February 27 marks the Tibetan New Year and another opportunity to start fresh, abandoning old patterns of hope and fear.  That is really the crux of Buddhist philosophy: staying present and mindful in THIS moment, rather than hoping or worrying about other outcomes.

On our Western New Year I wrote about Seeing Clearly (also the subject of my last nonfiction book, here on the main page.) Basically it means accepting what is. Seeing things as they are, without our filters and interpretations– just “as is.”

Whenever we struggle with our situation (whatever it is) we suffer. That is what Buddha is said to have realized back in the day, and what all the various Buddhist teachers express. Grappling with this concept IS our practice (as one of my favorite teachers Tsunma Pema Chodron) is fond of saying.  (It is my intention to title my next book Grappling, for that reason.)

The rub, for me at least, is even accepting that fact. I constantly want to say, “yes but…”  As in what about physical pain? What about the need to rise up and fight against fascism? (or hate, greed, torture, abuse.) Isn’t it lame to let go of the Valiant struggles? Isn’t that just caving in and giving up?  Words matter, especially in Dharma.  Acceptance vs. resignation is a favorite topic for grappling.  Here’s a podcast from the Secular Buddhist on that very issue (only 11 minutes and worth the time.)

So, the upshot (as Noah explains in the podcast) is about how we handle our moment to moment experiences; responding– rather than reacting emotionally– to whatever is occurring.  It’s about creating the space and freedom to respond, not resigning or surrendering.  The answer comes by grappling with this process and letting go of our reactive patterns. Translating that to our big concerns takes practice, unless you are so fortunate as experience instant Enlightenment.  🕉️  (More on that in a future post.)

As for the Fire Bird, it is part of the Tibetan astrological phases based on a lunar calendar. It represents passion and also awakening.  Beautiful image!

Is it a “good Friday” with so much hate, anger, and fear in the world? For those spending this weekend in contemplation of what Jesus taught and/or  reflecting on how he died for “our” sins, he died for EVERYONE’s sins — a point worth pondering.  Jesus may have tossed the money changers out of the temple, but he still forgave them. While dying in agony on the cross, we’re told that he cried out, “Father forgive them. They know not what they do.”  He was referring to the Romans (and others) who crucified him.  He even wanted salvation for his killers–  for all of us.

Yes, I think Bible scholars and theologians would agree, Jesus didn’t die just for “evangelicals”,  or for “Christians” only.  He was crying out for ALL humans and our limited ability to comprehend the consequences of our actions.  We are human and we all make mistakes.  Jesus was asking to take on the burden (the Karma) of ALL of us.

Out of respect, I used to avoid posting Buddhist philosophy on Christian holidays. But, with ignorance the cause of so much fear and suffering, I must speak out, especially on these days.  Bible prophecy seems right on about our destiny; that we are on the brink of blowing ourselves “to Kingdom come” with so much fear, violence, and bigotry.  Millions of Christians will go to “church” this weekend, in other words congregate in a beautiful building, and pat themselves on the back for doing so.  It’s wonderful to pray and take time to reflect on Jesus, but will it change hearts or minds? If going to church is just another way to hunker down in a deeper fundamentalist stance of  “us against them”  then it’s not a good Friday.  It’s a very sad Friday.  I say this as someone raised in a Pentecostal church that was extremely intolerant, even of other Christians — especially Catholics.

For years I thought maybe that particular Midwest church was an anomaly, an exception, and that other Christians did “walk the talk.” Sadly, over the years intolerance has been on the rise– or maybe it’s always been there lurking in the shadows.  Now, with mega mouths like Trump refuting civility, people are openly expressing their hatred and distrust of “other” (anyone who looks different, disagrees with their views, or doesn’t go to their church.) Christians are setting fires to mosques and even Buddhist temples.  What’s the line about hypocrites and getting rid of the log in your own eye?  (Matthew 7:5)  I know, it pertains to me as well.

Easter should be an awakening, a true resurrection of Spirit; a time of fellowship and good will toward our “fellow-man.”  That language doesn’t translate as being nice only to those in your congregation or only males.  It means being compassionate to everyone.  I believe that includes not only women, children and people of all faiths, but how we treat the “least amongst us” — the helpless, and also animals, fish, birds and bugs, who are often senselessly tortured.

Jesus died for our sins, took on that tremendous burden because we are human, fallible and often unaware.  Most of you have probably deleted this link, and couldn’t care less what a Buddhist has to say.  In case you’re still reading,  I’ll end with something I found on a Christian ministry website:

“The struggle to forgive can ultimately make us stronger because it humbles us, causes us to realize our need of the Lord, destroys our pride, helps us to see our own sin more clearly, and causes us to rely on our brothers and sisters in the Lord for help.

Give God time to work in your heart. If the opportunity arises to talk to that person, go ahead. If not, lay it at the foot of the cross. And keep letting go of bitterness.”

Above quote from Dr. Ray Pritchard, of “Keeping Believing” prison ministries. This and other posts by ZenWoman, aka author of Seeing Clearly ej Morgan.