When pushed and pulled to make differentiations
Simply say “Not two”
This quote is from a 5th century Buddhist poem by Sengan, Third Chinese Chan Patriarch, translated by Dan G. Reid in The Thread of Dao. The words reach across the centuries as the perfect reminder for today, election day in the United States, a day that some are experiencing with heightened stress and strong feelings of division, hostility, fear, anger, and hopelessness.
The Chinese character that is translated here as pushed and pulled 急 can also mean urgent, pressing, unrelenting. The top part shows a hook or horn over the three connected horizontal lines which mean snout. The bottom part means heart. When we feel pushed and pulled by unrelenting urgency, it can seem like our heart is on the horns of a dilemma, hooked by the nose and being yanked back and forth. The poem has a simple solution to such distress: remind ourselves “not two.”
That doesn’t mean everything is the same. It doesn’t mean that there are never choices to be made. It does call us back, however, to the understanding that everything comes from the same source. The many emerge from the one and are all connected in the infinite embrace of existence. We can recognize that although our system of choosing leaders in this country is inherently adversarial, unavoidably designating winners and losers, we need not be adversaries.
That sounds naive, even as I write the words. But that doesn’t make it less true. I can make a choice without closing my heart to those who make a different choice. I can stand and defend those who are persecuted without attacking the persecutors. How can I do this? By remembering that separating myself from anyone through judgment and condemnation isolates me and severs my connection to the sacred.
A Course in Miracles teaches that everything we do or think or say is either an expression of love or a call for love. So our challenge on a day like today is to have compassion for ourselves, for others, for everyone. Yes, I made choices as I filled out my ballot. And at the same time, I reminded myself that in my heart there is only one choice – for love.
The world is divided into people who think they are right. ~Tara Brach
YES AND WELL ARTICULATED —- It does call us back, however, to the understanding that everything comes from the same source. The many emerge from the one and are all connected in the infinite embrace of existence. We can recognize that although our system of choosing leaders in this country is inherently adversarial, unavoidably designating winners and losers, we need not be adversaries
Thanks Esther!