Mushin Abby Terris, Guiding Teacher
At this time of profound upheaval, the entire globe is stressed at every level and fragile rules of civil discourse and behavior are being upended. On the national level the major concern of our leaders seems to be holding and wielding power. This intention brings division into a world that is fundamentally whole. Domination amplifies conflict.
How can we respond to this from our wisdom based on the practice of connection, kindness and love, and refrain from being driven by knee-jerk reactivity? When we act out of power without awareness of our interconnection, certain predictable consequences are set in motion. We stop seeing each other. But when we acknowledge our connection to each other, the outcomes can be quite different. Each of us, no matter how stirred up we may be, can remember to practice with our own fears and judgments that may block our ability to be patient, creative and determined to find our way through. We who are aware of the deep spiritual root that we share with all life need to widen our view when we are most challenged, to maintain the bonds that allow for everyone to grow, change and be healthy.
It’s up to us just where we are, to continue in this way, even if things get more provoked. To care for our neighbors, even those who hold variant views. To find a way to maintain a sympathetic view of individuals is imperative if we are to use this transition, whatever it is, well. We can be supported in this intention by:
The Three Pure Precepts:
· Refrain from doing harm.
· Do good.
· Do good for others.
To look beyond the immediate requires us to keep the mind pure, which in turn reminds us to maintain a practice of the heart, always needed for seeing clearly.
❤️ Mushin