Tuesday, April 13, 2021

April 13, 2021

Wait: A Love Letter to Those in Despair by Cuong Lu:  Part 1

We wanted to share some of the prologue from our new book Wait: A Love Letter to Those in Despair by Cuong Lu which speaks very directly to what is happening in our country and our hearts right now.

“The bullets flying in the world today will hit every family if we don’t stop the violence—and it’s markedly more out of control in the US, where gun control has been next to impossible. This problem is not about hunting for food or recreation or fending off intruders or invaders. This is about assault weapons available to the young, the unstable, and those who harbor racism and many other forms of hatred, as well as arms exported from developed countries to other nations and as fuel for civil wars and insurgencies. Bullets don’t have eyes. They hit those the shooter hates, who invariably are people loved by someone else. If hatred impels you to shoot, bullets will inevitably hit your loved ones too, or at least somebody’s beloved. We need to cultivate wisdom, kindness, and activism, and not look the other way. We mustn’t confuse defending a treasured way of life or being safe at home with the need for assault weapons. Much gun violence takes place in the homes of gun owners. One day, the weapons will be used, accidentally or on purpose, and someone you love will be struck.

There is war in the streets and in schools, synagogues, mosques, and malls. War has no winners. The bullets hit all
parties. The same is true of our inner wars; no one wins. If your mind is at war with yourself, make peace with your mind. Don’t act out your hatred on yourself or others. You may hate a race, a religion, even those who bullied or wronged you, and you think hurting them will end your suffering. It won’t. If you shoot them—in deed or with words—you always hit yourself and your own loved ones too. You can’t shoot only those you hate. The nature of bullets is to hit everyone.

Bullets have no insight. Insight is only possible in you. When you allow yourself to feel the rage and the hatred within, you’ll discover the toll that it is taking on you, and on others. This is the birth of insight, and the moment you have insight, you’ll drop your weapon and the tides of war will change, starting with the war inside. You’ll see that we need each other, we are each other. When you see that you are me, we’ll both have peace. Peace also does not discriminate. In peace, there is love and understanding. If hatred arises, we can hold it with love and understanding.

Your Friends at Shambhala Publications

(Submitted by Diane Comey...to be continued on our next blog...)

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Special bows for today: 

  • Please continue to offer bows in honor of:
    • Kenny Merrill, Misha's cousin, who died from ALS on March 20, 2021
    • Lally Hass, Kathleen Dickey's aunt, who died 3/7/2021  
    • Jesse Schouboe, dear friend of GJ Scove, who died on 2/27/21 in a car crash
    • Hank Wesselman, brother of Chris Wesselman, who died on 2/15/21
  • Please continue to offer bows of well-being for: 
    • John Hass, Kathleen Dickey's uncle who has entered hospice
    • Les Kaye, who will need to undergo another round of chemotherapy
    • Flip Dibner, dharma brother and friend, who is continuing  chemotherapy treatments  
    • David Shaw, who is continuing the process of recovery
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Wonderful links/recommendations shared by sangha members and friends:
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