Wrestling with activism

My basic ethos comes from my Wiccan nature via Starhawk: 鈥淒o as you will, and harm none鈥�. If you are aware of the consequences of your actions rippling out in the universe, this can be a very difficult rule to live up to. However, it fits rather nicely with my Zen Buddhist vows to work for the benefit of all beings.

But how can I determine what is good? And what if I don鈥檛 like 鈥渁ll beings鈥�?

Short answer: It doesn鈥檛 matter. I do the best I can with the information I have, remembering that basically everyone is doing the same thing, the best they can with the information they have. I know, it can be hard to wrap your head around this. However, we do not have to follow the habitual thought pattern of assuming the worst about the people in charge. I may not like what they do, but I just add to my own psychic load if I then demonize them.

So, when I look out at the world, and see the dangers and crises ahead I鈥檓 not going to waste my energy hating the perpetrators. Who are these perps anyway? Does it make more sense to blame big business, the oil industry, the banks, and our apparently powerless governments, or are we all to blame for embracing our culture of excess without questions or doubts?

Instead of blaming, I hope to simply stay informed and help others be more informed.

One thing I鈥檝e been doing recently is picking one news item and following it for a while. Instead of trying to digest all the news and misinformation we are flooded with, and then giving up because it really is overwhelming, I鈥檝e taken to following a couple of stories that caught my eye, a little more in depth.

If you want to try this and haven鈥檛 done it before, prepare to be amazed.

Be amazed by the layers of story as you go deeper (these layers don鈥檛 make it into the news), and be amazed at the resilience and resourcefulness of the people involved.

You could choose to decolonize your mind and become informed about how non-aboriginal 91原创s have mistreated aboriginals throughout our history. Go to a Truth and Reconciliation event happening throughout BC, or in 91原创 September 22, 2013 participate in the Walk for Reconciliation (http://reconciliationcanada.ca/events/walk-for-reconciliation/), volunteer with Aboriginal Neighbours (aboriginalneighbours.org), read Paulette Regan鈥檚鈥淯nsettling the Settler Within鈥�, available at your local bookstore and at the Greater Victoria Public Library (gvpl.ca).

Another choice might be following your love of gardening to learn the truth about bees, seeds, and survival. Recently Victorians had the chance to see Dr Vandana Shiva, one of India鈥檚 leading Physicists and probably the most famous environmental activist, in person. Dr Shiva encourages us all to learn more about where our food comes from and how one large company, Monsanto, is radically changing agriculture globally.

By producing genetically modified (GMO) seeds that are patented, this huge global corporation is breaking a natural law. In the past farmers grew many types of food plants, saved the best seeds, and planted these the following year. The seeds were free and did not require the purchase of chemicals to make them grow. Now, however, Monsanto has broken this natural chain of events 鈥� farmers who become ensnared in Monsanto鈥檚 world view must buy Monsanto鈥檚 seeds for every planting. Not only are they not permitted to save seeds, they can no longer sow a great diversity of crops, and they must also buy the chemicals that are designed to work with the genetically modified plants. This has led to financial failure and in India the suicide of 250,000 farmers.

In Canada it means that we must be very vigilant to preserve the right to save seeds, to preserve the genetic diversity of our food crops, and to have GMO food labeled as such (we are the guinea pigs 鈥� no one really knows the effects of GMO foods on people).

You can work together with others to support a GMO free 91原创 Island by growing, saving and exchanging seeds, by Marching Against Monsanto Saturday March 25, 12:30 starting at the Leg, and informing your municipal councilors, MLAs and MPs of the serious nature of this issue.

Decolonizing our minds and making 91原创 Island a GMO free zone are just two examples of activism that speak to my heart. It takes a lot of clarity to engage in these activities in a peaceful state of mind, not engaging with guilt, negativity, blaming, or self-righteousness and pride. Engaging with this exploration of activism, acknowledging feelings and opinions as they come up, and attempting to find a path of action which benefits all beings, are all part of Zen practice.

Soshin McMurchyis a novice priest with the Victoria Zen Centre,听, and serves as the Buddhist Chaplain with the University of听Victoria Multifaith Services. She works part-time at the Greater Victoria听Public Library and lives in Victoria with her partner of 35 years.