Here in Kansas City, we are struggling with the killing of three people by a 73-year old man filled with a lifetime of hatred and anger. At the same time, there have been random shootings at cars on freeways around town and even at schools. How can we cope with the feelings of fear, sadness, anger, rage, terror-the emotions that often rise up from the depths of our being?
From a meditative perspective, we have this precious moment to stop and decide how best to response, how to choose the most skillful action. We can use the practices of concentration, awareness and positive imagery to transform our outrage into a force for positive action.
I have always been awed by the response of the Amish community when, in 2006, a man went inside an Amish school house in rural Pennsylvania and shot ten young girls, killing five. Having children myself, I can understand the anger and rage that would arise from such senseless killing. But, the Amish community banded together to immediately begin practicing compassion and forgiveness. One of the grandfathers of the young girls killed, went and sat with the family of the man who killed her.
What response will you choose today, to whatever thought, emotion or situation is arising in your life?
After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela was freed. A woman came up to him and begged him NOT to talk about about peace, because of all the horrific violence that his tormented people had endured for decades. That night, Nelson Mandela went on national South African television, and began his address with, "I'm here to talk about peace." His words and actions of reconciliation, in spite of the horrific treatment he and his own family had endured, saved a nation.
What can you do today to transform the world you live in? Being fully present, we can learn how best to pro-actively respond to whatever tragedy arises. Be a force for change by beginning with yourself. Sometimes it is time to fight back, sometimes it is time to resist, and sometimes it is time to be at peace--you can only know the most skillful response if you are fully present in the moment.
From a meditative perspective, we have this precious moment to stop and decide how best to response, how to choose the most skillful action. We can use the practices of concentration, awareness and positive imagery to transform our outrage into a force for positive action.
I have always been awed by the response of the Amish community when, in 2006, a man went inside an Amish school house in rural Pennsylvania and shot ten young girls, killing five. Having children myself, I can understand the anger and rage that would arise from such senseless killing. But, the Amish community banded together to immediately begin practicing compassion and forgiveness. One of the grandfathers of the young girls killed, went and sat with the family of the man who killed her.
What response will you choose today, to whatever thought, emotion or situation is arising in your life?
After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela was freed. A woman came up to him and begged him NOT to talk about about peace, because of all the horrific violence that his tormented people had endured for decades. That night, Nelson Mandela went on national South African television, and began his address with, "I'm here to talk about peace." His words and actions of reconciliation, in spite of the horrific treatment he and his own family had endured, saved a nation.
What can you do today to transform the world you live in? Being fully present, we can learn how best to pro-actively respond to whatever tragedy arises. Be a force for change by beginning with yourself. Sometimes it is time to fight back, sometimes it is time to resist, and sometimes it is time to be at peace--you can only know the most skillful response if you are fully present in the moment.
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