Sympathies for Nova Scotia Residents

[trusolo]

A very sad, tragic, and senseless incident of violence has just unfolded in Nova Scotia. My sympathies to the residents of Nova Scotia and Canada. This is the second time in a few months in Canada.

I know Kathy is from Nova Scotia. Hope you and your family and friends are OK.

May all beings desire peace and achieve it.

[justusryans]

Agreed, another senseless act of violence, then again all acts of violence are senseless.


I also wish Kathy’s family and friends are well and healthy.

Metta to all,
Mike

[Olderon]

May all victims of violence, including family members, coworkers & business associates let go of the anguish which arises along with thoughts of retribution. ...for: "Violence leads only to more violence."

[trusolo]

Agreed with both of you. Thankfully though ordinary folks even if they want retribution are not equipped (training-wise) to carry it out because I’m guessing it requires careful planning and special training to actually do it.

Unfortunately, the anger and sadness and bewilderment will stay with them for a long time because lets face it there is no religious, philosophical, or moral system that can prove to anyone convincingly why what happened had to be that way and it was justified. Hopefully they can get the solace they need from whatever beliefs they have.

May all beings be at peace

[Aloka]

I've just read that the shootings were in a town called Portapique in Nova Scotia - and I too hope that Kathy and her loved ones are safe and well.

Meanwhile, the news in the UK this morning is that the death toll here from the Coronavirus pandemic has risen to 16,060 and that the government intend to provide an extra 30,000 mortuary places.

Vital PPE orders for doctors and nurses in hospitals and care homes have also been delayed yet again and people working in the NHS are dying from the virus themselves.

As far as my own experience of daily life is concerned, while realising that its necessary, I am beginning to get quite bored and lonely in the lockdown conditions - and I find myself getting upset nearly every day about all the suffering of the people dying with the virus around the world, as well as the suffering of those trying to save them.

Two days ago I also heard that an old friend who lives in the USA, has terminal cancer.

So...in general, I think its not a bad idea to just shut off the world news completely for part of the day during these difficult times, focus on one's breathing, and meditate.

[trusolo]

I agree. all the bad stuff seems to be happening in bunches. I did not realize UK numbers were so high! I feel sorry for those who are working in hospitals and essential services and feel grateful and hopeful that there are so many such people in the world that one never hears about normally. I have stopped following the news daily for a few years now. Every few days I check to see if anything new has happened or not. I am just too tired and exhausted with constant bickering and blatant cronyism of politics. I hope everyone can get through these times with physical and emotional well-being intact.

[KathyLauren]

Thank you all for the concern. My wife and I live a couple of hours' drive from where the tragic massacre occurred. We were not in any danger.

And yet, there is nothing inherently dangerous about the village of Portapique, or any of the other communities that the gunman attacked. (He was mobile, and the shootings and fires occurred over a wide area.) The village where we live is quite similar to Portapique in many ways. So, it could happen here. Or anywhere. He targeted people randomly, so it could happen to anyone.

Just as the covid-19 virus could happen anywhere, to anyone. The only difference is intention. The gunman had intention; the virus (we presume) does not. All one can do is to look out for one's karma.

Om mani padme hum
Kathy

[Aloka]

It's very good to know that you and your wife are safe, Kathy.


May all sentient beings be free from suffering and its causes.