Bernie Glassman at Upaya Roshi Bernie Glassman: Bearing Witness to the Oneness of Life 2011 (Part 5 of 6)
Aug 1, 2018
Roshi Bernie Glassman, Zen teacher and founder of the Zen Peacemakers, known for socially engaged Buddhism. He explores hope versus optimism, how expectations create suffering, and the practice of bearing witness. Conversations cover interconnectedness, technology’s cultural impact, learning by doing in the streets, and practical programs like PathMakers.
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Hope Is Action Despite Bad Odds
- Hope differs from optimism because it acts despite bleak facts and encourages risky, collective imagination.
- Bernie Glassman cites Cornel West: hope ignites contagious possibilities and heroic acts without guarantees.
Lessen Suffering By Releasing Expectations
- Let go of rigid expectations to reduce suffering, because change is constant and expectations breed frustration.
- Glassman warns you cannot eliminate expectations entirely but you can lessen suffering by working to release attachments.
From Interconnectedness To Hyperconnection
- Interconnectedness has shifted to hyper-connection, amplifying effects and spreading states like hope rapidly.
- Glassman links Indra's net to modern tech and cultural acceptance that everything is more tightly linked than before.