The Open Dimension

Commentary on social issues; politics; religion and spirituality

My Photo
Name:
Location: Laguna Hills, California, United States

I am a semi-retired psychotherapist/psychiatric social worker and certified hypnotherapist. Originally a practicing attorney, I changed careers during the 1980's. My interests include history, constitutional law, Hindustani classical music, yoga, meditation and spirituality.

Friday, April 05, 2013

Obama Cutting Social Security ?





News leaked today that President Obama's budget will openly push for cuts to Social Security benefits -- a shot across the bow for the progressives who called their neighbors, spent weekends knocking doors and donated millions to reelect him.
Tell President Obama you don't have his back on this. Sign our petition to stop big cuts to Social Security right now.

Our strategy is simple:

President Obama thinks Democrats will fall in line behind these proposals. If we can show that there is enormous opposition to these Social Security cuts, we can pressure Democrats in Congress to take these devastating cuts off the table.

But we need your help now to do that.
Tell Democrats to reject cuts to Social Security and Medicare by signing our petition today.

We've got to get this done, folks. Let's go.

- Jim

Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America

Thursday, April 04, 2013

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva ( Click image to Enlarge )







Just as space, though containing all things, is apart from existence and non-existence, great bodhisattvas, though entering the worldly realms, are free from conceptions of the world. Though they strive to liberate all beings, yet they are always free from conceptions of beings. Though they have profound knowledge of all phenomena, yet they are free from conceptions of phenomena. Though they enjoy... seeing all buddhas, yet they are free from conceptions of buddhas. Though they skillfully enter various concentrations, yet they know all things are inherently THUS, and have no attachment. Though they expound inexhaustible statements of the Dharma with boundless intelligence, yet their minds always dwell on the truth beyond words. Though they enjoy contemplation of the wordless teaching, yet they always manifest pure voices. Though they abide in the realm of all things beyond words, yet they always manifest various forms. Though they teach beings, yet they know all things are ultimately inherently empty. Though they diligently cultivate universal compassion and liberate beings, they know the realm of sentient beings is inexhaustible and has no dissolution. Though they realize the realm of reality is everlasting and invariable, yet they ceaselessly guide beings by knowing their minds and giving them appropriate instruction. Though they always rest in the abode of the enlightened, yet they always ceaselessly turn the Wheel of the Dharma, analytically expounding all kinds of truths with purity of knowledge and unhesitating expertise.

 (Avatamsaka Sutra - 844, 845)

Wednesday, April 03, 2013