My experiment with politics and practice began when I was elected to the Vermont State Senate in 2003.
My experiment with politics and practice began when I was elected to the Vermont State Senate in 2003. Supported by a long standing body/mind/spirit yoga practice, I challenged myself to practice the ethical codes of non-attachment and “right speech” or as my teacher says, “G-d is on the tip of the tongue.” I believe that everything happens for a reason, and every person that comes into our lives is there to teach us something. Thus, even the Senate can act as a ‘spiritual’ sweat lodge.
My observations about the nature of politics most closely align with the antics of a Punch-and-Judy show, full of drama and assaults. However, I had not fully grasped this concept when I ran for mayor of Burlington in 2005. In retrospect, I may have lost support by not defending myself against negative stories in the press, but I held onto the practice of “right speech”. Every person views the past from their unique lens and rarely reflects an objective truth. When my ex-partner and I started our business, we were young, operating mostly out of ego, fear and insecurity. Nevertheless, we were blessed with the small miracle of creating and selling the Jogbra, the first sportsbra that supported women to feel more secure as they engaged in exercise, health and well-being. Small entrepreneurial businesses are rife with stress and turmoil; such is the wonderful, chaotic nature of building something from nothing. So if I were enlightened, I would bless our relationship for catalyzing personal growth.
Over the years, by cultivating a practice of non-attachment when approaching work and relationships, I have learned to trust the flow of life, most of the time. That allows me to work hard without being enslaved by the illusion of controlling the results of my efforts. With relationships as well, I must do what I think is right, knowing I cannot manage the reactions of other people.
For now, I continue to serve in the Senate, still experimenting with politics and practice, still involved in small miracles. For five years, I have promoted legislation to require health insurance companies to reimburse Naturopathic Physicians for their services. The bill passed this year by convincing legislators and the medical establishment that quality care is more than diagnosis and treatment; it must take into consideration the ‘whole’ person. By appreciating the patient as an integrated ecosystem, naturopathic doctors require active participation in developing healthy habits, good nutrition and preventative care. In the state of Vermont, we are moving slowly towards a holistic approach to health care, honoring the body/mind/spirit connection. Now that’s a perfect example of politics and practice.
Hinda Miller, Vermont State Senator from Chittenden County