We could recall the duel
in “Attack of the Clones”
between Count Dooku
and Obi Wan Kenobi;
observing the delight
with which Count Dooku
taunted him…
There are those
practiced in the art
of denying the benefit
of the doubt.
Who delight in misunderstanding,
jumping to the wrong conclusion
thinking the worst of someone
and then denigrating them.
No, their problem lies not
in a lack of data
nor a lack of comprehension
rather, their problem is rooted
in their predisposition.
For their self-esteem
is rooted so deeply
in petty-ones-up-man-ship
and in demeaning others,
and in dominating others,
and in, by inference,
praising themselves
that all reason departs
and they simply cannot
help themselves.
They are to be pitied
for their condition is the result
of a great net of causes and conditions
mostly out of their control.
And like the carrier
of a virulent plague
who although is not worthy
of our malice
is still quite dangerous
and from whom we must keep our distance
lest they sicken us
and then we, in turn, infect others as well.
These cunning fools
with razor tongues
and scornful hearts
are plentiful
and unavoidable.
Recall again “Attack of the Clones”
wherein we saw
the violence of Dooku’s
attack upon Yoda;
aged and diminutive.
When confronted with an assailant
larger and more youthful than himself
grand master Yoda
used circular movements and evasions
well timed and subtle
to side step the onslaught
Count Dooku’s numerous attacks.
In the midst of peril
most real and certain
Yoda was mired
neither by the contrivance of over analysis
nor by the scatteredness of fear nor aggression.
Grand master Yoda
not only survived the treachery and violence
of count Dooku
but managed to protect
Anakin and Obi Wan as well.
No, we might not be nine hundred years old
nor less then a meter in height
yet each of us are vulnerable
in our own way.
How then are we to safely swim
the waters of humanity
when they teem with predators
clever and cruel.
We could use the Buddha’s trainings
of contemplation and compassion
to deepen our centered spontaneity
that we, like Yoda,
might Meditate like a Jedi.
Let us conclude
with a simple
call to action
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