Cameron White deployed to Iraq twice. Before his first deployment he was in full support of the war. When he got there though, he found himself securing oil fields, causing him to wonder what the real intention of the mission was. After extensive research and re-education Cameron began working within the peace movement while still on active duty. He was introduced to Buddhism by a fellow soldier in Iraq, and upon returning from his second tour he began studying with Claude Anshin Thomas,...
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Cameron White deployed to Iraq twice. Before his first deployment he was in full support of the war. When he got there though, he found himself securing oil fields, causing him to wonder what the real intention of the mission was. After extensive research and re-education Cameron began working within the peace movement while still on active duty. He was introduced to Buddhism by a fellow soldier in Iraq, and upon returning from his second tour he began studying with Claude Anshin Thomas, a Vietnam veteran turned Buddhist monk. “Buddhism is about understanding the self. In the military the mentality that is encouraged is to do things without asking question and not look at the humanity involved and the consequences. What drew me to Buddhism and opened my eyes within the practice was realizing that I have to pay attention to what I am doing each and every moment because there are consequences to all the choices we make.” Cameron now works for Disabled American Veterans and sees his work as service to the world.
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