War and Peace: Picking the Better Path, or Why I am a Hindu

Recently, life handed me a bunch of lemons.  Then it handed me some more.  And then it handed me something else -- let's just say I was in deep without a shovel.  And of course, I came out on the other side no worse for the wear, and in fact I learned a very interesting lesson along the way.

By  nature, I am a fighter.  I don't roll over, I don't give up.  This has generally served me well in life, but as  I grew older I began to move towards a more balanced approach - one that incorporated a little acceptance now and then.   Before you go telling  me that these are opposing and contradictory ideas, let me just say that yes they are -- but that does not mean they cannot coexist!  In fact, implicit in the very concept of balance is the notion of two opposing forces!  But I digress.

For a while I had been on a very active roll -- taking a very active (not passive) approach to shaping the reality around me.  There were a few knocks along the way, but still I marched forth.  Until one day, the blow was just too hard, and it knocked me flat on my existential ass.  Being one to really learn lessons the hard way, I knew that this was my cue to give up the driver's seat.  "Ok Life, I give up.  Whatever you're doing, I'm done trying.  Peace, out."  Then after a few weeks of riding the tao like a leaf on a river, things become clear again and life is all rainbows and butterflies, and I move on.

This time was different, however.  This time the Universe continued to kick me while I was down, which is a really rotten thing to do.  Nevertheless, I picked myself up each time, dusted off, and continued in my acceptance.  After all, desire causes suffering, right?  Buddha would want me to just sit back and see what lesson came out of this, right? 

Every time I felt myself scratching  my way out of the hole, the Universe pushed me back in.  Finally, I had enough.  I said, "F**k this, Cosmos!  You wanna piece of me, bring it, bitch!"  And lo!  I instantly felt better!  And I've felt my old self ever since.

So what, you may ask, is the lesson?  It's that the way of peace and acceptance is a fine and worthy goal, but it may not be for all of us.  Yes, it has served me well over the years, but sometimes, you just gotta pick up that sword and go into battle.  Well, maybe you don't, but I do.

I reminds me of a story arc in Xena: Warrior Princess.  Xena and Gabby meet up with Eli, a man of peace.  Gabby ends up throwing her kick-ass staff into a river and vowing to give up violence.  A philosophical discussion ensued, regarding the path of peace versus the "Way of the Warrior."  Several episodes and adventures later, Gabby comes to realize that her path is not the path of peace but that of the warrior.  It's all about accepting your fate in life, otherwise known as dharma.

And this is why, several years ago, I realized I wasn't a Buddhist but a Hindu.  I can strive to achieve inner peace and all that, but ultimately I am a warrior.  Maybe in some future life I will attain Buddha-like acceptance, but not in this one -- no matter how hard I try.  To deny my dharma will only bring me further suffering.  As I Buddhist I would be expected to deny that dharma, to seek a higher way of living.  As a Hindu, however, I can accept that "fate" for this life -- while continuing to grow and evolve of course, but with less pressure. 

I had pretty much found a nice little balance for myself this way.  But recent events really highlighted the issue in a way I didn't expect.  The take-away message for me was this: it's ok to go with the flow and see if life is really going to bring something better your way -- but at some point it's time to get medieval on its ass. 

Existential Walkabout

Where's the Manifesto been, you ask?  Taking a little stroll through the dark woods.  But we're back, with a new post coming soon!  Stay tuned! 

United we Stand, Divided we Fall

Abortion, guns, socialism, and now, unions.  Just a few of the myriad issues used by Republicans to fan the flames of unrest, to get us worked up and fighting each other.  To use our beliefs against us to serve their political agenda.  An agenda set by billionaire lobbyists and corporations. 

I, for one, am tired of defending unions, of explaining the concepts of freedom and democracy over and over.  Because people, none of these wedge issues are the problem.  Not one of these issues -- nor even all of them together -- has contributed to our country's current situation.  The real problem is the corporate welfare policies supported by our elected officials. 

And yes, it is welfare.  What happened to the free market?  If it's such a fabulous, inviolate concept, then doesn't "too big to fail" present a contradiction?  Why did we bail out Wall Street, instead of letting the free market dictate the outcome?  Why do we allow corporate tax havens and loopholes?  Shouldn't they be able to survive without such handouts? 

(For an article on the tax burden shifted to you and me, instead of corporations, check out this link.  It also has a handy table of state-by-state stats.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/15/offshore-tax-havens-a-sta_n_186640.html  )

This is just one example of the Real Problem.  Everything in modern politics is geared to help corporations.  Heck, our own Supreme Court even declared them to have the same rights as human beings!   But the Republicans (and yes, the Dems who silently support the very same policies) are clever -- they won't let us protest their actions.  They know that it's easy as pie to whip up a furor over some side issue, something that has no bearing on the state of our country, and get us fighting among ourselves instead of targeting them.

(I find it ironic that some of the loudest anti-government protestors today so willingly allow that same government tell them what to think, but that's another topic.....)

So people, here's my plea: let's stop fighting each other.  You don't have to be pro-union or pro-choice, you don't have to think taxes are good, you don't have to believe guns belong in every American home.  All you have to do is recognize that we have more in common between us than any of us do with those receiving billions in annual salary and millions in bonuses.  They are the real enemy.  Sure, unions aren't perfect, healthcare isn't perfect.....but right now, we have bigger issues at hand.  When our country's economy is no longer racing to the bottom, when we are no longer becoming a third world country, when the gap between rich and poor closes and the middle class rises again -- then we can focus on these other issues.  We need to stand together if we are to survive.