Political

I am not a fan of democracy. The belief that the vote of the majority is the best form of government is questionable to say the least. Poverty, violence, addictive behaviour, unhappiness are widespread in democracy. Do our politicians express the will of the majority? There is an epidemic of alcohol abuse, drug addiction, depression and compulsive spending. Wisdom and compassion ought to be the criteria. If democracy is not working, why on Earth do we want to convert with missionary zeal the rest of the world to a two party state, corporate ownership of all resources and individuals into consumers? Our mad ideology with its belief in self, choice and status expresses a pathological form of conditioning that goes unexamined. …

The Aussie Prime Minister gets the bootRead More »

I returned last month from the United States. I first visited San Francisco and New York in 1977. At the initial invitation of Jack Kornfield, I taught twice a year for 25 years at IMS, the Vipassana centre, in Barre, Massachusetts and for 25 years in the Bay Area, namely Spirit Rock starting in 1982.

Earlier this year, I decided to cut down on my overseas travel from four continents a year to three continents. I have the wish to spend more time serving the Dharma in Totnes, reducing carbon footprints and give more time to dharma writing. …

Last Trip to AmericaRead More »

1. Last month, I got back from Israel. I’ve been going there for 15 years, and twice a year for several years. Along with Stephen Fulder, Tovana (the Israeli dharma organisation) and a growing network of people dedicated to the dharma, we have been and continue to be part of a dharma journey together. …

THREE SHORT REFLECTIONS AFTER VISITING ISRAELRead More »

I regularly watch television documentaries especially on international issues. I experience a level of interest much stronger when I have walked the earth of that country, felt its presence through my senses and listened to the voices of the people. In some places, such as Jerusalem and Nablus, the main Palestinian town of the West Bank. I know the streets and shops. There is a certain intimacy when watching a television documentary filmed in such places. …

APPLAUSE FOR REPORTERSRead More »

With CNN and Fox television, there is no pretence presumably whatsoever of impartiality.

The pro Israel/US bias, as with other areas of conflict, corrupt their television reports. I have talked with the Palestinians who had lived in the forlorn hope that the West will wake up to their traumatic situation and stop the criminal treatment that the Israeli military mete out on Palestinian adult and children alike. Generally, their hope has given way to despair. They show dignity under duress. …

THE PREJUDICE OF IMPARTIALITYRead More »