Good morning, everyone. Morning. Happy interdependence day weekend. I don't know if there's people online. I see people online from Michigan and Cleveland and New Mexico. I don't know if you can hear, but there's rain falling all around us here in Chicago. Can you hear it? So, the Lotus Sutra says this is the Dharma rain. The rain falls universally on all beings. So, we are blessed by this rain. So, I want to talk today, usually every year around the Fourth of July, to talk about interdependence day.

[01:10]

Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. And life continues. Last Monday, I gave a talk about positive stories to encourage us about the earth and rain and nature and our connections. So, let me connect us to this world. So, for example, there's now the scientific knowledge that forests are intelligent beings. There's also our story from the Lotus Sutra of Bodhisattva springing forth from under the earth.

[02:20]

And we know that there are many beings, many people all around the earth who are working to help, caring for each other and for the planet. Can you hear me okay? Okay, well. I'll keep talking. Can you hear me now? Okay, thank you. Of course, I'm reported mostly by the mainstream media. There are many, many people who are working to help. And I feel like the ideals of freedom and liberty and justice for all in our country.

[03:27]

Deals of freedom are quite congruent with. The ideals of liberation, Buddhism. So, there's a way in which liberation involves technology. Our interconnectedness. Acknowledging interdependence. Enjoying and expressing the possibilities for wholeness, for healing. Well, through the practice of Sangha. And the interrelatedness of Sangha. But on this interdependence day, I feel some responsibility. As a person to talk about some of the obstacles that we are facing as part of. Realizing the possibilities is also realizing the difficulties. So.

[04:30]

Here in Chicago, we had. Very dangerous on how clear air quality. And also in the Northeast and other parts of the Midwest. And this is the Canadian wildfires destroying. Forests destroying intelligent beings. A forest. We know that. It's possible through corporations. You were about this back in the 1970s. They did scientific research and then you. Their business plan was going to lead to this kind of. It's actually. But they promoted denial and they promoted. Because it was good for the profits, so. This is this is 1 reality.

[05:36]

The fossil fuel. Companies. Bring us these disasters. In fact, many people. In the South, of course, this isn't something that's going to happen in the future. This is happening now. So, you know, it may feel like I'm going to be talking about. Politics today, but it's not about Democrat or Republican or left to right. I think it's about policies policies. In promoting either of cruelty. The policies of care. Parents for people and beings and for our world or policies that increase cruelty. And hard to people and to learn. So many things to say about this.

[06:41]

I don't want to just give a laundry list of issues, but I want to talk about. How we can be aware of. Both the possibilities and. The difficulties. So. You start somewhere, and there's a massive attack on living stuff now. Self care is so called for the anti choice. What rulings. Really promoting cruelty and damage to many women. If this was truly pro. Movement, there would be measures for child care. Newborns, the health of mothers. Child care.

[07:46]

Public education. For children. But that's not what's happened. Anti choice movements now talking about contraception. So, this is not about this. This is. Again, policy. Of course, what's what about the right to life of endangered species? Well, we're in the middle of a mass extinction. There are also massive attacks on LGBT people's rights. Around the world, there's so called American so called Christian evangelicals. Or working actively in Africa. As a laboratory for looking back to here to.

[08:49]

Attack. People affect the lives of people. Now, thanks to these. So called Christians. People in Uganda. People are being jailed. So. How do we. Take care of people. Recognize people. Again, this massive notice depression. Working to literate the rights to even. No, it's not just to start. So. On practices, a practice of awareness. And working for.

[09:54]

Aaron and benefits. Requires us to understand. This requires us to understand. We. Cultural karma that. Is it leads to situations now. And they're also class wars. That's what promoted. Maybe this goes back into our history, but certainly in the last few decades. Increasingly recently. For this. Taking from. The many. And that's more. Poverty is the number 4 killer at 6. Each of these things, of course.

[11:05]

We could talk about. The national detail. I'm interested in this day. Independence Day. 4th of July. Our country celebrates the values of freedom. Justice. Justice. So. Just to have those values. Place. Is valuable. But we should know what is actually happening. One of the. I feel dangerous. To our country now, and to the world. Military standard. Weapons makers and more profiteers control a lot of the United States government policy.

[12:08]

United States has over 800 military bases outside our borders around the world. Compared to 8 for Russia. So. The amount of. Money. The budget of our country. Over 50% or more now, and the United States annual. National budget goes to military. And much of this goes to developing weapons and weapons makers. I'm making a huge profit now. Of course, the Ukraine war is terrible. He's. Beijing cruelty in Russia is terrible. But how do we actually protect the Ukraine people?

[13:10]

I understand that. There have been opportunities. For peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Broken by various people, various other countries. And always the United States government has been blocking them. Because the war is good for business, it's good for the country. So, just to just to name a few of them right now. Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed. I mean, well. It should be one of the names of. Fossil fuel companies. More profiteers. And we'll talk about Putin's war crimes and yes. War, always war crimes, but more and more. Julian Assange.

[14:15]

In Australia. In England. He's a prisoner and threatened with extradition to the United States to face espionage charges. Basically, because he must be. To tell it. And exposed to the United States war crimes. In Iraq and Afghanistan. So, there are lots of war crimes to go around. And. If Julian Assange is that. What practice exists in our son. What he did. By publishing information about. What's going on. Will also endanger free speech and journalism. Leader of times in the Washington Post, not just. So, the 4th of July is celebrated.

[15:21]

Often in the memory of Thomas Jefferson. Who I have. Used to think of as a great hero. His writings are brilliant and inspired. A couple of quotes from Thomas Jefferson. In. 1816, he said, I hope we shall. This is after. I hope we shall crush. The aristocracy of our money corporations. Dare already to challenge our government. To a trial by strength. Bias to the laws. That was in 1816. Now we have. Corporations. Who are writing the laws for. In 1791, Jefferson said, if there be one principle more deeply.

[16:27]

Any other in the mind of every American is that we should have nothing to do with accomplished. So, this was before he was president of that for the revolution. In this century, of course. In the 20th century, and it's definitely a question. As follows. Policy of Congress. You know, in some ways, inspiring, but also very problematic. Character, I feel like he embodies. Oh, America, United States. He said, we should have no. Nothing to do with Congress. And yet. He created the Louisiana purchase. And. Which led to the conquest of many, many, many Native American peoples. Some of them, some of their spiritual tradition still survives, fortunately, to all of us.

[17:30]

But. This is not celebrating the 4th of July. We can sell it. We can see the. Collective karma of our country. On back to slavery and racism. Obviously continues. And. Destruction of indigenous people. Services, this is a collective situation. We. Need to understand. What. What our collective timeline is, of course, it affects us all personally. And it's not separate from the personal karma. That we all are involved with. Each of us individually. How do we. Work for. This is a real problem.

[18:36]

We're all connected to this. This is not this is not something separate from evil people out there. This is something that's part of our lives too. How do we understand. Our individual karma and our collective. So interdependence liberation. Involves working for. For the world for all beings. As practitioners, but also. To see our own capacity. Or cruelty. Or for Karen. And how do we. Turn our lives towards Karen. This is the challenge of interdependence. So, just going back to the challenges to our hunting.

[19:38]

There's this massive book. Expunging our history, so we can't understand. The. Collective. So. Racism. Indigenous people. That affects us all, whether or not we are. So-called white, so-called colored. We're all affected by this. So to try and destroy history. The bad books. Is to keep. People are citizens ignorant. Just to speak of all this. To remember history. To remember our literature. Is now a radical act.

[20:42]

An act of freedom, an act of liberation to talk about history. Study history. Study literature, so one of my three favorite novels. Has been that. Amazing book, which really. I think all. Should have to be assigned reading. Of course, there are many other. But. To have this band in many states. Now is about. Denying our humanity. Denying freedom, denying. Liberation and justice for all. So, again, just to. Speak of these books to do what librarians now are doing. We have a librarian in the audience, librarians are promoting. Trying to promote knowledge in books.

[21:43]

In the face of oppression. And that may be the work, the biggest problem we have now. Is dangers of nuclear war. Which. We have. Adam on drills in school from grade school. Some places they have you. That would. But now. Our country and other countries are developing new technology. Expanding that and we threaten. Wars with. Russia and China. Other nuclear nation. So it's very dangerous. And I feel called to mention. Which is. We, Daniel, our search will produce a book about.

[22:48]

East nuclear war planner. Part of the American nuclear policy is. We will use. And we have the only time to use. So, next month. Okay, so. How do we practice this? These all of these realities around us. As well as the realities of all the people who are working for Karen. So, one thing is just what is up for results. Pay attention. Pay attention to the world and also to see that we are not separate from the. Can part part of this work is to be mindful of our own part in all of this.

[23:53]

The whole situation. How do we see our own. Tendencies towards. See, we talk into that and not act on. This is a practice that all government officials. How do we see our own tendencies? And how do we see. Practices that we can do and express this isn't just. Social or political, how do we see Karen for the people around us? How do we look at the whole situation? We're not separate. We're not separate from any of this. And then there's the message, which.

[24:55]

I have heard that. You know, in terms of the. The scriptures, it talks about many real systems through this. Many through this. On the tip of my staff. Many. Typically, it's there. And all of them. This is 1 way that. See the world. And it said that. Right now is the best time to be alive. And that from. From other world systems, solar systems, other fields. Are lined up to be born here now. Because this is the time.

[25:59]

Such a time as this is the best time. To actually make a difference. We can change our situation and situation of the world. We can change our. We can. Really become intimate with our own personal conditions. And see how to act. We're caring. And we can do that in our world. Our actions and body speech in mind. And make. A big, most consequential difference in this typical challenging world now. And we're most needed now. In whatever way, each of us can express care and kindness rather than cruelty.

[27:01]

In whatever way with the each response to any of these issues. Support some nonprofit that is doing good work on the issue that. Calls you. There are many things that we can do now. You can actually face the challenges of our world and our own lives. We can face the history. So people are banning books. You know, say that their children will be made uncomfortable if they hear about. Or racism or other kinds of. You shouldn't let them. Well. The practice is about going beyond that comfort zone. So, all of you, the session nervous. Sometime in the 1st day of the 3rd day or whatever, because I'm comfortable. How do we keep those? Upright. So fast. So.

[28:02]

And see. The arising. Of. Situations in my life. A world. And respond. Pay attention. So also our personal transformation. Has to do with this into detectives. Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. Okay, what is that? Just. What is what is true happiness? The context of. What are some of the practice? How do we study yourself? I don't believe you see supported Sandra. Send yourself in that context. Internet with yourself.

[29:05]

Self, and it's not separate from. Depression. All the other problems. How do we see our own attachments? Reaction. Even patterns of cruelty. Genesis cruelty. If we pay attention. To these patterns of ourselves. The world. We have the possibility of not being caught by attachments. We can feel anger and not act out.

[30:12]

That may call. You can feel outraged at some of the things going on and say, okay, how can I help? What can I do? Express kindness and care. So. This American holiday. Independence Day. You know, can be celebrated with fireworks and all kinds of other ways. But also it's a chance. It's an opportunity. To actually study the self of setting a world city, a country study. What is happening around us? And to respond. And it doesn't necessarily have to be a dramatic response. Although, you know, that happens great. How do we. This involves being patient. Paying attention.

[31:13]

Not just reacting to some anger and decided and running around. Screening or whatever. In our own lives or in the world. But to actually. Attention, this is what's difficult about some practice. And this is what we learn from all that. To continue to. Maintain awareness. We continue to be. Upright. Still. Pay attention. Pay attention. What's going on? Seeing patterns of cruelty, seeing patterns of caring. And how do we support the caring? How do we address the cruelty? And. And this requires patience to see. How to act to afford. And to make mistakes.

[32:16]

Trying to make. Mistakes. And. To be forced to care. In the world, in our own lives. Once it goes around this. So. I could keep having all of these things, but. I'll stop and give time for discussion and comments. Responses, so. Online or here. In our discussion, please. Please feel free. And. People are.

[33:17]

Thank you very much. Yes. Thank you. I think I've asked you a short version of this question before, but it's about this. It's about this word cruelty that I'm hearing in your. You're talking more and more and it sounds like the opposite of cruelty is caring. And then I'm hearing you talk about things happening in the world. Sometimes it's. Making a decision based on profit and knowing that it will cause great harm and pain and suffering. In the world, that's 1 thing. And then another set of actions might be like. Preserving a set of ideologies or.

[34:20]

Cultural norms that are prejudicial. No. And so on. And so on. I'm wondering why you're using the word. Cruelty, and I'll see it in my sort of personal lexicon. I think the cruelty as doing harm to somebody for the sake of doing harm. And it's clear that that's not what you're describing. Right? I take it that the war profiteers and the fossil fuel companies are not like twirling the most actions to light at the door for their suffer and die. They're going for the money. And so, so my question is about cruelty and why you use that word and what it means. Well, you know, I've been thinking about all this stuff for a long time. I'm talking about the effects of consequences. Not necessarily the revelation of tension.

[35:21]

But the effects of, you know, the war profiteers and. Also, few corporations who knew that that their business plan was going to create. The climate catastrophes that we are seeing now and worse coming. And continue and promoted it. Yeah, you bring up motivation. So intention is very important in all of this. What is our intention? Is our intention to be caring? Is our intention to create harm? But I think if the intention is to make money, like the war profiteers. But they know that, you know, in our country, the. I'm not speaking about soldiers who volunteer to go and. We believe they're protecting the country.

[36:26]

But they're not being taken care of. Veterans. Not adequately close. What are the effects? So I'm putting it cool to not not in terms of intention and motivation. And, yes, there are there are times when the intention of motivation people is just to. Enjoy say, this is. But, but, you know, in the bigger picture, what is the effect of. Some of these actions and it's cruel and, you know, maybe there's a better word. Arm makers, I don't know, but I think, you know, the cruelty feels visceral. And I think it's the effects of. These kinds of policies and sometimes the effects of unthinking actions. You know, I'm aware that there have been times in my life when I said something I'm thinking.

[37:30]

That had an effect that was true. All the way to Chicago. We all have this capacity to. Things that are hurtful. To take actions. How do we. Look at this. Yes, everyone. Bringing it to our practice. For me, what's important and yet is very difficult. Is. Remembering the 6th preset and remembering the 3 poisons. And if I dwell on the false of others. I have to realize that I'm.

[38:36]

Not fulfilling, you know, the 6th preset. And it's important to realize that many people are acting. Whether we agree with their actions or not, they're acting out of ignorance. They may be acting out of hate in some cases, hate or anger. Or agree as the oil companies do. But it's really out of ignorance and what is hard for us. And, but I think what is very important. Is to remember that. It's not about finding fault with others. It's not about praising ourselves. All we know the truth and so we're better than they are. Which is, you know, 7th preset, you know, not praising. But to just have consciousness and care for those people as well. And try to, in our own way, understand. Accompany them and bring them with us.

[39:40]

As we go towards further knowledge and out of ignorance. And I think that's 1 thing that's important. If we set up a, we, they. We are committing the same thing. We're perpetrating. And it's important to, I think, I feel, especially from practice point of view. To. Maintain an us attitude and see people acting out of ignorance. Your thoughts. Thank you very much. Yes. Calling and blaming and sharing with others is not particularly helpful. Trying to convert others to our perspective is not so helpful. They're respectful. And yes, to see that this is a function. But things change.

[40:44]

So. But also, in another word, along with caring to respect. To respect all. It's not that people who are. Causing harm. Or, you know, evil, we have to kind of. Get rid of them all. That's how it works. People change. There are many, many stories of people who did. Very terrible things. Changing for perspective. What's the name of. Disciple serial killer. He was a serial killer.

[41:49]

And 1 of the source. Psychic or whatever, that if he killed 100 people, his family would do well. He had. With 99 fingers. A different English. And we saw the Buddha. The Buddha was walking ahead. No matter how fast. They all stop. Yeah. And it became. He had to suffer the consequences of.

[42:49]

Anyway. That's just an old story, but there are historical stories of people who. Change. There's a few stories of people in. Groups or. Change. There's someone who. Started talking. This is possible. So, to not dismiss, to not ignore anyone because of their actions or views. And 1 way I see this is. Caring or just respecting all beings. And. And not, you know.

[44:01]

The thoughts of others to not. So. But it's a look at the situation. To be attentive or present. When you see some something to say, what can change that perspective. Thank you. Other comments. Responses. Reflections. If I may, I just want to add 1 little. Please. Full saying to that, you know, when we look at. At the different people in the world who we think are causing harm. There's the old folks saying you catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar. And if I come out with vinegar and vial against somebody, I'm not necessarily going to be able to.

[45:03]

Have them soften their views. Right. And, you know, I think people do get caught up in trying to convert. People from. And sometimes that's. No. There are numbers of people who have family members. They disagree with their. Political perspectives. First, and not to try to argue. Just to. Other comments. This is difficult stuff and. You know, I really do appreciate the ideals of this country.

[46:05]

Liberty and justice for all. Life, liberty and happiness. The ideal of freedom. If you don't count. Personal responsibility. So this is a, this is a. Great situation for putting stuff to practice. Not that we've not that this country is perfect, ever perfectly enacted all those ideas. But the fact of having those ideals. It's not. Many of this Asian cultures. Such as.

[46:49]

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