The title of this post may immediately seem a contradiction. As I was meditating this morning, though, it is evident that more of this connection is needed. We are seeing growing passions, pro and con, following the American election. In some sense, we are seeing a nation divided.
An editorial on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) this morning talks of similar divides in Europe. We have seen Brexit and there are elections coming up in Germany, Austria, France and a referendum in Italy. There is much foment about.
Being politically aware and engaged is a good thing. It is also the source of much emotional upset within self and within and between groups. Without meditation and contemplation, we increasingly become impulsively driven by the disagreements and divisions. We begin to lose our way to reasoned intervention failing instead to the kinds of behaviours that lead to further division.
There is no question we need to protect all peoples regardless of race, gender, sexual identity, health status, economic position. Here is Canada, we face a particularly powerful moment as we, as a collective nation, must address our own history of violent, oppressive racism. The results of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission call us to action to repair and redress the history. Canadians must be careful to not call out other nations if ignoring or failing to act on its own challenges.
Meditation grounds us. It affords us the opportunity to see peace within and to find our place in the broader discussion of society. What seemed such a good idea, after meditation and reflection, may not seem so. Rather, the way may be clearer as we just sit with our emotions and allow pathways to evolve.
Society is in desperate need of meditation based reflection, thought and conversation. We are awash in rhetoric, anger, revenge and impulsivity. Ask what personal price you will pay if anger, revenge, hatred or despair become your internal dialogue. Politics today is inviting this. Engaging it is not without real payment required. How can you engage in a way that adds without destroying? How can you engage without internal harm? Where are the points of action that will make true change possible even if at a very local level? How will you treat the person who today is afraid of their place in society? Finding answers from within to those sorts of questions may be where your true power lies. Falling for the political rhetoric may instead bring internal crazy making.
I sit
I am
I be
I see my place
Here and
Everywhere
I am a force
But not alone
And not silent
I add to the direction
Of safety and welcome
Bringing together
Division hurts
Divide destroys
Understanding is hard
Listening
Thinking
Including
An editorial on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) this morning talks of similar divides in Europe. We have seen Brexit and there are elections coming up in Germany, Austria, France and a referendum in Italy. There is much foment about.
Being politically aware and engaged is a good thing. It is also the source of much emotional upset within self and within and between groups. Without meditation and contemplation, we increasingly become impulsively driven by the disagreements and divisions. We begin to lose our way to reasoned intervention failing instead to the kinds of behaviours that lead to further division.
There is no question we need to protect all peoples regardless of race, gender, sexual identity, health status, economic position. Here is Canada, we face a particularly powerful moment as we, as a collective nation, must address our own history of violent, oppressive racism. The results of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission call us to action to repair and redress the history. Canadians must be careful to not call out other nations if ignoring or failing to act on its own challenges.
Meditation grounds us. It affords us the opportunity to see peace within and to find our place in the broader discussion of society. What seemed such a good idea, after meditation and reflection, may not seem so. Rather, the way may be clearer as we just sit with our emotions and allow pathways to evolve.
Society is in desperate need of meditation based reflection, thought and conversation. We are awash in rhetoric, anger, revenge and impulsivity. Ask what personal price you will pay if anger, revenge, hatred or despair become your internal dialogue. Politics today is inviting this. Engaging it is not without real payment required. How can you engage in a way that adds without destroying? How can you engage without internal harm? Where are the points of action that will make true change possible even if at a very local level? How will you treat the person who today is afraid of their place in society? Finding answers from within to those sorts of questions may be where your true power lies. Falling for the political rhetoric may instead bring internal crazy making.
I sit
I am
I be
I see my place
Here and
Everywhere
I am a force
But not alone
And not silent
I add to the direction
Of safety and welcome
Bringing together
Division hurts
Divide destroys
Understanding is hard
Listening
Thinking
Including
© Peter Choate, 2016
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