Rebirth and Advent...

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. - Buddha Sakyamuni

The physical or phenomenal world does not become spiritual, but the spiritual can be physically expressed and experienced. Our spiritual essence or conception is referred to in Buddhist philosophy as sunyata -- "suchness" or "emptiness" -- the "inexpressible" quality, many have chosen to conceptualise as various forms of "divinity," in an attempt to quantify and understand that which cannot be quantified or grasped.

The Great Teachers all understood this. When Rabbi Jesus was asked about how one could be "born" into "God's" kingdom, he replied:

“No one has ever ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, the Truly Human One, which is in heaven.”  (cf: John 3:13)

In other words, we must consciously "give birth" to the physical expression of our spiritual nature -- as a potentiality waiting to be actualised. That is the purpose of the Middle Way, taught by Buddha, and the Way of the Christ: to engender a "new life" in which the adherent or sojourner achieves a state of harmony between the conscious "knowing" and the subjective "feeling".

The spiritual aspect of each of us must be brought into conscious, objective, actual existence in order to live a life of harmony and fulfillment. This is the birth that occurred in the mythical story of Jesus' Incarnation, and can occur for each of us. It is the birth that occurred in the mythos of the Bodhi tree for Buddha Sakyamuni, and it is available to each of us.

We are physical expressions of pure spirituality. There is no "us" or "them" -- only diverse expressions, which shift and change with our perspective and awareness.

Life’s secrets are revealed from within, not person to person. Intuition is not learned. Inspiration is not borrowed. Spiritual awareness forms within, like a pearl. A pearl of wisdom starts as a nagging question, a worrisome thought or minor irritation that is worked into a thing of value and beauty. Your pearl of wisdom provides you with inner guidance.

As November draws to a close, for millions of self-described followers of the Way of the Christ, and especially for adherents of the institutionalised Christian churches that are loosely based on that tradition, the season of Advent begins -- a tradition of preparing oneself for the birth of the Anointed One in a cave, according to the legends.

For all of us, it can be a time of recalling the potential for spiritual "reawakening" or "rebirth"... as the ancient legend points to the potential for the indwelling anointed one to be born in the still, small space of our hearts... in obscurity... only to grow up conscious of our Oneness with the Sacred... and of our potential to transform the world and our lives... with compassion for others, service and care for the marginalised, and equanimity toward all of life.

Namasté!

gurudas

 

Internationally respected, life coach and teacher, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.) is a Buddhist and Franciscan contemplative, and author of the popular book, "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened and Anointed Ones". He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds -- teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, make more money, and live more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.

You can join his primary social network and interact with him directly by visiting:
http://www.betternetworker.com/referral/7777cb42

Copyright ©2008, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

Spiritual and personal mastery

Gently, as the weekend unfolds, let us remind ourselves that we cannot rely upon our perceptions, because they are almost always clouded by our emotions and opinions. This simply means that a reliance on our perceptions will always give rise to misapprehensions.

In our study of the Dharma, we teach that there are three stages in the development of real wisdom (called Sherab in Tibetan, literally "ultimate wisdom"). The first stage is the stage of hearing (or learning). The second stage comes when you contemplate, familiarise and "dig deeper", after reading, hearing or learning something. It is a stage in which your "learning" becomes "clearer understanding", and layers of misconception begin to peel away, like the layers of an onion. This level of wisdom also causes our emotions, feelings and opinions to come to the surface, so that we can turn our awareness to how they cloud our understanding.

The third stage is one in which we move past the academic understanding of something, and through meditation, understand it so deeply that we actually "experience" or feel it.

This process is rooted in the spiritual path, but impacts every aspect of our lives, because the deeper we delve into the nature and understanding of something, the more clearly we see that all phenomena are impermanent and interconnected.

In my consulting practice (http://prosperityreinvented.com), often an executive or top-level marketing professional will contact me for assistance in finding a new career path. And we work with those persons on an individual basis to help them achieve their goals. Part of our work involves networking with an alliance of executive recruiters, and strategic partnerships with corporate coaches in our organisation. But there is another part of the process, which involves really getting to know the person, and helping them to clear out all of the obstacles that stand in the way of their success. In other words, we take them from the first level of wisdom to the second.

Our monastic formation program is really no different. In the end, the person who becomes a monk or a contemplative is no different than anyone else. What is different is our approach to the spiritual journey, and in time, our ability to see with a clearer vision, so that we can better serve others, and alleviate suffering.

Earlier this weekend, I participated in a lively and thought provoking discussion about the perceived benefits or harm of the group ACT-UP -- a militant protest organisation, started by the hostile activist, Larry Kramer. Some would say that Larry Kramer's anger was justified and that he was right to express it. Others think such disruptive, destructive and often violent actions were unhealthy.

Larry Kramer is a good example of someone who never seems to have learned to express those things which cause him pain in a mature, clear and productive way. Instead, he has always seemed to be temperamental and reactionary. And he rallied a whole community of hurting individuals to join him in creating a path of disruption, damage and bad-press for people with AIDS throughout the country.

True, his actions and those of his confreres "got attention", and that attention did result in more mature, responsible and less reactionary folks getting things done.

Many, who like myself, lost literally hundreds of friends during the "Kramer generation", feel compelled to raise Larry Kramer to hero status, because they do not see his actions as being harmful. Most of them interestingly do not live with the disease that I lived with through those years... so they only know tangentially the kind of backlash that Larry Kramer and ACT-UP caused for many of us. Their understanding is clouded by their emotions, their opinions and their attachments.

And so are mine.

I witnessed the divisiveness and disruption Kramer caused in the first and largest AIDS service organisation in the United States. I was a pastoral counselor at Mother Cabrini Hospital, and saw nurses and medical staff, who had previously been compassionate and fearless in their care of the sick and dying -- many of them nuns -- suddenly turn equally hostile, after such absurd events as ACT-UP's disruption of a Roman Catholic Mass, or their throwing of pig's blood on the steps of the New York City Health Department. So my opinion and emotions definitely affect my perception of ACT UP and Larry Kramer.

But I was reminded of the importance of letting go of those perceptions this weekend. I don't, for example, have any idea what Larry Kramer thinks today. I don't know where his journey has taken him in the past eight years.

And I know that my opinion of him is meritless. It is nothing more than an opinion... my perception. The fundamental truth is that he is a human being, who has suffered a great deal. How he chose to deal with that pain is about him. How I choose to respond to that suffering is about me.

This weekend was one of those introspective times, when I realised that there was so much sitting there, in front of me, ready for me to let go of... and that's what I intend to do. Right now. Right here.

I invite you to consider doing the same.

Much love!

Namasté!

 

Internationally respected, life coach and teacher, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.) is a Buddhist and Franciscan contemplative, and author of the popular book, "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened and Anointed Ones". He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds -- teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, make more money, and live more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.

You can join his primary social network and interact with him directly by visiting:
http://www.betternetworker.com/referral/7777cb42

Copyright ©2008, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato/Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda, O.C., All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

Expectations

A dear friend of mine has been going through some very difficult and frustrating times lately. She's an incredibly warm, patient and generous person, and someone who is on a very clear, serious spiritual path. Still, she is dealing with family members and other individuals, in an arduous and drawn-out process that is taking a toll on her.

Her situation stimulated me to consider how important it is for us to always guard ourselves against developing expectations of others -- something I have had to work on constantly myself.

Expectations always give rise to suffering.

Whenever I allow myself to place expectations on another person or situation, I am setting myself up for disappointment. More importantly, however, when I place expectations on someone or something, I create a mental barrier, which often prevents me from being aware of what the person or experience actually are bringing to me in that moment.

I might expect that someone who has followed this teaching and does well for themselves financially, could help us to build a social justice centre. But if those expectations create a barrier that makes me feel that if I don't get what I expect out of the relationship, I should discount any value that might be present there, my lack of receptivity will give rise to suffering. What's more, I might miss the possibility that what that person brings to the teaching is a chance for me to be present to their needs, without expectations... which could be something that individual never experienced in their lives.

We must take care not to "pre-conceive" how something or someone should "appear", in order to be of value. Every moment and every experience is of value to us. Our task ought to be to learn to be truly present to the moment, and to let go of preconceptions, expectations and the grasping for what we think ought to occur.

This process of withdrawal of projections, as Jung calls it, is the foundation for the practice of Living Zen. We mindfully and deliberately choose not to run away from life, and allow each experience and expression to wash over us, just as the waves wash over a shell along the shore. Each wave, we know, will eventually recede. Some waves might move us further along; others might set us back a bit. From time to time, a wave may dislodge us from the sand, and seem to toss us about, but in the end, we'll come to rest again along the shore... perhaps a different shore altogether... but rest, nonetheless.

Namasté!

Internationally respected, life coach and teacher, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.) is a Buddhist and Franciscan contemplative, and author of the popular book, "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened and Anointed Ones". He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds -- teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, make more money, and live more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.

You can join his primary social network and interact with him directly by visiting:
http://www.betternetworker.com/referral/7777cb42

Copyright ©2008, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

Beyond the grip of fear...

"The flute of the Infinite is played without ceasing and its sound is love." ~ Kabir

There is a poignant scene in the Broadway play, RENT, in which a young man addresses the HIV/AIDS support group, of which he is a part, stating that he finds their reliance on positive affirmations "suspect", telling them that his t-cell count dropped that month, and that he is filled with regret about that. The moderator asks him how he is feeling right that moment, and the man responds that he "feels good... better than he has all year". The moderator then asks the young man why invest himself in so much fear then?

It seems to be part of the human condition to imagine ourselves like a small child, separated from our mother. Because so many of the religious narratives of the world speak of a personal god or goddess, which is separate and distinct from us, we develop a mistaken belief that we are separated from the Ground of Being.

As a result, we live our lives in a self-imposed exile -- a state of chaos and disharmony. This way of living gives rise to our becoming caught up in a fragmented, dualistic and delusional existence. The Sanskrit word for this cyclic and deluded existence is samsara.

The great teachers all understood the error of such a belief system, and while their teaching was often lost on their intended students, we are fortunate that oral tradition and later written transcription of these oral traditions have preserved enough of the original messages for us to glean their essential truth.
Buddha Sakyamuni understood that there was no distinction of the self from the Self... no separation between the soul and the Soul. Rabbi Yeshua (Jesus) prayed that his disciples "might be one, even as he and the Source were one." And the great poet and mystic, Kabir, best captured this Truth, when he wrote:

"The ocean and its waves are one surf;
where is the difference between the river and its waves?
When the wave rises, it is the water;
and when it falls,
it is again the same water.
...where is the distinction?
Because it has been names as wave,
shall it no longer be considered as water?"

In the book, A Course in Miracles, and in my book, The Dharma of Compassion, we talk about developing an awareness that "whatever is not love is fear." At first, this might be somewhat confusing to the student of dharma, who perceives this approach to be somewhat dualistic. Yet we begin to understand that, at a deeper level, the word "fear" is simply an expression used to describe any phenomena that are not consistent with our true nature (love). Just as darkness is used to describe the apparent absence of light, we use fear to describe the apparent absence of love.

Notice that I said "apparent absence," because in the case of darkness, there can still be imperceptible light present. Similarly, while we may not perceive the presence of love in a situation, we can be certain that since it is the only impermanent truth, it pervades and penetrates every moment, every condition, every phenomenon.

Physical pain challenges almost every waking moment of my day. And the combination of physical pain and the resultant manifestations of neurological dis-ease have impacted many other areas of my experience -- from financial implications to emotional and practical implications. But these experiences don't invalidate the truth of my nature -- that I am love and light, expressing itself in and through the cloud of causation that we call "phenomena." And because I am conscious of that, the experience of "suffering" never enters the equation.

When I had the fortune of living in the monastic enclosure, I volunteered to tend to the large gardens in both monastic compounds. For me, the act of mindfully tending a garden is analogous to our spiritual practice itself. A gardener must vigilantly protect the garden from being overtaken by bugs, weeds, and other pests. The ground must be constantly "worked" to keep the soil aerated, and water, nutrients and proper exposure to the sunlight must be maintained. Similarly, unless we are constantly mindful of our thoughts, actions and "nurturing," the fertile soil of our minds, in which the dharma can take root, will be overtaken by the bugs of uncontrolled passions, the weeds of negativity, and the clouds that obscure the light of wisdom, leaving a dry, parched environment, scorched and devoid of anything of value.

"Spend five minutes complaining," my guru once said, "and you have just wasted five minutes. If you continue to complain, it won't be long until they haul you out to a desert, and there let you choke on the dust of your own regret."

When we stop complaining, running from pain, worrying about what might happen, we find the stillness and silence in which we begin to hear the sound of the Infinite flute.

Namasté!

Internationally respected, life coach and teacher, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.) is a Buddhist and Franciscan contemplative, and author of the popular book, "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened and Anointed Ones". He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds -- teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, make more money, and live more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.

You can join his primary social network and interact with him directly by visiting:
http://www.betternetworker.com/referral/7777cb42

Copyright ©2008, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

Grasping... the foundation for attachment

We often talk about the path of non-attachment -- a central concept found in the Perennialist teachings of Buddha Sakyamuni and Rav Yeshua (Jesus the Nazarene). In order to actually release our attachments, it is helpful to understand what causes them.

In general terms, attachment arises from grasping. There are four types of grasping: grasping after opinion, grasping after sensory pleasure, grasping after rule and rite, and grasping after the theory of "self". In even more general terms, we can say that grasping after those things we imagine to bring us happiness, and grasping to avoid those things we perceive as causing us pain are the foundational conditions, which give rise to attachments.

Grasping After Opinion

How many times have we found ourselves at odds with someone or some group, because they differ strongly in opinion from us?

Now I am not suggesting that having a personal opinion, even a strong personal opinion, is wrong. In fact, I believe that our opinions add to the experience of personal growth and development. But we must guard ourselves against becoming attached to them.

When we recognise an opinion as an opinion, it's difficult to be attached, because we see that thought or idea as a perception based observation. In a world that is not static, our perception is bound to shift and change, and as it does, our opinions (should) change as well.

Some years back, while I was still serving as the exarch and metropolitan archbishop of the autocephalous Franciscan communities in North America, a transcript of my weekly sermon was published, in which I stated my personal and theological opinion that the traditions of "virgin birth" and "immaculate conception", "stigmata" and "resurrection" were concepts that could not rationally be considered as literal fact, and were simply part of the cultural and religious mythos of a primitive mindset from which the institutional Church developed. One of the men I ordained to become bishop-protector of the Canadian Provinces -- a brilliant and well-educated, former Roman-Catholic priest -- was apparently of the opinion that such mythos and legends, along with the Medieval and Tridentine prescriptions for liturgical prayer, ought to be considered as literal fact. He felt strongly enough about it to separate himself from our community, and start his own sect.

For some time, I am quite certain that he and his disciples (who were comprised of individuals we dismissed from our community for various reasons) allowed their opinions to engender feelings of disgust and disdain for me. But these were genuinely compassionate and kind people, most of whom are very well-educated and intelligent. They began to recognise that opinions are just that, and so there has remained a subtle undercurrent of compassion and loving-kindness there, even if it was not spoken of. And in the past few weeks, several of them, including that one particular bishop, have been in contact with me, expressing and demonstrating their concern and compassion, prayers and support during a time of difficult physical health challenges.

If there is someone with whom you have not spoken, because they "are stupid" or "don't get it", please consider the possibility that they simply perceive things from a different "angle" and that there is no "right" or "wrong" opinion.

Grasping After Sensory Pleasure

Human sexuality, listening to music, eating your favourite foods... none of these things are, in and of themselves, "dangerous" or "bad". But once again, if we imagine that our happiness will come from owning a certain CD, attending a specific concert, dining at our favourite Indian restaurant, or a night of unbridled passion with someone(s), then we are setting ourselves up for disappointment, and we are grasping.

We must understand that everything we need for complete happiness already exists within us. Happiness is our nature, or as Joseph Smith noted, "...is the object and design of our existence." (Unfortunately, his followers missed that point entirely, and chose to spend tens of thousands of dollars diminishing the civil rights of others, so that their self-imposed religious values could be codified into law, under Prop 8).

It is unnecessary to give any sexual activity, music, food, bubble bath or anything else up, if it give you pleasure and harms no one. It is necessary, however, to be mindful. An occasional soak in a hot bath of warm Dead Sea salts can be healthful and invigorating. Spending $20-$30/month on spa treatments might be attachment however, particularly if we spent money that could have been used to help someone we know in need. It's all about balance and awareness... and knowing that nothing will bring us lasting happiness, except letting go of it all.

Grasping After Rule and Rite

Such dogmatic, theocratic, religious and doctrinal arguments that cause separation and marginalisation are never useful. Many of those who regularly listen to my Dharma talks (or read my blogs) agree that such discriminatory measures as Proposition 8 are unspeakable injustices. But if I were to suggest that "any two or more adults ought to have the right to solemnise and legally bind their relationship, in any way they deem appropriate, with the same legal and civil protections, benefits and status under law enjoyed by heterosexual couples today..." some of those same folks (including the gay ones, who got married in Massachusetts or California) would balk. What makes it OK for any "two" people to marry, but wrong if three or four wish to do the same thing?

A cursory look through my blog, and there are countless examples of folks who don't believe I have any right to call myself a Franciscan or Camaldolese monk, a Buddhist monastic or contemplative, or a spiritual leader. Why? Because their particular rule of life, religious ritual, constitution or theology does not allow for someone who teaches what I teach.

Not only do I strive not to become attached to my own rule of life or any spiritual/religious ritual, but I also strive not to allow others' grasping at theirs to disturb my peace.

Last week, one of the clergy from a very divisive and frankly peculiar religious sects that operate under the leadership of a self-proclaimed "paranormal expert" and "demon slayer/exorcist" (I could never make this shit up!) decided to wear his extravagant, thousand-dollar episcopal "choir" vestments as an Hallowe'en costume. Now I find spending such absurd amounts of money one such items (like his $3,000 bishop's crozier, which still isn't paid for) disturbing, because there are hungry people and poor folks, who could have benefited from that money instead. But if his rite and rule of life permit him to behave in such a manner, then it is of no concern to me. Yes, he is diminishing the credibility of clergy in his state and further illustrating the reasons his fellow "ghost busters" have become the laughing stock of the independent Catholic movement... but they are answerable to their own way of life, just as I am to mine.

Grasping for a Sense of "Self"

The words "I AM" are used in Judeo-Christian mythos as positive declarations of the Indwelling Presence of the Sacred in all of life. But in our daily lives, most times that we say "I am..." we are investing in an illusion of permanence and separateness that is unhelpful.

Again, it's all about our awareness. When we realise there is no "real" us versus them, that what the Great Teacher was really saying, when we look at the Aramaic context of the words, is "I am ONE with the Way; I am ONE with the Truth; and I am ONE with Life...", then it is not problematic to make "I am" statements.

I can say "I am certain that...", but we must realise that everything we think, including the illusion of "selfhood" is based on a faulty, and ever-changing perception; therefore, we cannot become attached to our thoughts, our sense of self, or our "I am-ness" because tomorrow (or in the next breath) all of that can change.

Realising these basic, foundational causes for attachment, we can begin to look for ways in which we may let go of at least one source of attachment each day... and as we do, our suffering will diminish, and a genuine happiness and peace will become part and parcel of who we are.

Namasté!

 

 

Founder and Spiritual Advisor of the Spiritus Project, and Director of the Society for Buddhist Contemplatives, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda has been leading dharma retreats, teaching, and counseling individuals interested in Buddhist contemplative spirituality since 1979. He is an ordained Buddhist monk, a Franciscan contemplative, and former Eastern Catholic priest and bishop. He holds a dual-doctorate in theological anthropology and Buddhist philosophy, a masters in clinical pastoral counseling and lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Copyright ©2008, Gurudas Sunyatananda - Lojong Ashram, All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

An Historic Moment

At a time when I find it hard to convey in words the intense pride I feel -- not only over the hard-won victory of President-elect Barack Obama, but at the sincere and honourable concession speech by Senator McCain -- nothing has captured the emotions and thoughts I feel, quite like this post from my friend, Seth:

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Martin Luther King Jr. 3 April, 1968

We have finally arrived Rev. King. Thank you for paving the way. I hope that we have made you proud.

“We both recognise that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation’s reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still have the power to wound,” said McCain, who pledged his support and help for the new president.

Before reading Seth's poignant post, I was only able to think about Dr. King's historic speech at the 11th Southern Leadership Conference, in Atlanta, during the summer of 1967, during which he said:

“And so we still have a long, long way to go before we reach the promised land of freedom. Yes, we have left the dusty soils of Egypt, and we have crossed a Red Sea that had for years been hardened by a long and piercing winter of massive resistance, but before we reach the majestic shores of the promised land, there will still be gigantic mountains of opposition ahead and prodigious hilltops of injustice. We still need some Paul Revere of conscience to alert every hamlet and every village of America that revolution is still at hand. Yes, we need a chart; we need a compass; indeed, we need some North Star to guide us into a future shrouded with impenetrable uncertainties... Now, in order to answer the question, 'Where do we go from here?' which is our theme, we must first honestly recognise where we are now.”

Wherever we go... let us resolve tonight to go there UNITED, taking back our control and responsibility to become the change we want to see in our world.

Tears are flowing... tears of gratitude and tears of relief... an era of terror and tyranny has ended.

Morning has broken.

Namasté!

A disgraceful waste...

Proposition 8 is an initiative for a state constitutional amendment, being presented on the 2008 California General Election ballot, intended to impose the religious agenda of ultra-conservative fundamentalists on citizens of that state. If passed, the proposition will "change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California." A new section would be added stating "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California."

Originally submitted with the title "California Marriage Protection Act", both the title and summary of the initiative was revised by State Attorney General Jerry Brown, in order to "more accurately reflect the measure" (and expose the initiative for what it really is). The Superior Court of California ruled in favour of these changes, stating, "Proposition 8 would 'eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry' in California. The California Supreme Court unequivocally held that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry under the California Constitution." (In 1850, California's marriage statutes used gender-neutral language, without reference to "man" or "woman," in providing that marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract to which the consent of the parties capable of making the contract is necessary.)

On May 15, 2008 the California Supreme Court, by a vote of 4–3, ruled that the statute enacted by Proposition 22 and other statutes that limit marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. It also held that individuals of the same sex have the right to marry under the California Constitution.

This morning's news carried reports that the battle for and against Proposition 8 has become one of the most expensive civil rights issues in history, carrying a total price tag of $73 Million.

Seventy-three million dollars, spent by those seeking to promote the attempt to turn the United States into a theocracy, as well as by those who have been forced to invest equally absurd amounts of money into an effort to combat such intolerance, civil rights abuses and further dilution of the constitutional rights of its citizens. I am certain that I am not the only one disgusted by this unfathomable waste.

In 2007, HIV/AIDS killed more than 2.1 million people. Tuberculosis claimed the lives of 1.7 million people, and over 880,000 people dies from malaria. Access to clean water and proper sanitation is essential to good health, education and economic productivity; yet over one billion people across the world lack access to clean water and 2.6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation.

What kind of impact could have been made if that $73 Million were spent on these critical humanitarian needs? How do the Fundie McNuggets® justify such omissions, in light of their "gospel mandate", which states, "Whatsoever you do for the least of these, you do unto me."? How would their Saviour direct them to spend such money? Would he have encouraged them to spend it on discrimination, intolerance and oppression; or would he have told them to "feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and bring comfort to those who suffer"?

ONE is a non-partisan, grassroots effort, backed by over 2.4 million people from all 50 states, and more than one hundred of America's most well-known and respected non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organisations, dedicated to the attainable goal of eliminating poverty, hunger and AIDS worldwide. We believe there is only ONE side in the fight against extreme poverty and global AIDS.

On our website we describe our effort as: "Working on the ground in communities, colleges and churches across the United States, ONE members both educate and ask America's leaders to increase efforts to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty, from the U.S. budget and presidential elections to specific legislation on debt cancellation, increasing effective international assistance, making trade fair, and fighting corruption. Everyone can join the fight. The goal of ending poverty may seem lofty, but it is within our reach if we take action together as one. You can start now by joining ONE and pledging your voice to the fight against extreme poverty and global AIDS."

The waste of $73 Million to fight or promote Prop 8 is disgraceful and irresponsible. And if we look closely, we'll find hundreds of millions of additional dollars being wasted on other attempts to marginalise, discriminate and advance the religious right's stranglehold on this once great nation.

November 4th is not only a time when we hope the people of the United States will put an end to the tyranny and abuses it endured during the last eight years of theocratic oligarchy, terrorism and greed, but can also be a time in which we come together as a people, and TAKE BACK the control that was lost during the oppressive reign of King Duhhbya the Imbecile.

The belief that some person's or group's interpretation of plagiarised religious texts ought to be integrated into the constitution of a state or country is an unacceptable scenario. The attempts to marginalise people, because they do not fit the standard of the "majority", or because prejudices, fears and intolerance govern the religious beliefs of the many, must not be permitted to occur again.

In just a few weeks, hundreds of thousands of families will come together to celebrate a tradition that was built on the "victory" claimed by one governor, after he authorised the murder (by burning to death) of an entire tribe of Native American people in New England. Without question, the events that led up to that first "thanksgiving" have served as "Ground Zero" for a terrorist movement in the United States, which transformed itself from the more visibly identifiable "Puritanism" to Protestant Fundamentalism, and which now includes fundamentalist Catholics, Islamic adherents and Jewish Zionists as well.

Remember... WE the people elect into office those who are designated to become civil servants for the good of ALL the people... not just the majority. It's time we assumed the responsibility for OUR actions and INACTION, and began to make right those injustices that are claiming so many lives.

Please visit: http://one.org today. And VOTE!

The Dharma as a Path to Clarity

Every year, around this time, I take ten days away from the day-to-day rigours and routine, for a retreat. It marks the beginning of another year of service, following the milestone anniversaries of my ordinations and entry into monastic/contemplative life. Each night, I practice Naikan, the Japanese practice of “inside looking” or “introspection”, during which time I evaluate my thoughts, actions and words for opportunities to grow into a more faithful representation of the heart of compassion. For me, this time of annual retreat is a period for more intense scrutiny of the work I have done in the previous year, and an opportunity to examine the ways in which I might have failed to accomplish my objectives as a person vowed to a life of compassion and service to all beings.

There were also two main opportunities during the week to give dharma talks to some members of the sangha, who wanted to understand how I consider my path to be a path of simple discipleship and service, without needing to affiliate formally with any form of institutional religion. And so I shared with them some of the deeper considerations that were arising in my own interior scrutiny.

I explained that although, by virtue of my vows, I am compelled to expose injustices, and unhealthy, delusional beliefs that ultimately become obstacles to spiritual growth, I still maintain a genuine respect for all religious traditions. I don't believe that a person who happens to be a practicing Catholic, or Wiccan, Protestant, Jew or Muslim, Druid, Hindu or Sikh cannot also study the Dharma; because I don't consider the Dharma to be a religion at all. It is simply a path... a Way... a philosophy for living life more authentically.

The Dharma can help a Catholic become a better Catholic. It can inspire the Druid or Wiccan adherent to become more authentically Druid or Wiccan.

I believe that Buddha Sakyamuni and Yeshua (Jesus) the Nazarene understood this. Their teaching, which I see as being inextricably one dharma, dispels the fog of obscurity, so that the Truth illuminates our way.

Not unlike the sun, which alone dispels the heavy morning fog, the dharma practice dispels the "fog of our perceptions and beliefs", so that we can begin to see with "clear vision".

By practicing the Dharma of Compassion, we learn to recognise our preconceptions as baseless dreams and ephemeral "bubbles". We appreciate the perceptions that express themselves in various religious traditions as being impermanent and insubstantial; yet that does not detract from their beauty and contributions to the rich and vibrant tapestry of human experience. Much as the perception of a rainbow reveals itself to be an illusion, while remaining a "beautiful illusion", so too do many of our personal and collective perceptions reveal themselves to be "beautiful illusions".

The skillful approach to life ought to be one in which we strive to keep our minds alert and aware, and in a happy, peaceful and compassionate state, as much as possible. If participation in a particular religious tradition, or membership in a particular religious group aids and engenders that happy, peaceful and compassionate state of mind, then it is authentic for us at that particular point in time. If a belief in gods or goddesses foster a happy state of mind, and inspire us toward compassion, rather than fear, then such impermanent thoughts and beliefs are useful.

The important thing is to realise that every thought is transient, and every idea is subject to change. Therefore, we do not become attached to our beliefs, our religions, our dogmas or doctrines. Only love (genuine compassion) exists permanently. That is the Ground of Being. It is the unifying, intangible, inexpressible "stuff" that reflects Itself like the rays of a prism, each one unique, and yet still a reflection of a particular aspect of light itself... just as we, along with all sentient beings, are reflections of the Light and Love that is our true nature.

The walls we build around us to keep out the pain and sadness, also keep out the joy and peace. The practice and study of the dharma is a path through those walls... which gently dismantles those things that have been obstacles to our freedom, our non-suffering, our non-attachment and our joy, until nothing remains but Love and Light.

There's no more "them", only us. There's no more duality. There's no more possessiveness or the need to be right, because right is all that there is. No more obsession with the past, or worry about the future, because we recognise our role in the creation of the perfect "now".

The fog lifts, and clarity reveals the brilliance of each moment, each breath, each potential for compassion and service.

Namasté!

Internationally respected, life coach and teacher, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.) is a Buddhist and Franciscan contemplative, and author of the popular book, "The Dharma of Compassion - One Monk's Reflections on the Teachings of the Enlightened and Anointed Ones". He is best known for his on-going contributions to helping people unlock the power of their own minds -- teaching them how to apply that power to create strong, loving relationships, make more money, and live more meaningful, prosperous, health and satisfying lives.

You can join his primary social network and interact with him directly by visiting:
http://www.6dgr.com/index.php?mode=join&ref_id=8412 

Copyright ©2008, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.

A Defining Moment in Global History...

Subject: November 4th -- a DEFINING moment in global history!

To our friends and associates, especially in the United States:

After sharing similar ideas with some of our colleagues around the world, I have been inspired to stop what I am doing tonight, to send this to each of you.

It's almost upon us... November 4th... a most important day in global history... and certainly one of the most singularly defining moments in U.S. history. A time when ALL of us will have the opportunity to be heard!

And no... I am not talking about the race for President of the U.S., although that is an important event in and of itself. Surely, the election is historic, and can dramatically shape many things in the political and social climate of the world... but it is only a PART of the reason November 4th is so important to the WORLD.

Never before have so many put their futures in the hands of so few... and quite often, such an incapable few.

Both candidates have been making incredible promises for more than two years now, and many people are listening with great interest, during these economically uncertain and challenging times. But when the election is over, and the race has been decided, I challenge you to ask yourselves some remarkably important questions:

Starting Wednesday, November 5th…
-    Who’s going to go to work to create your family income?
-    Who’s going to pay your bills?
-    Who’s going to build your business?
-    Who’s going to pay for your children’s education?
-    Who’s going to “bail” you out if you’re upside down?

Obama?  McCain?  Or YOU?

In every life, there are historically defining moments. The question, posed by my colleague, Eric Worre, is, "How will you respond to this one?"

Will you be glued to your television set or computer, watching the minute-by-minute election coverage, or will you TAKE BACK THE CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE and create your OWN economic stimulus package?

In addition to fulfilling my duty to vote for the next President of the United States, and local elected officials tomorrow, I will be voting for YOU to become the FUTURE LEADER of your OWN economic and personal future.

As for me, once I leave the polls, I will be sitting down at my computer, notebook at the ready, and logging in at: iLearningGlobal.TV, where I will download the proprietary, free WARP video player, and begin watching high-definition video content from some of the TOP names in the personal development, financial training, and other professional coaches and mentors worldwide.

And when evening comes, I will be headed to a free Virtual Business Briefing on the web, to take CONTROL of my personal and financial future, where I will share with those interested and serious enough about doing so, how they can create their very OWN economic stimulus package... one that will last a lifetime... and free them from the tyranny that comes from allowing the "few" to control the "many".

I hope you will take the time to vote, if you live in the United States. But more than that, I also hope you will accept my challenge, and drop me an email so that you can join us for our 20-minute, no hype, virtual "town hall" presentation on the web, tomorrow evening at 9 PM and 10 PM EST. (Just email: successcoach@prosperityreinvented.com for details and reservations.)

My personal mentor, Jim Rohn always said, "For things to change, YOU'VE got to change. For things to get better, YOU'VE got to get better."

This is OUR moment!

Create change. Be heard. Take CONTROL!

-- Namasté!

Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, O.C., M.Sc.
http://prosperityreinvented.com/invitation

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For more than 27 years, pioneer in the field of entrepreneurism and emerging Internet marketing technologies, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, has focused on the fundamentals of personal and business development, peak performance, and wealthbuilding in the postmodern marketplace. Recognised as an innovator, and called the "new mentor to the millionaires", Gianmichael has worked with such notable mentors as Jim Rohn, Lawrence Thompson, Anthony Robbins, Louise L. Hay, Dr. Kennedy Shultz and Dr. Jose Silva.

A noted Buddhist contemplative and teacher, Dr. Salvato has leveraged his achievements, as consistently earning within the top-five percent of Network Marketing professionals worldwide, using that income to fund programs for the homeless, the hungry, sick and marginalised, as well as providing education and support to underprivileged communities for more than 20 years.

Creator of the breakthrough approach Networking Reinvented® and developer of the Prosperity Reinvented® workshop series, and co-founder of the Networking Reinvented® Success Team, Gianmichael has shared his message with 3,400 audiences and more than a million people. He continues to conduct seminars, dharma workshops and business events throughout North and South America, the European Union and the Pac Rim, and resides with his companion and partner, in a quiet, understated historic home in Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania -- the oldest inland city in the United States.

Copyright ©2008, Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato, All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
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Dr. Salvato can be reached at: successcoach@prosperityreinvented.com 
Find out more about his business opportunity by visiting:
http://prosperityreinvented.com/invitation
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