Over the past several weeks I have been reading Republican Gomorrah by Max Blumenthal.  This scary book is about how the religious right, its ego-driven leader James Dobson, and the sleaze factor have hijacked the Republican Party.  I found this book to be very upsetting at so many levels and it sheds light on how our country has gotten into such a mess.  The so-called religious right(eous) are neither.   It is well past time for us to take back out country from those that insist we believe as they do and negate their attempts to rid everyone of critical thinking and self-determination. 

Truthfully, I had to put the book away for awhile because I found myself so upset by the audacity of those who claim to be Christian and yet have zero compassion and are totally driven by their ego’s need to be in control.  What I found myself thinking is what would be the opposite of James Dobson and that could be the guiding principles to all who really want to be conscious, compassionate and constructive members of our nation and the planet.

Here are the human qualities that would best serve humanity and be least like James Dobson.

1.    Develop your connection to your spiritual nature.  What has gone wrong if most organized religions are not about spirituality but about gaining power and control over their followers, the political process etc.?
2.    Humility is a key quality in changing the world toward peace and compassion.  Is it ok with you that the arrogance and ego of so-called religious leaders continue to be the source of most of the world’s problems?
3.    Find ways to empower yourself to make a positive difference and to empower others.  Is it acceptable to you that religious leaders often seek to control rather than empower and will do whatever it takes to make people feel not ok about themselves?
4.    Open to trusting yourself and learn to trust others.  Should religions and their leaders spread distrust in the form of judgments of all who think differently?
5.    If you focus on only one issue for the rest of your life make that focus about developing compassion for self and others.  Does it seem wrong to you that many religious leaders ignore the primary teachings in all religions about the importance of compassion?  
6.    Keep your mind open so you can be receptive to a wide range of ideas and viewpoints and so you can keep on growing as a human being.  Is it ok to think you have all the answers and most everyone else in wrong? 
7.    The healthiest way of being in the world is to constantly seek to be a more aware and conscious human being.  How come so many insist you believe as they do?
8.    Finding your way to be a true source for good in the world seems to involve having an open heart.  If your heart is closed to many can you be a true force for good?
9.    The world is hoping you can find peace inside so that we all can experience peace in the world.  How can someone who is angry and wants to dictate your thoughts and beliefs ever experience peace within?

There are many other non James Dobson qualities that could be explored here but frankly if you and the rest of us develop these nine then the world would be such a better place and Mr. Dobson would be a non-factor. 


Letter #7 President Obama

Dear Mr. President,

I trust you to be the force for good that we elected.  There are so many forces against what is for the good of the people.  You will need great courage to succeed.

Please courageous review your plans in Afghanistan and look toward real help rather than more war.  More war cannot bring real peace.

Peace to you and all of us,

Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.

Please join my campaign promoting peace in the world by writing our President and ask him to not escalate the Afghan War.  You can send him an email at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact


My body is calling for something other than sweet after the last few days of cookies, candy, cake etc.  I love to eats sweets but my body just doesn’t appreciate all the sugar.  As I get older I feel the need to tune in even more to what is right for me and my body, my heart, my mind and my spirit.  There is a great depth of wisdom in you and I if we listen inward.  

Yesterday at dinner with my wife’s family there is mostly just silence.  No one wants to talk about anything because they seem afraid to hear their own family’s range of viewpoints about the issues of our time.  My wife and myself are progressive, compassionate and open-minded and her family seems angry about our points of view yet they have never even asked what they are.  They make assumptions based on some kind of slot they have put us in.  How come people do that?  How come they pass judgment all based on a collection of thoughts in their own head?

There seems to be a culture of anger and hate out there against so called “liberals” as if they are a scourge to the world.  Why is it that people have to demonize those that view the world differently than they do?  The talking heads of the right seem to specialize in building anger and hate towards ideas different then their own.  What are they afraid of?  How come we can’t just all get along?  Where is all this charge of emotions coming from?  We are all part of the human family who just have differents ways at looking at things.  There is no right or wrong in most of this.  The question is, “Is it working the way it is or not?”  If not then let’s get together and figure out what will work.

These are a few of my questions and frankly, I don’t want to have to be numbed out to be with my wife’s family.  She is use to it.  I can’t seem to make it ok in me to try to be numb, it is the opposite of what I am working on in my life.  A life in which no one wants to have real conversations about real issues seems dead to me.  Do these questions seem at all familiar to you and your life?

As you might well know from reading my blog, I am an agent of change.  My life is totally focused on encouraging healthy change in my clients and being a person who advocates for significant social change.  How can we as citizens of the planet have hopes for positive change if our families can’t even talk?

My bias is that there is so much more common ground than there are substantial differences.  That below the rhetoric there is compassion, basic needs, desire for connection, and hope for a better tomorrow.  What will it take to get past the blocks in the head and the heart?

Please share any ideas you have.  I plan to stir things up in 2010 even if it makes people uncomfortable.  Our comfort zones are also self-imposed prisons if growth has stopped and we are resistant to change.

Letter #6 To The President:

I hope you first Christmas in the White House was wonderful.  That must be the most amazing experience.

Please know that with great respect I challenge you decision to build up our involvement in Afghanistan.  Is it the wish of all the people of that nation that we intercede and cost many of them family members in the war?  Do we have the right to impose our will on another nation?  

I am deeply upset that we are going to kill more people for political reasons.  This does not feel right to me in any way. Please rethink your plans.  Please talk with people who truly value human life over the ego’s need for power and control.

Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.

It is Christmas Eve and the kid in me is excited.  I feel open and receptive to all that I can feel joy about, feel peace inside about, and feel love for in my life.  The term beginner's mind has come up lately several times so I think maybe I need to pay attention more openly. 
 
Let me explain beginner's mind.  This idea I think originates from the Buddhist writings of Suzuki Roshi and his book, Zen Mind, Beginners Mind.  The beginner's mind is receptive and open to learning.  With this mind there is a willingness to take in the lessons being presented.  The opposite of beginner's mind is the expert mind, which already thinks it knows and is closed and not receptive.
 
As we go through life, there are many lessons being presented and if we have a beginner's mind than the lessons can come in and we can be enriched by them.  If we think we already know than the lessons pass us by only to show up again seeking receptivity.  If life's important lessons are kept out than the message arrives more forcefully.  Think 2X4 on the side of the head as the kind of indication that we have not be receptive to what life has been trying to teach us.  Disease is sometimes seen as an awakening call when we have been ignoring our stressors and the accompanying lessons. 
 
A beginner's mind keeps the 2X4 in the lumberyard and the immune system vibrantly effective.  If we are receptive, life is easier and works out much better.  If we are receptive our body is lighter and healthier.  If we are receptive are growth is ongoing and our sense of self is enriched. 
 
Now how do we practice beginner's mind?  The best way to do so is to practice receiving all that comes your way with openness.  Even the messages that are confusing or make us angry offer a gem buried in the discomfort.  What can we learn from this experience, is a great question to explore within?  If the answer is nothing the beginner's mind has closed shop and the lumberyard may be activated. 
 
Consider this: All messages that we hear or see are offering us awareness if we are open, and don't take them personally.  The second part of this consideration is harder to explain.  (Taking a few minutes to see what inspiration will flow through these fingers.) The beginner's mind is receptive and will always help expand our awareness.  The ego-mind takes things personally and rejects most messages as some kind of affront to its control.  The ego-mind wants to be in charge, the beginner's mind wants to learn.  Which mind offers the best opportunity to realize the life we desire?
 
I will take tomorrow off but be back to blogging this weekend.  Merry Christmas to you and thanks for stopping by my blog.

Letter #5 to the President
 
Dear Mr. President,
 
It is Christmas Eve and I hope all is well for you and your wonderful family.  The best wishes for you and yours.
 
The Afghan War is not ours and it offers only suffering to many as we get more entangled.  Please send them food, materials for housing, and books for their schools instead of troops, more weapons and bombs. 
 
I send this letter in protest of the War and request that you re-examine your course of action for the good of us all.
 
Peace to you,
 
Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.    

Please join me in this campaign to protest the escalation of the war in Afghanistan.
   
Send you emails to the President here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact


Dear President Obama, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.  You must feel the weight of your responsibilities and many of us send our support.  You are a brave soul that has a great potential to realize.
 
In honor of the Prince of Peace and this season of celebration for his birth, I suggest that you turn the tide in Afghanistan towards disengagement rather than escalation.  There can be no outcomes that are not costly to life and to the financial health of our nation.    
 
I write in protest to this expansion of the war because many of my fellow citizens don't feel like they have a voice in Washington DC.
 
I respectfully request that you change course and be peaceful and compassionate instead.

Joseph Bernard, Ph.D.

Please join me in this campaign to daily protest the escalation of the war in Afghanistan.  The majority of people in this country do not support this war so we must speak up to change the costly direction we are heading.  
    
Send you emails to the President here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

NOTE: Don't forget to check out my new post from last night and checkout the video on mindfulness.

This blog often encourages the practice of mindfulness.  In my work I teach mindfulness and my clients seem to get significant benefit from the practice.  At some point I will do a video with a session you can use as an introduction to doing mindfulness.  Today I have on video for you from Jon Kabat-Zinn a pioneer who brought the practice of mindfulness into medicine.  He is a master teacher of meditation and mindfulness. 
 
This is a wonderful instructional video on the essence of these inner practices.  It takes a little over 70 minutes so set the time aside so you can give it your full attention.  Over the holidays there will be some time where being quiet will feel very nurturing.  If altering your relationship with your mind and emotions interests you, this will be time spent that you will truly value.
 
As a follow up to this video, I highly suggest Dr. Kabat-Zinn's book, Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life.  This book will provide you with a deeper understanding of the benefits and perspectives of mindfulness.

Mindfulness is about taking back you life from your thoughts and the emotional rollercoaster caused by what you are thinking.  Mindfulness has the capacity to awaken in you the highest consciousness and deepest compassion. 

Please let me know about your experience of this video and of the practice of mindfulness.  I am available for questions and instruction.  Please ask your questions in the comment section or email me at: josephteach@hotmail.com