According to the teachings of the Buddha, the middle way
is the path of wisdom. It promotes moderation between the self-indulgent
pleasures of the world and the austere practices of self-mortification. And
while this middle way or road denotes a balance between extremes, it is not to
be taken to mean non-action, but rather an ongoing effort to maintain that
balance.
This past week, our country suffered another school
shooting, this time at a community college in Oregon. Nine dead and nine
injured. A young gunman had entered and randomly shot teachers and students,
young and old, without respect for human life at all before turning one of the
weapons upon himself. Yes, weapons. He had six with him and another seven at
his place of residence.
Facebook and other social media immediately begin filling
up with comments, condolences, and accusations. Those wanting gun control were
using it as proof that it was needed. Those that want no gun control used it as
proof it was not needed. Fingers pointed to the president as if it is his
fault. I saw someone post a picture of Chris Mintz, our local hero there, which
stepped up and tried to help. And he was lucky…he was shot several times but
survived. The picture of him said something like, “No invitation to the White
House” insinuating that our President did not consider him a hero. He is lying
in a hospital bed and going through surgeries! How could our President have even
had the time to invite him, and certainly it would have to be an event far into
the future as his recovery will be extensive. Then I saw that someone had put
up a post about the President remaining silent on the issue. Does anyone watch
the news? Obama was by no means silent.
The purpose of this blog is not to condone gun policies;
but, rather to serve a twofold purpose. The first purpose is back to the
opening on the Middle Road. I personally do not care for guns. I do, however,
believe in our rights as American citizens to own them. It was one of the basic
rights granted to our newly formed country and for good reason. Our forefathers
knew that when a government moves to ban guns from its people, it leaves people
open to be controlled by their government in unsavory ways. So we have the two
ends: one says we should be able to own guns without any questions asked and
without any stipulations at all. The other faction says we should not be
allowed to own guns. But there is another road….a middle road where each of
these extreme points of view take one step….just one step….towards the other.
It could be that people wanting to purchase guns would be required to take a
class, or at least have a background check performed. I know in many
professions and in many workplaces a background check is performed and we think
nothing of it. We know that guns don’t kill, people do! Or that there would be
a maximum amount of guns one person could own. I’m not here to propose the
middle road of all this, but rather to suggest this middle does exist.
Compromise is essential to our lives.
Take the matter of abortion. I doubt the majority of
people in this world “believe in” abortion. However, if such a path is deemed necessary
– not by a law maker – but by the person involved, there should be a path
available that is safe and legal…one that includes counseling and other options
and medical advice. Again, a small step
from each side is necessary. And
remember, I, personally do not advocate abortion. I also don’t advocate children
being abused, going hungry, and lacking in education or opportunity, which is
sometimes the outcome for unwanted (and wanted) children. And while on this subject, it seems that we
have already had this fight back in the 1960’s and 1970’s. What has brought it
back around? Extreme thinking without a middle road.
My second purpose in all of this goes back to the various
posts on social media garnering attention from these types of events. PEOPLE
WAKE UP!! THE MEDIA FEEDS US ON OUR FEARS AND BELIEFS!! It doesn’t matter if
you support Obama or Bush, Clinton or Trump! Our media drives and divides us
into thinking we are opposite in our thinking, but in reality, it is just
different sides of the same coin! The people that really run our country….those
holding the wealth… could care less if you vote republican or democrat, because
they own both! And polarization just adds to the chaos!
To the world, I am a small, poor, and unimportant person
in the grand scheme of things. Yet, I know that to achieve peace, each person
must find that peace within themselves. I implore you to find a middle road and
support it. Become indifferent to the media bombardment. Check the facts before
you endorse something. Stop allowing yourself to be used for a political agenda.
They even use our beliefs against us. Our country was founded on religious
freedom, and a separation of church and state was imperative to this ideal…so, even
if you feel your way to God is the one way, be mindful that others feel the
same about their God. We are brothers and sisters, each a member of the human
race. Show more love, be kinder, be soft.
Our children know about the middle way. Have you seen the
little girl’s video where she tells her parents to seek the middle? “…in the
middle where my heart is…” Check it out. “A little child shall lead them…”
Thank you for reading…now go and seek the middle way. When you find it, offer it to others. It is the only way we can survive as a nation and as a people.
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