Extremism in Buddhism...

Here is an article the appeared in The Lion's Roar.  I personally loathe these dog-whistling inflammatory vague 'calls to action' that are rife in 'hip' Buddhist online and offline publications.  It is  tiring. 

Here is an archive link.  https://archive.ph/4KHEa

 

Ah! Lion's Roar has done it again! The whole idea of that publication is to get people talking. Basically 'click bait' and look! it worked. Well done.

Getting mad at someone for posting it is ludicrous. In Buddhism historically and largely do not 'take sides' and do indeed attempt to live with (and eventually change) such groups like those 'anti-democracy, bigotry, racism, and religious phobia' BY EXAMPLE- not with protest, violence, stonewalling, 'cancelling', belittling, or admonishment.

I have been a part of inter-religious councils for over 15 years, there are many groups whose dogma is set on elimination of non-believers etc. But there is a civil relationship. We know they will not 'change' us. (we do not need to be 'saved' by anyone else, that is our own work to be done) We don't need to change them either. It is all about understanding and the wisdom we develop when we understand suffering and its causes and remedies.

This may be a part of a much newer idea in Buddhism "engaged Buddhism" which is more appropriately should be labeled "enraged Buddhism" as they typically are very vocal and confrontational (especially in the West, especially coastally it appears and nearly always... white).

Typically in the social and political issues these groups gravitate toward are but a snapshot of the real story. The whole reasons for these problems go far back and deep in social culture, tradition, history and situation. It is always very very sticky to choose one side when the previous chapter was the 'karmic' action that resulted in today's mishap.

In Buddhism the locus of control is your own understanding and the practice of striving to understand more and approach that with the understanding of impermanence, interdependence, and ahimsa... Only by example, not with force we can change things. You cannot force someone to be calm when they are in upset, it takes time. This is what is missed.

Even in the Bodhisattva vows it speaks of being the refuge, the boat, the bridge the medicine. Nowhere is it the hammer, the sword, the bludgeon. We accept people and practice that, it is difficult to have compassion in the face of any tragedy, we help them with the refuge of calmness, understanding, and compassion. We cannot do anything against a madman like the Buddha did with Angulimala, we are aspiring though, we can be the respite when he arrives for help though, (but not be so dumb that we let him in our space to cause havoc) we can help protect the innocent by being a person they can be safe with, not go out and after their aggressors.

Often Buddhist leaders will lead into a situation like the author is alluding to with 'this is regrettable' not taking a side, being open to see what IS happening as it is often too complex to judge from one incident.

"The silence that has pervaded Buddhist communities in reaction to extremism is indicative of an unwillingness to speak not only about uncomfortable issues, but also of the work that still needs to be done in order to support those harmed by alt-right and extremist Buddhist voices. "

It is Buddhism's purpose to teach the individual not rally a group. Unwillingness to speak is more about not causing more strife and instead to teach patience, compassion, empathy and perhaps wisdom. I hate to see "the work that needs to be done" BS with these types of writings. What work? It is an affront and insult to the vast teachings of the Buddha that these authors and people 'engaged' in social issues have only read the cliff's notes.

This is an inflammatory article at best, it does not mention one "alt-right" group or concept. (so I guess it worked on me). I think this article is in fact the definition of 'dog whistle'. Which I have not only been accused of but banned from groups for telling people to study deeper the sutras and contemplate.

This is unfortunately where extremism begins, in half baked "I hear that Buddhism" does or thinks this or that.  Then attempts to admonish the teachings because they have propped themselves up on a cardboard box mountain of ethics and 'I know better' because I identify as a Buddhist rather than practice the teachings... 

We must also remember that Buddhism was founded on the principle of 'the middle way' that goes for all things.  if you think about Taoism, for example, we see the Yin/Yang symbol we are all familiar with.  In the dark area there is always some light, in the light area there is always some dark and because this is an in motion concept, constantly changing and we find that as some say, what the fly finds as a nightmare, the spider finds as a luncheon.   

We have to take into consideration both sides of a story, and consider all aspects before we jump to a judgment or conclusion.  Nothing is black and white.  If we take some of the topics mentioned in the article in Lion's Roar, we also see a history that is not easy to peel apart.  The strife between Islam and their conquests are as poignant as those of colonial English Empire as well as anything done since.    We too often are shown a 'snapshot' of a situation and consider that the only truth.  Every thing is very complex and not to mention that there are also cultural considerations as well as social ones that may not fit 'our' idea of how things should be.  When that happens it is the very definition of appropriation and should be restrained.  

I have posted similar comments on different Reddit forums and have been permanently banned by moderators, called a racist, a bigot and even a Nazi once.  I posted this comment on r/Buddhist in relation to this post:  https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/vkft84/we_cannot_ignore_buddhist_extremism_lions_roar/

I post under u/sittingstill9 , you can follow me or ban me.   I don't really care.  

A couple articles I was interviewed in for meditation practice.

 Here is a link for the direct article:  

The Highlands Ranch Herald

The Denver Herald

 Just before the pandemic got going I was very deep into teaching meditation. I held two or three classes each week from my office and taught a 'Motivational Monday Morning Meditation and Mindfulness Moment' as well as Dharma classes where we would meditate and discuss teachings and concepts in Buddhism as a daily practice.  On either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings I would hold space for a more secular mindfulness and Vipassana meditation time, usually with a guided portion and breathing meditation time.  

Skip agitation with meditation

Practitioners offer guidance for launching a routine

Sean Thompson, founder of the Centered Path Buddhist meditation center in Parker, sits in his standard meditation position.

ELLIOTT WENZLER

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Posted Sunday, April 12, 2020 12:05 pm

HOW MEDITATION CALMS THE BODY

There are two main branches of the body's autonomic nervous system, which regulates its unconscious functions, such as digestion and heart rate. 

These branches are the sympathetic — the fight-or-flight system — and the parasympathetic — the rest and digest system. 

“Meditation helps us tap into the parasympathetic nervous system,” said Dr. Justin Ross, a psychologist at UCHealth’s Center for Integrative Medicine. “Think about the sympathetic system being the gas on a car and the parasympathetic system being the brake … you need to learn how to use the brake appropriately.”

By engaging the parasympathetic system, the body’s rhythms become more balanced. The heart rate slows and the sympathetic system no longer pushes stress chemicals — such as adrenaline — into the bloodstream. Meditation also decreases cortisol, the main hormone contributing to long-term stress.

“You’re going to feel a better sense of focus and calm and relaxation,” Ross said. 

GUIDED MEDITATION RESOURCES

Many professionals agree that guided meditations, which are widely available, can be a great way to begin practicing meditation. Here are a few options:

• Insight Timer (smartphone app)

• Headspace (smartphone app)

• Calm (smartphone app)

• Three-minute breathing space (multiple videos available on Youtube)

• Ask an Amazon Alexa device for a guided meditation

The Jefferson County Public Library, in coordination with Jefferson Center for Mental Health, is hosting a weekly, phone conference with a guided meditation while the buildings are closed due to COVID-19. The sessions are Thursdays at 10 a.m. and can be joined by calling 303-502-5189.

The Centered Path Buddhist Meditation Center, based in Parker, is hosting online meditations via Zoom video meetings periodically. Details are available at Facebook.com/thecenteredpath. 

MEDITATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Children and teenagers can benefit from meditation, said Mary Dohrmann, a psychologist with the Golden Wellness Center.

“Being body-aware and breath-aware can really be taught even to a 1-year-old,” she said. 

For children this age, Dohrmann recommends parents hold the child in front of them and take deep, calming breaths, she said.

“They will mirror that and it will help them calm down,” she said.

With older kids, parents can sit in front of them and hold their hands as they breathe together, she said.

“It helps because attachment and touch calm anxiety,” Dohrmann said. “When in crisis ... they don’t have an adult brain to calm down. They need touch from a steady adult.”

Teenagers tend to do well with guided meditations, which are available through smartphone apps or Youtube videos. 

These strategies don’t need to consume much time — they can be as brief as one minute, Dohrmann said.

“Everybody has a minute,” she said.

MORE MEDITATION TIPS

“If you're outside, don't listen to music. Listen to wherever you are because that's going to ground you in your environment. If inside, play some music that's very calming. I wouldn't meditate to classical music because it's extremely stimulating.” — Mary Dohrmann, psychologist, Golden Wellness Center

“If you're experiencing depression, introduce an outside space during meditation. Stand in the grass.” — Dohrmann

“Watch your mind like you're watching a science project — sometimes you'll get insights,” — Sean Thompson, The Centered Path

Elliott Wenzler
ewenzler@coloradocommunitymedia.com

When Sean Thompson developed a stress-related ulcer in college in 1988, a psychology professor recommended he try one simple practice to find relief: meditation.

After trying out the professor’s tape of a guided meditation, Thompson made a life-altering discovery.

“What happened was it worked,” he said. “I started feeling more relaxed.”

Twenty-four years later, Thompson founded the Centered Path Buddhist meditation center in Parker. The center, which he describes as more of a study group than a religious organization, teaches folks of all backgrounds how to harness the power of meditation.

“The only people who it can’t help are those who aren’t willing to try,” said Thompson. 

Many psychologists, including Dr. Justin Ross at UCHealth’s Center for Integrative Medicine, also recommend the practice to reduce stress.

“There are tens of thousands of published studies on this,” Ross said. “The research at this point is pretty extensive and comprehensive across a wide range of conditions and concerns.”

Mindfulness meditation can reduce stress, anxiety and depression and improve wellness and the ability to cope with disease, he said.

“We talk about meditation as being a core pillar of wellness for all of us,” Ross said.

Especially now, as many people’s mental health is strained by the anxieties and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, meditation can help everyone find a sense of peace, he said.

“This is going to help (people) better manage this unprecedented time we’re in,” Ross said. “It’s such a high time of anxiety, this is a really easy place to get relief.”

Mary Dohrmann, a psychologist with The Golden Wellness Center, encourages meditation as a way to cope with all of the daily changes prompted by COVID-19, she said.

“When something gets taken away from you, that causes grief,” she said. “People are trying to function in this new way of being, and that causes anxiety ... for that it would be wonderful to use these techniques to ground yourself every day.”

Dohrmann, Ross and Thompson agree that meditation can be extremely beneficial for those finding themselves frequently worried.

When anxious, “you’re like a bag in a windstorm,” Dohrmann said. “You’re not very rational, you can’t think clearly. Grounding yourself brings you back to (earth).”

Steps to meditation

While meditation can be practiced anywhere, it’s best to find a quiet place to sit or lie down, Dohrmann said. 

“Ideally you’re sitting comfortably on a cushion or against a wall or in a chair — with feet on the ground, not hanging,” she said. “And then just kind of rest your hands where they feel comfortable.”

Thompson recommends those interested in beginning a practice start by choosing a quiet spot in their home that’s used solely for meditation, he said. 

Once comfortable, the first thing to do is simply become aware of your body, thoughts and breaths.

“The only thing they need to learn how to do is shift their focus to the breath,” Ross said. “Every meditation practice has the foundational component of bringing awareness to the present moment.”

After that, the goal is to identify whenever a distraction comes up.

“It’s about recognizing when you’re not present and learning that you have the ability to bring your awareness back to something occurring right now,” Ross said. “That’s why the breath is so powerful, it can only occur right now.”

Often, beginners will notice their brain coming up with all sorts of distractions.

• Have I finished the laundry? 
• Does the dog need a walk? 
• What will I make for dinner? 

Thoughts and feelings like these are normal and will likely always come up. The hallmark of meditation isn’t halting these, but learning to recognize them and then return to the breath, Ross said.

It can be useful to identify where in the body the breath is most intensely felt, whether that be in the belly, the nostrils or the chest, Thompson said. He also recommends trying to identify when there is a long or short breath.

“That gets the mind to calm down,” Thompson said. 

Dohrmann suggests beginning with a simple technique of inhaling for four seconds, then exhaling for four seconds, repeating the breath pattern for two minutes.

No failure, just awareness

Many people say the reason they haven’t tried meditation is because they can’t find the time, Ross said.

“The reality is … it can be as simple as three to five minutes a day,” he said. 

It’s best to try to fit in a brief meditation every day, Dohrmann said, “But whenever you can do it is also best.”

Another reason people give for not wanting to try out meditation is because they worry they won’t do it correctly. But Thompson, Ross and Dohrmann agree there really isn’t a downside to trying.

“There really is no failure in meditation, there’s just observation and awareness,” Ross said. 

Thompson points out that even if things don’t go according to plan, it still isn’t a failure.

“Worst-case scenario,” Thompson said, “you fall asleep.”

https://highlandsranchherald.net/stories/skip-agitation-with-meditation,297437

https://denverherald.net/stories/skip-agitation-with-meditation,297437