Rx for differing views
November 5, 2008 by Nobody Hatewordpress 
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“…Saying he was never the likeliest candidate to seek the presidency, he said Americans of every background showed they can unite and reject cynicism to bring about change.” — from a review of Obama victory speech
Sounds like just the order for all of us on all levels inside and outside the mandala as well, neh? And sounds like the vision and purpose of RFS? Or am I being starry-eyed after Chicagobama.
Suzanne,
If you are starry-eyed, joined the silly old club. I danced in the streets of Berkeley last night. Never thought I would see that again! But after the results were announced, I heard the whooping and hollering and honking of horns through my closed windows and I just couldn’t stay inside any more. I know I have as many reasons to be cynical as I have rings in my heartwood. I’m way to old to believe that the election of one person is going to bring about instant miracles. But it is possible to revel in a moment of liberation when it shows up on my doorstep.
Since it’s a college town, the crowd was mostly 18-25.They were happy. They had won one. Sympathetic joy is impossibe to avoid. There was a gang of Hispanic boys who ran past me, all shouting, “Arriba el nuevo presidente! Arriba el nuevo presidente!” and laughing that high-pitched laugh you hear with Mariachi music. There was an old black guy sitting on the sidewalk with his back against a building, pounding on two small drums and grinning so widely and brightly I could hardly see his face. A crowd of dancers stomped and lept around him. Four girls ran by jumping and twirling. Every stoplight had two or three people swinging from it waving their arms.
The crowd would mill around aimlessly for a minute, people hugging each other. A very young man with shiny eyes walked up and shook my hand, saying, “Well done, ma’am! Well done,” then moved on to shake the hand of the person next to me. I forgave him for calling me ma’am. Then someone would start whooping and suddenly everybody was whooping at once, so loud my ears still rang when I was falling asleep a few hours later. A skinny kid climbed up the back of an AC Transit bus and danced on the roof. Somebody behind me yelled, “Look, she’s on the bus!” About twenty people with bicycles standing behind me picked up their bikes and pumped them in the air in time to the various ragged choruses of “Yes we did!” that rose here and there. One of them had lights on his front wheel so when he spun the wheel it looked like a wheel of fire.
People in cars caught in the crowd just opened their doors and got out and joined the melee, or climbed up on their own car roofs to wave. Other cars drove up, people deliberately beaching their cars in the crowd and grinning maniacally.
A lot of people had their phones out, snapping pictures. I was hoarse at work today. Maybe when things get gray again I can remember the smells of cold fresh air and sweat and smoke, and remember that is possible to let a pall of fear, like the one I have lived in for weeks facing this election, just fall away.
Beautiful description, Zer-me! Got all choked up reading it. Beautiful.
Imagine something like this occurring within the Shambhala community and you get my starry-eyed drift. I like reunions and fresh starts. I sure hope folks are willing to work toward a “greater union.”
Yes!! re: one person making a change: I heard a theory on NPR yesterday that it is possible… if that right person is at the right time and place etc of history it can happen. (something like that) I believe this, and have been overwhelmed by the sense of what inspired, generous, brave and tireless activity Barak Obama has been doing and is about to do for his country and the world. It absolutely propels one beyond cynicism, and is miraculous in these dark times. So very joyful and full of hope in spite of the many terrible situations that abound.
Re: our splintered community, yes, it is fantastic to think it could be possible to find a way to come together in some way. More formally than merely our own carrying on of Trungpa’s legacy in our hearts and lives. (as crucial as that is, of course!) And RFS has the potential for that, or at least as a forum to air our views and feelings, and find ways to go beyond cynicism into positive steps.