Reflection for May

If you are anything like me, it’s easy to fixate on the news and feel outrage at the latest political shenanigans. In the space of a heartbeat, I can lose my equanimity and become emotionally reactive, mentally distraught, and physically contracted. But if I can see current events in the larger context of human history, something in me loosens and relaxes a bit.
 
It has been said that we are living at the end of modernity – that time in history characterized by beliefs in limitless growth and colonialism, rationality and reason, science and technology, economics and capital accumulation, and human superiority and individualism. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that the house of modernity is crumbling.
 
The early warning signs included the ecological crisis, especially climate disruption, global pollution, massive species extinction, and devastating resource scarcities in many parts of the world. More recent indications include growing mistrust of public institutions, government, the media, and science, the upsurge of dystopic visions of the future, the rise of identity politics, and the yearning to return to an illusory Golden Age. Seen this way, President Trump and his associates are actors in a much larger play, rather than its authors.
 
If we can see what’s happening as the necessary and unavoidable failure of modernity, we can begin to let something new be born – a postmodern, post-humanist world. A world that recognizes that we are part of the Earth and completely dependent on it. A world that honors life as sacred and listens to its multiple intelligences. A world that respects the interconnectedness of all things and the complex systems in which they are embedded.
 
Seeing current events in this larger historical context is helpful because it can soften the harsh edges of blame and anger, increase resilience, foster creativity, build equanimity, and promote a sense of purpose. Without excusing or ignoring the harm that is being done, this larger perspective allows us to see that what’s happening is inevitable. The promises of modernity were always an unachievable dream and it's time to wake up to our dependency on the Earth and to our responsibility to ensure there is a viable future for all beings.   
 
So I encourage you to take a long term perspective, and, in the words of Brazilian educator Rubem Alves:
 
“Let us plant dates
even though we who plant them will never eat them.
We must live by the love of what we will never see.
That is the secret discipline.
It is the refusal to let our creative act
be dissolved away by our need for immediate sense experience
and it a struggled commitment to the future of our grandchildren.”

Here are a few updates for this month:

Thursday, May 8 from 5:00 - 6:15 pm PT on Zoom
On Thursday, May 8, the MIndfulness Meditation group will gather online for the next session in the series on "Practices for Present Times". There will a meditation, a talk and time for comments and reflections. Everyone is welcome! Please request the Zoom link using the Contact Form.

Tuesday, May 20 Bellingham Insight Meditation Society from 6:00 - 6:45 pm PT In Person 
On Tuesday, May 20, I will be offering an orientation to meditation in person at the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society from 6:00 - 6:45 pm PT. There will be an introduction to meditation, a guided meditation and time for questions.

Tuesday, May 20 Bellingham Insight Meditation Society from 7:00 - 8:30 pm PT In Person and on Zoom
Starting at 7:00 pm PT, the main session will include meditation, a dhamma talk and time for questions and comments. We will wrap up at 8:30 pm PT. To request the Zoom link please follow the instructions here.

Wednesday, May 28 Portland Insight Meditation Community from 7:00 - 8:30 pm PT In Person and on Zoom
I will be offering a teaching at the Portland Insight Meditation Community on May 28 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm PT. The evening will include meditation, a talk, and time for comments and questions. To access the Zoom link, go here and scroll down the page to the Wednesday Group.

Thursday, May 29 Wise Spirit Buddhist Community (Portland) from 7:00 - 8:45 pm PT In Person and on Zoom
I will be offering a teaching at the Wise Spirit Buddhist Buddhist Community in Portland, OR, on Thursday, May 29 from 7:00 - 8:45 pm PT. The evening will include meditation, a talk, and time for comments and questions. For the Zoom link, please email [email protected].