Political angst :P

For the past week or so, I've allowed my meditation practice to be derailed and replaced by fretting about political things--as well as, during Thanksgiving, family things. So I'm typing out my feelings about it in order to process it and, ideally, thereby allow it to evaporate (without getting into what the actual political things are, of course). If anyone has any guidance as to what's helped them in the past, that would be super.

If anyone objects to my desire to be rid of such feelings, as I've mentioned in other threads, I've never come across a statement by Buddha saying anything other than that we shouldn't always try to dispel our hindrances. And this is definitely a hindrance.

I think what makes these feelings particularly "sticky" is that they feel important and righteous. I MUST think about these things and act on them or else the world is going to continue being bad in various ways. I'm not saying I believe activism isn't good--it's that the continual rumination over the problems and injustices of the world causes great pain. However righteous such thoughts feel, they're nothing more than yet another set of cravings and aversions: I want the world to be this way, I don't want the world to be that way.

Even worse, I start feeling like if I let go of them, it's as if I'm accepting or even approving of them, or won't act on them as much as I would have if I were fired up with passion. But even if that's true, as I read somewhererother, my intentions, no matter how righteous they feel, will always be suspect (until, theoretically, I become an arahant), as they're tainted, even if only subconsciously, with selfishness. Most of the worst travesties the world has ever seen came about from good intentions. (to be cont)

The idea that I might be wrong really helps me take my ruminations less seriously.

The other thing that helps calm me down is the "if they take your tunic, give them your cloak" thing. Although that's obviously a saying of Jesus, that concept is also one of the 37 Practices of a Boddhisattva. I guess the way it would apply to my situation would be instead of fighting the oppression I feel I'm subject to like my inclination is, to accept it and even submit to further oppression. Some might say that that's just plain dumb, but in terms of internally calming myself down, it's such a counter-intuitive, yet remarkably effective method. I suppose it's because it combines total acceptance of the situation with unconditional generosity, two things that are conducive to a happier state of mind. I don't even think this means to just roll over and accept my fate; it just means that I don't have to be continually pissed off all the time.

Another, more technical, meditative approach would be what the Buddha suggests about not letting your mind attach to signs and forms--basically allowing the ruminations to evaporate instead of continually linking the chain of thought together. They're also basically just worry and restlessness, so cultivating the jhanas might be helpful.

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble on about this. I already feel a lot better and hope it helps anyone going through this or might in the future.

Getting back to a regular meditation practice will help you more than anything. A lot of what you're doing is what I'd call "concept juggling." You're thinking about it, planning, evaluating, ruminating, gestating, confabulating.

Just go sit

I see what you're saying, but to me going through that was helpful in order to even want to get back to sitting. :\

"
Getting back to a regular meditation practice will help you more than anything. A lot of what you're doing is what I'd call "concept juggling." You're thinking about it, planning, evaluating, ruminating, gestating, confabulating.

Just go sit

"

Or perhaps, "and how does that feel in the body?"

Dear Ricketybridge,

Whatever is happening to you now is not as interesting as the fact that you know about it.

In other words, the fact that you know what is happening as it's happening is a miracle. What is this remarkable capacity to know our experience? Let's call it "presence." What is presence? Pay attention to the knower, as opposed to what is known. Tell us what you find.

Mucho metta,

Kenneth

"Or perhaps, "and how does that feel in the body?""

Feels bad man. :C Luckily, I don't really feel it now, but it felt like a constricting of the heart and throat, along with a sort of fight-or-flight tension. But I suppose it doesn't really matter; it's just the focusing on the feeling that allows the thought and feeling to subside. I'll give it a shot if it afflicts me today.

"Whatever is happening to you now is not as interesting as the fact that you know about it.

In other words, the fact that you know what is happening as it's happening is a miracle. What is this remarkable capacity to know our experience? Let's call it "presence." What is presence? Pay attention to the knower, as opposed to what is known. Tell us what you find."

I guess this is basically an examination of one's own sentience. That's interesting; I hadn't really thought of meditations on the "observer" or "witness" in quite that way, although that seems to be exactly what it is.

I've tried this sort of meditation before (i.e. "2nd gear") and never felt that I got much out of it, but for some reason it appears to be doing something right now (calming me down, changing the nature of consciousness or something), so I'll keep on at it. Thanks!

I've been spending a lot of time following political stuff as well lately. It seems like there's a lot of big changes happening in the world.

In particular I find myself sympathizing a lot with the issues the occupy movement has been bringing to light. I've been trying to frame what level of involvement or activism is appropriate from the perspective of Buddhism. I've come across a few good articles, here's a couple:

www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/jones/wheel285.html

viewonbuddhism.org/resources/14_precepts.html

It's good to keep in mind that Dharma is practical, so it's not a matter of choosing between practice and getting involved, but of applying practice to all aspects of our lives, which will make all of our actions more skillful and effective. Not to mention that core principles, like compassion and kindness are really the key solutions to a lot of the problems we face today, so we can benefit everyone by practicing!

Direct mode really works for me, I've been wrestling with my own anxiety and depression for awhile now, these practices are very helpful in so many aspects of one's life.

metta!

Justin

Thanks, Justin! Those links look really interesting.

Hehe, it's the occupy movement that's gotten me all wrapped up in this myself. And yes, attempting to mix political action with spirituality instead of letting them be at odds with each other is my new goal. Gandhi is my new role model. Much better than the famous alcoholic writers that used to be my role models, amirite?

Thanks!
rick

btw, those "14 Precepts" by Thich Nhat Hanh are fantastic. They both crystalize what I'd started to suspect and set the bar even higher. Thanks!

You may try investigating "Engaged Buddhism" for models of how to engage in political advocacy and be true to your practice. Thich Nhat Hanh is a great example, as is, of course, Gandhi.

Cool, will do! Thanks. :3

This is a great thread! I've had this same situation recently as well. I am a student in NYC so I almost feel obligated to go to occupy wall street. Its good to see that I am not alone.