Marching with visiting dear friend Terri
at the No Kings March on March 28, 1000+ people around us.
Tonight a friend is bringing a Passover seder to my home and 7 of us will gather around the table, 3 experiencing a seder for the first time. I tried to explain what a Seder is about; to me it’s a celebration of freedom, and of love’s power over hate. There is so much hatred in the world. We can never take freedom, kindness, and tolerance of others’ differing views for granted. And we work in ourselves to be truly kind, tolerant and non-judgmental to others, to live free of hatred.
Sunday Hal and I will celebrate Easter. Yeshua speaks to us of crucifixion initiation and resurrection initiation. He’ll speak about it to our sangha at 2PM on Sunday, on zoom (free but registration needed on the DSC site to receive the zoom link). We experience innumerable crucifixions in our lives, small and larger: the sprained ankle; the badly broken leg; the heart attack that leaves us close to death; the loss of a pet; the loss of a spouse or child; being the object of another person’s angry words, and being the object of another’s violent assault.…Since we’re human, all of these may happen.
For me, the true freedom is in my gradually growing ability to experience these situations, these crucifixions, without hatred. This is the gift of my spiritual and meditation practice I know it is for most of you too.
“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.”
― Siddhārtha Gautama, The Dhammapada: The Sayings of the Buddha
Yet when a certain political figure appears on my TV screen and begins to speak, loathing arises. Anger arises. Being honest with myself, I might even call it hatred! When I hear of how many people have died in this… not war, but “maneuver”, rage arises. I know it does for some of you too. My effort here is compassion for myself, for all of us: to hold my heart open to the human struggling with these painful catalysts. I find remembering the power of compassion and lovingkindness truly helps. Chanting the Metta Sutta helps. Acknowledging my feelings of anger, born in feelings of helplessness, helps. I also love to sing “We shall overcome,” and remember the power of those non-violent and often truly loving sit-ins and freedom rides I experienced in the early 60s. They gave me trust in satyagraha, “soul force”; and knowing that power is inherent within us all. .
The present political, environmental and human situations are our present-day crucifixions. We CAN rise above them, remembering our commitment to freedom from hatred, and to the fullest awakening, for all sentient beings. I’m grateful to you all, for walking this path with me.
from Mother Teresa
