There
are some who have the idea that Spiritual Laws are punitive. In fact, the
Spiritual Laws are guidelines that
come from such Truths as Yama Niyama, The Ten Commandments, The Four Noble
Truths, Five Mindful Trainings, 14 Precepts and The Twelve Steps.
They
are not punitive; they are simply guidelines. When these guidelines are
followed in the societies from which they are born, there is harmony, and peace
prevails over darkness. When they are not, well, we are experiencing what
happens in the days in which we are currently living.
In
Buddhism, one of today’s great spiritual leaders is a saint by the name of Thich
Nhat Hanh. He advocates the “Five Mindfulness Trainings.” Visit the following
link to learn more: http://www.plumvillage.org/mindfulness-trainings/3-the-five-mindfulness-trainings.html
I’m
discussing the 5th Mindfulness Training today because in the January Ah-Man Newsletter, I spoke of the
consciousness of people being the problem in the world today.
Here
is the 5th Mindfulness training:
The Fifth
Training: Aware of the suffering caused by un-mindful consumption, I vow to
cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my
society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest
only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my
consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and
society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to
ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs,
magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body
and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents,
my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear,
anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself
and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for
self-transformation and the transformation of society.
Okay, so we are all not monks, nor are we supposed
to be. Some of us are “Friends of Bill W.” so not drinking wouldn’t be a
problem. But there are others of you who drink responsibly and can continue to
do so without causing violence. However, if you looked at the bigger picture,
it’s not the individuals, but also the big manufacturers and how drinking is
glorified in advertisements, etc., that is being supported/endorsed when
purchasing a drink. But let’s say we drink responsibly and make sure that we
don’t glorify drinking or degrade sexual genders by advertisements; what about
the rest?
Why can’t we eat more conscientiously, without
causing mass violence? If you eat animal products, you can still do so in a
conscientious way, can’t you? Do you have to eat as much? If and when you eat them, can they be Kosher, organic, grass
feed or free-range products?
What about toxic speech, i.e., speaking badly about
others? There are those who say they have a right to freedom of speech. Yes,
but at what cost? Where is our human intelligence, the distinction between
basic right and wrong?
And what about TV violence that is so readily accessible
for viewing? As I flip through the channels (yes, I’m one of those!), I see
some of the programs that are on prime time, like Two and Half Men….what are we
teaching are children through this moral-less show? Glorification of
intoxication, degradation of women and so much more. The same goes for movies
with the mindless violence, moral degradation, etc. The rating levels at the
theatres are a joke.
Please don’t get me wrong. I enjoy my “Man” movies
(i.e., action movies) to a degree, but I have a balance in my life. I already
know the difference between Hollywood fantasy and reality. Young minds don’t.
Isn’t there something that you, I…every one of us…can
take away from this great teaching that will help us become a better person,
which in return, helps our families, communities and society live a more
peaceful and harmonious life?
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Read about his new book, Returning to WHOLENESS… Discovering Ah-Man at Amazon.
