The recent murder of George Floyd has brought even greater attention and urgency to the long-standing and still unresolved issue of systemic racism and discrimination in the United States, and the suffering and violence that it perpetuates. There are no words to express the pain and sadness of this tragedy.
In this time of the coronavirus pandemic, I have had more time to be with myself, without so many distractions. And I’ve been noticing more vividly my habitual pattern of negative self-talk and anger when I’m stressed out. Working with “Mindful Gap,” a skill I’ve learned in my mindfulness meditation practice, helps me step back from my habitual reactions and stop their flow.
It is beyond words to express my feelings of sadness and devastation after seeing the unnecessary force which led to the ultimate disaster of losing one precious human life, George Floyd.
But looking deeper, I also felt a strong connection: to the sick and deceased, to nurses and doctors who couldn’t save them, to soldiers solemnly driving those trucks, to others watching these surreal scenes just as I was doing.
What does it really mean to “be close” to someone? Rinpoche shows how we can use the quarantine or isolation to reflect on our ideas about social distance and closeness.
When I read this section of the book Emotional Rescue I felt that Ponlop Rinpoche had specifically written that for me! So often I’ve tried and failed at difficult conversations, leaving them full of regret, or worse, with more anger and hurt on both sides.
Drawing from the teachings of the rich Buddhist tradition and personal experience, these articles are written by members of our community from all over the world, offering contemplations and practices to apply directly on our own path in life and interconnected global society.
How to find freedom, contentment and genuine, lasting wellbeing? How to put wisdom and compassion into action in our daily life, contributing to kind communities in today’s global society?
