www.theburninghand.com
  • The Beat
  • blog
  • CW Photos
  • Thin
  • Praxis
  • Person
  • Rule
  • Soup
  • Bread
  • Human
  • Contact
  • Rumi
  • The Watcher
  • Heaven-Become
  • Seed Only
  • Dorothy
  • Interior Landscape
  • Subtle River, Subtle Moon
  • Feather
  • Lessons
  • Sabbath-Day
  • Gandhi
  • Hummingbird
  • Meditation

The Charism of Solidarity

10/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
"The Charism of Solidarity": perhaps a new theological / political / economic thought? It has been said that the sum total of human knowledge now doubles every six months -- probably much of what "passes" for knowledge, involve more efficient ways to kill people, exploit the Earth, and extract resources. And yet Mahatma Gandhi used to say that nonviolence was as old as the hills... so perhaps there is a deeper knowledge than much of that which drives privilege and power to ever more of the same...

"Charism" implies grace: a mystery of Spirit accessible through mystic-initiation: a turning of one's heart and mind towards the Great Unity that (Who) is both immanent and transcendent, within and without consciousness, life, and matter... While "solidarity" implies a similar grace: the activated compassion which sees and knows every "other" as one's own self: this "no separation" mirrors the "no separation" of the mystic quest: an interior life that is transformed into what Simone Weil intuited: "We were created by Love, for Love, to become Love." "Solidarity" is an activated compassion that extends into every area of life -- without exception...

One cannot, truly, love one person without loving all persons for love has no limits. This is the key to the rEvolution of the 21st century. Transformation, every transformation, must be total or it is not transformation at all: in other words, I cannot "love" Vandana Shiva without also loving Dick Cheney. While perhaps I will still think of Mr. Cheney as a dick, I must still will the very best for him (certainly not another electoral victory, but his own total transformation and surrender to Love-without-limits). This is neither a word game nor a vapid mental exercise: love must always show itself in action and prayer both: this points to the folly of nearly all that passes for religion today: Israeli and Palestinian must forgive and adore one another to the point of no more killing, no more injustice, no more terror, and no more borders (I am You, You are Me, and We are All Together: One). This principle of total transformation applies all across the board: there are no exclusions or exceptions...

If you want to step into a mystic-life that combines the interior journey with the social responsibilities of an activated compassion, then the charism of solidarity must become your focal point, most simply expressed as "I am You, You are Me, and We are All Together: One". Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hahn, teaches this principle as "Inter-being": through and through, we are One! Creation is an absolutely wild phenomenon! None of us, and no thing, exists in any sort of real isolation from every other life form or phenomena of matter! Our very atoms reflect this Cosmic Reality of Consciousness Unleashed: the atoms that are currently "me" have existed since the very first moment of the Big Bang: the "What If?" and the "Why Not?" beginning It's process of Self-Discovery through creation-destruction-recreation... Stars and algae, rivers and mountains, female and male, every form and formlessness: "I am You, You are Me, and We are All Together: One".

The mystic-activist must interiorize the charism of solidarity that it become for us the breath of our breath: only then will we be able to birth it in a new experience of religion, politics, economics, and culture. The tears of this world are hoping that we will seriously, devoutly, and playfully accept this challenge... It is not enough to know this precious blue Planet and the life that it sustains is in peril... it is not enough to organize demonstrations, distribute and sign petitions, commit civil disobedience, and opt out of the dominant culture in creative ways... The "enough" this world is praying and begging for is the total transformation of, as in a living body, "cells" of folks, of every faith and no faith, to commit to the charism of solidarity: "I am You, You are Me, and We are All Together: One"...  


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Robert 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... 

    ​Recommended Reading:

    ​Son of Man by Andrew Harvey


    ​Be Love Now by Ram Dass

    ​Be Here Now by Ram Dass

    The Rebirthing of God by John Philip Newell

    The Hope by Andrew Harvey

    The Return of the Mother by Andrew Harvey

    ​Creation Spirituality by Matthew Fox

    Loaves and Fishes by Dorothy Day 

    Sacred Pleasure by Riane Eisler

    Occupy Spirituality by Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox

    Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

    The Self-Aware Universe by Amit Goswami, Ph.D.

    Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

    The Wisdom Jesus by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault

    ​Living the Eternal Way by Rev. Ellen Grace O'Brian

    Listening For The Heartbeat of God by John Philip Newell

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010

    RSS Feed

Copyright (c) Michelle Smith   All Rights Reserved  2017
Photos from tejvanphotos, heather aitken, PixFav.com, Rennett Stowe, Never Edit, dsgetch, Jeffrey, spiritchasa, red line highway, luciefly, np&djjewell, Milton Keynes Museum, pmarkham, Wonderlane, Flikkersteph -4,000,000 views ,thank you!, KOREA.NET - Official page of the Republic of Korea, homethods, igo.rs, Daniel Dudek-Corrigan, WarmSleepy, MizGingerSnaps, niiicedave (back from AK USA), rachel_titiriga, neotint, mRio, regan76, Chilanga Cement, Goldmund100, nevil zaveri (thank you for 20+M views:), Sasha Y. Kimel, Evoflash, ianmalcm, National Farm Worker Ministry, CapCase, Larry Lamsa, nathanborror, philozopher, iamathis, keepitsurreal, Elvert Barnes, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, *ErinBrierley*, archer10 (Dennis) 85M Views, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, recommendgroup3, normalsanik, philwarren, Rod Waddington, Nic's events, edenpictures, ell brown, Eneas, skugga2shadow, PiConsti, matsuyuki, Lucie Bluebird-Lexington, Christiaan Triebert, Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It., Schwarzkaefer, K. Kendall, satanoid, Rod Waddington, Adrian Thomson, Rod Waddington, Neon Tommy, Javmorcas, EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, hams37, DigitumDei, Dean Hochman, Rob React, Marion Doss, Celestine Chua, Bold Frontiers, Bobfantastic, Daniel M. Hendricks, The National Guard, micadew, Pero Kvrzica, Pan American Health Organization PAHO, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), Abode of Chaos, zugaldia, jorgemejia, 1nativeTexan, A. Strakey, STUART_BURNS1, Jan Tik, erix!, greensefa, Meanest Indian, miketnorton, eliduke, K. Kendall, willthomas7, Southbank Centre London, fuseboxradio, alden0249, Chuckfranky, **** j a z z z i ***, eliduke, kevin dooley, iz4aks, Loco Steve, U.S. Embassy New Delhi, geckzilla, InSapphoWeTrust, PhotoHenning, Miradas.com.br, srslyguys, otterbeintheatre, Sasha Y. Kimel, Dick Thomas Johnson, justin, cattan2011, Rebecca Harms, ** RCB **, jdg32373, thisisjamesj, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., www.ilkkajukarainen.fi, eugenenoodleman, swong95765, WarmSleepy, scazon, albany_tim, hoyasmeg, austinevan, Easa Shamih (eEko) | P.h.o.t.o.g.r.a.p.h.y, Filipe Moreira, Old Sarge, BlatantNews.com, .shyam., puroticorico, Jim, the Photographer, rajkumar1220, mike.benedetti, Lost Albatross, babasteve, Alex E. Proimos, Falling Heavens, cliff1066™, pixiduc, To Tuscany, Space Ritual, Walt Hubis, qwrrty, Geoff Livingston, nyoin, jeffreyw, Cea., tibchris, Friar's Balsam, Pink Sherbet Photography, Trilok Rangan, cscott2006, Kris Krug, spratmackrel, Celestine Chua, Shashank Mhasawade, AlicePopkorn, mhiguera, waitscm, mikekwaan, Lost Albatross, rajkumar1220, Alan Cleaver, philipmatarese, @jbtaylor, Anosmia, ryPix, Illusive Photography, Beverly & Pack, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Paul Lowry, Ben Sutherland, kamshots, National Farm Worker Ministry, k763, Wonderlane, BAMCorp, bm.iphone, QuotesEverlasting, markbyzewski, greensefa, DonkeyHotey, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), VinothChandar, jamarmstrong, Ian W Scott, olcoge, carulmare, eleephotography, rajkumar1220, AlicePopkorn, billy verdin, Melody Campbell, PixFav.com, cyberien 94, symphony of love, Cory Kipa Photography, Mulligan Stu, Jack Heart, creativedc, yummyporky, Liz Henry, beaumontpete, Karen Eliot, Formula_d, cuatrok77, Eneas, Monica Arellano-Ongpin, YIM Hafiz, AlicePopkorn, dalbera, TausP., Song_sing, Duncan~, Ed Coyle Photography, h.koppdelaney, L. N. Batides, oseillo, K. Kendall, omnos, francesco sgroi, akshay moon, popejon2, Waiting For The Word, DeeAshley, rajkumar1220, mira66, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, Jean-Luc Toilet, Morgaine, Јerry, silviostarr, mahalie, jGlidePhotoATL, bixentro, AirHaake, VinothChandar, niyam bhushan, tedeytan, Kıvanç Niş, kevin dooley, secretlondon123, mike 23, christian.greller, OliBac, quinn.anya, goat_girl_photos, yeowatzup, revmags, jlwelsh, doubledareyaa, bberburb, Cea., clkohan, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), garlandcannon (on hiatus), kdinuraj, TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³, Raphael Goetter, omnos, jeet_sen, rajkumar1220, gbaku, Pink Sherbet Photography, payneshut, timmarshall, cutemosaic.com, Balaji.B, Morgaine, sadeog, DrStarbuck, michaelvito, VinothChandar, Emily Stanchfield, ninja 4 life, Carly & Art, The Jewish Agency for Israel, McD22, Ashok666, Zanastardust, grahamc99, Sharon Mollerus, dental ben, WarmSleepy, Flikkesteph, quinn.anya, h.koppdelaney, Katrin Lorenzen, ernenn, Fairy Heart ♥, Spirit-Fire, Lynda W1, Bob Doran, miheco, micadew, e-strategyblog.com, The Center for Interfaith Relations, Nagarjun, Morgaine, mollyktadams, Marco Gomes, Bennilover, sergei.gussev, U.S. Institute of Peace, symphony of love, waferboard, Abode of Chaos, Br. Christian Seno, OFM, Rod Waddington
  • The Beat
  • blog
  • CW Photos
  • Thin
  • Praxis
  • Person
  • Rule
  • Soup
  • Bread
  • Human
  • Contact
  • Rumi
  • The Watcher
  • Heaven-Become
  • Seed Only
  • Dorothy
  • Interior Landscape
  • Subtle River, Subtle Moon
  • Feather
  • Lessons
  • Sabbath-Day
  • Gandhi
  • Hummingbird
  • Meditation