Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill or die for.
(from no death, no fear by Thich Nhat Hanh, 2002 Riverhead Books)
A long, cold, snowy day on the east coast. We are being hit by a winter storm of epic proportions. It has been snowing all day, with the worst part of the storm yet to come. The wind is howling now; it's nearly midnight, and I have been given the day off from work tomorrow by an unknowing force of nature. Outside, the night is white and fierce and strangely beautiful. Elsewhere another storm is brewing: the world is once again marching to war. Far deadlier than nature's fury this coming conflagration, lacking all grace and infintely more destructive this coming war/ this deathtrap/ this suicide pact/ this long dark night of the American soul. Will we ever learn? And how long will it be before we are forgiven for what we are about to do in the name of god? What dark roads will the world need to walk down before all is said and done?
12:09:47 AM 
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