Curtis Harris
Relief from suffering
By Curtis Harris
As I watch political coverage on television and read it in the newspapers, I am struck by the consistently negative message coming from Democratic politicians, pundits, and editorial writers. They appear unhappy and stressed by the changes in our society that are both a cause and an effect of the Republican leadership of our national government. A popular President and widespread national security concerns are driving a major shift in political momentum. These Democrats are suffering as a result. I would like to help these politicians, pundits, and editorial writers find some relief.
I believe most people use their sense of perspective on life to keep a balanced outlook when faced with trouble and stress. This perspective allows whatever current trouble one faces to be placed in the proper context relative to all aspects of life. Then the current trouble is more manageable. Adjustments are made and life goes on.
However, when one's perspective on life is not balanced, current troubles can seem much worse than they are. A workaholic having trouble at work is going to have a more difficult time dealing with the necessary changes than someone who has family, friends, and hobbies to provide support and distraction. The workaholic has the work at the center of life. The balanced person really understands there is a higher purpose in life. To me, these Democratic politicians, pundits, and editorial writers are like the workaholic. When their political philosophy and political power are in trouble, they lack the personal resources to deal constructively with the necessary changes.
Given I am talking about a great number of people of many different backgrounds suffering from the same trouble in their lives, I find it necessary to use some generalizations as I suggest one way they might find relief and comfort. I also understand that many of these people are not comfortable bringing religion into the public forum, but since religion is where most people find comfort when they face trouble in their lives, I find it necessary to introduce the topic in this case. I will use Buddhism. Although it is not widely practiced or understood in American culture, Buddhist teachings get to the heart of the Democrats' suffering.
Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, who lived in Northern India from 566 BC to 531 BC. Buddhists believe in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Enlightenment, a state of spiritual purity, can break the cycle of rebirth so one can enter Nirvana, the afterlife. In Buddhism, there is no focus on an omnipotent God. The Buddha focused his teachings on relief from suffering in life.
Buddha taught that suffering is the result of attachments to many aspects of human life. Examples are attachments to one's possessions, reputation, career, power, and even family and friends. Suffering comes from their loss or the fear of their loss. Suffering also comes from the constant desire for more possessions, prestige, or power- - more attachments. To end or avoid great suffering, one must recognize attachments and desires are a normal part of human life. So is suffering their loss. But just as this life is a temporary condition, so are our attachments, desires, and suffering. When one gains perspective on the importance of the entire cycle of our soul's existence relative to attachments and desires, suffering in this life ceases to be a big issue.
The Democratic politicians, pundits, and editorial writers are political workaholics. They are excessively attached to high taxation and deficit spending (there can never be enough money), bankrupt social programs (Social Security and Medicare), their powerbase (unions, trial lawyers, grievance groups, etc.), and their belief that they know what is best for all Americans. These Democrats have trouble in their lives because the basic philosophies underlying their attachments are being threatened for the first time in more than half a century.
Buddhist philosophy can help the Democrats achieve relief from suffering by helping them regain perspective and balance in their lives. They must let go of their attachments to other people's money, property and freedom, and the arrogance that allows them to feel superior to the rest of Americans. They must stop lying, whining, fear-mongering, and threatening. They must let go of their attachments to power. They can join the rest of us in knowing we, as individuals, are responsible to protect our freedom, improve ourselves, be accountable for our mistakes, and embrace progress in our society. This life is not perfect or fair. We are here to learn lessons and prepare ourselves for whatever comes next.
© Curtis Harris
As I watch political coverage on television and read it in the newspapers, I am struck by the consistently negative message coming from Democratic politicians, pundits, and editorial writers. They appear unhappy and stressed by the changes in our society that are both a cause and an effect of the Republican leadership of our national government. A popular President and widespread national security concerns are driving a major shift in political momentum. These Democrats are suffering as a result. I would like to help these politicians, pundits, and editorial writers find some relief.
I believe most people use their sense of perspective on life to keep a balanced outlook when faced with trouble and stress. This perspective allows whatever current trouble one faces to be placed in the proper context relative to all aspects of life. Then the current trouble is more manageable. Adjustments are made and life goes on.
However, when one's perspective on life is not balanced, current troubles can seem much worse than they are. A workaholic having trouble at work is going to have a more difficult time dealing with the necessary changes than someone who has family, friends, and hobbies to provide support and distraction. The workaholic has the work at the center of life. The balanced person really understands there is a higher purpose in life. To me, these Democratic politicians, pundits, and editorial writers are like the workaholic. When their political philosophy and political power are in trouble, they lack the personal resources to deal constructively with the necessary changes.
Given I am talking about a great number of people of many different backgrounds suffering from the same trouble in their lives, I find it necessary to use some generalizations as I suggest one way they might find relief and comfort. I also understand that many of these people are not comfortable bringing religion into the public forum, but since religion is where most people find comfort when they face trouble in their lives, I find it necessary to introduce the topic in this case. I will use Buddhism. Although it is not widely practiced or understood in American culture, Buddhist teachings get to the heart of the Democrats' suffering.
Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, who lived in Northern India from 566 BC to 531 BC. Buddhists believe in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Enlightenment, a state of spiritual purity, can break the cycle of rebirth so one can enter Nirvana, the afterlife. In Buddhism, there is no focus on an omnipotent God. The Buddha focused his teachings on relief from suffering in life.
Buddha taught that suffering is the result of attachments to many aspects of human life. Examples are attachments to one's possessions, reputation, career, power, and even family and friends. Suffering comes from their loss or the fear of their loss. Suffering also comes from the constant desire for more possessions, prestige, or power
The Democratic politicians, pundits, and editorial writers are political workaholics. They are excessively attached to high taxation and deficit spending (there can never be enough money), bankrupt social programs (Social Security and Medicare), their powerbase (unions, trial lawyers, grievance groups, etc.), and their belief that they know what is best for all Americans. These Democrats have trouble in their lives because the basic philosophies underlying their attachments are being threatened for the first time in more than half a century.
Buddhist philosophy can help the Democrats achieve relief from suffering by helping them regain perspective and balance in their lives. They must let go of their attachments to other people's money, property and freedom, and the arrogance that allows them to feel superior to the rest of Americans. They must stop lying, whining, fear-mongering, and threatening. They must let go of their attachments to power. They can join the rest of us in knowing we, as individuals, are responsible to protect our freedom, improve ourselves, be accountable for our mistakes, and embrace progress in our society. This life is not perfect or fair. We are here to learn lessons and prepare ourselves for whatever comes next.
© Curtis Harris
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