i sit

so that

i may stand

i breathe in

with love

allowing

all that i feel

all that is around me

into my heart

i breathe out

with love

allowing all that i hold

all that i carry

to sink

into the earth

in her generosity

i am emptied

in her generosity

i am free

to rise up

to love

i touch the earth

she bears witness

to love

to life

to all.

~j

#meditation #OpenHeart #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #SitDownRiseUp #EngagedBuddhist #Zen #JMWpoetry #JMWphotography #BWphotography #photography

reflections from yesterday’s midterm elections…

so much to be thankful for with then flip of the House. so many women elected to office! women of color, Indigenous, and Muslim. evidence of opening minds and hearts, and an electorate moving in a progressive direction. this is good. and all while being up against tactics of voter suppression and fear mongering.

however, I am so disappointed with the 50th district. the idea that Republican strong hold and racist, Islamophobic fear tactics has worked is deeply disheartening. that voters in the 50th district would choose a man who has not only not served them well, but has been indicted by a Grand Jury for over 60 counts of criminal conduct, is baffling. Ammar is an incredible candidate and will be an incredible public servant when elected some day.

there is a continued wave of fear, racism, and misogyny that have appeared victorious in some parts of the country with some candidates. such a blight on this country.

the good news is medicare should be safe, social security should be safe, ACA covering pre-existing conditions should be safe, Mueller’s investigation should be safe. it can’t be understated how important these are and how much of a victory these elections results are regarding these issues.

that being said, the President has come out fighting, Mitch McConnell has come out fighting, and there is still a compromised GOP becoming more Trumpian than conservative. i think we still have rough times ahead. the next two years are going to be tough.

much work to still be done in protecting what is right and good, in opening minds and hearts. we must remain focused and ever vigilant, persistent in our work for truth and justice, in combatting racism, misogyny, hate, aggression and violence both in word and action.

let’s begin by remembering to breathe, to make self care a priority, keeping our hearts open and our minds focused.

grateful to call friends the many people who work tirelessly for what is compassionate and kind, for what is true and just, love and light.

sunset or sunrise? we decide.

onward.

~j

#SitDownRiseUp #PlantingSeeds #TheLongArc #EngagedBuddhist #Breathe #Zen #JMWart #JMWphotography

there is a vast ocean of possibilities for our country, for humanity, for the world, both here in the present and for the future which is made of seeds planted here in the present.

we don’t have to be a people of fear, of false security, of anger and aggression, of bigotry and hate.

we can be a people of open-heartedness, of empathy, of compassion, and kindness.

SO PLEASE #VOTE

👍🏻✊🏻🙏🏻

#TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #empathy #OpenHeart #compassion #EngagedBuddhist #Zen #Enso #JMWart

Liberation is not something you have to create; liberation is inside you.

~ Tai Situ Rinpoche

stay open, stay free.

#WakeUp #JustThis #ThisMoment #StayOpenStayFree #PlantingSeeds #TheLongArc #Zen #enso #calligraphy #JMWa

don’t get ahead of yourself. you, too, are a refugee. on this land, on this earth. only here for a short time…hopefully to do some good and learn a little about loving better and more.

don’t turn your back on your spiritual practice (if your have one). every major religion teaches to welcome the stranger and take care of your neighbor. if you practice a religion, what are you doing in your life to live this? where are the strangers, who are your neighbors?

don’t turn your back on humanity, on life. we all share this space, we bleed, we hurt, we want happiness and love.

don’t just think of short term, think of the long arc. your life will end, sooner than you hope, but hopefully not for a while yet so you can continue to grow in your love. think about your children, your children’s children and all the generations ahead. place yourself in the shoes of other people. you’re the one who is fleeing danger and harm with your children and family in tow. what would you do? you’re the one deciding between your meals for a week and the medicine you need to stay healthy or alive. what would you do, what do you need? you’re the one who has lost your job, who didn’t see life turning in such a way, the world moving forward as it has. what do you need, what do you wish for? you’re the one who survived a worship service or day at school or concert, while many around you lost their life in a horrific few minutes of machine noise and screams. what do you do, what do your fight for? you’re the one sending your child out into the world afraid and worries for them simply because their skin color is darker. what do you do with that? how do you prepare them for that? how do you protect them from that?

empathy. that is what is missing.

we cannot wait to see it from the highest offices, or from some heroes swooping in to rescue us.

we must pull it from the depths of our own hearts and call others to account – especially those in higher office.

what seeds have we planted?

actions matter, words matter. we are responsible for what we offer and the part it plays in the consequences that follow.

live simply, talk honestly, with an open heart, and an intention to bring benefit rather than harm and suffering in all of your ways.

this is what i was thinking about as i filled out my ballot. i hope you consider the same. you have a voice, you have a vote, you have a responsibility to yourself and others to use this right to create this country. don’t leave it in the hands of others without doing your part.

what country do you want?

~j

#VOTE #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #compassion #kindness #N

we got together as a family last night and filled out our ballots.

earlier today they were delivered and sent out from the post office.

may sanity, compassion, and the best of humanity prevail on November 6th 👍🏻✊🏻🙏🏻

#VOTE ☑️

#TheLongArc

The events unfolding this past week, culminating in the horrific tragedy at Tree Of Life Synagogue have been so dark.

What to do with this energy?

As a Buddhist, I meditate and pray.

As an artist, I create art.

As both, I try to take action and serve, to offer healing.

In meditation, this image came to me – the Star of David, the candle, the word shalom.

I offer it to you.

And I ask that you join me in donating to HIAS to contribute to their good work and to what is light and good in this world.

May all be free from suffering.

~j

#Shalom #TreeOfLifeSynagogue #Peace #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #SitDownRiseUp #EngagedBuddhist #Calligraphy #Zen #JMWart #HIAS