MLK, the Holiday weekend January 19, 2008

The first of three posts.  In his 1959 Sermon on Gandhi, Dr. King elaborated on the after-effects of choosing nonviolence over violence: “The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, so that when the battle’s over, a new relationship comes into being between the oppressed and the oppressor.” In the same sermon, he contrasted violent versus nonviolent resistance to oppression. “The way of acquiescence leads to moral and spiritual suicide. The way of violence leads to bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers. But, the way of non-violence leads to redemption and the creation of the beloved community.”  Ten years ago, I found my spiritual home at Integral Yoga Institute which was founded by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Satchidananda created a worldwide movement and believed in the power of interfaith coming together.  His essential teaching was the phrase “The Truth is One, the Paths are Many.” That immediately resonated with me as did his wall of Saints or found at the San Francisco branch, the All Saints Room.  On this wall, some of the top yogis of all time, Black Elk, Maimondes, Jesus Christ, Mary, Mother of Christ, St. Francis of Assissi, Gandhi and  Martin Luther King, Jr.  I was heartened to see King there, even though he was a contemporary of Satchidananda, both walking in the world at the same time, preaching a message of non-violence, often continents apart.  I was heartened because it reflected that our own guru was embracing of a peer, something that is hard to do when ego is involved.  So it showed the Swami had indeed done the work on himself.  It also validates how revered Martin Luther King is throughout the world and serves as an inspiration to all.    As someone else who has a dream that includes all and believes we are here to work together rather than rip people apart, Dr. King’s legacy is always appealing to me.  Given our political manifestations about Dr. King, of late in national news, I think its worth reviewing this legacy in a short 3 part series. I’m not going down the familiar road of quoting “the speech”.  Instead, I’m going to first refer you over to the King Center.  Then I’ll make my commentary on the recent King controversy of late and then offer my own comments on the legacy of Dr. King and what I think it means for every citizen of the world.  The King Center defines clearly what we in the social justice movement affirm as The Beloved Community.   It’s a Community which the church of which I am now a member, calls out for and builds up each and every day.  I leave with this because I think it’s so meaningful and beyond the pale that its worth your reflection.I read it everyday before I head out into the world.   It gives me direction and I hope the same for you as well.