Contemplative psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and groups in New York City.
Who to Vote For?: Sharon Salzberg in the Huffington Post
With the upcoming election just around the corner, Sharon Salzberg, Vipassana teacher and frequent Tricycle contributor, shares her thoughts on the importance of voting in the Huffington Post in her piece "Who to Vote For?" Don't worry, she won't acually tell you who to vote for.
As a spiritual leader, I knew I'd be busted if I told anyone who to vote for from the "pulpit," so to speak. And anyway, I don't think it's right to equate enlightenment, freedom or salvation with a particular candidate. That seems different to me than discussing values (like compassion) worldview (like interdependence) or ethics (like generosity) -- and any real discussion, from my point of view, involves free thinking.
Read the article in its entirety here.
As a Buddhist I do feel compelled to vote for the candidate whom I believe most likely to advance Dhammic ideals of compassion, peace, and kindness. However, as my next door neighbor's bumper sticker so eloquently proclaims "The last time we mixed politics and religion people got burned at the stake!" Anyone who believes that Buddhism is somehow immune to this might do well to study the monastic involvement in promoting the recent civil war in Sri Lanka.
Thus, while we all might allow our Buddhist beliefs to influence our politics on a personal level, we must do so cautiously.