Orlando Massacre: We Are All Victims – Are We All Culpable As Well?
The harrowing Orlando massacre was almost a week ago. I remain sickened to my core. I feel victimized. I am furious at the shooter, yet unable to identify him as real. He emerges dehumanized in ways that defy my understanding. It is painful to witness people’s frailty and desperation that turns them into murderers. I feel powerless as I witness the ease with which a fundamentalist religious group insidiously and callously poisons its mentally unstable followers into believing that their instability is a God bestowed honor guaranteeing a golden ticket into heaven.
While I should not be stunned by the complicity of Congress I am! How dare the Ted Cruz’s of Congress try to shame political opponents by deflecting the responsibility onto them, rather than admit that he and his cohorts bear co-responsibility by their unimaginable inaction. Hearkening to a dark time in our nation’s past, “At long last”,we ask, “have you no shame?”
And yet, are we all culpable as well? Do we just wring our hands and moan, but then go on with our lives? Have we become so calloused to pain, unless it is ours,that after a few moments of silence, we brush the horror off our hearts like just so much lint?
I was and remain so stunned that I can barely write a word that is anything other than a demonstration of my anger. However, I am gifted by a wonderful piece of understanding and authenticity written by my dear friend and colleague, Brenda Shoshanna, Ph.D. I want to share that dharma talk with you. I cannot improve on it, merely offer it to you with my blessings.
Do Not Be Deceived By Others
By Brenda Shoshanna, Ph.D.
A great Zen Master called out to himself everyday, “Zuigan!”
“Yes?” He answered.
“Are you Awake? Are you Awake?”
“Yes, I am,” he replied.
“Good, he called back. “Do Not Be Deceived by Others.”
“No, I won’t,” came the answer.
Who is the One calling and Who responds? Who is the One who is deceived by appearances, by the words, dreams and promises of others? Isn’t it obvious that both of these live within?
The events of this week are beyond horrific. How did they happen, we ask? How could a killer, giving warning, go unnoticed, unreported, unrecognized for what he was about to do?
The bigger question is what is this force of illusion, that prevents us from seeing what is in front of our eyes? This force itself is the enemy. It insists we turn retreat into dreams, fear honesty, not respond appropriately or take effective action. At times this awful spell is lifted and we marvel at how individuals can then rally, jump into action, save lives.
There is a part of all of us that knows the truth, sees clearly, has wide open eyes and ears. Like Zuigan calling out, that part is trying to get through to us moment by moment, day by day. Sometimes we listen, other times not. Sometimes the fears, hopes and proclamations of the world are too heavy upon us. They block our ears and eyes. We only hear that which we already believe. We only see what we wish to see, or can tolerate.
Then, when reality bursts in upon us, when we realize we’ve been deceived, we look around for others to blame. This happens personally, communally and nationally. Yet, all others are in the same predicament.
Unless we stop and listen to the call of our wisdom, unless we open our eyes and truly look at that which is before us, inevitably pain ensues.
The practice of opening our own eyes and ears, stopping and paying attention, trusting what is deepest in ourselves have never been more vital. We cannot afford to stay in dreams anymore.
Discover more about Brenda Shoshanna, Ph.D. – author, psychologist, woman of wisdom at:
JUST THINK’N FOR YOUR LIFE:
What are you closing your eyes to?
What call of your heart are you dialing down to a muffled, indistinct cry?
What call to action will get you into action?