesterday, I knew there was another shooting. They are becoming so common place; NFL guy over the weekend, Oregon mall the day before. A few hours later we knew this one was not common place. This shooting was at an elementary school, twenty young children were killed and it's one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history.

Finally, it seems, we will have a national discussion about gun control, even though in this case gun registration is not the issue.

This mentally ill young man had access to registered guns in his home and used one to kill his own mother, in addition to the 26 others. So tragic. However, the idea that gun manufacturers are making weapons with special finish that resists finger prints, and actually cater to criminals is despicable. This is who we, as a nation, need to target and stop: those who make guns FOR criminals.

No matter what new laws are passed requiring stricter registration, manufacturing, or renewed bans of assault weapons and high capacity magazines, there are already 300 MILLION weapons in the U.S. alone. Criminals and psychopaths will always find a way to kill -- if not with a gun, then with a bomb or chemicals or some other horrible way. But, we must still have the conversation as well as look at why there is such a growing evil in the world.

More than ever I can see that my dad's dying words are so important: we must have PEACE on Earth. And, perhaps NOW is the time for the Peace Treatise.

Non-Violent Response?

So, #OccupyWallStreet (on Twitter) REALLY got me going. I loved the #OccupyBurque crowd -- cheered them on, honking and waving on Central Avenue Saturday. But then Saturday night I was getting really hot under the collar reading right-wing Tweets. As usual I began to lambaste the worst offenders for their “ignorant views” such as claiming that liberals are just jealous of the rich. I am NOT envious of extreme greed and outrageous resistance to paying their fair share of taxes. I donate as much as I can to help those less fortunate and I make a pittance of the 1% Wall Street wealthy. Yes, I’ve invested in stocks over the years, but with companies of my choice, companies I want to support, not the "greedy bastards" (as Dylan Ratigan calls them in his book) that invented or use leveraged derivatives to make obscene amounts of money at the expense of innocent home owners. I stand with the 99% who have lost their jobs and homes over such excessive greed and corruption that has come from the alleged “self-regulation” of corporate America.

That said, the real point of this post is that my Buddhist Teacher, Pema Chodron, reminds us that whenever we feel really challenged (or angry) it’s definitely an opportunity to expand our Practice. In particular the teachings of today's audio were so timely as she described Peace Activists often being the most angry and aggressive protestors. I’ve used her example of this before when she describes turning down the sound on the television and seeing two “red faced men” arguing. You cannot distinguish one side from the other. All you see is anger.

Her point: in pitting opinion against opinion, no progress takes place. You cannot hear the other side when each person is shouting over the other. In the non-violent view (on this International Day of Non-Violence today, honoring Ghandi's birthday 10.2.1869), is it POSSIBLE to stop and actually HEAR another point of view? Ghandi, the Dalai Lama and Pema all claim it is. They teach that we don't have to give up our beliefs, but that we can be open enough to listen and at least agree to disagree. I find it very hard -- nearly impossible -- to listen to those who quickly resort to name-calling. Some right-wing tweeter insisted on calling the peaceful protestors "loons." Of course, I wanted to call him an ignorant asshole. So, where does that get us?? As Pema says, just two red-faced angry people.

We have to find a way back to civil discourse in this country. Congress is at an impasse: Republicans vs. Democrats, liberals vs. conservatives, rich vs. poor, and we find disagreements and differing views escalating on every front. There is no respect or willingness to listen. How do we get out of this stalemate?

Kalachakra 2011

At 9 am (MDT) today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, concluded the 2011 Kalachakra for World Peace ceremony in Washington DC. But, as always, the Kalachakra is MORE... it is deeply personal, and especially this year, as it also commemorated HHDL's 76 birthday, and included the annual worldwide Dharma Day. Truly an auspicious occasion! Here is the poster, which links to some of the images and videos from the 11 day event.

Thousands gathered for this most memorable event and nearly $6 Million was raised. HHDL and his foundation do not seek financial profit, so after expenses almost two million dollars will be donated to causes that benefit world peace. HHDL was enroute this morning to meet with President Obama at the White House. And, here is the mandala described in the link above.

And, despite how beautiful it is, made of sand and created laboriously by monks during the ceremony, at the end it is simply brushed away... like everything, impermanent. The sand is dumped into nearby water. In this case, the Potomac River, because like everything, the essence remains and the perfect peace of Kalachakra flows with it out into the everyday world. "May it be of benefit," said HHDL as he concluded the ceremony to thunderous applause. Yes, may it.

A Change of Heart

Remember the 60s Peaceniks? Some of you are too young. Peace"Nik" (Niki) in my story, A Kindred Spirit, tried to recreate the feeling traveling around in her funky Westfalia van, searching for Peace, only to discover it's an inner journey. Pema Chodron, my Guru and favorite author, says ONLY a change of heart can provide ourselves and the world with peace.

Here's my "final answer" to the Million Dollar Question: What is the difference between passion and anger?

First, I have to make the case ;) I said on my Facebook note "No Help" that yelling for peace is not the answer. Even a Peacenik can't clobber someone with her peace sign to change the world situation.

And this fab story, about Angry Faces, told by Pema has stuck with me since I heard it years ago. A guy in prison has TV but no sound. He sees an angry white guy in KKK garb pointing his finger. Later he sees teenagers on a ship, red-faced, leaning over the ship rail screaming and waving Greenpeace signs. Finally, he sees scenes of Washington DC, the domed Capitol building, and inside men in suits with angry red faces, pounding their tables. The prison guard comes by and asks why he doesn't turn on the sound. The prisoner says no need -- doesn't matter if they're wearing KKK hats, peace signs or business suits, they all have the same angry faces.

So, we establish that passion and anger CAN be the same. Now, how are they different? Because anger starts when we harden our hearts. As long as everyone is outraged at everyone ELSE's beliefs or actions, there will always be war. Anger leads to red-faced fighting over our self-righteous points of view. But, it is possible to be Passionate about a change of heart... to opening our heart in a calm, rational way where we learn to LISTEN! And, I say the key is LISTENING not screaming. When I can stop and actually hear what you are saying, and just sit with it awhile, there is a chance we can find common ground. And I can get really passionate about that idea, without an iota of anger, my friend. Let's smoke the Peace Pipe! (yikes -- another case of how our real forefathers had a better idea than the angry red-faced pilgrims who came carrying guns.) And, with that, I'm off to Losar. Today is the Tibetan New Year, a good day to listen, learn and open my heart to new ideas. PEACE! better yet, Namaste!

Tranquility

The Tao te Ching (prounounced dow day sching), or simply the Way, was written over 2500 years ago and has been translated and published as many times as the bible. And, like the bible, it's hard to read. A book published twenty years ago remains the most accessible and wonderful way to benefit from the essence of the Tao. It's the "Tao of Inner Peace" by Diane Dreher. It's one of five books I would want with me if left on an island for a year (honestly.) Hmmmmm... what would the other four be?

"The Journey from the Center to the Page" by Jeff Davis, another book I've had but never really appreciated until recently, is definitely on my short list now. It combines yoga principles with authentic writing skills and I just love it. It's inspirational and healthful, too.

I'd have to take one of the Eckhart Tolle books and that would leave only two other books. One should be a great work of literature, but which one? I'll have to give that more thought. Feel like suggesting what books are essential to your peace and well being? Something you couldn't be without? Polvie, what you got with you down in Guatemala? Me and my two readers would love to know ;0
Meanwhile, as my editor and slave-driving friends remind me, keep writing. yes, I am! I hope to use this or one of my other blogs to promote the novel when it comes out, so stay tuned. If I don't post much for the next six weeks, you know why!! I'm on the home stretch!
But, can't do it in the midst of mental chaos so I'm really doing the nightly calming down and revitalization with these wonderful books. I feel fab when I go to sleep, it's just those waking hours that I struggle with ;) Judith Orloff's "Positive Energy" is also helpful, and as she points out you don't have to escape to a private island to avoid stress. She says we can shift from victim to victorious with "modest, simple positive energy techniques." She offers three minute meditations and was the one who suggested taking a techno-break-- a day without computers, email or tweets. I did on Sunday and it was a great way to reset. Try one or any of these to relax and feel inspired.

09.09.09

At 9:09 today -- 09.09.09 I stopped. I even unplugged all the electrical stuff in the house. I wanted a moment of real quiet. It was great. I really believe all the electro-magnetic waves and energy affects us. Yeah, people "poo-poo'd" environmental contamination, too, until we saw polluted communities where everyone is deformed or has cancer.

I realized that's probably why I really enjoy sitting outside in the front yard. All the power lines are in the back. Maybe subconsciously it was affecting me. All I know is I like the front yard and there are NO wires nearby. I hear birds chirping and a hint of wind chimes from the neighbor. ( I want more of those, again.) I can position my reclining camp chair so I see mostly trees and greenery. This is interrupted occasionally by some low-rider cruising down my street blasting ranchero music, or the tree guy and his chain saw. That's pretty disturbing ;) But, I get long stretches in the early morning of quiet and it's great for PM star gazing, too.

I'm blogging outside, and I like it! (sans power cord, of course.) So, back to NINE. The title link is to a numerology site that claims nine is all about the Utopian Dream, creativity and imagination. Good! I need that for the upcoming months if I'm really going to finish this languishing novel. I thought of today as a giant reset button. I didn't do so hot on 08.08.08 so I envisioned a new opportunity.

After the 09 moment passed, I randomly opened Pema, Eckhart and Thay for some wisdom. Here's want I found: Pema says our attempts to live more humanely are not wasted, even if we fail. We keep trying. All efforts to cultivate peace and harmony over anger and prejudice may ultimately save humanity from extinction. My random message from Eckhart Tolle is how arguments are hazardous to our health. (We know this one ;) Getting mad raises blood pressure and hardens arteries. Even thinking about unpleasant events causes physical reactions in us. This is why forgiving and forgetting is good for our physical and mental health. Finally, Thay (Thich Nhat Hanh) says meditation reveals and heals. He says under the gaze of meditation, hatred reveals it's nature and we can remove the thorn -- just like removing a thorn from our foot. Every step is peace once it's gone.

True Happiness

Some people find it easy to be happy and others don't. One person may be miserable regardless of money, fame, power and adoration from many (Michael Jackson) while another person with no outward fame or fortune may be in peace and bliss (Thich Nhat Hanh.) How is this possible? Here's how "Thay" (Beloved Zen Master) Hahn explains it;

Suppose you are walking in the desert, dying of thirst. Suddenly you see an oasis and know that once you get there, there will be a cool stream of water to drink so you can survive. You get excited, hopeful, full of joy. But, you aren't there yet. Peace and Happiness will come only when your thirst is actually quenched. The thought of the water is not enough.

Many people have all the conditions for happiness. You can buy the conditions, but you cannot buy happiness. It's like playing tennis. You can buy a ball and racket, but you can't buy the joy of playing. Same with writing calligraphy. You can buy the ink, paper and brush, but you don't cultivate the Art of Calligraphy without practice. Happiness is just like that. You have to cultivate happiness... you can't buy it at a store.

How do we do that -- cultivate happiness? We can't wave a wand and have it. We must look deeply to see what we are lacking and why we are craving. Of course, this only applies after the basic needs of life are met. Those without food, water, shelter or those in physical pain can't be "happy" without basic needs. This is for those with homes, computers and health care that are still unhappy.

Mindfulness Practice, meditation (walking or sitting), knowing we have a path -- the right path -- can provide a great deal of peace which cultivates happiness.

I am on and off the path a lot. But, I know when I'm on the path just being peaceful -- being rather than doing -- cultivating a calm inner landscape, I am truly happy. When I get off the path, act out, and speak harshly I soon become miserable and make myself and those around me unhappy.

Cultivation. It is a practice. Cultivating Peace and Happiness comes from being mindful of our thoughts, actions and what we are manifesting (both within and externally.)

Holiday Spirit

The Solstice was 12.21 at 11:08 pm MST. I celebrated with my annual ritualistic practice of burning the old and welcoming the new energies for a new year. I believe the Winter Solstice is not only the shortest, but final day of the cycle we call a year. It was a wonderful day for me. A group of us went to the BioPark for lunch. We sat amidst the festive holiday decorations, looking at the giant aquarium and the creatures living there, enjoying each other's company and blessing this holiday season and the new year. An Attitude of Gratitude; that's a beautiful theme for the coming year. If I can foster that feeling, stay in the moment and be grateful for all I have, that will be a true blessing.

I am blessed to be alive. I had a close call in 2007 and spent the year changing my eating and other habit patterns. I never was a heavy smoker, but I have not smoked now for over 10 months. I haven't had a coke, fries, trans fatty food, and haven't played poker (sigh) -- it's been a lot of difficult changes. Yes, I feel better physically, and now it's time to feel better mentally.

I get caught up in the swirl of negativity at work, and feeding on it with others. My sincere wish for this Christmas season, calendar New Year and the Precession of the Equinoxes is to let go of anger, negativity, and too much "forward focus." I have looked forward to 2008 for several years. It marks the final year of "Prison" (aka, government job.) But, as we know, Freedom is a state of mind. Change your mind, change your life. I can be free now.

As I sit here surrounded by my Taoist books and tapes, Cameron creativity books, Progoff life analysis and "the Secret," I know intellectually how to do this. Think positive thoughts. We manifest our reality through our thoughts. I know how the Law of Attraction works. I simply need to DO IT! Just like I changed my physical habits, I need to change my mental habits.

So, I didn't post pictures of me and Izzi taking van trips (which we did again -- to lakes and mountain retreats), and I didn't recap my activities as a government webmaster or IT Project Manager because in my most favorite term "who gives a ratz azz" (really), and I didn't even link to the new video I produced for the County (ok so I will now: "Bringing the Best Together") I spent ALL of November doing NaNoWriMo (novel writing, again.) All you have to do to see my life in review is scroll through the posts here or on the old blog.

But, the most important thing is what's happening right now this season. Can we please have PEACE and Gratitude, not war and misery. For those of you in Iowa, please vote for John Edwards. He is the best kept Secret! Happy Holidays and P E A C E ! (to everyone of all faiths and locations.)