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Conscious Voting
With Our Bodies,
Hearts and Minds
Why It's Important
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In my studies over the years, about 25 years ago, I came across a book that was
written about the previous Dalai Lama - the 13th Dalai Lama - and his work in the
early part of the 20th century as a Bodhisattva warrior and a politician. I was,
and continue to be, very inspired by the integration he displayed of spirit and
everyday actions, and attending to all parts of our life
- - including governance.
Throughout time human beings have come together to create different types of governance
for reasons such as safety, delivery of goods, healthcare, social justice --and
human rights.
Like all aspects of life, governance can be healthy, holistic and conscious...or
it can be unhealthy, limited and unconscious. People create the type of governance
they have by what they talk about, the activities they engage in, the choices they
make --and voting.
The development of voting was a expansion of human rights and human development.
It is not something separate from other kinds of human potential and development
-- including spiritual development.
Sometimes on the spiritual path, we can become disenchanted with the world and choose
not to engage with the politics of our time, perhaps because we feel detached in
some way or that we are taking some type of "long view" of human evolution. Perhaps
we are "leaning out" because to lean in requires that we come into contact with
too much drama, too much nonsense, too much insanity. Or perhaps-from a darker perspective-we
are just too self-involved to care. This "detached" or "indifferent" posture is
a potential shadow aspect of the spiritual path. Sometimes when we deeply connect
with a sense of eternity and vastness-you could call it "the transcendent dimension"-we
lose touch with the physical world and the needs that are right in front of us.
This as a shadow aspect because it is not inclusive. What is being excluded, the
shadow if you will, is the "immanent dimension"-the demands of our time that are
right in front of us. An integrated spiritual path, one that honors both the transcendent
and the immanent, wildly opens our hearts and connects us with our immediate surroundings,
our communities, and our citizenship. Anything less than that does not serve the
needs of our time-a time which calls each of us to express our love and caring
in every way possible, which includes participating in governance, especially if
we are using the fruits of that governance.
So, if we are utilizing public transit, healthcare, police protection, fire protections,
public libraries, relative safety in our country or abroad because of the political
and military power of the America, public education, and so much more, then we are
already participating in governance.
Then as conscious beings it is imperative to participate in voting.
Because to not do so is to be like a child, entitled, who receives the benefit of
these things, but does not participate in the decision making, or refuses to participate
because we want things to be perfect, the way achild does.
However, our parents, our partners, our friends are not perfect, and we love and
participate in life with them anyway.
At Inspiration we learn that every breath, every moment, every human and non-human
creature, every choice, every action matters - - every relationship matters, and
we are in relationship with everyone. We may not like something our child, our
friend, our partner, does. However, if we are awake, dedicated, and committed
to love, we take a deep breath, we bring ourselves to be present with the situation,
and bring the very best to it we can.
We may or may not like the choices of a particular election, and we may even feel
like it won't matter much. However, we know from our studies that
everything matters.
There is one other thing to remind ourselves. Everyone is a human being, no one
is a caricature, and everyone has the capacity to grow and contribute. At Inspiration
we sit with people we might never have been willing to spend one minute with, and
we learn to understand them, appreciate them, and even learn when we are projecting
onto them.
We learn to bring them love so they may flower.
On November 8th I encourage us to all take a deep breath, get as present as possible,
show up at the polls, and make the very best choice we can.
Feel joy about the right you have to vote, and think of how many do not. This
is similar to when we eat with gratitude and think of those who do not have food.
Let's bring love to the voting booth and to the candidates. Let's bless whatever
choice we make so that whoever becomes our next president may have the best chance
of flowering -- not just for us, but for ALL.
Thank you for all you do to bring a little more love, wisdom and presence to the
world with each breath.
And really...May God/Love, bless the United States of America....
Love and blessings always,
Jessica
PS - Here are some links to a few cool things about this election
1. from Dr. Dan Siegel
https://www.facebook.com/NortonMentalHealth/ [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001pPe8b0YtT99D_8MOsCS4wx8ux1pCWPP6A6sjdg7SR2a_sxb4ToUuPqpqBV7DKAKThuqZKAaaRWwcMi9v1ce_MXSZodA06AeLvbRxCaaQNaUBImVBbGoK2CzeB5pMfDvObzQoifGLkwWbJk9GunWNzHnZfQLk-5qLfi0B_cDIbbzl1Myf9Y7krOV5I0sSsxjSpOCYEbtxPl4=&c=zPiOVxl5MyaYQhNolmMLQBKd1B11kdXAN_70IOBrvDMrLHmIOXGaKA==&ch=gFhhCOSYJ7WXRVxbh_iaVODbTOOFizUF2SA5GfFPxCVat6mXtDV3Jg==]
2. an inspiring 3 minute video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqBxpLIUfJ4
3. a meditation tonight:
Also check out the Liberty Bell Minute at www.wiseusa.net an election eve global
meditation:
The Liberty Bell Minute is a spiritual call to action to invoke wisdom, joy, and
compassion in the United States of America at a vital historical moment. From early
October and continuing through the US national election, join thousands of people
worldwide for a minute of silence each day at 9pm Eastern.
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Business Name | Email Address [mailto:essence@inspirationcommunity.org] | Phone
number | Website
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Inspiration Consciousness School & Community
9721 Sherwood Farm Rd.
Owings Mills, MD 21117
essence@inspirationcommunity.org [mailto:essence@inspirationcommunity.org]
410-988-9777

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