The thing about interdependence is that there’s no escaping it. Not the young, not the old, not the unborn. It marks all dharmas, all phenomena. All of us, in whatever condition we are, and no matter how awake and aware we are, we are all one ecological system, evolving together.
Nothing makes this more obvious than the current worldwide virus. All around this globe people awake to this fact are wearing masks, keeping distance, minimizing social mixing. And those who are ignorant of interdependence resist, refuse, and make this into just one more power struggle. Are we one? Or are we two? What is our ground? Where is the choice?
At the stadiums, the fairgrounds, the marketplaces and other meeting sites where the vaccine is being uploaded into the human bodies of the world, we see our common awareness expressed. This is where we’re celebrating the rituals of the sangha-at-large, embodying our common humanity, our common cause, our vulnerability. Everyone has a role to play at these events. No matter what that is, each person shows kindness, patience, offers help to all comers and receives it in turn.
At the stadium where I got the vaccine, hundreds of volunteers checked us in, pointed the way, encouraged and supported each person patiently and diligently. Medical teams injected and gave follow-up instructions. We waited together in a tent to be sure we were okay to leave. The only thing missing was being handed a lollipop and told how brave we were. Can you enjoy this sampling of the dream of harmony and peace? May it seed our ability for greater kindness and care with each other.