Day 11 - Hard Questions

By now you've probably figured out I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy. Actually, I'm a glass is overflowing kind of guy. But on a day like today, I have to stop and pause and question why there is suffering in the world? Who do loved ones die of cancer? Why is there war in the Ukraine and throughout the world? Why do unjust systems continue to oppress people? All month long I've been encouraging you to be in the present moment. But what do you do when the present moment is filled with unimaginable pain and suffering? I hope I haven't given you the false idea that mindfulness and metta magically make everything better. So what do we do on a day like 9/11?

Image from the 9/11 Memorial

I don't have answers. Sometimes the problems are so big and overwhelming. So much for being woke. There are many times when I don't see, when I look away from the woman or man on the street who is homeless. Does metta really make a difference, or does it just make me feel better?

I once asked my friend Cheryl about these things. She is wise. Despair doesn't help. Yes, the world can be a dark place but putting out my light isn't the answer either. Sometimes being light in a dark place is a brave thing to do.

Mindfulness challenges me to be present even and especially when life sucks. Metta tells me to keep my heart open even and especially when there is great cost. When mindfulness meets suffering, it is called compassion. So the technique of following the breath might be simple to explain and it is easy to post the phrases of lovingkindness. But the practice itself, day in and day out, through the joys and sorrows, through life and death can be hard to bear.

Practice Options

• Sit in silence and remember

• Volunteer and make a difference: 9/11 Day | AmeriCorps

• Click on the image above to visit the 9/11 Museum

• Listen to "Blessings" with Brother David Steindl-Rast

• Attend Sacred Circle 15 Minute Full Moon Meditation with Ganesh* Time: Sep 11, 2022 09:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/7726912149?pwd=OVlIc29EMWJDVk9sMVdESkE2Nkx4UT09 Meeting ID: 772 691 2149 Passcode: sacredO *Ganesh (aka Chuck) is one of my favorite yoga/meditation teachers. He offers an evening meditation twice a month on every new moon and full moon