WHY WE SIT - OUR MOTIVATION
In the web of life, we are interconnected and we interpenetrate one another. As Thich Naht Hahn says, we all 'INTER-BE'. How can we be of help to one another without our desires or freedom compromising those of others? Like the philosopher G. Hegel says, we cannot be an ethical failure in concluding from this situation that, in order to be 'truly' ethical or a 'Beautiful Soul', we should never do anything! (because it is necessarily violent and trespasses on others). No! In situations where we are 'called' to act, to help others, there is a path for the benefit of all. It all starts with developing clear vision and a open, healing heart.
This is the reason for our Freedom Sit.
We sit to be a lamp in the darkness – to light and to warm. We strive to be an energy that is a refuge for all.
Our Freedom Sit is something AFFIRMATIVE and JOYFUL, not something REACTIVE and NEGATIVE. We sit FOR our values and principles – not AGAINST others. Here lies our glory, our innocence and the source of all our power and it is a VITAL power!
For in a world overwhelmed and consumed by the poisons of delusion and bad thoughts, we openhearted ones have enough confidence in the power of Peace and Joy – in Life itself – to confront and to heal, all the 'shadows' and 'evil spirits' of negativity.
With love-energy we answer the call of conscience to challenge: death, war, genocide, the murderous dissatisfied desires of humanity, tyranny, oppression, domination, hate and resentment, malice, racism, gender and sexual discrimination, cruelty, injustice, exploitation, slavery, lies, economic gangsterism, greed and theft, dogmatism, nihilism, petty sarcasm and weak mean irony, self-loathing, sectarianism, irresponsible consumption, the destruction of Mother Earth and all forms of psychic and physical pollution.
We stand up to positively transform everything that with malicious glee takes pleasure in the powerlessness, in the distress and in the suffering of beings – everything that addictively, vampirically feeds on ignorance, reactivity and accusations, obsession and clinging, self-enslavement and disempowerment, belittlement and degradation...
...Anything that breaks the human spirit! Anything that humiliates, breaks and crushes life!
BigSkyFreedom willingly joins the ancient tradition of the artist, shaman and mystic in struggling with and dispelling those structures, practices, and views, those outer and inner bitter tyrannies, that make people unhappy.
THE FOURTEEN PRECEPTS OF ENGAGED BUDDHISM
- Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
- Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
- Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrow-mindedness.
- Do not avoid suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering, including personal contact, visits, images and sounds. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.
- Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.
- Do not maintain anger or hatred. Learn to penetrate and transform them when they are still seeds in your consciousness. As soon as they arise, turn your attention to your breath in order to see and understand the nature of your hatred.
- Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you. Plant seeds of joy, peace, and understanding in yourself in order to facilitate the work of transformation in the depths of your consciousness.
- Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
- Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Do not utter words that cause division and hatred. Do not spread news that you do not know to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn things of which you are not sure. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.
- Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party. A religious community, however, should take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
- Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realise your ideal of compassion.
- Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.
- Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.
- Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realisation of the Way. (For brothers and sisters who are not monks and nuns:) Sexual expression should not take place without love and commitment. In sexual relations, be aware of future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: 6 Principles of Nonviolence
- Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people
- Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding
- Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.
- Nonviolence holds that suffering for a cause can educate and transform.
- Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
- Nonviolence holds that the universe is on the side of justice and that right will eventually prevail.