The Token is Broken
Jun 15, 2022
As a Zen teacher I'm always grateful when the conversation takes place with my students, because the token is made whole each time. As an American citizen, I'm still waiting to see if my country will retrieve the token or not. I hold values that support the continued growth and development of a democratic republic that holds free and fair elections, and is dedicated to the peaceful transference of power.
Though violence is something we increasingly experience on many levels in America today, I do not believe this is a path that will make the two halves of the token complete. I try to treat everyone I meet with respect and care. For those I disagree with, it is part of my spiritual tradition to not "other" them for this is the first step to dehumanizing someone and leads to further bad behavior, violence and war.
It is an odd split screen for me at the moment. My sangha community has raised money to help send badly needed medical supplies into Ukraine. It seems to me that most of my fellow Americans support Ukraines' fight against Russia. So, why don't we then see that ours is the same struggle for freedom? Why don't we protect the freedoms we have earned through sacrifice and the death of many American soldiers on the battlefield?
For America, the token is yet to be made whole. For each of us, we can retrieve that which we have disowned in ourselves and make the token whole again. When we make it whole for ourselves, we can begin to help others make it whole for themselves as well.
May all beings be whole and free.
with respect and care,
~ Roshi Robert Joshin Althouse