Spiritual Renunciation

Over the last few months, I have been ranting, complaining, and showing my outrage along with many friends concerning the state of affairs in the US and in the world. Of course, perceiving injustice and disparity and commenting or doing something about it is considered a good thing by many. But, how does this fit in with spiritual renunciation? This has been troubling to me. I feel pulled by worldly concern on the one hand, and the tenets of my spiritual practice.

In Buddhism, we believe that there are three poisons afflicting the world as we know it, Desire (otherwise known as greed and craving), Anger, and the most fundamental, Ignorance. If someone wishes to attain wisdom and compassion for the sake all living beings, then the renunciation and transformation of self-grasping (craving and aversion) is paramount.

The Six Perfections are Generosity, Patience, Integrity (Morality), Effort, Meditation, and Transcendent Wisdom. The practice of these principles, in my view, is the way to develop spiritually. So, how do I reconcile this practice with my ranting of the past few months? I cannot and this pains me as political expression is fundamental to the principles of this country. It is a bad habit. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." This means, to me, that finding harmonious and positive solutions and expressing them verbally and physically is more in line with my practice.

This doesn't mean that I don't see or agree with the dark forces arising at every turn. That is the nature of this world and will always be the case.

The most important thing to me is my spiritual practice and it involves developing Love, Compassion, and Wisdom to the best of my ability with my body, speech, and mind.

Please forgive me if I no longer participate actively in the political discussions taking place. I want to participate by becoming more of a light in this world and focus my attention on that. This is why I teach meditation and spiritual Qigong.