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**Vulkanevsel** · 01-06-2011, 03:30 AM

I found this article in the Huffington Post:

Buddhism and Activism: How Would Sid Produce Social Change?

by Lodro Rinzler

''Many people look to Siddhartha Gautama as an example of someone who attained nirvana, a buddha. Every other week in this column we look at what it might be like if Siddhartha were on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and dating? How would he handle stress in the workplace? "What Would Sid Do?" is devoted to taking an honest look at what we as meditators face in the modern world.

Every other week I'll take on a new question and give some advice based on what I think Sid, a fictional Siddhartha, would do. Here Sid is not yet a buddha; he's just someone struggling to maintain an open heart on a spiritual path while facing numerous distractions along the way. Because let's face it: You and I are Sid.

This week's question comes from Sarah:
"Sometimes working toward better democracy through mainstream routes like lobbying and, uh, voting seems not only possible but exciting and empowering to me. Other times, though, I can see the appeal of splitting off from society, hopping trains, healing my friends with flower essences, and reading anti-government graphic novels late into the night with my headlamp. I exaggerate, but I am wondering -- how would Sid make social change?"

In some sense, the historical Buddha was the greatest social activist of his time. He broke away from a normative lifestyle. From there he pursued a path that took him to a point where if he were to share his wisdom with others he would be going against the cultural and political norms of the time.''

continued here:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lodro-..._b_804162.html

ANY COMMENTS?

01-06-2011, 03:30 AM	#1
Vulkanevsel Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 286 Senior Member	Buddhism and Activism I found this article in the Huffington Post: Buddhism and Activism: How Would Sid Produce Social Change? by Lodro Rinzler ''Many people look to Siddhartha Gautama as an example of someone who attained nirvana, a buddha. Every other week in this column we look at what it might be like if Siddhartha were on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and dating? How would he handle stress in the workplace? "What Would Sid Do?" is devoted to taking an honest look at what we as meditators face in the modern world. Every other week I'll take on a new question and give some advice based on what I think Sid, a fictional Siddhartha, would do. Here Sid is not yet a buddha; he's just someone struggling to maintain an open heart on a spiritual path while facing numerous distractions along the way. Because let's face it: You and I are Sid. This week's question comes from Sarah: "Sometimes working toward better democracy through mainstream routes like lobbying and, uh, voting seems not only possible but exciting and empowering to me. Other times, though, I can see the appeal of splitting off from society, hopping trains, healing my friends with flower essences, and reading anti-government graphic novels late into the night with my headlamp. I exaggerate, but I am wondering -- how would Sid make social change?" In some sense, the historical Buddha was the greatest social activist of his time. He broke away from a normative lifestyle. From there he pursued a path that took him to a point where if he were to share his wisdom with others he would be going against the cultural and political norms of the time.'' continued here:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lodro-..._b_804162.html ANY COMMENTS?
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