Unknown Buddhist

We should not be surprised to hear Lance Armstrong actually used performance-enhancing drugs in a sport permeated with such. In a strange and rather bizarre interconnected way almost everyone is Jonah, meaning that everyone has his or her own personal ‘whale story.’ All of us have a story, whether large or small. But regardless, we all have “fish stories.”

From a Biblical perspective, I cannot imagine a divine and peaceful God would command anyone to offer his son as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:5); that Jonah spent three days in a whale and did not at least have a major case of fish breath; that two female bears really emerged from a nearby woods and mauled 42 children (2 Kings 2:23); that God was so irked by Onan that He has to kill Onan for not having sex with his brother’s wife (Genesis 38:8-10); that an owner unwilling to let his male lodger be raped but it’s ok to offer up his own daughter instead (Judges 19:22-30), etc., etc., etc.

In today’s world, if any one of our children came in love like David and wanted to marry Saul’s daughter (1 Samuel 18:27), but needed to cut off 100 foreskins, most of us would say, “What the hell?” If another came to us and claimed he met God, but was shown (i.e., exposed) only God’s back parts (Exodus 33:23), some might claim there’s a pedophile in the neighborhood.

So just like Lance Armstrong, we all have a “fish story.” Lance Armstrong’s is about truth: his image versus his world’s image. In some way, we unjustly combine everything the man has done. But personally, all of us need to separate the man from his sports career.  Somewhere inside Lance Armstrong is a man who has told some big fish stories about his racing career and somewhere in there is the man who created the LIVESTRONG Foundation. The second man is the one whom battled cancer, fought the good fight and became a solid advocate for cancer treatment and research.

So in light of today’s admission that Lance Armstrong took performing enhancing drugs, must we destroy everything about the man?  Should Lance Armstrong be denounced for his lies of performance-enhancing drugs? Of course! Will Mr. Armstrong suffer both personally and legally for the coverup? Sure, you bet! But must Armstrong’s entire life be laid waste in the process? No!

If we must denounce and tear apart someone based upon a whale story, then President Clinton’s, “I did not have sex with that woman” is at the top. Yet former President Clinton is a highly respected statesman and advocate. The Reverend Jesse Jackson remains highly respected even though he fathered an illegitimate son. Bill Cosby is still a respected entertainer. Does everything General David Petraeus did go for not simply because he resigned as the Director of the CIA? Should we negate all the positive things Newt Gingrich did as Representative (R-GA) since admitting to having had an affair with an intern while leading the impeachment of Bill Clinton for perjury?

Why can we not denounce the false while honoring the good? Case in point, Michael Milken. Milken was indicted on 98 counts of racketeering and securities fraud and pled guilty to securities and reporting violations. Milken received ten years in prison. But Milken was also part founder of the Milken Family Foundation (MFF), supporting medical research and education. The MFF has awarded a total of more than $60 million to more than 2,500 teachers.

As for Clinton, Clinton was appointed to head the Asia Tsunami relief effort. After Hurricane Katrina, Clinton joined with George H. W. Bush to establish the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund in January 2005, and the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. Clinton also created the William J. Clinton Foundation to address issues of global importance.

At the end of the day, like many of us, both Milkin, Clinton and Armstrong created some really awful “fish stories.” But each of them has created some really wonderful organizations. Each became a better person and humanity itself benefited greatly. In light of the fact each of us probably has a fish tale or two … or three … or more, I suggest we forgive the man Lance Armstrong and allow the LIVESTRONG Foundation to carry-on it’s work.

The LIVESTRONG Foundation fights to improve the lives of people affected by cancer — today as they navigate the financial, practical and emotional challenges that accompany cancer, and tomorrow as they move beyond the disease. The LIVESTRONG Foundation is thriving and must continue its mission-critical work in the years ahead.

Buddhists often refer to life as a river. In life, rivers continually flow. Thus, the river, from moment to moment is never the same. Likewise, every man is a river. The Lance Armstrong most of us want to spit upon is no longer here. In truth, many of us look just like him, but we too are not same from moment to moment. Much has happened to Mr. Armstrong in these past ten years, let alone the past twenty-four hours! All of us have flowed so much.

So Mr. Armstrong, I cannot forgive you because I have no grudge against you. May your foundation, LIVESTRONG, live strong!

So a week after the infamous loss to the Seattle Seahawks on January 6, 2013, many have question Mike Shanahan’s decision to keep Robert Griffin III (RBIII) in the game. So the Washington D.C. Business Journal asked area business leaders of the decision.  Most were ok with the decision, while others weren’t.  Two notable quotes came from John Micale of USI Insurance Services LLC and Glen Hellman of Driven Forward LLC.

John Micale

“I see my employee as an asset to an organization, just purely selfishly, and I wanted to protect the asset. I also wanted to send him a message that his health and wellbeing mattered more to me than any business objective. I think your employees need to know that you care about them, that’s the most important leadership rule.”

Glen Hellman

“Leadership requires courage and decisiveness. Shanahan showed neither by deferring the decision to his star quarterback who desired to remain in the game.”

Having worked in business for over thirty-years, I am under no illusion that many business owners are unlike Mr. Micale, “… see my employees as an asset …” In fact, many businesses consider personnel an “expense” and quickly shed employees as financial winds bellow.  To illustrate, let’s look at Papa Johns. For the sake of brevity, I like Papa Johns Pizza, order it often. And while I could have chosen any one of a number of business examples, I just happened to see the Papa Johns two-million pizza give away commercial over the weekend.

Papa John’s CEO, John Schnatter, weighed in on the impending Affordable Care Act legislation. Mr. Schnatter’s issue: the Affordable Care Act dictates full-time employees (those working 30 hours or more per week) at companies with more than 50 workers be provided health Insurance. Schnatter claimed Papa Johns, like other companies, would cut employee hours to avoid providing healthcare.

However, if one checks the math, Papa Johns earns roughly $1.218 billion in revenue. Total operating expenses were $1.131 billion. So if Schnatter’s math is accurate (the Affordable Care Act will cost his company $5-8 million more annually), then new regulation translates into a cost increase of .06₵ to .09₵ per pizza. Err, correct! Fractions of a percent in real business expense.

What’s funny is the Papa Johns commercial. In September 2012, Papa Johns announced that it would be giving away two-million free pizzas, a promotion designed to increase brand awareness. So in case you’re wondering, all that ‘free’ pizza would be the equivalent of $24 million to $32 million in revenue.

Apparently pizza can talk from both sides of the crust.

In truth, most companies rarely treat employees as assets. RGBIII was no different. RGBIII is and was a modern day Roman Gladiator. Whether RGBIII is permanently or long-term injured may be of little concern. Same holds true in the NFL’s concussion crisis. Close to 3,000 former NFL players claim to experience depression, diminished brain function, dementia and other allegations. Ex-players also reported barriers to getting help for depression, including a preference to rely on religion or family, lack of insurance and feelings that these problems aren’t important.

Yes, most former players lack of insurance. And if there’s one connection the Affordable Care Act attempts to weave it’s this: people are assets.

In the long run, Mike Shanahan’s decision to keep GBIII in the game may be of little significance. Like most employees of any company, RGBIII is simply a current asset … today. But will he still be asset seven years from now? Will any of us?

When Jesus was asked what one must do to enter the kingdom of heaven is answer was to love: Love God, love your neighbor as you love yourself. Core to the Christian vocation is the call to love. There are many examples in the gospel about how we are to love. Accordingly, descriptions of love are qualities we all strive for:  love of enemies, giving to the poor, mourning with those who mourn, etc. But perhaps the deepest desire of Jesus was that we may all be one, being one with God and each other.

In The Emergent Christ, Ilia Delio writes about the role of Christ and our role in evolution.

“Love is the metaphor for Christ and that divine love incarnating evolution is the work of the Spirit. To be engaged in the mystery of Christ is to be caught up in the Spirit of new life, creativity, imagination, and openness to the future.”

As a Buddhist, love is really all we have time for. Love is the only New Year’s Resolution required. On Kristen Tippet’s “On Being,” Mr. Jon Kabat-Zinn phrased the concept accordingly:

“It doesn’t actually take any more time to say good-bye or hug you know, your children or whatever it is in the morning when you’re on your way to work. But the mind says, “I don’t have any time for this.” But actually that’s all you have time for, is this because there’s nothing else than this. So when your four-year-old can’t decide which dress she wants to wear, that’s not a problem for you, unless you make it a problem for you. That’s just the way four-year-olds are. And the more we can sort of learn these lessons the more we will not be in some sense running towards our death, but in a sense opening to our lives.”

Thus in 2013, may love be all the only resolution we require.

Only eight percent of New Year resolutions are successful. So, with such abysmal odds, here are some suggestions for better New Year resolutions.

1. Accept the best in all relationships.

Look around. Know what you want and how to ask for it. Do not hide you real self and don’t expect the world to move during rebound after rebound. If you’re Buddhist, you must be honest with yourself about who you are. If you’re Christian, you must be honest with yourself about who you are. Accept that everyone is flawed, there is no perfect.

2. Live, Love, Learn and Leave A Legacy.

While Stephen Covey coined the phrase, it bears repeating. Contrary to what others believe, we are here to enrich the world, to make someone’s life a little better. Live to that standard each and every day.

3. Create a Bucket List

Some use a ‘bucket list’ as a life goal, others use the ‘bucket list’ as life ending goals. In any case, By accomplishing worthy items you to create compelling stories about how you lived.

4. Visit 10 Different Places

Seeing this resolution on the Yahoo Lifestyle bog made me think of all the places I have visited but never bother to photograph.  If you’ve got the travel bug and want to see a bit more of the world, make a New Year’s resolution to visit some interesting places and make a visual record of the year.

5. Do not believe anything simply because one heard it. Read, study and validate thoughts.

6. Focus on change, not results.

7. Dwell on the future, not the past.

8. Find someone who thinks they are alone and convince them they are not (from Mother Teresa).

All it takes is to affirm our solidarity with them, and tell them that their tears weigh on our conscious, that their cries reach our hearts, and to convince them that they are not alone.

Change isn’t easy. It takes effort. Much of the time we are run by habits and emotional patterns. But all things are possible. So let’s make good resolutions – and figure out how to embody them!

At its best, Christmas is about giving to all ads showing a concern for others. Though Christmas has become a popular Christmas tradition of gift exchange of and the willful opportunity to exercise generosity, it is important to remember the Saint Nikolaos, also called Nikolaos of Myra. Nikolaos of Myra was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra.

When he was young, Nikolaos sought the holy by making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to more deeply experience Jesus’ life, passion, and resurrection. He obeyed Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nikolaos used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra.

Bishop Nikolaos became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.  He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, saving sailors by calming seas and protecting children. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return. Basically, St. Nikolaos helped regular families facing a familiar crisis’ to which all relate.

In Buddhism, we express similar loving-kindness or metta, a quality that expresses a selfless concern for others. Loving-kindness is often illustrated by the following image: as a mother loves her child, so we too should we love for all living beings, without exception.

The nativity scene upon which the Christmas tradition focuses, displays the affection of a mother for her child – the Jesus-child who was, himself, to grow up to become a teacher of love and compassion. As James C. Harrington recently wrote, it’s important to remember the real manger:

“According to Christian tradition, Mary and Joseph ended up in a small, stinking lean-to cattle stable, with hay mixed with manure, a far cry from the clean, hand-crafted mangers displayed by the churches and the pious nowadays. Jesus was born in a meager shelter for his young, homeless, traveling parents, rejected by the townspeople.

So, when we stand back and look at the reality that the nativity writers wanted to convey, it was starkly different from the Macy’s parade, soft Christmas carols in candlelight or a gaggle of consumer items stacked under the tree in the front room.”

It’s important to remember there are many who’s life’s manger is differently than depicted. The hard truth is that for many, our own manger is full of fatigue. It smells; is complicated by addictions, is beaten down by depression; filled by doubt, unemployment and has both anger and love. Still, awash in all its untidiness, our mangers are filled with hope and compassion.

Yet we are all called to be compassionate, as is our creator.

In an expression of compassion, God answered the anguished cry of humanity by making “the problem of evil” His own. In Christian tradition, God Almighty became Immanuel, “God with us.” He lived as we live, suffered as we suffer, died as we die, yet without sin. And He, being the God-man, overcame the power of death in order to give us eternal life.

Christ came for compassion. Nikolaos of Myra was a man of compassion. Each lived their love. And Buddhists recognize and honor the compassion of love.

This compassion or karuna acknowledges one’s own happiness and material well-being while recognizing there are others who are unhappy and suffering. God became man. Thus, from a Buddhist perspective, in our heart’s we can acknowledge suffering. All of us have a profound sense duty to be St. Nickolas-like – a duty that makes goodwill ‘our own;’ to own it and in essence to share the burden.

That’s the real Christmas message. Own this compassion in your life.

Someone asked me today if I had any new year’s resolutions. And in truth, I usually make no resolutions, for like most, I usually end up breaking most, if not all resolutions made. Instead, I quietly informed the inquisitive fellow that I would probably watch “Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall … and Spring.”

Whether one believes in the Buddhist tradition or not, the film shows the emotions and stages of life in comparison to the passing of seasons.  Like many countries, South Korea does have ‘four’ seasons. In truth, I find this movie a similar paradox to life, in that all of us must learn the way our ‘higher-power’ intended for us. Each of us must proceed through each season until we find the enlightenment (i.e., that connection to our higher power).

The audience is reminded of the Buddhahood of all creatures. The compassion extended to the dead woman and her equation with the Buddha, reminds the audience that all creatures are “future Buddhas” and need compassion. Conversely, this is the same compassion embodied by Christ. It’s the same compassion eluded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Gandhi (I have no weapon but love…), Nelson Mandela, and many many others.

The movie’s Director, Kim Ki-Duk, stated:

“I started this film with the question, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ Everybody needs their own chance to ask themselves what life means to them, especially when a person goes through a painful period.”

The changing of the seasons, which most people witness and which no one of us can affect at all, offers experiences (lessons) in beauty, time, and acceptance, just as the aging of a human being has its own inevitability, its own facts and knowledge. Buddhist thought, which advances the path to peace, and encourages leaving anxiety, conflict, and desire behind, is a way of seeing all of existence as always present in one form or another, with each being and thing something we are connected to (connected to all, there’s no need for desire or envy).

As I begin to look unto the new year, I am full of new reflections, impassioned, as they remind me that something else exists. But the true renewal comes from an inward look, that is likely to come to mind in private moments, possibly late at night, as I think about various things—what I’m going to do with the rest of my life, whether I can get a favorite pair of shoes resoled for an affordable price, American politics, a favorite Afghan or Thai restaurant I haven’t visited in a while, my preference for this or for that.

But whatever those thoughts, I am reminded of something else exists. And that ‘something else’ is both wonderful as well as baffling.

After putting a few days aside for some rest, I sit at my home on Orcas, WA watching ‘Scrooge.’ While it’s true that I watch this film every year, I seem to never tire of the message: Ebenezer Scrooge learns in the nick of time to stop hoarding and spread good cheer. Seems so simple enough.

Yet as I poke around the world, is there really an adequate supply of ‘good cheer?’ Look around, examples are profound. Military families have lost a loved one. Many have lost homes to vast array of floods, earthquakes, tornados, oil spills, hurricanes, fires, loss of employment, loss of healthcare, crime and a host of other issues.  The deprived and homeless are in every city and every town. Yet I sit and watch Scrooge and say “Yes!” to the spirits of Christmas.

Scrooge seems so nice and easy. Great film, great music, and less than a couple of hours. In my own Christmas’ of the past, I wondered if I simply dropped a couple bucks into Salvation Army donation, does that account for spreading the message of goodwill.  Or could I do more?

Regardless of whether I donate a dollar or ten-thousand, the poorest of America’s poor, while generally wealthier than 75 percent of the world’s population, are trying to live by the most minimum of accepted living standards just to simply exist. No matter how many blankets or cots I could give, there will still be about seven hundred fifty thousand homeless Americans, many who have neither a stable, inn or tent on which to lie. Unless many un-Scrooge ourselves, chances are their Christmas will be just like any other day on the cold and cruel streets. There will be 1.8 million who will spend Christmas in prison. That means about 500,000 children without at one parent. Many will not receive even a card from family or friends, much less a gift.

As I look out over the ocean from my small home, I can see majestic trees standing guard. My breath steams the window in musical beat. Looking upon the moon’s reflection, I ask, “What is the real message of Christmas? Gosh, I once again ask, “What is Christmas’ real message?”

To me I’ve spent so many Christmas’ alone, I no longer recognize the privilege of company. I find it hard to reach deep and find the spiritual richness my former love gave bestowed.

However, in the end Scrooge learns Christmas is about giving, sacrifice and worshipping. Christmas extends a message of good will to others, a selfless concern for others. Loving-kindness is often illustrated by the following image: just as a mother loves her child, so we too should develop this kind of love for all beings, without exception. Secondly, Scrooge also recognizes that in the midst of his own happiness and material well-being, that there are others who are unhappy and who are suffering in all sorts of different ways.

Marley’s message is simple, “The deeds that men do follow them.” I can personally attest to that. No matter where I go, I am alone.

But be like the redemptive Scrooge.

In redemption, Scrooge asks the child what day and shows how greatly he’s been changed. By asking the child, he validates the knowledge of a child and gives the child authority. Christmas has always been placed in the hands of a child, a person who by society’s standards (and the old Scrooge’s) may be dependent and powerless, but who by Scrooge’s new understanding of human value (love, charity, community), is a person of great importance.

This holiday season, remember to be important. Give what you can … to all mankind.

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas brings mixed emotions. On the one hand, I adore the holiday lights, people seemingly enjoying the spirit of life, giving thanks, gifts and mutual love. On the other hand, when you’ve been told to shut up, don’t say, don’t laugh, but praise God, then I forever remember endless years of searching for the former … but in the end left empty, drained and unforgiven. The latter, has been my life for the past twelve (12) years.

If any one quote from the ‘Scrooge‘ fits my life it would be the Ghost of Jacob Marley:

“I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it, link by link and yard by yard, while on Earth, and now I will never be rid of it …”

True to the statement, I do wear the chain I forged in life. And damn it’s long, heavy steel weighs upon my soul that I barely breathe, often drowning in my own sins. My skin is burned from indentation, as if I slowly tattooed my soul over the course of thirty years. Thus, as I near my own death, I see hell’s angels cheering of my demise and God’s angels turned in abhor of my sight.

Again, I walk alone in a sea of many. Nothing near, a child hiding from hurt of others, hoping someday an angel of love would find me. Hiding within me, the bone chilling cold buffets the skin and I shudder against the world’s isolation. Icicles adhere to my beard, drips amongst perspiration from each breath.

Having lived among bitter, small-minded people my inner soul fills with rage at perfectness of God. Over the course of many years, I have been told not enjoy Christmas, not joke and laugh; to be told to forgive, but witness how many don’t; to yearn for the love of your life, but never to experience it … ever again.

Knowing that God has abandoned me, I can only refer to Johnny Cash:

“I learn from my mistakes. It’s a very painful way to learn, but without pain, the old saying is, there’s no gain. I found that to be true in my life. You miss a lot of opportunities by making mistakes, but that’s part of it: knowing that you’re not shut out forever and there’s a goal you can reach.”

In the ‘Scrooge,’ The Ghost of Christmas Present said:

“There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you’re not here any more.”

In truth, I hate repeating insanity, repeating the same process year after year and expecting a different result. While I am not suicidal, I do in truth, feel much like George Bailey in that maybe this world will be better off without me.

I only wish God allows my heart to silently stop as I sleep and dream of something better.

So ‘The Donald’ had a public meltdown last while watching the election returns.  Following the “disgusting injustice”, Mr. Trump called for a “revolution” of the American political system, including a rally in Washington DC.

The reality television star made the attacks in nine messages to almost 1.9 million followers, moments after President Obama was declared the election winner. Some of the tweets include:

“Well, back to the drawing board!”

“We can’t let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided!”

“Let’s fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us.”

“This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! Our country is now in serious and unprecedented trouble…like never before.”

My only thought is that you personally pick up Mr. Ryan and share a room at the nearest hospital.  Better yet, take a vacation … see the world … like Kenya.