Mindful Direct Action, Part 3

In this sense, Buddhist teaching proposes political and social activism as a total life project; it is the heart of the practice. If you believe, as I do, that climate change is an urgent issue, and if you can take to the streets to stop a new pipeline or coal- or gas-burning plant, you should do that or support people who do. You should write letters, picket politicians and business owners, exerting pressure but with love, not bitterness. And yes, whatever your position, you should vote, vote, vote and make sure candidates and officeholders do the right thing. But the category of good political and social action is larger than such specifically political accts. Good political and social action is also a smile, a word of encouragement, a moment of gratitude and appreciation. It is promoting kindness and fairness among people in any and all ways. It is prayer, meditation, a moment of peace. There is no one who is not capable of practicing, and obligated to practice, political and social action in this widest sense. And if, as may well be the case, we are in for hard times, politically, socially, environmentally, we will need such good action more than ever to ensure that humanity will be able to meet the challenges ahead with a good spirit rather than hatred and strife.

Norman Fischer from When You Greet Me I Bow; Notes and Reflections from a Life in Zen