Thinking Things Through

A hard rain fell, pounding the asphalt, collecting here and there in puddles and running into streams, and without a bus in sight. Five men stood forlorn, lost in their thoughts, waiting and wondering. Somehow it surfaced that they were all trying to get to the polls in time to cast their votes, and so they all decided to chip in for a cab. There was Joe the Plumber, Joe Six Pack, Joe Camel, Joe the Bartender, and Joe Mamma. The cabbie also happened to be a Joe – Joe Biden. But he was a strange guy in a Stephen King sort of way. The passengers each settled into their seats and tried to relax as their cab sped through the night.

Joe Six Pack was the first one to break the silence with a chuckle. “Ain’t this something. I haven’t voted in years and years. But when I found out that Obama might get into the White House, I had to vote. He wants to raise everybody’s taxes! I haven’t worked for six months and can't get health insurance, but that made my blood boil. I said to myself, ‘Joe Six Pack, it is your civic duty to vote. Sarah Palin is counting on you.’”

Joe Mamma had a sudden realization, “If Obama gets in, it shouldn’t be called the White House any more. Them blacks are always ruining things. Them and the Jews… and the Latinos… and the Catholics… and the chinks in China whose taking away all the jobs. Obama is in cahoots with them. That guy is dangerous. He’s a socialist, commie Marxist. Probably wants to raise them taxes so he can send our hard earned wealth to China. That’ll be the day – over my dead body.”

Joe Camel budded in “And what about the gays. Can you imagine if the gays and lesbians took over. There wouldn’t be any more children to carry things on. Nobody goin to the car races, foot ball games… no kids around to see Saw XX. The seats would all be empty. Something has got to be done! I mean, what’s going to happen to traditional family values. Heck, I’m all for marriage. Been married three times myself. But you think Obama cares!”

“But the worst thing,” Joe the Bartender added, “is that Obama would pull us out of Iraq. To bring home the troops now??? It doesn’t make any sense. Especially with the job market the way it is. I still got my job because most people have their priorities straight. But has Obama ever even been in a bar? Bush knew what he was doing – creating lots of jobs and a cash flow to the right people. Spreading the wealth around to the Blackwater guys and Halliburton. And now it’s going to those fat cats on Wall Street. All these guys, when they come into my bar, they can really put it away. And then, in the natural God given course of things there’s what I call “the trickle down effect.” See, Reagan had it right. It’s just the way God arranged for things. But this Obama, I don’t know what he’s thinking! The guy’s a wimp. Somebody’s got to stand up for the freakin rights of the free world.”

Joe the Plumber was unusually silent. “McCain’s gettin my vote,” was all he could muster, and the rest of the group mumbled in agreement.

All the while, Joe Biden the cabbie had been listening intently, peering into what seemed to be an endless void, driving through the mother of all rainfalls as the windshield wipers worked frantically. He wanted to speak up in the worst way, but he bit his lip. All he knew is that he couldn’t let this bunch get to the polls any time soon. His man was Obama, and five less votes for McCain surely couldn’t hurt. He wouldn’t have to say anything, but he’d have the last laugh. The trip was just going to take a little longer than anybody expected. He decided to take the long way around, head over to the east side of town, and across the bridge at San Luis Rey. But he did not know that his cab would be on the bridge as flood waters swept it away. And paying the cab fare, which none of them had anyways, turned out to be unnecessary.

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

“What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” Bhagavad Gita 2:69

Now that the hullabaloo about the national gas tax holiday has subsided, don’t lose heart. There’s still a few things that you can do to test your mettle, have an healthy and entertaining summer, and make a real difference. You don’t need politicians to come up with cheap solutions that are really no solutions at all. Will this November’s election really solve anything? Why wait for someone to do something for us?

If enough of us are on the same page it could turn into one big ‘We” with the clout of a high priced lobbyist, pushy senator, out-of-control Supreme Court judge, or an insider presidential advisor. Fact: The bottom line for corporations is where and how We, the People spend our money. That means you can vote with your wallet every day of the week. Here’s four simple things that you can do to help yourself, the planet and the economy. From now until Labor Day try this -

1) Stop buying gas from Exxon – Mobil. This is one company. Out of all the gas companies Exxon - Mobil has the biggest profits. If their gas stations are idle, you’ll see their prices come down quickly. This will set off a price war between gas companies vying for your patronage. Another thing, just because oil companies want to renew off shore drilling doesn’t mean that our gas prices will come down. They will sell to the highest bidder no matter who or where they are. If off shore drilling is increased, will legislators insist that the oil be used for USA consumption?

NOTE: Most people mistake the dark night of material wealth created by greed as the day time of prosperity.

2) This next one is not for the faint hearted. This may almost be impossible – (Forgetabout boycotting the Olympics this August). Stop buying things made in China altogether (a side note - our government doesn’t let us buy stuff made in Cuba. Maybe it should. It would be cheaper than shipping it all the way from China. What’s the difference?). We, ourselves, are to blame for the gas increases. Why? Because we buy foreign made goods. We’re getting items from all over the world (wherever there is cheap labor) of which China is the largest importer to the USA. Because of the tremendous economic growth of China, and also India, their use of cars and demand for oil has increased multifold over the past decade. On top of that, the fact that so much of what we consume has to be shipped from half way around the world is just plain bad for the planet.

NOTE: The self controlled can use natural resources wisely and in moderation without creating an imbalance to the environment.

3) Don’t buy any produce that’s grown outside the country. The regulations for food production in other countries are lax or nonexistent. In general, buy mostly that which is grown or made in your country, or better yet in your state or area. It will be better for you, for your community and for the world So don’t be a lemming. If we don’t voluntarily learn to modify the ways and habits of our consumption, the unfolding waves of circumstances will force drastic change upon us and our children sooner or later.

NOTE: It’s already happening and one must remain undisturbed like an introspective sage.

4) Stop eating meat. Really no big deal, especially when we realize our own health and happiness is what’s at stake. And there are all sorts of unseen costs for growing and transporting beef. The decisive factor is that this simple, revolutionary act of refrain will nourish and expand our compassionate nature and help us to understand our connectedness to all life forms and to the world around us. To act compassionately, free from greed, is one of the basic principles of spirituality, as it is vital in opening the portal to our higher, eternal nature. We must practice living in the awareness that all things are connected.

NOTE: Many people remain in the darkness of night, unaware of the suffering of others.

RECAP: From now until Labor Day 1) stop buying from Exxon-Mobil (at least until their prices come down), 2) stop buying imports from China, 3) stop buying produce grown outside the country, and 4) stop buying meat. Try going for all four. If you can’t do all four totally, at least do any one or two. You’re on your way. Good luck.

And for additional bonus points try these two harrowing experiments until Labor Day:

1) Don’t use your credit card. Stick with debit card or use cash for everything.

2) For at least one day a week, stay off your computer and TV. Get out and talk to the folks in your community.

So stay well, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Be grateful. Pray. Have a healthy sense of humor. Laugh. Find your creative self. Speak up. Be flexible. Get involved!

Interact!FYI - The saying “Wake up and smell the coffee” is a saying to suggest that we begin to pay attention and try to see the true facts of a situation or event which is relevant to our lives. Recently, a study revealed that the attention of sleep deprived rats was boosted when they were exposed to the aroma of roasted coffee beans. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/science/17objava.html?_r=1&n&oref=slogin

Prufrock Ponders Peaches

Prufrock had had enough. He couldn’t take it another moment. He fled the room where all women were talking about the New York Times article, “Some Ignorance Can Cure Chronic Buyer’s Remorse,” by Alina Tugend.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/15/business/15shortcuts.html

The article explains how people, more then ever, are agonizing in making decisions: small decisions as well as big decisions. There are just too many choices, too much information to sift through. It’s infuriating. Just going to the supermarket can turn into an ordeal. The amount of choices that are available to the consumer is mind boggling. There are dozens of types of cereals, spreads, coffees, sodas, and a gazillion types of potato chips. There’s the fine print to read, the weight of the boxes and the prices to compare. The article also mentioned Timothy Wilson’s book “Strangers To Ourselves,” wherein he writes about his research and observations on the confusion of many consumers. Consumers seem to be shell shocked, walking around dazed, not really knowing what to buy, and not being satisfied with their decision after they do buy something.

Prufrock found himself standing alone in the produce aisle of the neighborhood grocery eyeing the peaches. And indeed, he too began to agonize. “Do I dare eat a peach? Where are they from? Chili, Taiwan, China? They’ve gotten awfully expensive. Are they worth it? I wonder if they’re dry inside. And they can’t be very healthy with all the pesticides they use? I could wind up with cancer or Alzheimer’s. And look at these grapes, apples and strawberries. They’re not much better.”

Plagued by indecision Prufrock fled the grocery and wandered through half deserted streets. A lot of the houses were empty because of the mortgage foreclosures. Prufrock still had his home, but who knew for how long. He recently lost heavily in the stock market. He had thought surely that Bear Stearns was solid. But he had been proven wrong. He wondered if any decision he made can ever again be right or satisfying. Prufrock desperately wanted to save face. He thought there was still time, time to prepare a face to meet the faces that he would meet. He wanted to appear composed and successful at the fag end of life. At least he could have that.

But that image shattered when he caught a glimpse of himself in a store window. His hair had grown thin. And his arms and legs had gotten so thin. He was overcome with worry and wasn’t eating properly. Surely people would talk. In his youth he thought about daring to disturb his universe. But as it turned out, that was only a passing phase, and ultimately he carefully and deliberately measured out his life with coffee spoons. His life had been filled with so many details, so much minutiae and, of course, appearances to maintain. So many decisions and indecisions, and a hundred visions and revisions. Where would it all end???

He hurried on not knowing where to. “It was for the best,” he thought. “After all, the little things are important.… But what did I really do with my life? I could have easily been a pair of ragged claws scuttling across the ocean floors. I didn’t have the guts to force the moment to its crisis.… I have wept and fasted and prayed. But who am I kidding. I’m no prophet. I saw death waiting and yes, I am afraid…. But I should have squeezed the universe into a ball and rolled it toward some overwhelming question. It would have been damn well worth it…. But no, that’s not me. Instead, I settled for the novels and teacups and skirts….”

Then Prufrock heard the Sunday morning church bells. People came and went from the churches. So many churches in town: Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopalian; what to speak of , the Unitarians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, and even the Hare Krishnas. His mind was terrified. This was all too much for him. He decided to go for a calming walk on the beach.

“There’s too many choices, too many decisions to make. Even when it comes to religion. How can we ever sort it all out.” And his mind drifted back to his beloved peaches. “…. Now I grow old. I grow old. Perhaps I shall wear my trousers rolled. Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare eat a peach?…. I have lingered here and there, lingered by the ocean, lingered with the sea-girls. I have admired their beauty….”

Then the unique beauty of all the women he had known in his life unfolded in his mind’s eye, and in that instance he caught a glimpse of the truth. “Maybe that’s the way it is with religions,” he mused, “each offering their unique perspective and voice of the Divine. And maybe someday, if I’m lucky, a voice will wake me from my dream and my false ego will drown.”

The Junction

There are junctions where the ‘spiritual’ intersects with the ‘material.’ It could be a place, (a church, mosque, or temple), and it could happen in an action, sound vibration, breath, dream, intention and a day of the week (the Sabbath). Our bodies are also junctions. That connection of spirit to matter is what makes the body alive, and what makes the body a tabernacle.

In Hinduism one goes to the temple to take darshan (have audience) of the Deity. A Christian goes to a church to pray, and a Native American crawls into the sweat lodge, or medicine lodge, and, acknowledging kinship to all beings, utters “Mitakuye Oyasin – all my relations.”

A Jew might go to the Wailing Wall. There, he might leave a letter to God. And in the synagogue, the Torah is kept on the altar and adorned with a crown and wrapped in beautiful cloth, just as Hindus adorn the Deity with crown and elaborate dress.

A Moslem would view all this as idol worship, although he thinks that one of the most important events of his life is to travel to Mecca to circumambulate the Kabba and kiss with great reverence the black rock housed there, just as, in the synagogue, when the Torah is paraded through the congregation, everyone wants to kiss the cloth in great reverence.

A Catholic will take communion and a Hindu will take prasadam (sanctified foods). They, along with the Buddhists, chant on prayer beads, whispering the names of God. The dervish dances to evoke the sacred. And all traditions make pilgrimages to their holy sites. All these practices are very beautiful, and they reveal a rich tapestry of worship of the Transcendent Reality.

But there are several deadly viruses that destroy the connection – pride, greed, anger, fear. Once again fear is manifesting itself with the reemergence of fundamentalism. Fear inhibits our vision, and, unfortunately, most so-called religionists see God’s world as very shallow. They curse, denigrate, and discredit one another for their beliefs and practices. This gives religion a bad rep.

In the meantime, for those who take the time to learn how to see properly, this natural world, full of diversity with all its various colors, shapes, smells and tastes, reflects the wondrous diversity of God’s Eternal Realm. In their gradual awakening, they come to realize that it's all a junction.