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Showing posts from January, 2018

Marijuana and Meditation- A Buddhist Perspective

I did something a little different for New Year's Eve in 2017.  Instead of partying with friends or sitting quietly at home, I took part in a 6-day silent meditation retreat at Buddhist Insights in Rockaway Beach, NY.   The practice was led by Bhante Suddhaso, a Theravadan monk, and it was incredible. For 6 days I didn't speak, use my cell phone, or eat more than two meals a day. Instead, I did work practice, meditated for 6 hours a day, and listened to Bhante give lectures on Buddhist sutras.   It was a challenging and awe-inspiring experience.  But the biggest challenge I've faced now that I'm home is trying to explain it to others. Case in point, I was talking with some friends about it the other day, and one of them replied, "You should just smoke weed instead."  That really pissed me off. I don't smoke weed for the same reason that I don't drink alcohol ; I see it as a violation of the fifth precept.  But not everyone is me

I Don't Care Who You Voted For--- I Love You

Buddhist practice is a koan, wrapped in a riddle that's been buried in a place where "X" marks the spot. And dealing with difficult questions is an important part of the training.   For example, one of the questions that I wrestled with through all of 2017 was this, "How do I practice loving-kindness in the face of political turmoil?" When the presidential results came in, and Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States, I did what I thought I was supposed to do as an activist.  I took to the streets.  That's not a bad thing in and of itself.  After all, civil disobedience is at the heart of a strong democracy.  But the way I protested was not in keeping with Buddhist teachings. I shouted slogans that were unkind.  I had thoughts towards people that were unloving.  And I allowed the poison of anger to fester in my heart because I thought it was for the "greater good". This was foolishness.  Terrible things h