The complementarity of social justice and mindfulness meditation

Chaos in Iraq, June 11, 2014.

Amanda Mills: public domain.

Say, friends, you may have noticed the variety of posts at Katalusis that rank as the 10 most popular - current topics include housekeeping mindfully, animal rights (see Raju the elephant), sex trafficking, racism, the Dalai Lama, and the Charter for Compassion.

The diversity in my subject matter at Katalusis notwithstanding, I’ve been following the daily news since childhood when an older brother was pulling combat duty during the Korean War. My father listened to the news on the hour whenever he was home from work, and I picked up the habit. Meanwhile, I developed a strong commitment to social justice.

Lately, listening to Diane Sawyer’s World News (ABC) program at 5:30 p.m. weekdays and scanning emails from politicos begging for money while trashing their opponents in 2014 might be depressing if I lacked the resources to stay centered most days and thereby respond more effectively- hey, Iraq is falling apart, and the Israelis and Palestinians continue to kill one another off.

Which is why I practice mindfulness meditation, keep a literary type novel on hand for downtime instead of TV, work out regularly, journal daily, and hangout with upbeat people whenever possible – I especially enjoy keeping company with my meditation group.

A little reminder here: the daily practice of spiritual disciplines is not antithetical to taking a stand for social justice on behalf of marginalized people, which includes women, who represent 51 percent of America’s population.

Don’t take my word for it – search the database here at Katalusis. You might start with the topic of drones.

An elephant cries after rescue from 50 years of horrific abuse

Dear Katalusis friends,

Raju held captive in chains, courtesy of Huffington Post.

I don't have time to post today as I'm on deadline with another writing project. But this item about Raju the elephant who cried after his rescue from 50 years of the most horrific abuse caught my eye, and I shed a few tears myself. This story deserves as wide an audience as possible. I hope it goes viral and then some.


Read about Raju here.

Warning: the saved can’t take their beloved pets with them when the Rapture comes tomorrow

The Rapture is scheduled to happen tomorrow on May 21, 2011, but what will happen to the pets left behind when the saved are taken up into Heaven to be with Jesus?

Eternal Earth-bound Pets to the rescue. According to the organization’s website:

You've committed your life to Jesus. You know you're saved.  But when the Rapture comes, what will happen to your loving pets?   Eternal Earth-Bound Pets takes that burden off your mind:

We are a group of dedicated animal lovers, and atheists. Each

Eternal Earth-Bound Pet representative is a confirmed atheist, and as such will still be here on Earth after you've received your reward.  Our network of animal activists are committed to step in when you step up to Jesus.

We are currently active in 26 states, employing 40 pet rescuers.  Our representatives have been screened to ensure that they are atheists, animal lovers, are moral / ethical with no criminal background, have the ability and desire to  rescue your pet and the means to retrieve them and ensure their care for your pet's natural life. 

Eternal Earth-bound Pets is not offering a free service: keep in mind, the unsaved will still need to eke out a living here on Earth:

Our service is plain and simple; our fee structure is reasonable.

For $135.00 we will guarantee that should the Rapture occur within ten (10) years of receipt of payment, one pet per residence will be saved.  Each additional pet at your residence will be saved for an additional $20.00 fee.   A small price to pay for your peace of mind and the health and safety of your four legged and feathered friends.

For more details, go here: