250803 What I learned in my studies this morning 5

Today's Meditation:

The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh (ed. by Melvin McLeod), Inclusiveness

Imagine loving everyone. What a utopian idea! What a foolish dream! Pshaw and psonething.

And we forget that's just what is ordered, right? Love your neighbour as yourself. No wiggle room there.

Nothing about how riled up I am by the news and my echo chamber on social media. 

Notgibg about how mad I am because a different person cut me off in traffic 5 minutes ago so I get a pass to drive like an asshole to you now.

Nothibg about how yeah but well this time it's different. 

Nothing about how it ok because the guy doing the stuff on the news is from Our Side™.

Nothing about how it not ok because the guy doing the stuff on the news is from The Other Side™.

Nothing about how I get an exception.

Nothing about how this time gets an exception.

Nothing about how this issue gets an exception.

Nothing about how these people are an exception.

Must we be victims and embrace the bombers and mass murderers?

No. You may protect yourself and others. Protect; not 'encroach upon the rights  others.'

This is why it's not easy to reach the level of spirituality we seek. Thats why we have special names for the few who do; saint, boddhisatva, grand elder.