We are judging highly critical machines well conditioned by our families, schools, religions, government and society. We place everything into the category of “good” or “bad” and actually believe this thinking process. This judging makes for much human suffering as we push people away, close our minds and hearts, and even start conflicts and wars over the judgment we place on others. It is time for us all to look at others and ourselves from a different point of view. That viewpoint is called acceptance.
The Buddha nature is one of acceptance.
Acceptance is being with who we are free of the need to make ourselves better. When we are accepting we have no need to change others or the way we are. All that arises in us is ok, all we feel is ok, all we think is ok. No one needs to be different than they are when we are accepting.
Yes we are all imperfect so self-improvement is a desire that comes up in us. Self-improvement is ok too but driven my non-acceptance it amounts to the judging mind back in control. So being accepting of who we are is that goal here even if we all desire to explore other expressions of ourselves.
Now the practice:
Take the next few days or week to accept everything you encounter throughout the day. This means politics, war, rude coworkers, anxiety about the future, anger towards others, spontaneous joy, desire for compassion are all acceptable in others and in you. The restlessness in the night is acceptable, the growling at traffic is acceptable, the religious ramblings of closed-minded follower are all acceptable. This practice includes not only fully accepting what is, but also not planning in the next moment to change others or yourself. Just accepting is all that you are to do.
Let me know what this practice teaches you. I will share my lessons too.
Peace Letter #37
Dear Mr. President,
Over on my blog we are practicing totally accepting what is within us and around us. This means freeing ourselves from the need to judge everything as either good or bad. This practice would be very useful in politics to move from the partisan conflicts that run DC to all of us working together peacefully in search for the solutions to our nation’s and global problems.
War is the ultimate misfire of the judging mind. All wars come about due to people believing they are good and believing others are bad. Both good and bad are simply thoughts of the rationalizing mind. Acceptance is the peacemaker.
Please become the great peacemaker,
Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.
Join me and send President Obama emails of support and encourage the end of war and the other dysfunctional ways of government at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact