Celebrating Our Interdependence!

I love summer here in buddhifull New England, with all its abundant greenery, outdoor sports, beaches and other getaways. Yet while I am trying my best to slow down the pace and enjoy the natural abundance surrounding me, I am also taking some time to reflect on the turbulence of our times. I’ve come to believe that good ole boy Winston Churchill wasn’t too far off when he said “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” We must seize this moment and Remember to Remember what’s important to our individual and collective hearts and minds, bodies and souls. Right now, during this pivotal learning moment and season of national reflection about race, violence and religious prejudice– with six church fires in the South since the shootings in Charleston: I feel strongly that we could, and I believe should, try to help our country persevere through the inevitable growing pains of transcending those mind-made polarities and differences, and work insightfully towards recognizing and appreciating our intrinsic interdependence and interbeing–seeing thru the illusion of separation.

Genuine love and compassion doesn’t need to preempt grievance or prevent social activism. Radical acceptance and equanimity need not preclude speaking truth to empower, even from society’s margins. We can flip the script and put forth a whole new narrative for this great country I would one day like to fully claim proud citizenship in.

Let’s get together and celebrate Interdependence Day this year by noting that many new arrivals have more opportunities for the American Dream than many of those who’ve been here for generations, living in poverty and marginalization, following on the era of slavery, segregation and discrimination. And consider what practical steps, including voting, that we can participate in, to become a more effective sharer, enhancer, and contributor, rather than focusing on mere consumerism or converting others to our beliefs. Better education is the moral, economic, societal and human conscience issue of our time. We have to guide our youth of all creeds and colors in asking early on, as a matter of character, action, and American identity–and not just vocational training: ‘Who & What am I going to be as I grow up?’ Everyone deserves this kind of opportunity and freedom. This is the liberty and vision our American predecessors fought and died for. Please reflect upon these things, and join me in seeing through the illusion of separation and working to unite our world for the betterment of all.