Change the world or accept the way it is
nakazcid
Somewhere in Dixie, y'all Veteran
A common teaching in Buddhism is too see reality uncolored by one's own preconceived notions and accept it the way it really is, without projecting our fears and desires on it. Does this mean we should accept the world (and our place in it) the way it is, or try to change it?
As a citizen of the USA, I'm very unhappy with our current political situation. I don't like either of the major parties' candidates and I'm very concerned about the undue influence of moneyed interests in the political system. Yet there seems to be very little I can do about it. Should I rail against the system or put my worry down and accept what comes?
I've always hated standing out from the crowd and "rocking the boat". I do not like to draw attention to myself and seek to avoid public contact. I feel like I should do something, but I'm not sure what would be appropriate for someone who doesn't like rallies and making phone calls. Or if I should even want to get involved.
Comments
I don't think realizing and accepting what is means to not do anything to change poor conditions. It means seem them for what they really are without our own judgement and story on top of it. That's pretty hard to do with our US politics because we really have no way of seeing or knowing reality/truth because we rely on horribly biased media to give us information. The only things we really have without a media spin is the voting rolls of people who have been previously in various public offices. That is what I try to focus on, how well their past and especially more recent votes align with my values on the issues most important to me. Not many are happy with our situation. It's interesting to consider how we got here with so many unhappy with our choices. Makes one feel as if we've had little say in it and the system would do what it does without our input.
There isn't much we can do to impact such a gigantic and self-sustaining system as US politics. But we can focus on, and influence, our local politics. We can be informed and involved as to what happens on our local school boards, city councils and so on. All we can do is approach things with an open mind and open heart and try to do the best we know how. But, we have to remember that no matter which "side" we might fall on the other side usually truly feels their vote is doing the best for themselves and others, too.
These days, sending letters and emails can be pretty effective. I often let my representatives know how I feel and it's pretty common to hear back (on a more local and regional level versus national). You can't control what they do. But hearing from their citizens DOES impact them. When we influence local things, the effect ripples out to the higher elections. I think that that is the most that we can do. Just like any other issue: the solution starts with us. What we do in our lives. How we interact with our neighbors. How we react to situations in our communities. How we raise our families.
As I read the other day, we have much more impact on being able to carry through with something small than to daydream about something big that we can't accomplish.
There are quite a few Buddhist-related articles on managing this political season if you google them. This is one I enjoyed yesterday:
http://www.lionsroar.com/how-not-to-freak-out/?utm_content=buffer44ffe&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Do participate in kind, compassionate and mindful change. But be realistic about what you can accomplish and stick to that, using your strengths rather than pining for huge things you cannot do.
I was just reading the Hsin Hsin Ming, and it is very much on your theme @nakazcid
While I like @karasti's answer, I would put the emphasis more on avoiding judgment and attachment. Once you judge, you are committed, it is a form of attachment in what happens internally. The Hsin Hsin Ming goes on to say,
It seems like avoiding acting on judgment is not the way to realise this teaching.
So perhaps until we reach that point where we have freed ourselves from the need to judge, we should participate in a mindful and engaged way in the world.
There's something you can do about it at least as far as writing your representatives in Congress. Congress has the power to override the Supreme Court decision that resulted in SuperPac's being formed to fund political campaigns, so if you motivated others to write in, you could have an impact.
As far as other worldly concerns go, let compassion be your guide. Would you really have wanted to be complacent in the face of, say, institutionalized and brutally enforced racism in South Africa? What about the unspeakable torture some Middle East prisoners are subjected to in the US, as well as some illegal aliens prior to deportation? What about all the US tech workers who get laid off to be replaced by cheaper imports? How outrageous is that? And how do you know that you and your industry might not be next? How responsible are we for the outrages that continue because we're passive and complacent? IMO compassion can never be indifferent.
Some food for thought, for those who think their spiritual tradition favors complacency:
(courtesy of the late Elie Wiesel)
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
..
Both.
One of the most remarkable awarenesses is how our inner intentions, radiate outward and ripple back.
Change the world. Start with yourself. Iz Dharma plan!
Thich Nhat Hanh is a good example. He does both.
If one takes into account 'reality' just "is"...one needs to adapt ones thinking patterns to flow with and not against it....
I'm reminded of something Shantideva said in regards to "worrying"...It went something along these lines
"What's the worst thing that can happen? And if it does, what can you do about it? If you can do something about it...Why worry? And if you can't do anything about it...worrying ain't gonna solve it !"
I guess he was saying, just make the most of the situation one finds oneself in (in other words do what you can to improve the present situation and if the outcome is not to your liking, then adapt )...bearing in mind, all things must change...that's the nature of Anicca ( Impermanence)...
You have all the information laid out before you @nakazcid ...So what is the lesser of two evils ?
Remember Not To Vote "is" To Vote and therein lies the paradox of non voting....
For me, to vote against either major candidate by voting FOR a third party is a pretty strong message, I think. It's what I did. And I haven't voted for at least a decade. I went out of my way to register this year...went on the internet and everything.
@Shoshin The question is not whether I should vote, but whether I should do more than just pulling a lever. That said, the dilemma I face when voting is whether I should vote for an "establishment" politician I consider questionable to "block" someone else vile, or vote for a third party candidate with no chance of winning and thereby indirectly supporting the vile candidate. Blech.
I've donated to politicians I consider worthy of supporting, even though my financial position is dicey. I can't afford to give much, but this season small donors seem to be making a difference en masse. Still I feel remiss for not doing more. I'm just not psychologically equipped for protests or working phone banks.
@silver I think that the only issue with doing this , is by doing so one is potentially taking the vote away from the lesser of two evils ( one of the two most popular political parties will win by the number of votes they receive) and this US election (for many Americans so it would seem) is definitely a case of voting for "The Lesser of Two Evils"
@nakazcid it's been said "Better the devil you know!" go with what you feel is the lesser of two evils ...so just do what you can (what you feel 'comfortable' doing) when you can and don't feel guilty for not doing more that what you have already done...
If either of the two main political parties win, how will you feel ? (Think Shantideva)
Accepting reality as it is, does not mean that we should not strive to actively change what depends on us to change.
Magically enough, our circle of influence enlarges as we begin to tread the change, or we find that our tiniest effort, coupled with other tiny efforts, makes a huge difference in the situation.
Sitting passively stewing in frustration is not a Buddhist attitude, though acceptance should come once we have done all what was humanely possible for us to do.
Not being able to change outer circumstances might present us with the challenge of finding a fresh outlook on events, or of finding a new way to make peace with them.
As Chögyam Trungpa said:
"It's easier to put on a pair of shoes than to wrap the world in leather"
@Shoshin said "@silver I think that the only issue with doing this , is by doing so one is potentially taking the vote away from the lesser of two evils ( one of the two most popular political parties will win by the number of votes they receive) and this US election (for many Americans so it would seem) is definitely a case of voting for "The Lesser of Two Evils"
I said to myself recently, after thinking like that for decades, that MY message is the lesser of two evils is actually two evils who are not going to get my vote and that is the message I am sending to the world and to them. WHEN everyone stops thinking like the cattle in the herd, they will perhaps start voting for 'other than' to send this very message - that both candidates are UNACCEPTABLE! I don't care how they take it, but believe me, they do pay attention to the finer details. They count every bean - every penny because they know that some day - if they haven't lulled us into complete and total apathy and complacency, we the people will start voting for someone else.
Um which reminds me.....
I still do not know how I am voting. I am sad that Bernie did not request his write ins to count. For me, Bernie is my guy. And I have to decide if I am going to trust his leadership enough to follow his recommendations. I do not like Hillary. But, there is more potential in her administration. If I vote for her, it will be a vote on the hope her cabinet and admin. will be progressive as she has agreed to the points Bernie was so strong on. i don't trust her. But I'm not sure she has a choice if she doesn't want political suicide. There will be a lot of Bernie followers voting for her because that's what he is asking them to do. It's not what I want to do. But I do trust him. And I do think, maybe (not sure yet) that there is potential to move in the direction I want to see. So in my mind, if I do vote Hillary my vote won't be for her but for the potential of the people advising her. This will be me on Tuesday. I wish we had a choice for "none of the above."
To me, voting for none of the above is simply not voting. I got out of voting because my life was too busy and my health was waning. We vote 'for' someone - anyone but the unacceptable/intolerable. Up through the years, I couldn't count how many people I voted for that I had no clue about! Too funny. My current philosophy is vote for anyone but H or T.
There is more to voting than just the president. There are dozens of positions/offices on my ballot. Many of which have in the past come down to fewer than 10 votes because of where we live. So i will always vote, because the school board, and our other local offices have a direct impact on my daily life, and I can have an impact by voting. But there are a million reasons someone might not vote. It just would be nice to be able to say "I'm here, I'd love to vote. Give me someone worth voting for." And have it count. I do a lot of research on who to vote for and I fill out a sample ballot and bring it with so I don't forget, everything from local offices to the county soil manager. I research them all.
@karasti I voted for (and donated to) Bernie in the primary. Thing is, my voice will be lost in the general election. I live in a deep red state the Democrats have no chance of winning, so I might as well vote for Dumbo for all that it matters. Likewise, Republicans will carry the election at the state and local level. This sense of ineffectiveness is probably feeding my angst...
I have friends in the same situation. Most of them are voting 3rd party if they are not in swing states. I don't recall exactly how it works (I looked it up but I can never keep it straight) but there is something about federal funding that is impacted if a party gets a certain % of the vote in the previous election. So voting 3rd party, if one speaks to you, can help them get funding for the next election (as I understand it). My state is pretty heavily democratic. We have not voted red in more than 40 years, and only like 4 times in the past 110 years. But depending who you listen to, the polls can get close enough this year to wonder if that will still be the case. Which is part of why I am still undecided. If I vote 3rd party I have to be prepared to accept that Trump could win my state if it's that close. I'm not sure I can accept that on my conscience. It really is a conflicting election. I've never felt so conflicted and I've voted in every election I can on every level.
It sounds like you got it down to a real science, @karasti. I wouldn't worry if I were you. I'm sure you'll vote the way that makes the most sense for your state's situation. You're smarter than the average Buddhist!
I have voted third party in the past. I voted for Anderson when Reagan was running, and for Perot when Clinton was running. In these instances my vote was not a Protest Vote, though I knew my candidate would not win. I voted for the choice I found most inspiring. This time around I am most inspired by voting against a candidate who I find preposterously inappropriate for the office, but frighteningly capable of winning it. You play the hand you're dealt. I didn't deal these cards, but I still want what's best for the country. I voted (early voting) my conscience.
One does not accept reality as it, one experiences reality as it when they are awakened to it. That does not mean that everything is OK just the way it is, it means that everything is as it is. This is a common misinterpretation that causes a lot of harm. It certainly does not mean to be silent when injustice is happening. Buddhism is about action in the world, not sitting on a cushion. Whenever we encounter violence, hatred, racism, cruelty, etc we are required, in my view, to respond appropriately. Our lives have to stand for something, otherwise why even be alive? We are wasting our lives if we sit back and do nothing, and if fact inaction leads to worse suffering for the world.
The usual vows regarding sentient beings and saving them are powerful and mean something. I disagree totally w/ the sort of silence and lack of response from some "peace" groups that think that they are supposed to be passive to this sort of thing. That's just a cop out based on fear. We have to be fearless in our dealings w/ the world, not fearful. There are times to rock the boat lest others push it over and drown us.
Complaining abut things and doing something about them are two different things. Complaining can often seem like complaining, but maybe it's just stating what is wrong and will lead to us to action at some point? That is always a possibility. Any act that we make, any word in the right direction, helps. A journey of a thousand miles and all that. We plant the seeds of karma right now, not in the past, and the effects are right now, not sometime in an indeterminate future. This is not easy, it requires stepping out of our conditioned thinking and behavior, and a lot of people honestly don't want to make a difference, they just want to want to make a difference.
@silver
I mostly just think too much and have a lot of time on my hands. I do try to be an educated voter, but sometimes I drive myself crazy trying to find the truth when it's not really obtainable by the masses. There are people I do wish couldn't vote. I don't mean those who would vote differently than me. But even though I know it's not realistic and I'd never support this kind of thing in actuality, I kind of sometimes wish there was a test for voting, lol. Mostly because I can name at least 8 people who are acquaintances of mine who voted for our state representative because they liked his hair better. He was young and handsome versus the other guy who was 70. People who vote against the very things they say they want because they simply vote for whoever their parents voted for or who they found most attractive. I wish people took it even slightly more seriously.
Just by being, you have changed the world. It can't be helped, your human.
Peace to all
That's an often overlooked point @Lionduck ...the intricate workings of the karma machine...
Cause> Condition> Effect...the obvious and the not so obvious workings of karma...We have changed and are continually changing the world from moment to moment...
"Natural Mystic"
"Your own self-realisation is the greatest gift you can give to the world"
said by Sri Ramana Maharshi
Always accept the world as it is whether it changes or remain the same. Remember that some want change while others want more of the same.
If Trump wins, that is what is meant to be or else how could he have won? Also accept that there are enough people who hold views radically different from yours and are making their voices heard.
Brexit and now this. We live in strange times.
Accept that the world changes.
"Be the Witness," but you often have to move out of the way or get the ball rolling.
"Flow with whatever may happen, and let your mind be free.
Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing"
~Zhuang Zi
Boy, accepting the world as it is just got a whole lot more challenging, didn't it, folks? Especially for us Yanks. This is really going to test our practice.
@Dakini I was JUST thinking that. My compassion tank is not full enough to deal with this and I just want to crawl in a hole and cry. I will keep on, but for tonight I am done exposing myself to it. Longer meditation periods in the next few days. More hugs.
Yeah, I get stressed whenever I listen to the news now, so I have to take a vacation from it. As it is, I only ever listen to NPR. But now, I can't even hack that. ugh. sigh
No news is good news.
Could be a plan?
Feeling worn down, take a break.
Feeling strong, pass it on.
Compassion is needed now more than ever and it comes from within. Healing the within we gain strength for the without.
@David I really like that. Thank you.
Guys the same kind of shock happened with Brexit. Shock, bewilderment and then we carry on. The causes show how alienated/let down some people are.
America elected a puffed up clown. However America is not a nation of clowns. Something about 'we the people' ... and if you did vote for Trump, your reasons are respectable ... in other words not everyone is crazed ... some are just protesting against the prevailing situation ...
Stay well. Very good plan from @David
Yeah, the republican loyalists and the racists got on board with Trump, but I think what got him over the top, as in Brexit, were the people who's lives have changed for the worse from globalization. Trump's madness didn't stop them because in most (white) people's minds Hillary wasn't much if any better in the personal qualities category.