 Is a radiant life really possible -- or are we just fooling ourselves? Is there genuine reason for hope -- or are our shadows going to grow and overwhelm us and everyone on this precious blue Planet? Will the brilliant sun of justice and peace ever shine through us -- that we might finally create a Paradise on Earth? Or will the "principalities and powers" that dominate the political, economic, and cultural life upon this Planet have the final word -- and render our Home inhabitable? Ah, these are questions that circle through my consciousness nearly everyday -- are you different from me? These questions seem to have more meaning than many others I could settle upon... but I don't linger any longer than necessary with them! "Power Questions" are vital reminders and motivators for intentional practice -- if it is true that enlightenment is always about the "other" and not a personal, isolated, self-realized ego... I understand that many folks are tempted -- because of the stunning seriousness of power questions -- to seek to avoid thinking: and so they look for a savior, a leader, a new sexual encounter, a new car, a cold beer... anything that will give pause to thought... and the personal necessity for responsibility and action... But I also understand that avoidance is not life! Life lived to the fullest -- not in the simple attempt to accumulate pleasurable memories -- but in the passionate pursuit of the good and the beautiful for everyone, and this precious blue Planet as well, is the Key to radiance. Life lived as close to the core of "Only One" as possible -- is the Way of Yeshua, of Rumi, of Lalla, of Lao Tzu, and of all the great teachers throughout all of time. Action for social transformation is sustainable to the degree that our daily practice is one of honest intention: to become the change we are working for: to become the face of love and kindness: to become the voice for equality and justice: to become the sacred builders of the Paradise that is truly possible. Meditation, affirmation, dialogue, organizing -- using all of the tools available for a life of radiance gives birth to a radiant life... ah, and then finding your place among friends in community, building together, practicing together: the dark clouds of the dominator paradigm have had their day; through you, the Sun is going to shine...  I haven't a clue as to who the person in this photo is -- maybe he's an officer of the law just practicing... but then again, maybe he's another crazy looking to come your way with any 'ol reason to kill...
The NRA is a clear and present danger to the safety and well-being of everyone in this country. Their rabid worship of weapons has polluted the halls of Congress -- for the most part, only someone who trembles before the might of the NRA can get elected to anything. We need another Wyatt Earp to face down these wing-nuts and collect all the guns! The NRA would have us believe that we'll all be safer if everyone is always and everywhere armed and dangerous -- they are mad! They used to say they were protecting the rights of the hunter -- hence the name "National Rifle Association". But only so many people were interested in shooting unarmed deer and pigs -- there were no great profits to be had in selling rifles! Ah, but then they had their version of a brilliant idea: they would advocate for personal safety weapons in every home -- then in every purse and drawer... imagine the unlimited profits to be had from this scheme! Of course, the scheme had to be backed up by a media campaign to re-define the Second Amendment and the election of advocates of unlimited access to guns... so the NRA has poured millions and millions of dollars into the political system, while intimidating everyone who had even an inkling that they were off-the-wall-nuts -- and now what do we have? Gun Paradise! I could -- if I wanted -- take a vacation to Arizona... I could buy an unlimited number of guns... put them in my car... drive a few blocks away... and re-sell each gun for a hefty profit... (I don't need to concern myself with where those guns are going or who they will be used against... I could even pretend they will be melted down into a modern sculpture if I wanted too...)... I could go into any Wal-Mart and buy a gun: anywhere in the country... they don't care why I might be buying the gun... they, like the NRA, are innocent... guns don't kill, people kill... and if you take away all the guns, only the criminals will have any guns and then what will we do? Will we need more police in our brave new world of gun control? Zimmerman would never have gotten out of his car to follow young Mr. Martin -- if he hadn't had a gun in his pocket. The NRA and all the elected officials in Congress helped pull the trigger that killed young Mr. Martin. The NRA and all the elected officials of Congress stalked the movie-goers in Denver and pulled the trigger with their killer last night... and that which galls me the most: after Palin and Rush defend the rights of law-abiding gun owners, is that this is a nation that prides itself on its "Christian roots" -- the poor Prophet of Nazareth, Yeshua, bears absolutely no resemblance to the "Jesus of the Christian". The Prophet told Peter to put away his sword: just as he is telling us: get rid of all the guns... and, guess what, the "Jesus of the Christian" is somewhere blasting a hole in Yeshua the Prophet right about now...  The 21st century snuck up on me -- I was caught, though I've tried to run away time and time again... finally, I collapsed in a heap on the desk, on the arm, of this century... she stared me down, and I blinked... she grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and bounced me off the wall: I yield! At least for now (once again), I yield...
So if you want another angle on me and www.theburninghand.com you can search me out and find me on facebook...  2012... the weight of our human presence on this precious blue Planet is crushing it -- not the collective weight of our bodies -- but the actual weight of the harm we inflict upon each other, upon all life forms, and upon the oceans and all the lands of Earth. We have left no place untouched, as we have left no person unharmed... acting as if we have no meaning and no purpose higher than exploitation, and no justification so bald that we won't destroy anyone and anything that gets in our path...
2012: It is time for a new humanity! Perhaps there is no better way to introduce the new human than by remembering our Divine Mother, our Source and our Sustainer. (Read The Chalice & The Blade by Riane Eisler). Long before the warrior gods arrived to unveil their "day of domination" (for centuries now), the Earth Mother was the playground of life... still, remnants of Her Play exist in every culture and every religion -- no matter the extent of efforts to wipe her memory from this precious blue Planet... there is no need here to list all of the violence and injustices inflicted upon this Planet, upon all life, and especially upon women and children... but there is a need to remember... There is no better means of remembrance than the daily intention to practice "no harm" in one's personal and family relationships, in one's work and economy, in one's politics and culture, and of course, in one's religion... reactions to this suggestion are a great litmus test as to how deeply imbedded one is in the dominator paradigm and how deeply the dominator paradigm dictates the course of one's thinking, speaking, and acting. To the degree that our thoughts, words, and actions reflect "no harm" are we in fact approaching genuine civilization and a living religion... (Read The Return of the Mother by Andrew Harvey). What are you thinking? Are you ready for real and substantial change? Are you going to activate your sacred heart into all of it's divine possibilities? What needs to happen for you to decide that you were created for radiance and to radiance you must tend? (Read Awakening by Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, and The Great Turning by David C. Korten). Here is a very simple prayer of intention to actively engage in your transformation, and the service of all life and this precious blue Planet: "Divine Mother of No Harm, I lift up my intention to love without limits and place that intention into Your hands as if it were an offering of red roses. I will to reflect in my daily life Your play and passion for Beauty and for Justice. I will be Your voice, Your hands, and Your feet upon this precious blue Planet! OM Peace Amen." |
AuthorRobert Daniel Smith was privileged to serve the homeless and marginalized for 30 years in California. He is living now almost within shouting distance of the Twin Cities. He is a poet, artist, writer, and long-time Companion of the Way still dreaming... Archives
May 2022
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