Zen Habits: Nothing is Wrong with the World
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Dear OM Meditation Blog Subscribers:
Today I would like to address something which I believe cannot let pass without saying something. It is regarding today’s post by the Zen Habits Dot Net blog - which basically is an exposition about how “everything in the world really is alright” and that there are no problems. I personally and professionally find this highly offensive.
I don’t even know where to begin - but my feeling about life is simple - the goal of Vedanta Philosophy says that there is the One Universal Self and as we all awaken to this - then all of our problems eventually will be worked out. Currently, however, that is NOT the case. Saying “not a damn thing is wrong with the world” is making a mockery of all political prisoners, rape victims, war victims, victims of extortion, corruption, bribery, immorality, and violence. Nothing is wrong? OH REALLY!
It is unbelievable the courage that this blog has to call itself spiritual. A really spiritual blog, like mine here, will not write just anything just to get subscribers or to get readers. Quite the contrary. One who puts content on the web and represents the Holy Dharma has a responsibility, alias a big one, to present things that are accurate and also that help others, and that do not do any harm out of business self-interest.
Zen is a noble Buddhist path and those who use “Zen” in their web URL should honor this path by honoring all people, especially those who are suffering under oppressive political and economic forces.
2 Comments
August 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Hi Keith! I just wanted to drop by and say thank you for participating in the conversation I started on this topic. It’s been a lively one with some very strong opinions, and I value your perspective.
I’d just like to clarify a couple of things. First, Zen Habits isn’t a spiritual blog. That’s a misunderstanding many people have, because I have the word Zen in my name. I’m more about simplicity and being in the moment than spirituality.
Second, I do not think that rape and war and murder and the like are good things … as I said in my post, my goal is to find compassion in these cases — the desire to relieve suffering — and seek true understanding, rather than just have judgment.
As I said in the post, we should not try to stop doing good. We should find compassion and seek to heal pains and sufferings. We should seek understanding, and try to love, rather than hate and be upset at problems.
However, I accept that not all people will see things my way, so I appreciate the different viewpoints!
Thanks, Keith, for allowing me to clarify! And good luck on your spiritual journey.
August 17th, 2008 at 8:08 am
@Leo - Thank you Leo for your reply to this post. I thank you for clarifying your post and I also hope that your post at Zen Habits has not offended anyone who has suffered at the hands of unjust legal, religious, political, or economics forces, because indeed such forces do exist in the world and for that reason I have established this blog - to offer hope to those who cannot find material relief from suffering. Fortunately, the message of the Himalayan yogis is “go within” - and in this way we can bypass those external forces that want to oppress individuals, especially the very poor. Unfortunately, “not a damn thing is wrong with the world” is something I cannot personally accept, however, the internet is a ***free*** place for everyone to express his or her opinion so with that said you are free to say what you wish.
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