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This passage made me think of outer work and inner work, which often informs outer work and hence, is equally, if not more important.  There is a saying that "Work is an expression of who you are so who you are is what needs to be worked at."  I also read this poem that connects to this:

Working Together

Thanks for all your sharings.

Somik, I appreciate your online sharing, as it helped me feel I was there.  I am practicing being a silent witness (from here).  Could identify with what many shared.  Although the group I sat with shared different perspectives, I took away from the passage the terms discipline, responsibility, and capacity/capability, and what they really mean to each of us.  It is in the application of these in our lives that I feel makes a difference.

Discipline: self-control or regulation

Responsibility: the ability to respond, our duty

Capacity/Capability: how capable/able we are, our potential

I relate these with the heart.  In all, what we are able to hold within our hearts can reflect out in the world.  So, discipline (even though is usually regarded as individualistically) can also be a practice that many embody; a more universal responsibility that we carry can help make the world a better place, and how capable we are to achieve this is a result of our discipline/practice.  I related these with a story of the observation of the masses during the holiday season—more gentleness, generosity, giving (in different forms—financially, gifting, practicing giving—all charitable endeavors).  Talking about a steel-drum player I heard on the subway platform and witnessing people connecting to the music (even though he was not playing holiday-themed songs) made me think how we can connect/identify/relate to people we may not normally (I think one way is through individual spiritual practice).

In terms of the 3 do/don'ts, I couldn’t quite grasp the 2^nd one, as when there is nothing to do (even though to some level—there is always something one can do), I would think people may just get lazy and twiddle their thumbs. 

Our circle was questioning the context of this passage, in referring to land-based peoples.  Was this a term of reference as opposed to sea-faring people or Native/Aboriginal/Indigenous peoples? I think some of us thought we should have read Thomas Cleary’s Zen Lessons as a passage instead—possibly a future reading?   

Some links that came up from this week’s passage:

Cooperatives/co-ownership/co-housing

http://www.shareable.net/blog/from-the-story-of-stuff-to-the-story-of-sharing-video-0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_commons

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons

I think of open source and public domain versus private property and imminent domain. 

The public trust, the commons are of, by, and for the local people.  I see local municipal decentralized self-government and home/self-rule as parts of the equations to freedom.

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/2009/ostrom.html

http://www.celdf.org/article.php?id=536

http://www.celdf.org/section.php?id=42

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swadeshi_movement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarvodaya

It seems like that is what non-governmental organizations and volunteer-based and community-led movements embody-- strong, decentralized development and reconstruction of society at the grassroots level (the bottom-up approach).

I feel honored and privileged to experience the ancient law of hospitality at the Mehta home on Wednesday evenings while I’ve been here.  I hope to exhibit the same hospitality when inviting friends and family over. 

This reading connected a lot to http://www.ijourney.org/index.php?tid=724 for me, as I feel Nature is both Right (correct) and Bright (intelligence) in showing these principles and concepts of sharing the abundance or wealth with everyone.  Also, ecology and the interrelationships and interdependence (food webs is an example) of life is apparent.  It reminded me of today at the Free Farm, where a man who did not seem to own much, came into the farm to check it out.  I think he connected to it later, and to some volunteers who listened to his story and shared with him about the place.  He was one of the last people to leave the farm!  : )  I think oases of nature in the midst of inner cities (AKA “concrete jungles”) are blessings to everyone, regardless of who they are.

"Hope is nature's way of enabling us to survive so that we can discover nature itself"

Namaste one and all, and all in one.  : )  I appreciate and am grateful to Aunty and Uncle and the larger Mehta/Metta family for opening their homes and hosting Wednesdays worldwide.  And, I want to thank and acknowledge all the behind-the-scenes work and those involved in making Wednesdays happen in the spirit that they do.  They biomimic/model/display/exhibit the gifts and mysterious/serendipitous wisdom/intelligence of nature/the natural world/life as it is (all about sharing, giving/gifting the abundance and taking/doing what is needed, and balance—all haves, no have-nots—work like ecosystem processes and services/gifts).  I have seen the term biomimicry used to model technology/construction/design off of natural things and qualities, but the system itself (ways/laws of nature) can also be modeled.  If only our economic system modeled ecology, equity and the beneficial partnerships/interdependence of all, and we knew and understood the word “enough.”  This is true/real progress/development/reform.  Reminds me of the quote by R. Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality.  To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”  And a quote by Albert Einstein: "A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

This passage really resonated with me—perhaps, due to the environmental theme.  And although I’ve been termed a “nature person,” the truth is that we are it/the environment, and it/the environment is us.  We are a mere part/speck of the larger whole/scheme of things (world/planet, universe/cosmos, energy).  There is no distinction really between what is “outside” us and “inside” us (no “other”), in the ultimate reality of things, or the bigger picture (as seen/experienced by Indigenous people and enlightened beings).  Environmental health really equals environmental justice.  The health of us human beings is greatly dependent on the health of the environment at-large (environmental and human/public health are one and the same; they are so closely connected, they are inseparable).  As one of the newest/youngest species on the planet, it’s amazing that we’ve forgotten or have gotten so off-track with this, or think that this is mysterious (maybe we are not the most evolved?).

Learning to treat others (including other organisms/life forms—both animate and inanimate, and the ambient forces/elements), as part of us/ourselves (higher Self), is a lesson that I feel can make a world of difference.  We are all part of a whole.  I feel the Wednesdays experience is part of this (embodying and exhibiting that “sharing is caring,” “charity begins at home,” and “home is where the heart is.”).  I know that it is easier said than done, but it would address consumption/profit, power/domination/subjugation of, treating nature/natural things as subordinate/inferior, and exploitation of the earth (of each other—people, other life forms, the ambient forces/elements—in sum, the gifts the Earth/Mother Nature provides).  It is a challenge/opportunity we all face.

In addressing the ecology of regions and taking into account that the natural world (air, water, lands/foods) and its inhabitants (humans, animals, plants, fungi, and all other forms of being) have fundamental/inalienable/unalienable/inherent rights (as all have worth/value/price/cost—with these terms, it’s more than the association with a $ and market society), I believe we can start a global people’s movement where local citizens advocate for the rights of those without voices, or languages different from our own, who are seldom heard in society.

This passage addressed sustainable agriculture and development (and I associate this with local decentralized governments/self-organized cooperatives/healthy participatory communities and democracies), ecology—the dynamics and interrelationships/interdependence between species, organic (more than just the label/tag, but the inherent design/process of things—cradle-to-cradle, instead of cradle-to-grave manufacturing/production/economy) agriculture/agoecology/agroforestry/permaculture, the gift “economy” (nature’s way of handling things).  It reminded me of permaculturalist Bill Mollison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mollison), and Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masanobu_Fukuoka), the do-nothing/natural farmer (letting nature take its natural course, as nature is both right/correct and bright/intelligent to model off of, and not interfere with). 

In a description of Alaska (a place I’ve lived and worked) by Sheila Metzner, she states: "I was born in the city- in Brooklyn, where I live now.  The world I grew up in is a constructed world, though very magical in its own way.  But in a place like this, there's a real connection with higher forces, whatever they may be.  It simplifies the concept of what's really important in life, what you value."  My experience in Alaska made me rethink the environmental crisis we are in (global in scope), because what we do to the environment we do to ourselves. 

The article also touched on corn.  I can go on at length about corn (“maiz” en Espanol/in Spanish; one of the most genetically-engineered crops) and its potential ecological and health risks.  It’s amazing (or should I say, “a-maiz-ing”—pun intended!  ;)  ) that the wise Indigenous people on the planet who have cultivated corn the traditional way for centuries, if not millennia, have preserved the biodiversity/multi-colored varieties (beautiful in sight, taste, and importance, among other properties).  And the more varieties/greater biodiversity, the ecologically stronger the environment (for evolution to take place, and in case of environmental disasters).  I really admire those who contribute to planetary health, human and non-human beings, stewards of the environment that provide the associated intellectual, social, and ethical groundwork for new solutions to global environmental/public health issues.

The article also touched on raccoon dogs, which reminded me of raccoons (a nocturnal mammal that many people fear, or consider as “pests”).  A woman I’ve noticed, in the city where I’m based, feeds both raccoons and stray cats (cat food from cans to both species, I think) to satiate them so that they don’t need to go rummaging in garbage cans around town near homes, and risk being attacked by humans, dogs or other beings.  I first thought that this was odd, but now see the reasoning behind this.  I also have come across raccoons at night while walking, and I can’t describe in words the experience making eye-contact connecting with them, and confronting the associated “fear” with this animal.

The article made me think of the quote by Jimi Hendrix: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will be at peace.”

I know there are songs about the Power of Love and giving love/give yourself (ego, identity) away.

The circle of sharing included people sharing different opposites to the word love (which is truly unconditional, unbiased, and all encompassing/embracing/universal): hate, ambivalence, indifference, fear, judgment, partiality, antipathy (a strongly negative feeling, opposite of empathy/sympathy, acceptance—feeling for others, compassion in action), no love. 

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.”  --Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Love being without borders, lines, boundaries, walls and whole (greater than/transcends the sum of its parts) connects to a side project I have been thinking of pursuing (can share more in person with those interested).

I think of the phrase: “may the force be with you” from Star Wars.  Imagine a worldwide movement, which I feel this is a part of, led proactively through/in love, and not all the defensive struggles that are occurring more commonly.

Nipun touched on his assessment of the words: Power (ego) and force (selfless service, which anyone can tap into) and mentioned a book, called Power versus Force.

It’s a great honor and privilege to meet with such brave and inspiring souls: “A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave. “ --Mohandas K. Gandhi

Neil mentioned some stories, including one about a child who is scared of the wicked witch and a caretaker reaching out to her at her level by giving her a glass of water to throw on the witch, for in case she would need it. 

Bhoutik & Viral touched on Tough Love, in teen years (below age 20)…  ;)

Tobias shared through visual imagery about a business model centered around love, where love is the target/”bull’s eye” and with concentric circles around it, working for pay/to get paid to provide in the spirit of love for loved ones, and the outermost circle also being love.

The passage also reminded me of subverting the dominant paradigm and creating a new one: “Ultimately the creation of a new paradigm in the contemporary society is not about putting the right kind of people in power, but the right kind of power in people.”  --Michael Nagler

Relates to Einstein’s quote: “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”  An Image

One can reflect on this at times of election with fresh, new thinking, new ways of doing things, and working towards common/universal visions.

One person shared his experience on airplanes.  It reminded me of this clip, worth watching for a good laugh.

And a friend’s recent experience: