Zen and the art of sittin’ on yo’ ass

Tonight I attended a Zen meditation seminar (the technique known as “zazen” was taught — for those who don’t know what zazen is, you basically sit down). I found out about it from a flyer on the bulletin board outside of my office. I couldn’t resist — who couldn’t use a dose of serenity and a clear, empty mind now and again?

Learning the basics of zazen was difficult, but it was one of the most beneficial things I’ve ever done for myself. I found it extremely hard to just sit down and think nothing at all — to exert effort towards simply being still opened a myriad of issues (why couldn’t I sit still? what compelled me to move? why couldn’t I just focus? why couldn’t I just not focus for a change?). Being fully present in my body at all times — being awakened — these things are incredibly difficult for me.

So yeah… I got together with a bunch of hippies tonight, sat facing the wall, and stared at it for like an hour. It’s incredible how much you can really get out of it. Letting thoughts roll into, through, and then out of your mind can be very therapeutic — it’s a huge act of decompression.It’s as if all of the lurking issues, emotions, thoughts, and other mental objects that seize your energy and resources are freed and flee before your awareness for a mere, brief moment. You nod, they go on their merry way, and you on yours. What a great process to go through.

The Jesus-Pimp

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/23/huckabee-unapologetic-for-religious-tone/

The gist of this news story: Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee name-drops Jesus into a televised “Merry Christmas” message to score some easy points with the evangelical right-wing base.

Here’s what Huckabee’s message said:

“Are you about worn out by all the television commercials you’ve been seeing, mostly about politics? Well, I don’t blame you. At this time of year sometimes it’s nice to pull aside from all of that and just remember that what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ and being with our family and friends. And I hope that you and your friends will have a magnificent Christmas season. And on behalf of all of us, God Bless and Merry Christmas. I’m Mike Huckabee and I approved this message.”

After drawing a fair amount of heat for the message, here’s how he responded during his campaign-stop at Cornerstone Church:

“I got in a little trouble this last week because I actually had the audacity to say ‘Merry Christmas.’ Isn’t that an odd thing to say at this time of year?”

Gee Mike, maybe people aren’t angry that you had the audacity to say “Merry Christmas”. Maybe they’re angry that you had the audacity to pimp out Jesus Christ for political capital. Did that thought ever cross your mind?

I don’t recall Huckabee sending out televised Merry Christmas messages in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina before he started campaigning for president. Also the choice of states is quite interesting given the “non-political” nature of the spot.

It’s all-in-all sickening. How this sort of thing fails to offend most Christians escapes me. The fact that I would want to protect and respect Christ’s memory more than somebody who actually thinks that he is God baffles me.