Occupy the Present : Justice & Love triumph at Oakland's general strike

At Oakland's general strike there was a strong presence of those advocating love and justice through meditation and spirituality. While most marched and chanted during the day, some, including Joe Weston, Randy Lind and interfaith members and Order of Interbeing members, sat and peacefully occupied the present moment with freshness and stability.

Many spontaneously sat and expressed their compassion and presence at the Oscar Grant plaza, which is just a few blocks from the "Remember Them: champions of humanity" sculpture.

Spiritual/Religious leaders from many traditions offered ethical guidance and prayers.

Sits have been on-going at Oscar Grant Plaza.

Various musical expressions and marching bands are heard, including the Gomorrans.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• occupy oakland
• occupysf
• Thrive
• Oakland
• general strike
• meditation
• Peace
• justice
• ows
• general strike oakland
• mindfulness
• wkup
• spirituality
• bpf
• Buddhist Peace Fellowship
• Angela Davis
• Thich Nhat Hanh
• MLK
• Gandhi
• Joe Weston
• Betsy Rose
• Rabbi Lerner
• remembering them
• Randy Lind

[milascave2]

Folks, why do you keep saying that :sinign Kumbaya" won't work? I didn't hear that song at all in this video. In fact, many succseful movements for change were led by people of faith (Ghandi, King, etc.)

But you don't have to believe in any religion to benefit from the calming effects of meditation and similer practices.

Then, once you have generated calm and compassion, you will be in a much better state of mind when the chaos begins, when the police come, etc. And you may be more effective

[rezdoglatte]

@milascave2 wonderful insight, thanks for sharing!

[micoforion]

not sure what to make of this video, i am leftiie and liberal but hate religion, any religion and just didn't like underlining religious tone here.

Are you guys praying for corporations to stoop steeling, or for corrupt police force to stop beating innocent protesters.

Peace and Justice is what everyone wants, how exactly you plan to achieve this peace and justice if you aren't vocal about it, singing kumbya my lord won't help. It was tried before and failed miserably.

[rezdoglatte]

@micoforion Thanks for taking the time to view the piece and comment. I understand having negative experiences with religion. Yet many find cultivating their inner peace through meditation and prayer brings about personal joy, which then spreads to others, and hopefully the world. It can also help bring about insight into the right thing to do. Wishing you happiness on your path.

[lamaddussa]

@micoforion

i'm an atheist & i hear where you're coming from. meditating, praying & making paper cranes may comfort those engaging in those practices but they will not change the injustices in the world. if those activities give people the emotional strength and inner peace to allow them to take external, constructive action in the world, then they may have some value other than simply comforting those who engage in them. much in this clip was moving, though i'm also skeptical of some of it.

[rezdoglatte]

@lamaddussa Meditating, praying & making paper cranes will definately change the situation. These are actions of love. Hatred Will Cease Only By Love. This Is An Eternal Law.

[milascave2]

@rezdoglatte Your welcome.

[tazru333]

I wonder how long it will take for these people to get Pepper Sprayed too?

I REALLY wish I lived in a Country that did not have that reputation!

[micoforion]

@monchichinom indeed, I' not saying to be violent, the fact I hate anarchists, but to sing kumbaya my lord is not the way, Last time we tried that in 60s everyone depicted peace protests as a hippie movement and license to ignore whole reason why my mom and her generation stood for their right and protests on streets.

Democracy leads to pluralism leads to liberty leads hegemony leads to love leads to peace! Not the other way around. Dictators won't change unless you force them to change ;)

[monchichinom]

@micoforion I was protesting against the war in 2003 and prior, full of anger and wanted a revolution. Our anti-war group broke apart b/c we demanded peace but couldn't practice peace with each other. In the 70s, I was escaping a war. I don't think we disagreed on wanting economic justice but how to go about achieving and sustaining it is debatable. We see regimes change around the world but the problem of corruption didn't go away with new parties in power when everyone operates on us v. them.

[micoforion]

@rezdoglatte lol, sorry ot trying to rude here, but America is than doing a lot of lowing as of late, Iraq, Afghanistan. Only way to to deal with current situation in America (lack of human rights and injustice - the 99%) is to demand your rights, but singing kumbaya my lord ruling apparatchiks will only ignore you, and beat the hell out of you, I doubt love and peace works on them ;) I am all for peace and love, but we need to face a reality, we need to demand our rights!!!