Wow. While and after watching this, a great sense of liberation is what I am feeling. It is what we don't know that the mind appears to toy with(loved the Old Chinese Farmer story....had not heard it before) . Hearing him say, "We can't choose our beliefs." became crystal clear. Thank you for giving a 'heads up' about what to expect during the video. I have steered clear of 'satsangs' lately. I felt at home and very comfortable with Tom Das and this video. Thank you Joan.
Your transparency draws me in and gives me relief, as I do not aspire to being neutral, neither hot, nor cold. I am grateful for the video, and was captured by the awareness that all are innocent, somewhere inside themselves. It is there we connect. I’ve heard the story he told many times and it’s good to be reminded of it, again, as I hurt for those affected by a hurricane and fires and so much suffering, tragedy. I appreciated your activation warning-reframing -as the reference to the path can be disorienting. It seemed to me at odds with other pieces of the talk. A piece of myself to explore. Thank you.
Life is always so cleverly, and sometimes, seemingly ruthlessly, showing us what is beyond the pairs of opposites. Life Itself is the greatest teacher.
I appreciate the humility you demonstrate in sharing the triggered reaction you had to John Butler’s responses.
Thanks as well for sharing Tom’s satsang and the wisdom he shared ~ that a deeper understanding is available through recognizing inherent innocence; that we don’t choose our beliefs; that forming a conclusion/position/judgment about “other” is to simply not have gone far enough. His responses/insights to the political situation are the best I’ve heard. Recognizing inherent innocence facilitates curiosity, exploration, understanding, and compassion. Anything that leaves even a subtle sense of “other” is a gentle reminder of a limiting construct waiting to be recognized, uncovered, explored, felt, released and set free.
And, even though I’ve heard the farmer story many times throughout the years, I, too, enjoyed Tom’s version.
Much love and appreciation, Joan. Thank You for Being.
Thanks, Irene. What was new for me in the way Tom told the Chinese Farmer story was the broader way he interpreted "the neighbor" as the entire multitude of voices that influence us (friends, social media, podcasts, what we hear on the News, etc). And then, I love listening to Tom no matter what he's saying because he speaks from deep presence and such a gentle heart.
Loved at 1:06:something how he said "Be true to yourself" and the first couple of times i heard "Beetroot yourself". I think this could be a good new tattoo idea: a beetroot drawing and "you" written. Silly little secret reminder ahahaha :))
Joan... Thank you for this excellent recommendation. I have never heard of Tom Das but he is very clear and balanced. His words apply quite appropriately to the conversation you and I have been having offline about certain political trends in the American Buddhist community and the judgmentalness and othering that seems very opposite of the heart of Buddhist and Zen teachings.
Dear Joan. I listened deeply to the Satsang video with an open heart and mind. Interesting. There is some truth in there, and beautifully delivery. However, Buddhism has often been interpreted as being in the middle, not taking sides. But IMO there is nothing superficial about taking sides in the physical world, especially in the political world. As the old saying goes, "Give Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's." Democracy requires that one vote. And yes, most often, the pendulum swings from the Democrat to the Republican party and that's all well. It keeps things in the middle. But that's not what we are going through right now. Trump is backed by a group of people who are hell-bent on dismantling our democracy and transforming it into an oligarchy. Look at their Project 25. It's written in bold letters and plain sight. Now, if you are not disturbed by the prospect of losing democracy and the rule of Law, so then yes, keep meditating on your cushion without doing anything politically. But the ordinary world needs ordinary solutions. And even if one thing leads to another as in the Chinese story, that doesn't mean that we should remain apathetic. We have a role to play as part of our society. To ignore it is not wisdom. Not in my book. Not in Bhikkhu Bodhi's book either. You can look at his talk on YouTube and see what he says in that regard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw3HHMXYcMw As a renowned Buddhist academic, author, monk, and teacher, Bhikkhu Bodhi knows about Buddhist wisdom, and he dares to also see that ultimately the force of the people's influence on our political system is needed if we want to survive Global Warming. Thank you for your beautiful letters. I usually love them. They are inspiring and soul-nourishing. Thank you. Noelle noelleimparato@gmail.com
Noelle, Although I've practiced with many Buddhist teachers, I'm not a Buddhist, nor is Tom Das, so this was not offered as a Buddhist perspective.
I didn't hear Tom saying that we should be passive. In fact, I heard him say that if you feel called to take action, then do it. Nor did I hear him say that all views are equally true. And I have never said either of those things either. I heard him encouraging exactly what I often encourage, namely open listening (which doesn't mean agreement), and I heard him pointing out what I also point out, namely that we don't always know what's best or how it all goes together. And I heard him pointing out, as I also often do, that we are all conditioned by our nature and nurture, our life experiences, and so on, and no two of us will see things in exactly the same way.
While I didn't vote for Trump and consider him very troubling in many respects, I don't see him or what's happening as you do. Maybe you will turn out to be right, and I will turn out to be wrong. But right now, I'm waiting to see what he actually does when he takes office, rather than reacting to what might happen. I do not think that everyone (or even most people) who voted for him are ignorant, stupid, uninformed and/or bigoted. Yes, some undoubtedly were, but then, the same can be said for some on the other side.
I spent many years as a social justice activist. That isn't my interest or my calling any more, nor is it the focus of my work now. I believe that contemplatives and people like Buddha, Ramana Maharshi and John Butler may have as profound an effect on the world as the activists. But it's not either/or, in my view. We all have different callings, different roles to play.
I'm also aware that many spiritual people have combined spirituality and political engagement (liberation theology, engaged Buddhism, Thomas Merton, Thich Nhat Hanh, there are many examples, and I was once very much plugged into this approach). I respect those who do this, but again, this is not my path now.
If you feel moved to protest or speak out against Trump, by all means do. But beyond this comment, if you want to continue, please do it somewhere else other than on my Substack. This isn't really a place for political debates. I wish you well and I'm glad you enjoy most of the articles, even if this one was not your cup of tea.
Dear Joan, I am sorry if I came out a bit strong. And we will see what will happen in the next four years. Let's hope nothing that will prove that we should have taken the warnings more seriously. I seriously hope for that! May peace prevail!
Thank you, Joan, that is the momento as it is, just it
Wow. While and after watching this, a great sense of liberation is what I am feeling. It is what we don't know that the mind appears to toy with(loved the Old Chinese Farmer story....had not heard it before) . Hearing him say, "We can't choose our beliefs." became crystal clear. Thank you for giving a 'heads up' about what to expect during the video. I have steered clear of 'satsangs' lately. I felt at home and very comfortable with Tom Das and this video. Thank you Joan.
Thank you thank you for your work
Your transparency draws me in and gives me relief, as I do not aspire to being neutral, neither hot, nor cold. I am grateful for the video, and was captured by the awareness that all are innocent, somewhere inside themselves. It is there we connect. I’ve heard the story he told many times and it’s good to be reminded of it, again, as I hurt for those affected by a hurricane and fires and so much suffering, tragedy. I appreciated your activation warning-reframing -as the reference to the path can be disorienting. It seemed to me at odds with other pieces of the talk. A piece of myself to explore. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Joan! I dearly love Tom Das.
Great to hear from you! I also love Tom. Much love to you. ❤️🙏
Life is always so cleverly, and sometimes, seemingly ruthlessly, showing us what is beyond the pairs of opposites. Life Itself is the greatest teacher.
I appreciate the humility you demonstrate in sharing the triggered reaction you had to John Butler’s responses.
Thanks as well for sharing Tom’s satsang and the wisdom he shared ~ that a deeper understanding is available through recognizing inherent innocence; that we don’t choose our beliefs; that forming a conclusion/position/judgment about “other” is to simply not have gone far enough. His responses/insights to the political situation are the best I’ve heard. Recognizing inherent innocence facilitates curiosity, exploration, understanding, and compassion. Anything that leaves even a subtle sense of “other” is a gentle reminder of a limiting construct waiting to be recognized, uncovered, explored, felt, released and set free.
And, even though I’ve heard the farmer story many times throughout the years, I, too, enjoyed Tom’s version.
Much love and appreciation, Joan. Thank You for Being.
Thanks, Irene. What was new for me in the way Tom told the Chinese Farmer story was the broader way he interpreted "the neighbor" as the entire multitude of voices that influence us (friends, social media, podcasts, what we hear on the News, etc). And then, I love listening to Tom no matter what he's saying because he speaks from deep presence and such a gentle heart.
Yes, agreed!
Looking forward to watching. Thanks Joan 💖
Hola! Llàstima que no es pot traduir
Disculpes sí que és pot traduir
Loved at 1:06:something how he said "Be true to yourself" and the first couple of times i heard "Beetroot yourself". I think this could be a good new tattoo idea: a beetroot drawing and "you" written. Silly little secret reminder ahahaha :))
Joan... Thank you for this excellent recommendation. I have never heard of Tom Das but he is very clear and balanced. His words apply quite appropriately to the conversation you and I have been having offline about certain political trends in the American Buddhist community and the judgmentalness and othering that seems very opposite of the heart of Buddhist and Zen teachings.
Yes. Thanks, Mark. I agree. Hope to talk soon!
Dear Joan. I listened deeply to the Satsang video with an open heart and mind. Interesting. There is some truth in there, and beautifully delivery. However, Buddhism has often been interpreted as being in the middle, not taking sides. But IMO there is nothing superficial about taking sides in the physical world, especially in the political world. As the old saying goes, "Give Caesar what is Caesar's and God what is God's." Democracy requires that one vote. And yes, most often, the pendulum swings from the Democrat to the Republican party and that's all well. It keeps things in the middle. But that's not what we are going through right now. Trump is backed by a group of people who are hell-bent on dismantling our democracy and transforming it into an oligarchy. Look at their Project 25. It's written in bold letters and plain sight. Now, if you are not disturbed by the prospect of losing democracy and the rule of Law, so then yes, keep meditating on your cushion without doing anything politically. But the ordinary world needs ordinary solutions. And even if one thing leads to another as in the Chinese story, that doesn't mean that we should remain apathetic. We have a role to play as part of our society. To ignore it is not wisdom. Not in my book. Not in Bhikkhu Bodhi's book either. You can look at his talk on YouTube and see what he says in that regard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw3HHMXYcMw As a renowned Buddhist academic, author, monk, and teacher, Bhikkhu Bodhi knows about Buddhist wisdom, and he dares to also see that ultimately the force of the people's influence on our political system is needed if we want to survive Global Warming. Thank you for your beautiful letters. I usually love them. They are inspiring and soul-nourishing. Thank you. Noelle noelleimparato@gmail.com
Noelle, Although I've practiced with many Buddhist teachers, I'm not a Buddhist, nor is Tom Das, so this was not offered as a Buddhist perspective.
I didn't hear Tom saying that we should be passive. In fact, I heard him say that if you feel called to take action, then do it. Nor did I hear him say that all views are equally true. And I have never said either of those things either. I heard him encouraging exactly what I often encourage, namely open listening (which doesn't mean agreement), and I heard him pointing out what I also point out, namely that we don't always know what's best or how it all goes together. And I heard him pointing out, as I also often do, that we are all conditioned by our nature and nurture, our life experiences, and so on, and no two of us will see things in exactly the same way.
While I didn't vote for Trump and consider him very troubling in many respects, I don't see him or what's happening as you do. Maybe you will turn out to be right, and I will turn out to be wrong. But right now, I'm waiting to see what he actually does when he takes office, rather than reacting to what might happen. I do not think that everyone (or even most people) who voted for him are ignorant, stupid, uninformed and/or bigoted. Yes, some undoubtedly were, but then, the same can be said for some on the other side.
I spent many years as a social justice activist. That isn't my interest or my calling any more, nor is it the focus of my work now. I believe that contemplatives and people like Buddha, Ramana Maharshi and John Butler may have as profound an effect on the world as the activists. But it's not either/or, in my view. We all have different callings, different roles to play.
I'm also aware that many spiritual people have combined spirituality and political engagement (liberation theology, engaged Buddhism, Thomas Merton, Thich Nhat Hanh, there are many examples, and I was once very much plugged into this approach). I respect those who do this, but again, this is not my path now.
If you feel moved to protest or speak out against Trump, by all means do. But beyond this comment, if you want to continue, please do it somewhere else other than on my Substack. This isn't really a place for political debates. I wish you well and I'm glad you enjoy most of the articles, even if this one was not your cup of tea.
Dear Joan, I am sorry if I came out a bit strong. And we will see what will happen in the next four years. Let's hope nothing that will prove that we should have taken the warnings more seriously. I seriously hope for that! May peace prevail!
Wow….listened to Tom Das for the first time. So cool. Imagine having him as your doctor…lovely dude.