Comments on: Real Heroes vs Imaginary Ones

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:36:03 +0000

White noise,
Black Power;
Middleway-gray
opens Heart’s flower.

By: susan

susan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:14:13 +0000

Hi Robert. It IS amazing how relevant the Buddhist teachings are. Maybe that’s because they’re not about Buddhism per se (or God or beliefs) but about the mind and how it works. It never ceases to astonish me how modern and applicable the teachings are. And we’re very, very lucky to have Trungpa Rinpoche’s work available to us. For me, the Shambhala teachings have more to do with everyday life than anything I’ve ever read. It’s a privilege to try to write about these things within the context of my own life.

As always, I value your comments tremendously! Susan

By: robert birkenes

robert birkenes — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:44:55 +0000

Isn’t it amazing that most of the Buddhist teachings are even more relevant today than 2600 years ago? Think about attachment, and how it relates to modern society that is so very self-absorbed and unhappy; with more to consume, we struggle more with attachment than even the wealthiest in ancient India. I find that Trungpa Rinpoche’s writings from 30 years ago are also still fresh and appropriate for today’s world.

Why is that amazing? Because all of the physical things you’re mentioning are relatively new: iPods, treadmills, TV, living at hyperspeed, multitasking, the internet, blogs, marketing campaigns, and branding (especially personal branding, yech!). But the underlying substance–humans grappling to see what is real beneath the appearances, living in the present rather than hurrying to the future or dwelling on the past–has not changed in thousands of years.

We are fortunate to live in a time when the afflictions are widespread, but mindfulness and Buddhist teachings are spreading and gaining acceptance among scientists, psychologists, talk-show hosts (yeah Oprah and Tyra!), lawyers, and the public. Thanks largely to the corps of dedicated and talented writers such as you (Susan), Michael, and others. (Not to mention the consumers that buy those books and subscribe to the magazines!)

By: riva

riva — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:31:00 +0000

Hooray! So beautifully put, Susan. I hate the idea of people branding themselves — and (don’t hate me for it but,) I’ve worked in advertising most of my life. Branding is a blight. Humanity as commerce. We buy into it at the loss of our souls. Isn’t it enough for us to be who we are authentically?

By: Idara

Idara — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:21:23 +0000

Susan,
I read your post with considerable interest and identified with several of your concerns. However, I am reminded by a quote that I heard several years ago by (of all people) celebrity Chef Mario Batali- he stated that one’s brand was “your own truth expressed consistently.”
Now while you may not have anything against Al Sharpton (I actually do) but besides this, historically his approach to shedding light to perceived (or imagined injustices) to “call the brothers and sisters” together for a march. There are many people who still are drawn to this mode of public expression regardless of how staged it may appear- this is their truth of how to share their concerns in the forum of public opinion. In this day and age when so many feel so helpless and inept in their ability to effect change or to “force” remembrance of situations that still deeply touch them, some of these “old time” civil rights era approaches still have appeal to many. It’s almost as if it might be necessary to “go beyond the field of right and wrong” per our elder statesman Rumi and have a conversation on how best we can honor those who have gone before us, while maintaining the integrity of their message. I do not think it is an easy task, but I do feel it is worth broaching the topic and resisting the temptation to paint any one approach with a broad brush, for this would essentially put an end to any constructive dialogue that could possibly bring about any potential shifts.