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By Viveka
Have you noticed the strong winds gusting in recent months?
They are a good reminder of the Buddhist teaching on the “eight worldly winds” that blow us around as we pursue:
- Getting what we want, and avoiding getting what we do not want
- Wanting instant happiness and pleasure, and not wanting unhappiness and pain
- Wanting fame, and not wanting to go unnoticed
- Wanting praise, and not wanting blame
Much of Buddhist practice trains us to clearly see and develop tolerance, stability and fortitude in the face of what is actually happening. We train in discovering moments of clearly knowing.
“That person dislikes my choice of words.”
“They just gave me an unexpected thank you gift.”
“My bike was stolen.”
…and on and on.
What kind of thoughts, emotions and impulses typically cascade on from these sorts of daily life events? If we get back to basics, pleasure is pleasurable and one can simply enjoy it. “This is pleasurable. Yummy.” But of course, the opposite is sure to come at some point. If we are fearful of pain (loss, ill-repute, blame) then we can run ourselves ragged trying to ward off the inevitable and clinging on to whatever pleasure (gain, good reputation and praise) can be secured. We are susceptible to running around frenetically or to niggling fear and anxiety. Imagine instead, standing contentedly in, or walking forward, fearless and composed as changing winds blow.
Buddhist practice trains us to find a “middle way” between extremes of suppression/passivity and reaction. This middle way comes from dynamic awareness and leads to creative responsiveness. Here, our actions are free of impulsive reactivity (actually, we can experience plenty of impulsive reactivity but meet it with a friendly intention to refrain from acting or speaking in a way that further fuels that tendency).
The cultivation of equanimity helps us find the middle way. Equanimity is a sense of inner well-being independent of the eight worldly winds. There is a wisdom aspect that reflects on the inevitable ups and downs of life and asks “What’s truly important in the long run, in the bigger picture?”
Contemporary teacher Gil Fronsdale explains a term translated as equanimity that is made of a Pali compound, “Put together, the word becomes ‘to stand in the middle of all this.’ As a form of equanimity, ‘being in the middle’ refers to balance, to remaining centered in the middle of whatever is happening.”
Equanimity is a useful practice for a bunch of Buddhists applying mindfulness practice to civic engagement in our efforts to coexist with a neighboring rooftop bar that has been operating without legal permits or noise limits. Right now this matter is on track and the business is proceeding to acquire the proper conditional use permit and address community noise impacts. The actions we’ve engaged in to date have been crucially important - reaching out to neighbors, delivering testimony characterizing the noise impacts of the Medjool rooftop, seeking legal and technical advice on livability protections, and paying attention to the operation of our local government on this complex neighborhood planning matter.
To support equanimity, we have articulated a "triple bottom line":
1. Address noise issues as thoroughly as possible to ensure the SFBC remains a place of spiritual refuge for the public
2. Practice the 5 ethical precepts in how we engage
3. Keep the door open to developing a positive relationship with our neighbor Medjool and the business owner as we work to find common ground and resolve conflict.
Thank you so much to the many of you (350 people) who wrote letters of support for the SF Buddhist Center. The words of appreciation, such as the following two excerpts, are a timely reminder of our value and values.
"The SF Buddhist Center brings together a group more diverse than almost any I have seen in the city – with a goal toward helping everyone achieve a more compassionate, more respectful, more fulfilling life. Please do consider this center as you address neighborhood issues and change."
"It is difficult, yet increasingly important, to be able to find an oasis of calm in this hectic and ever-changing city (and especially in the Mission District). The SF Buddhist Center strives to bring this oasis to all of the people of San Francisco through community outreach and open practice. While there is value in commercial enterprises as well, limits and restrictions on noise are essential to ensure that we can all coexist and flourish in this urban environment."
Here’s to being in the middle of it all,
Viveka
SFBC Chairwoman
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