Why Human Rights Matter

This should go without saying right? Of course we should care about human rights issues domestically and abroad, what kind of people would we be if we didn't? The reality is though that we lead very busy lives and have 8 second attention spans, we are also distracted and assaulted by major media sources. Therefore, its hard to see whats real and whats important to focus on.

In the US, we pride ourselves on our freedom and while we differ on how to do it, we all agree that other people being free worldwide is a good thing. Not that people need to live life like Americans do, rather that they should be able to practice their spiritual beliefs and have access to clean water simple things like that, we can agree there right?

Yet we wage wars in ancient deserts to allegedly 'liberate' but sometimes our leaders remain reluctant to talk to countries who are clearly involved in egregious human rights abuses. Obama met with Xi Jinping China's leader today at APEC about trade and tourist visas. You know what he didn't talk about that the Chinese government performs state sponsored ORGAN HARVESTING OF LIVE PEOPLE FOR PRACTICING MEDITATION. Does that sound outrageous to you? Unbelievable? Believe it. More info at StopOrganharvesting.org.

Human rights matter, we can't just pretend to be a nation we have to be that nation. Don't we have an obligation to condemn human rights violations?  Didn't we make a global promise in the mid 1940's of "never again". But what if this was happening again? In 2014?

This blog is not meant to have a shouting tone, but these things are important to me. And while there are many things we can concern ourselves with in the world I do think a growing global consciousness around human rights is a really good place to start. When we have compassion for others we become better people ourselves.

Who is Talking?

Like checking my motives, it’s really important for me to recognize who is talking or thinking in particular situations. What I mean by that is we are all prone to succumbing to emotion from time to time. Something that’s aggravating, depressing, or makes us feel overwhelmed or upset, is bound to happen to some degree.

What’s really important to me is to take some time whether it be in text, face to face, or email or whatever to pause and recognize who is actually talking or writing that email or text. Is it really me speaking? Or are there overtones or subtleties of frustration, fear, jealousy, annoyance, or anger? Is compassion present? Am I a being kind? 

Here’s what usually happens, when it isn’t me speaking when it is one of these negative emotions (this is hardest to control when something just happened or it happens within the conversation I’m responding to) I need to take a moment to recognize that.

This is exceedingly hard to do, especially when the wound is freshest. One of the biggest things meditation, writing, and taking regular personal inventory has done for me is sometimes, definitely not all the time, but hopefully much of the time it allows me a buffer time where I don’t have to react to situations. I can regroup and allow myself to speak over all the other loud noises (emotions) bouncing around in my head.

Though I will be the first to admit I need to do better with this and this is the true testing ground for the way I want to live my life, and how I actually am. One of the most valuable lessons my dad ever taught me was to live by example, do as I do not as I say.

Letting Go

"The lesson of this season, more than any other, is to release the waste, the old, and useless aspects of our lives in order to uncover all that is meaningful and possible."

This quote is from an article about how Chinese medicine teaches us Autumn is the season for letting go. Coming out of a season of growth leaves start to change color (one of the biggest things I miss about home) and these leaves eventually wither away, lose their color and die. The trees hold on only briefly to this change, but they do not fight because its an inevitable change of the season.

Why can't we, like the tree's also learn to let go? Not just in this season, but all the time. We constantly hold onto things that aren't positive or helpful. For me sometimes these are relationships, friendships, or behaviors about myself I know about but refuse to let go of. 

Of course, being able to recognize and look inward daily to detect my own misconceptions, ego, and areas of growth through meditation is key. Awareness is only half the battle though, then being willing to accept to let those toxic things go and lose the attachment to these things becomes difficult even though I know they aren't healthy or positive. 

Starting fresh with a renewed focus is so important, its vital really. Otherwise wouldn't we dwell in all of the negative things that happen to us? I heard something recently that Jim Carrey said (he's a deep dude look it up ). He said "negative experiences will repeat as long as they remain useful to you". 

Interesting concept and makes you think about all the negative and unhealthy things we aren't willing to let go of because somehow they remain useful in some strange way. This fall ideally we could be like the trees, show a little color, and let go what we need to and  survive and grow as healthy adults.

Why I Am Going to Stop Eating Meat (For Now)

 First off, I love eating meat. Animal based protein and I have a multi-decades long relationship. Rarely in my life have I ever considered eating meat a conscious choice. I also have been fooled and tricked somewhat by ego and marketing into thinking I need animal based protein to survive. While I need protein, maybe I don’t actually need animal based protein for anything.

I went to a talk last night by Colin Campbell (a rad human who regardless of your diet you should be aware of). Not to get to into it, but the hundred plus years of research he presented (I’ll let you research it on your own) really hit it home for me.

 It made me think what has meat really done for me in this relationship?

 If I accept this countless and documented research that links meat eating to disease (or am at least open to it) the question becomes what’s the problem to try and stop eating meat? Here from a Buddhist perspective I have to admit my attachment and addiction to meat. Which is causing me to hold onto ignorant unscientific notions about meat, which aren’t healthy or productive.

A doctor friend of mine told me it takes about 6 weeks for our bodies to kick the meat habit. Therefore, I told myself I would do a totally plant based whole diet for at least 6 weeks starting today and make a longer term decision at the end of that time. I owe it to myself to at least try this, because afterall isn’t practice the ultimate test?

I want to note here this is really a health decision and while I have some ethical concerns over the meat industry I don’t have any ethical aversions to the idea of eating meat. This decision is just strictly for health and nutrition.

I won’t blog about this again until the end of 6 weeks and I’ll let you know how it went.  

Human Interaction in the Age of Texting

Last month The New York Times wrote an article about the anxiety people get from seeing the little texting bubble. This made me think about writing about how technology has really changed our brains and how we communicate with the world and each other.

Its undeniable that technology has and will continue to change human interaction. For better or worse we need to accept this and figure out ways to find healthy meaning in all our human interactions whether they are face to face or not. 

Right now much has been written about the negative effects of technology and relationships. By placing so much importance on this form of communication, we almost set ourselves up to attach too much emotion to it.


Here's something we don't recognize enough, that technology is emotional, and interaction is emotional. Just because we have hidden the emotion behind screens, doesn't mean it isn't there. In fact is may be there more so than face to face because we have nobody to answer to but ourselves in person at that point. 

Recognize what makes you happy when communicating with other humans and do more of that with or without technology. Rather than worrying or placing so much emphasis on response, put your energy into sending things out without fear or expectation of response.

Be More Vulnerable Bro

Welcome to one of my biggest problems. I think in terms of looking inward in relationships or friendships I realize one of my biggest obstacles to growth is being vulnerable. I think as much as I talk about knowing who I am and being myself all the time no matter who I am in front of and being outgoing I still struggle on a deeper level with vulnerability (maybe this blog will help).

I think it’s definitely due to ego, fear, and these strange unreal manifestations the mind comes up with. What I mean by that is letting people around you know how you feel, or expressing yourself openly with no thought of reaction or purpose is so ridiculously awesome, but it is also a huge challenge for me.

As much as I am outgoing when I get a bit deeper I am also a bit reserved. Not with my opinions (clearly) but with putting myself out there to be vulnerable.

I think it’s a guy thing. I think too it’s a mixed understanding about what constitutes looking weak or strong (which literally every guy thinks about). Nobody likes an over sharer (especially when you don’t know the person well). For me it’s just being conscious to not play it cool all the time take some risks and put myself out there.

There’s a strange liberation in making yourself vulnerable.  

Actually if I look back at some of the best things that have happened to me in many aspects of my life its all due to putting myself out there to be vulnerable. 

Reminder to self: do that more.

Passing on the Stoke

I have been thinking more and more about the significance of being genuinely happy for other people. I think as I get older I think its more and more important to show the people around you your support, or to use a surfing term "pass on the stoke". This seems simple for some people who are naturally upbeat, but for me it wasn't always easy.

 Jealousy will never equal happiness, and its one of the worst most damaging emotions I can think of. 

At times in my life when I wasn't happy or fulfilled it wasn't easy for me to be happy for other people. I think it wasn't until I grew up a bit, found a spiritual foundation, and became happier in my own life that I became capable of being happy for other people.

When I used to see my friends post awesome things on Facebook or whatever (we are now in the age of look at me! look at me!) my first thought was sometimes, wow I want that. I have to come to realize how unhealthy that first thought has the potential to be. Much of growing up for me has been about changing my first thought.

Being content with whatever it is you have, and being happy in your own skin through anything is the ideal place to be, at least for me. When I am content in all aspects then when I see my friends getting success and living out their dreams I am genuinely happy because they are.

How Can I Start Being Healthy?

When I was younger I think I used to think of health as something visual (like broccoli which I used to hate and my mom would make me eat). Diet is for sure a huge part of health. What you put into your body plays a huge part into how you feel and how your body responds. A pretty cool book I read a few years back on the bodys ability to heal itself with nutrition can be found here.

In the age of cross fit and juice cleanses it becomes hard to even understand what healthy is or how to "achieve" it.

First off I think the biggest mistake I see from watching friends is too much too fast. Whether it be with diet or exercise. Jumping from 0-60 in anything is not necessarily healthy. Also, I haven't seen that last long. People who go from a sedentary life to trying to work out everyday and changing their whole diet on a dime and keep that up long term are few and far between.

My advice for those wanting to make changes would be make solid small changes. If you don't work out much start out doing something small once a week (like running, or body weight exercises maybe) and make a few diet changes that you intend to keep maybe switch from white to brown rice, or replace white potatoes with sweet potatoes.

Small changes are still changes and things take time. Take a deep breath, if you are determined to be healthier you can be just do it in a manageable way.

Are Our Expectations Setting Us Up For Unhappiness?

Huffington Post wrote how if Generation Y expects their life to be one way, and it ends up another, they become disappointed and upset, and then naturally unhappy. The article states that maybe the key to happiness is managing your expectations to be low, and when you exceed them you’ll be happy.

I think that’s missing the point. As Gen Y, we have been brought up on the Internet, and on anything being possible. When really it isn’t.

We young(er) people have to take the reins back and set our own definitions of happiness.

A simple solution would be to manage our own expectations instead of taking what our parents definitions were.  For instance, we may never own homes as young as our parents, but we can be just as happy.

Instead of having expectations, let’s just have gratitude right? That doesn’t always seem possible though, especially when our generation has been somewhat set up to be limited.

Though it may not be our fault we got set up a bit for disappointment, it is our responsibility to adjust our expectations and set ourselves up for success rather than disappointment. In other words: let’s try and be happy.

originally: here

How to Start Meditating

This is my first official blog post. Apparently I've been a member since 2007 but never actually pulled the trigger in writing on my own blog. Going to try and post one every week, or something. Enjoy


How to Start Meditating   

 

I get this question so much from friends and family, I thought I would address it. I read a pretty cool article from Huffington Post that I really agreed with. The biggest problem people have with meditation is how to start.

It doesn’t matter what practice you go with, or if you just do your own thing, the main point is to start. 

That’s where so many people I have talked to get hung up. They feel like its impossible for them to get over their racing thoughts and that their distracting thoughts are somehow a reflection of how “good” or “bad” they are at meditation.

Let me set the record straight right now, meditation is not a sport—there is no winning or losing.

I have been actively meditating for 6 years now, and I sometimes still have the same racing thoughts as I had when I started. I don’t write that to discourage anybody; the difference between my thoughts then and my thoughts now in meditation is day and night. Now I recognize those thoughts as worries, or what in Buddhism they call “attachments.” I know that these, for the most part, are ephemeral, and I know to quiet my mind through the static.

Oftentimes, these racing or annoying thoughts in meditation are a good gauge to how I am living my life. It takes a lot of time and a lot of discipline to meditate for say a half hour or an hour. My advice to somebody just starting is to not be so concerned with how long you meditate for. Meditating for a long or short amount of time isn’t necessarily a reflection of how much benefit you are going to get from it.

For my friends and family that always say: “Ben, I wish I could meditate like you—I need meditation,” I say well then, go and do it. I have found in life that most times the only person stopping you from doing something is you. Don’t let your mind distract you. Start with 5 minutes, start with 1 minute. Start with whatever you can, the point is to just start.

originally written for here.: