Following Albert Camus' lead, Radhule Weininger reconsiders the mythical sufferer as a joyful model for us all. In these unpredictable and possibly perilous times, many of us experience feelings of heightened anxiety, fear, and even dread. When I contemplate the committed people I know working for the well-being of the planet, for healthcare, the environment, and [...]
Why We Go for the Gun
Greg Snyder on how to reclaim the grace and humanity that our access to guns has led us to squander. Just over twenty years ago, a friend was shot five times in the face a few feet in front of me. He was a music venue doorman, and earlier that night he had asked a young college student to leave for drunken, aggressive behavior. The few words spoken by the shooter betrayed [...]
Commentary: A Decision Cruel and Callous
Bhikkhu Bodhi responds to US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Much has been written over the past couple of weeks about the political and economic repercussions of Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out from the Paris Climate Agreement. It’s been pointed out that the decision will diminish our standing in the world and cast us in [...]
Start With a Flower: Alice Walker & Sharon Salzberg in Conversation
A friendly talk about love and loving-kindness for ourselves and for others. Moderated by Melvin McLeod. Sharon Salzberg: In speaking about metta practice, or loving-kindness practice, one of the hardest things is not to sentimentalize. That’s especially hard in our society, where the whole idea of love can be degraded and considered a weakness. But in your books, the power, [...]
Why Is Rebecca Solnit Hopeful?
Writer and activist Rebecca Solnit fearlessly tells the truth about misogyny, injustice, and environmental destruction. But as Lindsay Kyte reports, she tells us another important truth: we have hope, and it is found in uncertainty. Rebecca Solnit is certain of only one thing—that hope includes uncertainty. “We don’t know what’s going to happen next, and that [...]
Buddhists Roll On Together to the People’s Climate March
A "Rolling Retreat" of dharma teachers and practitioners, by the busload, helped Buddhists to join Saturday's People's Climate March in Washington, D.C. Caroline Contillo was there. Stepping off the Buddhist retreat bus in DC on Saturday, two things were apparent: the 2017 People’s Climate March was going to be huge, and it was going to be hot. The record-breaking 92 [...]
Buddhist Peace Fellowship announces $2000 “Soma Award” for Buddhist activists
The Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF) has announced it will award $2,000 to five activists for peace, social justice, or environmental work that is inspired by Buddhism. The prize is named for Soma Bhikkhuni, the first enlightened woman. Candidates must have done at least two years of work — paid or unpaid — in their field. The deadline for applications is April 28, 2017. The [...]
I’m Buddhist and going to DC’s People’s Climate March. See you there?
In early March in New York City, we reached temperatures of 60 and 67 degrees. The average high for March is 48 degrees. That is the historical average; temperatures of the last three years have beaten all precedents. While I’m the first to admit that I abhor cold weather, what I ultimately want, and need, is a world that is stable, sustainable, and provides a stable home to [...]
Love Everyone: A Guide for Spiritual Activists
Real political change must be spiritual. Real spiritual practice has to be political. Buddhist teachers Sharon Salzberg and Rev. angel Kyodo williams on how we can bring the two worlds together to build a more just and compassionate society. Sharon Salzberg: I’d like to start with a meditation. Settle your attention and energy into your body and feel your breath. Find the [...]
Love Fights the Power
For bell hooks, fighting oppression doesn’t require anger or conflict—just opening our hearts and speaking the truth fearlessly. In his classic profile from 2006, Barry Boyce tells the story of this renowned feminist and social critic, and how she came to embrace activism without enemies and a visionary kind of love. Bell hooks is a woman of many call numbers. If you [...]