Now More Than Ever We Need Mindfulness

Posted by Good German on December 25, 2011

Larry Yang

Buddhist Meditation teacher Larry Yang writes at the Huffington Post:

As we already are feeling divisiveness of current politics and upcoming presidential elections…

As we feel into pain and complexity of people holding seeming irreconcilable values which actually harm each other, on topics like the economy, immigration and same-sex marriage…

As even people’s intentions for doing good in the world, whether through nonviolent dissent, or simple holiday shopping to provide for a family’s happiness is met with pepper spray and handcuffs…

Now more than ever we need our Mindfulness Practice.

We need the Freedom that Mindfulness invites for us — the freedom that we do not have to follow the unconscious patterns of acute reactivity. We need to remember that it is possible to notice deeply what is happening, understand it with some wisdom, treat it with some of the compassion inherent in our humanity, and move into responses and actions that are of benefit — that is, to move toward that which lessens suffering and creates happiness, not just for us as individuals, but us as a collective world.

Our Mindfulness practice, whether it is on the cushion paying attention to the emotions and thoughts that weave between the breath and bodily sensations, or whether it is in the world paying attention to our actions and behaviors which emerge from our emotions and thoughts, is always a reminder that in order to change any unhealthy or harmful patterns — in order to transform any suffering — we have to first become aware of the patterns themselves. We cannot change anything that we are not aware of. This is also true of our collective transformation into a culture that meets the needs of greater numbers of people and beings: We first have to become deeply aware of the conditions that we are living within, and then that will guide us into transforming the world into a better place to live…

Read more here.

Posted in: Buddhism, Mindfulness, Philosophy

Guestblog

Obviously Larry Yang has never had to deal with the corporate sharks .
Andrew

Right. The only way to deal with them is through mindlessness.
Stumage

In my opinion there is too much talk lately of “collectivism” and “good of the whole” ect ect, spouted as some form of ideology. This is all fine and good, but lets not do it at the expense of the individual. Lets be mindful of this thought.
Monkey See Monkey Do

It can be argued that the good for the whole is the same as the good for the individual.
Andrew

It can be argued that the whole and the individual cannot even exist without one another.
Nunzio X

It can and often is argued that Person A’s Hole is better than Person B’s Hole, but in the end (so to speak) they’re both just holes.
Nunzio X

It can and often is argued that Person A’s Hole is better than Person B’s Hole, but in the end (so to speak) they’re both just holes.
ChrisP

You may have mistaken mindfulness with passivity
Stumage

Any point can be argued, If the Conclusion matches the Premise. However just because a point can be argued, does not necessarily make it true. Nature often succeeds through diversity. I’m not against uniting for a common cause, however I’m saying in the process, lets not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
AKP

I think one of the products of being mindful which would be extremely beneficial for the “whole” would be that “individuals” can take response-ability for their own thoughts and actions. Via mindfulness, one of (I am sure) many avenues in which you can partake, an individual can become aware of their thoughts and actions. The hard part is having everyone on this same page; trusting in the process and letting the results come as they may… taking care in their circle of life.
Ronniedobbs

no, mindless violence, big difference
Andrew

I think you meant to reply to Guestblog.
Andrew

Mindful violence is much more effective.
Marssuit

Hello sir can you be any more vague? Please be mindful of whatever point you are trying to make, and make it clearly. I expect many other people reading this website to understand what it means to “not throw out the baby with the bathwater”. Don’t use a metaphor unless it actually means something, and if your metaphor is that vague, do a kindness as to explain it before pressing “post”
Here is what i say, Mindfulness is good. If you don’t believe it to be good, then you are a devil.
Collectivism does not expend the individual. If you’re happy, if he’s happy, then I am also happy. I would say mindful collectivism would uplift people’s lives (does less inner pain mean anything to you?) you know…maybe less kill each other and ourselves (e.i suffering).
Are you against ideology? Being able to have and share ideas is what separates us from the dog and cat and blade of grass.
And lastly, any point CAN be argued, because our lives are made up entirely of fictions. What matters most is which fiction you choose to believe in.
Marssuit

I meant to say, I don’t expect people to understand your ridiculous metaphor. I apologize for the typo in the first paragraph
Anonymous

no, not at the expense of the individual BUT mindful of how ones actions could affect everything & everyone around you.

Now More Than Ever We Need Mindfulness

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