Everyone deserves money.

Everyone deserves money.

Because we have been jaded by the abuses of money, prestige, accumulation, consumption, violence, destruction either against us or our own participation we hold tight to money for the perceived protection: what it can give us, what it can be for us, what it can mean for us. In other words, we have constructed a "fiat self" in which we have used paper, or "fiat currency," to symbolize our Being; paper now having the power to destroy our Being just as quickly as we have created it.

So, what about the homeless, destitute man/woman/child at the intersection, by the liquor store, at the bus stop, in the welfare line, at the SSI building, food bank? We have erected conditions like the IMF and World Bank, "I will give him money if he buys food with it or uses it to get back home but not for booze, not for drugs, not for cigarettes." WHY NOT? Why stop "3rd world" countries from nourishing their local industries and support internal infrastructural changes, possibly finance a few mistakes? Why police others to live ascetic lives? -- Maybe to manage and monitor the money to fund more essential needs for more people-- but we don't even do that (at least I don't when I drive by trying not to make eye contact).

EVERYONE DESERVES MONEY. Just as we all deserve the dignity and integrity of birth and exploration.

Could, Should, Would

The momentum of accusation, fear, and rage.

" You could have done this."

" You should have done that."

" I would have done..."

How to let go of involving yourself in the Other?

Climbing the Ladder

Our Inner Ladder is the only real ladder in this rat race.

The moment that we set aside our ever-silence for being heard; once caught on to the ambition of achieving, being understood, recognized, appreciated, loved, liked, to-gathered...
All must have to be lost.

Logos Legos - Constructing the Real World

Almost anything can be argued logically.

A computer can be made to do almost anything without a second thought, without refuting, without a question of morality-immorality --- just press a button or two.

A robot is very logical indeed.

Donations, Charity, Tithings, and other Giving

Donations, charity, tithings, etc are customary modes of income for not-for-profits, churches, poverty-action and social justice programs.


What I have come to find more often as I consider my own donation-giving and the idea of how much to who, I have had to reflect on the following - this dialog is directed in particular to my Dharma center activities, but can easily be directed at any of the kinds of organizations mentioned above.

What kind of a person am I without this organization? Who have I become and how have I benefited from what this organization has given to me? How can I help to continue to make this available to others?

Too often in the west, it seems we overlook the impact of such places when no price tag is attached -- as if we have forgotten how to generate our innate generosity. But the most powerful statement for me is -- who do I become (what are my inherent dependent-arisings) without this help, community, experience?


Give to world peace. Merry Christmas.