President Obama spoke to the children and grieving families in Newtown, Connecticut where 20 children and 6 adults lost their lives.
He said, “We as a nation are left with some hard questions… Our first task is caring for our children… Are we doing enough to keep our children safe from harm?” President Obama answered, “No!”
He said that he would work with law enforcement officers to see what could be done to prevent more tragedies like this, the fourth during his presidency.
I’m reminded of the First Mindfulness Training, Reverence for Life offered by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. My favorite version goes like this:
Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.
If our children would study, practice and observe this training, they would grow up with a reverence for life. They would understand that all sentient beings want happiness and avoid suffering.
This is what would give life meaning and begin to explain why we are here – two more hard questions President Obama asked.
I was deeply touched when he read the names of the children.
I have dedicated my last forty plus years of my life teaching my children reverence for life and keeping them safe and protected from harm and danger. You can read about it in the posting from a few days ago, The Love Of A Parent For A Child.
On of my mentors knows the father of Noah Pozner, one of the victims. They have set up a website Noah’s Ark of Hope Fund. Please go there and make a donation.
