Author Archive for The Spiritual Atheist

Fire in the Belly

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on May 2, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
The Way of Chuang Tzu
Translated by Thomas Merton



The Subjectivity of Beauty:
When someone has a fire in their belly, it threatens to come out of their mouth as words.

If a person puts a trumpet in front of their mouth when the fire comes out, we call it "music" and we say that it is "beautiful".

If a person puts nothing in front of their mouth when the fire comes out, we call it "obscene" and we say that we are "offended".

What is the difference?


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Challenging Aversion

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on May 1, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
The Way of Chuang Tzu
Translated by Thomas Merton



Definition:
Aversion is that which you avoid. Things that make us bored, things we hate, things we are afraid of are all aversions we have.


The Challenge:
We avoid that which makes us uncomfortable, and that "comfort zone" we create is what murders our ambition. The only thing keeping us from realizing our full potential are our aversions. If you have an aversion to dancing, then that is precisely the reason that you MUST go dancing, and you must DO IT NOW. If you hesitate, then you have been murdered by your aversions, again. Each time you die, you are reborn a little bit weaker, until you are a timid shell of the person you once were.


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Listening

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on April 29, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
The Way of Chuang Tzu
Translated by Thomas Merton



True Compassion:
When you are truly listening, you stop listening and become listening.


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Light and Dark Sides

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on April 19, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
Tao Te Ching
Translated by D. Lau



Naivety and Cynicism:
Those are some who see the dark side in others, but ignore the good. They are called "cynics". Those that are cynics convince many of us that looking for the dark side in others is foolish, because we are afraid that we might become cynics.

There are some who see the good in others, but ignore the dark side. They are called "naive". Those that are naive convince many of us that looking for the good in others is foolish, because such we are afraid that we might become naive.


Beyond Naivety and Cynicism:
If we ignore the dark side in others, we can be taken advantage of.

If we ignore the good in others, we lose a part of our humanity.

Each person has both a dark side and a good side, it's simply a question of how much is there and what forms it takes. If we actively look for both sides, without judging, we can see deeply into another person. We can have human compassion, but we don't have to be naive.


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Precept: Right Speech

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on April 10, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
Tao Te Ching
Translated by D. Lau



The Power of Words:
A friendship takes years of cultivation to create, and only a few minutes to destroy; this is one of the many awesome powers contained in words.

It is said that words are the most difficult precept to develop. It is easier to master every other precept, then to begin to master Right Speech. Speech is something we think about so much, yet have so little control over. We are deceived in believing that we choose what we say, but we rarely do.

When someone corrects your words, be grateful to them that they are assisting you in accomplishing the near insurmountable precept of right speech.


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Saying “Yes” to Yourself

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on April 3, 2008
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Currently Reading:
Man's Search For Meaning
by Viktor Frankl



Mike Meyers Revisited:
As I've quoted before, actor Mike Meyers (Austin Powers, Wayne's World) once said, "The secret to improvisational acting is saying 'yes' to everything that comes to you." An improv actor can only improvise if he accepts what's around him fully, and then reacts. I've already discussed how this teaching has become invaluable to my daily interactions, but now I want to take it to another level.


Bad Thoughts:
How often do we have a thought, and then think something like, "That's such a terribly bad thought, I shouldn't be thinking about such things." So you push against it, and yet seems to stay firmly planted in place. We're essentially telling that thought "no", but in order to work with it, we need to tell it "yes". Like it or not, that thought is not only yours, but it's you. To deny it is to deny yourself.


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Living with Death

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on March 17, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



The First Rule of Budo:
The first rule of Budo, the Japanese philosophy of living life fully through martial arts, is stated thusly: You must concentrate upon and consecrate yourself wholly to each day, as though a fire were raging in your hair.

What do these words mean? Many who have faced death can tell you; live each day as though it were your last. Budo teaches that to the martial art student every minute of their training, if they are paying attention. Life also teaches that to us every minute of every day, if we are paying attention. Would you carry old grudges if today were your last day? What good would it do you to die carrying a grudge? Have you ever had a childhood enemy that you fought with bitterly, only to eventually become great friends? How could you have have ever had such a friend if you were not willing to let go of that grudge?

I believe that we all believe this at a deep level, but we often cover it up with ego in the hopes that the other person will surrender, and from that submission we can gain some illusion of power over others. That power means nothing, because it is only momentary. When we fight each other, we fight ourselves.

Living by the sword and dying by the sword sounds glorious and sexy, especially when we're the ones who are doing the conquering. Men who have lived long enough to see half of their lives pass know that it is better to never draw your sword. To never cut another, and to never be cut.


"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." - Mahatma Gandhi


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


How do You Get Energized?

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on March 13, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



What Gives You Energy?:
Do you get energized from giving someone a gift, watching TV, arguing?

That which gives you energy, tells you about what it is that you seek out.


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Connecting on THEIR Level

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on March 6, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



Caught the Thought:
After a few days of being as mindful as possible about my reactions to others, I caught the thought! Even though it was fast, it was in front of me all along. It was always there. I knew it was there, but I guess I never paid much attention to it, so it was practically invisible.

Sometimes you just can't see the forest for all of the trees.


Now What?:
Now that I've got the thought, what do I do with it? Nothing and everything. Isn't that a typical Zen answer? ;-)

Trying to stop the thought just makes it stronger. Accepting the thought also just makes it stronger. So what to do? Just see it, and that's all. When Mara has been seen, he retreats because "the jig is up". Fighting him will only embolden him, and accepting him will give him validation. Either gives him energy to grow. However, seeing him and recognizing him is enough. It gives him nothing to work with. There's no energy, and he is standing there exposed. All he can do is retreat.

This "first thought" has kept me from really connecting with people for a long time. I can go into the ways, but that's not important. What is important is that it's been located and exposed. Now when it comes up, I'll see it, and it doesn't have to have any power.


Connecting on THEIR Level:
One way to actively connect is to connect on THEIR level, not yours.

Suzuki Roshi was a small Japanese man who ran the San Francisco Zen Center in the 60's when Zen was first introduced to America. He was less than 5 feet tall, completely bald, and wore black Zen priest's robes wherever he went. Yet, because he could connect with people on their level, he was universally accepted wherever he went. There are many stories of him walking right up to and engaging groups of construction workers talking about last night's game, and them not even noticing at first that Suzuki Roshi was such a strange looking person. It was usually after several minutes that someone would notice the unusualness of the man's appearance that someone would pause and ask about him. Suzuki Roshi was infamous for just walking up to and engaging groups of people of all walks of life. He would talk to anyone, any where, at any time. He never walked into a group and just started spouting off about Zen and the benefits of meditation. He always engaged them on THEIR level.


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


First Thought

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on March 4, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



Being Mindful of What and Why:
Every one of us has something that we want to improve upon. One of my biggest things is that I tend to push people away; friends, family, lovers, pets, anyone and everyone. This was something I came to realize a few years ago, and have come to know as my single greatest fault. I've always known that I wasn't especially good with inter-personal relationships, but I could never put my finger on why until I realized that I was pushing people away from me. Sometimes it is a passive detachment, and sometimes it is a forceful push, but they are different degrees of pushing people away from me. Just coming to know and admit this was no small feat(thinly veiled ego stroke), but what good is that?


Just Noticing:
I finally asked my teacher the other day how I can stop pushing people away from me. He said that when you do that, it's preceded by a thought. When you feel yourself have that feeling of pushing away, take a moment and observe that thought. Don't push it away, don't grab onto it, don't try to change it, don't try to toy with it, don't do anything to it, just notice it.

In Buddhism, our inner demons that we wrestle with (self doubt, greed, fear, etc) are personified as Mara. Mara is that part of us that tries to distract us from what we should be doing with what we shouldn't be doing. Mara is that part of us that would rather make out with our girlfriends (or boyfriends) when we should be studying.

Even after Buddha's enlightenment, Mara still tried to come to him to tempt him away from his life of teaching. The Buddha would see Mara about to try a trick, and he would say, "I see you Mara," and Mara would run away. Buddha didn't try to stop Mara, talk to Mara, fight Mara, all he did was notice him. Mara needs to be sneaky. He needs you to think that his voice is your voice, so that you will think that whatever he is telling you is what you ought to be doing. But if we notice Mara when he does such things, we aren't fooled, and it is easy to avoid the things he tries to get us to do.

Again, Mara is a metaphor, a Jungian archetype for an innate part of us. No magic, or woo-woo explanations, just every day things that we live with in every minute.


Catching a Thought:
I had never noticed that pushing someone away was a thought. The reaction is so fast and so instantaneous that it doesn't seem like there is a thought all, but rather a knee-jerk reaction. But in order to have a psychological reaction, there must be a thought. It has been a couple of days, and I have begun to almost catch a glimpse of that thought, but not quite.


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Namaste

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on February 19, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



Background Material:
Many religions, and even New Agism, have what can only be described as a "woo-woo" idea known as "Oneness". It's particularly popular with the patchouli, incense, and tie-dye crowd, and it's usually a bit of a put-off to the rest of us. It's always used vaguely, and the sound of it just puts off a "woo-woo" vibe.

Here's the short version originally established by the Vedas and Upanishads, a ~4,000 year old tradition. They put it thusly: Suppose that the universe is actually just the dream of someone who has lost himself entirely in his dream. He plays the part of everyone, but has forgotten who he really is; Brahman. To be "awake" to this reality is Nirvana, and ends the cycle of death and rebirth. Therefore we are all Brahman. When you harm someone else, you are actually harming yourself, because the two of you are actually the same being, Brahman.


Updates:
Hinduism has this idea of "Oneness" and uses it very literally, as well as Nirvana, karma, etc. However, different traditions look at this same elephant from a different angle. Gautama Buddha takes the same position as the famous astronomer Carl Sagan did. We are all made of the same star stuff, and we all have to live together on this little blue marble, suspended in a vast void.


Lessons from Nepal:
In Nepal, they have found a way to remind themselves of "Oneness" every time they greet each other. In Nepal they say "Namaste", which roughly means, "The god inside of me bows to the god inside of you." How can you possibly be violent towards someone while you are revering them?


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


The Meaning of “Love”

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on February 13, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



A "Cheap" Word:
"Love" is a cheaply used word in the English language. Not because it's frivolously used, but because there are many different kinds of love. Many languages use different words for these different kinds of love, but English only has one word. Love of a favorite kind of food, love of a family member, romantic love, etc. If you say that you love eating lobster, that is an accurate statement, because you do love eating lobster. However, you don't "love" eating that lobster in the same way that you "love" your parents.

While it is a cheaply used word, it is still powerful in meaning and implication


How to "Love":
The best definition of "love" that I've heard is: Taking delight in the happiness of others. When we are instructed by our teachers and parents to love our fellow man, how would we be if we were to actually follow that instruction?


Namaste,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


The Power of “Yes”

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on February 11, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



Lesson from an Improvisational Actor:
According to actor/comedian Mike Meyers (Austin Powers, Wayne's World), the "secret" to being a great improvisational actor is to say "yes" to everything that comes at you. Don't resist anything, don't fight anything, don't struggle with anything. There is nothing you can do about what comes, except what you do with it once it comes to you. Do you say "yes" and harmonize with it, or do you say "no" and struggle with it? What good comes from that struggle? Could that energy have been more constructively spent? How will you answer the next thing life brings to you?


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Pigeon-Holing

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on February 8, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



Habits:
When you know someone who is very funny, isn't it interesting how you might laugh at almost anything they say, even if it's not funny? When we know someone who's often argumentative, when they ask a question, isn't it interesting how we'll suddenly become defensive because we assume they're looking for material to argue?

Just because someone has been a certain way before, doesn't mean they'll always be that way.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Interruptions

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on February 1, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
A Sourcebook in Asian Philosophy
by John M. Koller, and Patricia Koller



Masculine Women's Studies:
On top of my promotion at work, which has me busier then ever, I also started school again last week. The journal entries have suffered a bit, but I'm still here.

One of the classes I'm taking is a women's studies class, and oddly enough it's called "Men and Masculinity".


Attack of the Feminists:
OK I admit it, the femi-nazis got me! They converted me, and now I hate men . . . not really. ;-)

Going in, I thought I was a pretty gender balanced person, and I still believe I am. Some may not buy it, but just in case you didn't get the punchline, here it is: Sometimes I use sexist jargon and sarcastic tones of feigning sexism in order to poke fun at its absurdity. Believe it or not, I am a feminist, in that I have this crazy idea that women should be valued equally to men.

What I didn't expect is the little things that I've discovered I do that perpetuate patriarchy. I've discovered that if a woman is talking, I'm more likely to interrupt or change the subject. The good news is, once I've noticed that I do that, I can actively take steps to avoid doing it in the future. :-D


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


More on Forgiveness

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on January 21, 2008
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Currently Reading:
Zen Buddhism: A History, India and China
by Heinrich Dumoulin



The Constant Replay:
I am often plagued by my mind's insistence upon replaying old events and conversations. Sometimes I really get into it, and think things like, "Man, it would have been GREAT if I would have said ... " Sometimes I think things like, "Why did I say ..., when I should have said ... " Usually I just want it to stop, because it's already done, and there is nothing I can do about it. How many times can one relive an old conversation?


Give Up:
I heard a great quote that has been rattling around in my head for the last couple of days, and I wish I knew where it came from, "Forgiveness is giving up all hope for a better past." Forgiveness is not just something we show others, it is more often something we should show ourselves.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Surprise!!!!!

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on January 15, 2008
.
Currently Reading:
Zen Buddhism: A History, India and China
by Heinrich Dumoulin



The Price of Being Excellent:
I've been gathering "ammunition" for my annual review, which I was supposed to have in mid-December. I had gather irrefutable evidence that I was worthy of both a raise and a promotion. I am overly qualified for my job, and I had done excellent work on a consistent basis.

It seemed like THE DAY I finished assembling my data to take to my department head, the CEO walks up to me.

Him: Hey, do you wanna work on a project?
Me: Sure!
Him: OK, I'll get back to you later.

The next day, he walks into my office and says, "When you're ready, meet me in my office."

I went to his office, and he got to talking about a project he wanted me to work on. He showed me the tools he expects me to utilize (which are almost completely new to web building).

Him: Are you up to it?
Me: Absolutely!
Him: Great! What do you need from me?
Me: *blank look*
Him: *waits*
Me: I need to be free from distractions.
Him: I'm going to have you in your own office in about . . . 120 seconds. What else do you need?
Me: We need to talk about compensation.
Him: What you will be learning will increase your value to the market. You can expect to be able to make 40, 50, 60K a year with these skills. As your value improves to me, so will your pay.
Me: Let's get started!


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


New Year, and New Improvement: Syndication!

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on December 31, 2007
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Currently Reading:
The Way of Zen
by Taisen Deshimaru



We Are Live:
I have set up my blog now, so that it can be syndicated w/a RSS feed or ATOM. The links are near the top-left of my blog, just under my pic. As you all know, just click on the type of subscription you use, and you'll be notified every time I make a new post. No having to manually go here and check, though you can do that if you REALLY want to. ;-)


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Live Like Your Hair’s on Fire

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on December 28, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
The Way of Zen
by Taisen Deshimaru



New Book:
So I finished the last book, and had 2 more in the wings. So what do I get? 2 MORE BOOKS! I swear, I must be a masochist or something. These things are piling up on my desk faster then I can read them . . . that's entirely my fault though.


Like Your Hair's on Fire:
The first sentence of this new book is as follows, "You must concentrate upon and consecrate yourself wholly to each day, as though a fire were raging in your hair." Incidentally, this is also how I drive.

The author goes on to describe this Bushido (way of the warrior, or "Samurai Code") phrase. He says that you should live each moment fully, as though it may be your last. Leave no room for regret, hesitation, or fear.

This is synchronous with a thought I was already carrying, though it goes a bit further then mine. The thought I was already carrying was simply, "If we're lucky, we get a mere 28,000 days on this little blue marble." This had already forced me to consider what it is that I have time for on a day to day basis, and what I don't have time for. I quickly discovered that I have no time for holding grudges, anger, hatred, jealousy, etc. The only thing I do have time for is love and compassion.

These first few words in my study of Bushido already reaffirm that sentiment, and actually carry it to the next step. I MIGHT have 28,000 days, then again I may only have this one. Of course, this is no excuse to blow everything I have on a quick wild ride, because I may be around for many years still. I should simply act in every moment as though it may be my last.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


The Most Sincere Gift

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on December 18, 2007
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Currently Reading:
The Way of Zen
by Alan Watts



A Rare Jewel:
What is possible the most difficult thing in the world to do?
What is precious to us, though we often treat it cheaply?
What is it that we often ask or even demand of others, even though we have intention of accepting?

A sincere apology. Not the kind of apology that we tend to puke at each other as a matter of "keeping them quiet", but a truly sincere apology. The kind of apology made on a bent knee, and a tear in the eye.

When it is truly offered, without being asked for, it is a jewel of the heart that is being offered to us. Accept the gift as though it were as fragile as an egg, as valuable as a jewel, and as treasured and beloved as an infant.

Such apologies rekindle friendships, and end wars.
Such apologies are the secret of peace.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


It’s Official!

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on December 18, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
The Way of Zen
by Alan Watts



According to my Aikido Sensei:
I now officially kick more ass then I used to! I have been promoted to the next rank, 6th Kyu (blue belt).

*ninja bow*


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


The Secret to Peace

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on December 5, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
Not Always So
by Shunryu Suzuki



Atheist Forums:
While on www.AtheismForums.com the other day, someone asked what the secret to peace is. How can someone who does not know god ever be at peace? What immediately popped into my head was acceptance.

To not have peace is to struggle.
To struggle is to not accept.

To accept is to cease struggling.
To cease struggling is to have peace.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Existence

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on November 30, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
Not Always So
by Shunryu Suzuki



Right Now:
This moment is the only thing that exists.

I am grateful for the opportunity to witness it.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Serious Question …

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on November 26, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
Not Always So
by Shunryu Suzuki



I Really Want to Know ... :

What's the crime here?


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Respecting Things

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on November 23, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
Not Always So
by Shunryu Suzuki



What Does it Matter?:
What difference does it make if I drag a chair across the floor instead of picking it up?
What of the people who live below you, or who might be in the next room?
What of the chair itself?
What does our abuse to things do to us as human beings, who store emotions as information?


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Maryland Vacation Pics

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on November 20, 2007
.
Photobucket Album

Vacation Pics

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on November 20, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
Not Always So
by Shunryu Suzuki



Here they are:
Enjoy!!


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Very Very Full

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on November 19, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
Not Always So
by Shunryu Suzuki



Apon Return:
I just got back from my vacation and I've got so much on my mind, that it feels like my belly after a night of wild abandon at the Chinese buffet. This is just an entry to let my readers know that I have not abandoned you. I'll be posting my vacation pics in the next day or two. For now, I need a few days to get caught up with everything again.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Mindful Practice versus Dogma

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on November 2, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
Not Always So
by Shunryu Suzuki



A Thin Line:
What is the difference between a mindful practice and dogma?

Both are ritualistic.
Both are done with great thought.
Both are done with great care.
Both require great attention.

I submit that most dogmas began as mindful practices. I further submit that the difference is selflessness versus selfishness.

If you have a ritual of any sort that you do with great thought, care, and attention; then the difference is you.

Are you selfish? Do you desire that others perform it correctly because it annoys you when they do not? That is dogma.

Are you selfless? When you perform your rituals, do you have their benefit in mind? That is a mindful practice.


A Mindful Practice within a Mindful Practice:
It is easy for a mindful practice to become a dogma, just cross that thin line between selflessness and selfishness. Therefore, watching that thin line is in itself a mindful practice.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


Fashionable Politics

Published
by
The Spiritual Atheist
on October 30, 2007
.
Currently Reading:
Not Always So
by Shunryu Suzuki



Lip Service:
It struck me the other day how "fashionable" it is to say that Bush sucks and this war is ridiculous. The ACTIONS of most Americans say that people actually do support Bush and the war, they just don't want to say it. I wish I could quantify it better, but it's pretty much a feeling I have when watching the presidential candidates. There is only ONE republican saying that we need to get out of Iraq, and only a few democrats. Only a few candidates out of the dozen or so say to get out, the rest say to stay in. Hell, only one candidate is saying that we need to get out NOW. The rest who actually say they want out are completely waffling on when, which doesn't lend me to believing them.

That doesn't strike me as an unpopular war in reality. Considering that it was completely and totally fabricated by the current administration, that doesn't lead me to believe that the current administration is actually unpopular. Yes, the official approval ratings are in the toilet, but that's just a whole bunch of lip service. The reality is that the approval ratings are actually very high, otherwise this war would have been over long ago, and the entire administration would have been impeached for prosecuting an illegal war, and using illegal and unconstitutional powers.


Cheers,
CET

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the illusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha


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