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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 18 2006 : 12:02:43 PM
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Greetings,
I wonder if there is someone on this forum who works in law enforcement, especially a local police department? I would like to find out more about the work of a police officer. It would be wonderful to find an officer who practices deep meditation and other practices related to AYP. I would be interested to know how an officer could balance his or her work with spiritual practice in the face of abnormal situations, long works hours, and odd work hours?
I am very young and am just researching different careers right now; I am interested in law enforcement because civil service is appealing to me. My big question is, will this career be compatible with my spiritual practice? For example, I probably would have joined the armed forces except for the fact that I would not be able to properly practice kriyas and meditation in privacy. Thank you, Hunter
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Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2006 : 4:40:25 PM
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Welcome Hunter.
Cannot help you with an answer.. but I hope you will find one.
-Shanti. |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2006 : 6:54:35 PM
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| Thank you Shanti. |
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weaver
832 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2006 : 8:29:45 PM
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Hello Hunter and welcome to the forum!
I am not in law enforcement, but I will attempt to give a basic answer to your question about AYP being compatible with such a career. I believe that AYP can be made to work successfully with any career or lifestyle, there is plenty of room for flexibility, and one will just have to adjust the time of practices around the schedule. This subject is discussed more in AYP Lesson 18:
http://www.aypsite.org/18.html
The increased stability of mind and other positive effects of AYP will of course be of benefit within work in law enforcement, as in any work, making one more able to make balanced decisions and keeping the head cool in difficult situations. |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Apr 21 2006 : 10:30:21 PM
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| Thank you Weaver for your encouraging advice. I am in awe of the AYP lessons and amazed by this forum where all I see written is loving support and expansiveness. |
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Yoda
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2006 : 10:36:32 PM
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Hunter,
I think you can do it. But keep in mind, handing out speeding tickets is bad karma.
-Yoda |
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AYPforum
351 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2007 : 11:39:30 PM
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| Moderator note: Topic moved for better placement |
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Scott
USA
969 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2007 : 12:40:11 PM
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The original question is quite old, but I will answer.
I've been in the military for a few years, and am deployed overseas right now. At first when you think of a soldier or a cop (someone who has to uphold justice) you don't think they could be someone who is interested in spiritual matters...at least I tend not to! The two lifestyles almost seem to conflict.
But they don't have to.
Each of us must do what he/she feels is right. If that leads you to becoming a cop or something like it, then you're doing the correct thing. We each have to translate the yamas and niyamas in our own cultural and philosophical context.
For me personally, I saw the need to help defend my country...so I joined. I was changed when I saw my friend's child, and I wanted to protect that innocence. To protect the peacefulness of my country that I grew up knowing. Sure, it's got its problems, but at least a person is free to live how they choose. So those were my reasons for joining the military.
On a day to day basis, I continually assess whether what I'm doing is in line with my spiritual ideals or if it's not. If I'm being a kind person, and ultimately doing good things for everyone while I do my job here.
There is a bit of a problem in setting aside time to do practices. Doing a traditional AYP practice is impossible for me, without a doubt. My sleep schedule is completely messed up, and a lot of the time I'm busy working. But there's also a lot of free time, so I've taken up an Iyengar style asana practice. I've also been doing "awareness watching awareness" meditation for a few months now. It's the most effective style I've found for me, personally, and I can do it before bed or right after I wake up. I don't need to sit in siddhasana (that does help greatly though)..I can just lay there and do it, so no one gets all weirded out.
Alright, so those are my thoughts on the subject. To sum it up: you can make it work, if it's meant to work for you. |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 2:29:27 PM
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It is almost two years later and I had totally forgotten about pursuing a law enforcement career...Guess what...On March 25th I am taking an examination in order to become an officer for the San Francisco Police Department.
I was on the farm for 1.5 days and I felt that being a farmer is no longer for me, excluding my gardening hobby, and then I thought: "Now, I want to be a police officer." |
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Scott
USA
969 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 2:45:11 PM
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| Good luck on your exam, Hunter. |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 6:12:25 PM
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Thank you, Scott.
I am also going to start researching the FBI.
I used to read a lot about the CIA and FBI when I was 8 to 12 years old with the intention of becoming an agent in the future.
Somewhere along the way I separated myself from those desires. |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2008 : 9:29:58 PM
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I am having such a great time with my studies and training.
I borrowed a book from the main library titled Introduction to Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice by A.C. Germann, Frank D. Day, and Robert R.J. Gallati(former police chief of New York City).
Here is the basis of the book, in my owns words, upon which all other material within it expands:
"Because criminal justice activities focus upon people, the fundamental question in any study of criminal justice is 'What is the individual?'" (6)
"If a human being is seen as a complex totality unified with the universe, decisions to act and change and move history forward will be seen as in harmony with destiny as an open system onto existence, and with capacity to enter into union with life" (11).
Holding a firm vision of the goals and purpose of humanity will better allow us to "...judge the applicability of this or that law, method, or technique" (11).
The Individual
America is a western culture and the primary belief of western culture, as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and in our Constitution, is that all individuals are expressions or children of a universal creative force called God. It is the purpose of humans to grow into full maturity, to grow into full human personality, for each individual to find his or her own unique greatness, and to constantly learn and evolve as individuals and as a society.
(Remember, this is coming from a textbook about law enforcement and criminal justice.)
The State
In order for the people to walk the path towards their endeavors, they require a safe and free climate to grow; an environment of natural order. There is a factor called crime which disrupts the natural order and is the reason people create a state and its institutions in order to maintain natural order. Just the same, a farmer does not actually grow or create plants and fruits, she learns about the natural unfoldment of plants and assists in the process.
The law enforcement agents of the state are directly involved in the maintenance of order(I wrote "maintenance", not "creation") and prevention of crime.
[End]
It is not important whether this basis for law enforcement and state is practiced and lived in reality, it is more important to realize that this can be a beneficial guiding vision for society; the real and forgotten American Dream. |
Edited by - Hunter on Mar 09 2008 9:35:53 PM |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2008 : 9:49:03 PM
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I am so enjoying the studying of this subject that I think I could study law full-time. In the least, I will continue to always study law on the side as a hobby.
Something I am learning as a recurring theme: It is one of the duties of law enforcement agents to find and maintain a balance between law and equity; two sides of the same "coin". Equity is what keeps it all human.
Equity: This is a great word to define and spend some time researching. |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 2:51:18 PM
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Here I go!
Tomorrow morning (March 25th) at 8:00 AM, I am taking my police officer written examination for the San Francisco Police Department.
I have been studying my heart out for the exam and the oral board interview, which will take place at a later time. |
Edited by - Hunter on Mar 24 2008 2:54:10 PM |
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weaver
832 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 3:00:08 PM
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| Good luck Hunter, I'm sure you will do well! |
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Nancy
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2008 : 7:12:20 PM
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Hunter
My husband has been a police officer for 22 years and meditates and is spiritual as well. Work is work. I would like to think that Yoda was JOKING when the statement of handing out tickets was bad karma...
Think about being in Service..... as they say to do here in this forum and when a person is on a path of finding self.
Never, Ever put your guard down or place yourself in a situation where your saftey will be questioned.
Work is work - Spirituality and Meditation is not WORK
Does everyboy on this forum go around at their jobs and talk about their meditation all day long? I doubt it
Is no one on this forum in a management position where at times they have to reprimand or even FIRE someone? I doubt it
ONLY ALL Good Karma will come your way as a result of your choice to be in service 24 - 7.
I have watched my husband put that vest on nightly, for 10 years, and never once forget to say a quick prayer that he comes back home. When 4 am rolls around and he is not home, I cant go back to sleep until I hear from him.
Throughout his 22 years, he can tell you many stories, from undercover, detective, to DUI, SWAT TEAM, FTO, Street Cop, that when I say ONLY GOOD KARMA CAN COME YOUR WAY, you will believe me.
WORK IS WORK - Dont ever put your guard down, even on a simple routine traffic stop with a single fragile women in the car.
Meditation will help you get through the harder stuff, like when you need to tell a mom that you found their child, but their child is dead
like when the "BAD GUY" tries and attack you or grab at your weapons
ONLY GOOD KARMA CAN COME FOR BEING IN SERVICE AND RISKING YOUR LIFE DAILY FOR OTHERS |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2008 : 01:05:02 AM
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Nancy,
Thank you for the advice, your response means so much more to me than I am able to convey through this text.
Regarding my exam, I felt confident and completely prepared for the written examination. My physical agility test will take place on April 16th, followed by the oral board interview on April 19th, which I am preparing myself for through study and practice.
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2008 : 02:13:46 AM
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I just received notice in the mail that I passed my writen examination!
I am scheduled to take my departmental interview April 16th and my physical ability test on April 19th. |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 4:57:14 PM
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I passed my departmental interview! Onward to the next step...
Tomorrow morning I have a physical ability test. |
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Echo
United Kingdom
48 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2008 : 5:09:24 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Hunter
I passed my departmental interview! Onward to the next step...
Tomorrow morning I have a physical ability test.
Well done! And good luck! |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 4:51:35 PM
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Well, I have had such a great learning experience these past four months. Upon following my heart, I have concluded that I do not want to work as a police officer.
On Thursday, I had such a great interview with a superb organic produce distributor in San Francisco called Veritable Vegetable. www.veritablevegetable.com
Organic and sustainable agriculture is definitely my passion and I feel excited about working for this particular company. I will find out this Monday if I am to be hired. |
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Scott
USA
969 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 8:19:26 PM
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| Cool! It's good to get an update, I was wondering what you did. |
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david_obsidian
USA
2602 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2008 : 10:48:13 PM
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Hunter, just glad that you're going to follow what you think is best for you. If that's in sustainable farming, great. If it had been in law enforcement, that would have been fine too.
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2008 : 1:44:23 PM
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| David and Scott, Thank you for the encouragement. |
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Hunter
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2008 : 7:31:16 PM
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| I just spoke with the human resources manager at Veritable Vegetable and I got the job! |
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Balance
USA
967 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2008 : 03:37:25 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Hunter
I just spoke with the human resources manager at Veritable Vegetable and I got the job!
Pretty cool how you went into that whole thing. Congrats on your job! Organic produce is da bomb!
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