PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA/BLACK HAND CLAPPING

The First "American " President of The United States (AP photo)

The world-wide lure of America is that it stands as a blazing light of hope to the rest of the world. It promises that all men have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness here. For centuries the promise was a glaring untruth. All men did not have such freedom or hope because all men were not perceived as equal nor afforded unbias opportunity. Still the oath of allegiance was taken  as if that dream was already a reality for all.  The oath was in some sense a prayer..."some day over the rainbow..." one day. America has always been a melting pot but each ingredient in that pot did not enjoy the same value. Each culture which makes up the fabric of this amazing nation is not respected. It is a sad reality that while one  may serve in the military as an American, pay taxes as an American, any person deemed a minority may still face discrimatory treatment either de factor or dejure. A nation, by design, is suppose to function as one mind and spirit. A nation, like a human being has a unique soul (one). What happens when it wars against itself? The internal conflict causes damage that may not be clear. On the surface, Americans live in a prosperous country. Cosmetically, we appeared to be a diamond in the world of nations. The truth is the gem is flawed. Every facet of a diamond must be free to shine for its true lustre to be seen and experienced. For too long, America suppressed its most vital resource, the creative power of its diverse people. They are America. It was the combined voting power of Americans of many ethnic backgrounds that made History and resuscitated the spirit of America. Now there is a genuine effort lead by the people to experience the America they pledged allegiance to for so long. The election of a president is obviously a political event but this time it went deeper than that. This was a multi-dimensional occurence that is already sending tremors throughout the world. In my book, Soul to Soul:Harnessing the Power of Your Mind, I refer to the Zen koan (spiritual riddle), one hand clapping and make a particular reference to black hand clapping to indicate the impact people of African ancestry would  have on the present world. It is important for us to look at this phenomenon just as we have always noted the influence of European or Asia influence on the globe. Each of us (of a given ancestrial lineage) have something special to contribute. How would anyone understand what that is or what is missing if it remains suppressed or  hidden behind the facade of conformity? A new day has dawned but the dawning is just a beginning...genesis.

 

 

ONE HAND CLAPPING

There is an old saying, “Mr. Chan drinks wine and Mr. Wong gets tipsy.” While it is possible that I have the names reversed the message remains the same. What happens to one man affects another. Genesis, the very first book of The Holy Bible, means beginning. In its accounting of the creation and fall of mankind is the story of Adam. The failure of this one man, the prototype for all human beings was transmitted to all beings as surely as an internet virus spreads to every computer in a network.   In a sense, Adam became drunk and you and I have been wandering in a drunen stupor ever since. The election of Barrack Hussein Obama to the presidency of the United States of America was a different kind of transmission. The election of the very first African American to the highest office of the land and arguably, the world, was like uploading a powerful anti-virus program to a malfunctioning system or to use the opening metaphor, like pouring black coffee down the throat of Mr. Chan to sober up Mr. Wong. Will President Obama make such a dramatic difference in America and the world? Yes…but the impact goes far deeper than Mr. Obama himself. We are all connected in marvelous ways but that connection does not begin with our conscious involvement.

THIS IS THE INTRODUCTION TO A WORK IN PROGRESS, SO PLEASE DO COME BACK AND READ ON.  REMEMBER, THE SOUL SWORD ZEN MISSION IS POWERED BY YOU. WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE GROW ACCORDINGLY.