You Are

You are the lotus flower,
Blooming beautifully in the muck. 

You are the oak tree,
Firmly rooted in the earth. 

You are the brilliant diamond, 
Stunning in its clarity. 

You are expanding consciousness, 
Boundless in its freedom. 


Copyright 2016 William K. Ferro 

Contemplation of the Immeasurables

Image from consciouslifenews.com

I contemplate lovingkindness; 
May all beings know love.

I contemplate joy;
May all beings know happiness. 

I contemplate compassion; 
May all beings know kindness. 

I contemplate equanimity; 
May all beings know peace. 



Copyright 2016 William K. Ferro 

Civil War: The Sequel -- Is It Inevitable?

Image from elections.ap.org

I was talking to a friend tonight, and we agreed that, regardless of the outcome of this election cycle, the country is almost sure to be convulsed by civil unrest. I was reminded of the lyrics to Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who:

     "We'll be fighting in the streets, 

     With our children at our feet, 

     And the 'morals' that they worshipped will be gone."

It's not just the most obvious suspects  (Trump supporters) who are likely to riot; crazed, overzealous supporters of both Clinton and Sanders are also bound to be involved. The cult of personality around Sanders is inherently problematic, as all such cults are. (I say that as a strong supporter of his, but -- I hope -- not an unhinged one.) Clinton's stalwarts, I fear, have a more visceral problem: in my judgment, many of their minds are clouded by issues of gender and the institutional sexism woven into American life. Both are strong invitations to "think with the blood."

Then there are the god-botherers, who are even more certain than normal that the entire culture is literally on the highway to hell. They clearly feel profoundly alienated, left behind (ironically) by a culture that's had its fill of their zealotry and has no more stomach for their systemic bigotry. The inevitable sidelining of Cruz is likely to push THEM over the edge. 

What's clearly needed is a core group of calm, reasonable adults -- wise tribal elders, if you will -- who can pump a huge wave of equanimity, civility and balance into the culture. That may prevent, or at least ameliorate, the looming paroxysm. 

Civil War: The Sequel is not inevitable, although at present it does seem likely to manifest in some form. Let's hope we can contain the worst of the fallout. 

Copyright 2016 William K. Ferro 

A State of Mind

I think the failure on the part of many Americans to understand us Sanders diehards is rooted in the erroneous belief that we're campaigning for a nice, slightly irascible old guy who gives us a warm fuzzy.

In fact, what we're fighting for is a return to our founding values: E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one), the Bill of Rights, the common good. We're interested in reclaiming our democratic republic from the jaws of plutocracy. We don't want our kids and grandkids coming back from various hell dimensions in boxes (or shattered in body and mind) so a handful of rich sociopaths can get even richer.

We think that a Supreme Court decision that has put every elected office in the country up for sale to the highest bidder deserves to be tossed in the trash. That sending kids to college is better than sending them to the desert to kill and die for fossil fuels.

We agree (with Thomas Jefferson) that the separation of church and state is an absolute requirement for a free society. That the bodily autonomy rights of women are not up for debate. That to poison the environment is to poison ourselves; that failure to act immediately and decisively against climate change will have a disastrous impact not just on future generations, but on people trying to survive today.

These are just a few of the things we're deeply committed to. The fight doesn't begin or end with one man, one politician, one campaign. Being a Sanders supporter is a state of mind.



Copyright 2016 William K. Ferro 

Help Us Out, Won't You?

I've written before that the world rather desperately needs not more successful people, more powerful people or more wealthy people. What the world -- the entire biosphere, in fact -- needs is more truly happy people. 

If you're reading this, I'll assume you're with me on that score, and shall proceed with the "how-to" of the task.

There are countless sources of deep, abiding happiness in your field of view at this very moment. If you have functioning eyes, all manner of forms, colors, and designs both natural and man made are available to you. Yes, whatever afflictions you have are still there, but spare some attention for the the gorgeous sights around you right now. It will take away some of the fixation you have with all those ongoing irritants (everyone has them, you know).

Your ears still work to some degree! A natural soundtrack plays the moment you step outdoors. Birds in enraptured song, the distant breathing of the highway, raindrops on the young, green leaves of trees. You are able to enjoy the tactile aspects of the world: to hold an abandoned bird's nest in your hand, to pet a cat, to shake hands with a friend.

The sources of happiness go on and on. There is music, love, meaningful work, friendship and art. There are dizzying heights to be scaled through dedicated spiritual practice.

In short, you can help the entire world, simply by nurturing awareness of the countless conditions for happiness surrounding you. I hope you'll help us all out-- and yourself in the bargain.



Copyright 2016 William K. Ferro

What Else?

How close to the sun
Are you willing to fly?
How high are you planning to soar?
Lay claim to the moment
And shatter the sky.
What else are you up there for?



Copyright 2016 William K. Ferro

The Bell of Mindfulness

The bell of mindfulness resounds;
Inner tensions begin to dissolve.
My mind is lucid;
My body is at ease.
Conscious breathing anchors me
To the island of safety within. 
My heart is a garden
Where peaceful blossoms bloom.




Copyright 2016 William K. Ferro