by Sensei Robert Joshin Althouse

A monk asked Unmon, "What is the teaching which Shakyamuni Buddha preached throughout his life?" Unmon answered, "One preaching in response."
—Case 14 from the Blue Cliff Record

I just returned from Jacksonville, Florida where I volunteered with Election Protection to help insure that African Americans in Duval county could stand up and have their voice counted at the polls. It was a powerful learning experience for me. I've never questioned my own right to vote. I've always taken it for granted. I saw how hard African Americans in Jacksonville have to work to insure that their right to vote is not suppressed by intimidation or out-right illegal activity. And I felt their anger, rage and distrust as a result of the denial of this basic human right. As a minister there said, "This election is not about abortion rights or even gay rights. It's about human rights!"

The election is concluded. Our country is deeply divided and as a result there is now a mandate to continue the policies of our current administration. This policy of "might makes right" justifies preemptive wars against anyone who threatens our position of power and privilege in the world.

In his book Sitting in the Fire Arnie Mindell speaks of the practice of "deep democracy". This practice includes and honors all voices and points of view. In a group, you may notice that there are often voices which go unheard. Some people have soft voices or speak slowly and are easily interrupted and talked over by other voices. Some voices are not as clear, logical, certain or confident as other voices. The practice of deep democracy creates a safe space for these voices to be heard and this is an appropriate response when voices among us remain unheard and discounted.

In 2000, when over 27,000 African American's votes were disenfranchised, an appropriate response in 2004 was to get on a plane and go to work with a non-partisan group called Election Protection to ensure that their vote counted in the election of 2004.

September 11, 2001 caused another response: the development of Inner Disarmament workshops. Integrating Nonviolent Communication skills with my zen practice and the three tenets of a peacemaker has been my response to terrorism and personal conflict. Now, more than ever, we need skills for being in conflict with others that don't demonize the people we disagree with. Inner Disarmament and Deep Democracy are an appropriate response for healing a divided and polarized country. Before we export democracy to other people around the world, let's begin practicing it in our own personal lives, in groups, in organizations, in business, in our communities and in our country.