When I finished watching a recording earlier, the TV was sitting on 60 Minutes and a story about Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner from Burma/Myanmar. The story included a fairly lengthy look at current battles between Buddhists and Muslims, focusing on Buddhist monk leader, Ashin Wrathu.
I watched the Wrathu interview with growing indignation at his hatefulness and advocacy of violence. Outraged that he could foment such horrors while considering himself to be a good Buddhist. I realized with a shock this was the first time I’d ever seen what fundamentalism looks like on a Buddhist. And I LOATHED it. I found myself reflecting on the similarities among fundamentalists of all varieties and feeling angrier.
For a little while after watching I carried on inwardly raging. And then I smiled. If I can be that mad, unleash that much fury… I am him. And I can heal that in me. Great moment for me — and of course I realized, a perfect tale for J2P Monday.
For the fear I note in him and therefore acknowledge in me: I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.
For the fury within me that reflects the fury in him, I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.
For the intolerance for fundamentalism I hold in myself, reflecting his intolerance for Muslims: I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.
For the judgments I hold about who is wrong and who is right, I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.
For the anger that rises so quickly in me at whatever I see that I don’t like, I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.
What makes you angry in the news? What can you see in yourself that’s reflected in that story? What can you heal in you? Say the prayer.
For other posts about healing in yourself whatever you see as a problem in the world, see here, here, and here. For more on ho’oponopono and other versions of the prayer see this post.
Not Just Sassy on the Inside 
An opportunity to clean ❤
Thank you. I needed this reminder. More than in any other place we have travelled, I found it difficult being in Muslim countries (Turkey, Jordan, Egypt) and seeing the women either in scarves, or worse, fully covered from head to foot in black tents. It was challenging, but I see that my judgement of, and anger towards the religion that does this to women is just as bad. I will say the prayer. A lot!
Alison
I wonder where all this hatred comes from…do people hav so much time to hate others? My day goes off in planning meals for family and my writing or generally relaxing…why can people not live and let live in peace…
Hard to figure … especially this monk, who’s theoretically meditating and chanting every day…
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