"Our effort should be directed toward enlarging the area of good." Suzuki Roshi
When I read this quote I was struck by its simplicity and depth. Knowing that we are all sinners, our continued focus on the bad, only succeeds in keeping us down. Yet when we seek to know the good, we move past that which would keep us separate from others. As I enlarge the good in my life, I realize that I cannot focus on the bad. The issues of others and their effect on me lessens. The bad exists, yet it shouldn't be the goal to which I reach. I am called by God to push toward the good, toward the best part of me that reaches for the best part of you.
This push to enlarge the good forces me to check myself when I would judge another. It forces me to relinquish control, to breath in Peace and exhale chaos.
28 May 2009
01 May 2009
The Economy, God and Me
I was in class yesterday afternoon where we started talking about the economic situation in the United States. There were 3 of us in the dialogue: 1 from the US (me), 1 from Peru and 1 from Indonesia. Their perspective on the situation was really eye-opening for me. "This crisis for Americans is the way I've lived my entire life. So what's the big deal?"
I sat with that statement for quite some time, especially in light of the fact that my husband, the founder and director of a non-profit social service agency is really feeling the cuts being made everywhere. As people lose jobs and banks stop lending, social service agencies are among the first to be pushed out. As the rich realize that they'll be short a million or two, there's yet another child going without food, yet another family forced to live on the street, yet another teen caught in the trap of street to jail.
Is bill paying the worst that can happen? No. Is losing a job the worst that can happen? No. Worst than the current economic situation we face is the blighted condition of our faith. At risk is not the financial situation of the world. At risk is our souls. Placated for far too long on the fat of injustice and social ills, our souls have become wastelands -- toxic.
For my part I can no longer focus on my IRA, lack of savings, pay freeze or overdue mortgage. I must refocus on God and what God has asked me to do. Now is the time to witness my faith. Now is the time for us to join one to another and "devot[e] [ourselves] to the teaching of the apostles and to communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." Acts 2:42
I sat with that statement for quite some time, especially in light of the fact that my husband, the founder and director of a non-profit social service agency is really feeling the cuts being made everywhere. As people lose jobs and banks stop lending, social service agencies are among the first to be pushed out. As the rich realize that they'll be short a million or two, there's yet another child going without food, yet another family forced to live on the street, yet another teen caught in the trap of street to jail.
Is bill paying the worst that can happen? No. Is losing a job the worst that can happen? No. Worst than the current economic situation we face is the blighted condition of our faith. At risk is not the financial situation of the world. At risk is our souls. Placated for far too long on the fat of injustice and social ills, our souls have become wastelands -- toxic.
For my part I can no longer focus on my IRA, lack of savings, pay freeze or overdue mortgage. I must refocus on God and what God has asked me to do. Now is the time to witness my faith. Now is the time for us to join one to another and "devot[e] [ourselves] to the teaching of the apostles and to communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." Acts 2:42
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