Mindfulness and the Suffering of Others

I never expected to encounter accelerationism on a meditation retreat.


Last week I traveled to New Mexico for a retreat at a Zen center with Stephen Batchelor.  He spun a web teaching from the Pali Cannon, the original teachings of the Buddha, and brought in references from Greek and 20th century western philosophers to make his case for a secular reading of the Dharma.

Batchelor was convincing that the founding message of Buddhism was one delivered to artisans and commoners instead of monastics.  This message was more concerned with creating a civil society than achieving personal enlightenment.

My how far we have come.

I met many intelligent and kind people who dedicate their lives to serving others through direct care, teaching, art and activism.  It was a tremendously positive five days.

But two groups I sat with revealed to me how mindfulness can be used for selfish, misguided goals.

One, at dinner, celebrated the arrival of coronavirus.  They welcomed the economic collapse the virus threatened since it would tank the economy and guarantee the defeat of Trump in November.  Now these people, just minutes before, had chanted the Bodhisattva vow, which promises that the individual will delay their enlightenment until all others are enlightened.

Almost everyone at the retreat was upper middle class, some way upper middle class, and white.  During a recession they, and their investments, would be just fine.  But the masses of people that would suffer from an economic downturn are huge.  To wish this on them is unconscionable.

But the people at dinner honestly wanted to accelerate a downturn to achieve their political ends, workers of the world be dammed.

Another group, in speaking of climate change, saw the coronavirus as the earth's way of eliminating a pest.  I was incredulous at the idea that something was so wrong with humans that the earth would be better off without us.  Is that any sort of solution that would lead to less suffering?

I know mindfulness means many things to many people.  All too often it is tied up in self-improvement and self-care with little regard to our impact on others.  In the zendo these same people bowed to each other and spoke of compassion.  I don't know what thoughts troubled their minds while they meditated, but their words were completely devoid of compassion.

Mindfulness give us an opportunity to carefully consider our opinions and question our assumptions. Correctives we choose to impose on society should not result in further suffering.  We can approach a troubled society with an untroubled mind.  Honesty with ourselves, a careful contemplation on the unintended consequences of our actions on others, will enlighten us.

And an enlightenment formed with the benefit of others in mind is the point, isn't it?