The more I sit in meditation, the more I am reminded how much I want to stay fully engaged in my efforts to build a more just, equitable, and compassionate world while maintaining a sense of peace.
I know I’m not alone in this view. All over the world there are movements underway in an effort to address inequalities and injustices. Is it possible to be fully engaged and peaceful?
Yes, it is. And the very simple practice of sitting each day for five minutes can help us with that. We can come to a place of inner peace before engaging in a movement to address the issue that moves us into action.
I also recommend a simple practice of bringing the attention to the breath. And then gently bringing our attention back to the breath, over and over, and over again. This practice grounds us into our center ─ a place of inner peace that always resides within us.
I also came across the fourteen precepts of ‘Engaged Buddhism’ as set out by Thich Nhat Hanh – here is a simplified version, but you can read the full version here.
1. Do not be bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones.
2 . Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
3. Do not force others to adopt your views.
4. Do not avoid suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Find ways to be with those who are suffering.
5 . Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need.
6 . Do not maintain anger or hatred. As soon as they arise, turn your attention to your breath in order to see and understand the nature of your hatred.
7. Do not lose yourself in your surroundings. Practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. Be in touch with what is wondrous, refreshing, and healing both inside and around you.
8 . Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9 . Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.
10. Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party.
11 . Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion.
12 . Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.
13 . Possess nothing that should belong to others.
14 . Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed or defeated or get caught up in the energy of anger without having any way to process it.
Return to the breath. Practice mindful breathing.
It was the only way I found to maintain a sense of grounding amidst a chaotic world. The world needs more peacefully engaged warriors of compassion.
Sit down. Sit still. Pay attention. And come back to your breath, again and again.
And as my teacher once told me, “When you don’t know what to do, have a cup of tea.”