Accepting that suffering is unavoidable is one of the most difficult things you can do to achieve true peace in life. You can look at it as non-attachment or not being attached to the way things were before the suffering took place. But that doesn't mean that we cannot work to reduce suffering. As the Buddha said, nothing is permanent. Everything is subject to change. There will always be suffering in this world, but we must act with compassion to reduce suffering as much as possible. Even small actions can make a huge difference.
I am grateful that Minneapolis is being seen nationally and internationally, it makes all of this feel much less isolating. Something happened to me internally after the killing this weekend, after the fear and frustration made its way through my body. I feel that we must move in closer, to our neighbors, to everyone who agrees and disagrees. I don't know why, but I feel calm and receptive to listen to what others have to say, but also extremely resolute in knowing I will sit on the frozen ground unmovable so others can find safety, so others can process what they need to, so actions of harm will continue to be broadcast instead of done in secret.
I think acknowledging my feelings and how they are my values being projected outward helped me feel more grounded instead of lost completely and floating away on emotions, which is obviously easy to do at this time.
I hope I will not get burned up or burned out, and that I will be strong enough to ask for help when I'm struggling. Physical labor is a way I prefer to process or cope, which rides a thin line of self harm if you are too far outside of one's self. I may feel fully connected, but I am actually fully disconnected and numb.
I love this image of feeling calm and compassionate, while also resolute. When I feel that way, it can almost surprise me how natural it feels, as well, as if my body knows how to do it and the ability was always here, I just hadn't realized it, yet.
This article kept popping up and the title made me unsure if I wanted to read it but so glad I did! It takes a good amount of suffering to really be able to live inside these truths. But to not live inside these truths also invites much suffering. Thank you for sharing.
What does it mean to " Change your ideology, align yourself with your captors and torturers if you have to...." ? ---------How can you 'align yourself with your captors and torturers..." and still 'remain yourself"? ------ This brings to mind what happened with some Jews in Nazi prison camps; they aligned with the German soldiers carrying out torture, scientific experiments, etc. -- Obviously, I'm missing something that people who've commented so far, 'get'
You’d have to ask Sam, but I think his point was that you do what you need to to survive. I.e., fighting every battle and standing on ideology isn’t a sound survival strategy.
For me, I emphasize having enough curiosity and empathy to understand our opponents. As hard as it can be, direct confrontation should really be a last resort and should only be pursued when it’s necessary and strategic.
There’s a saying I like: Would you rather be effective or be right? This advice is for being effective.
Accepting that suffering is unavoidable is one of the most difficult things you can do to achieve true peace in life. You can look at it as non-attachment or not being attached to the way things were before the suffering took place. But that doesn't mean that we cannot work to reduce suffering. As the Buddha said, nothing is permanent. Everything is subject to change. There will always be suffering in this world, but we must act with compassion to reduce suffering as much as possible. Even small actions can make a huge difference.
100% agreed. And from that place of balance and acceptance, we can be much more effective, even in those small actions. Mahalo!
Completely the truth. Really glad you’re writing more
I am grateful that Minneapolis is being seen nationally and internationally, it makes all of this feel much less isolating. Something happened to me internally after the killing this weekend, after the fear and frustration made its way through my body. I feel that we must move in closer, to our neighbors, to everyone who agrees and disagrees. I don't know why, but I feel calm and receptive to listen to what others have to say, but also extremely resolute in knowing I will sit on the frozen ground unmovable so others can find safety, so others can process what they need to, so actions of harm will continue to be broadcast instead of done in secret.
I think acknowledging my feelings and how they are my values being projected outward helped me feel more grounded instead of lost completely and floating away on emotions, which is obviously easy to do at this time.
I hope I will not get burned up or burned out, and that I will be strong enough to ask for help when I'm struggling. Physical labor is a way I prefer to process or cope, which rides a thin line of self harm if you are too far outside of one's self. I may feel fully connected, but I am actually fully disconnected and numb.
I love this image of feeling calm and compassionate, while also resolute. When I feel that way, it can almost surprise me how natural it feels, as well, as if my body knows how to do it and the ability was always here, I just hadn't realized it, yet.
This article kept popping up and the title made me unsure if I wanted to read it but so glad I did! It takes a good amount of suffering to really be able to live inside these truths. But to not live inside these truths also invites much suffering. Thank you for sharing.
I'm glad you did, too, Maria! I appreciate your framing of "living inside these truths", the opposite of living a lie.
To survive torture,
face truth, focus on now/here,
goods. Bend, but not break.
Thank You!❣️ Love and Peace ☮️
What does it mean to " Change your ideology, align yourself with your captors and torturers if you have to...." ? ---------How can you 'align yourself with your captors and torturers..." and still 'remain yourself"? ------ This brings to mind what happened with some Jews in Nazi prison camps; they aligned with the German soldiers carrying out torture, scientific experiments, etc. -- Obviously, I'm missing something that people who've commented so far, 'get'
You’d have to ask Sam, but I think his point was that you do what you need to to survive. I.e., fighting every battle and standing on ideology isn’t a sound survival strategy.
For me, I emphasize having enough curiosity and empathy to understand our opponents. As hard as it can be, direct confrontation should really be a last resort and should only be pursued when it’s necessary and strategic.
There’s a saying I like: Would you rather be effective or be right? This advice is for being effective.
Beautiful post about a realistic approach to survival in terrible situations that does not include “being the hero.”
I needed to read this! Thank you!