I like to know what’s happening in the world. I read a great deal of news from around the world each day and follow business and cultural trends. I have various news apps on my phone so that when I have a few minutes free, I can read more about the world.
The last few weeks, following the news has been disturbing, both emotionally and spiritually. I’m gravely concerned about human rights abuses, right-wing policies, and leaders who demonstrate disdain for people. It’s happening in the US and in many other countries. I want to be informed, but am demoralized by what I learn. Reading the news in recent weeks often feels something like driving past an automobile accident: I don’t want to look, but it’s nearly impossible to turn away.
Several of my friends have shared that they find community to be more important now than ever. They look for times to share their frustrations with friends and those they trust. That can be an important part of getting through difficult political times. By talking with others who share similar values we come to understand that we are not alone.
As important as community and the support of friends may be, I find that it’s not enough to turn down all the noise of events that scream for our response. That noise can interfere with the ability maintain our day to day responsibilities and prevent us from discerning right action in our lives.
I’ve found that it’s more important for me than ever to be sure to engage in my regular spiritual practice. Yes, in the midst of all the noise of political discord, I need to spend more time in prayer and meditation. Taking time to allow the volume of the background noise to be turned down enables me to be more focused and centered. When I am grounded, I am able to clearly choose what action is best for me to take in the face of social and political issues. It also prevents me from feeling as though I’m just responding to some crazy external stimuli, like the ball in a pinball machine.
I’ve thought about the lessons I learned from a longtime activist, Father Daniel Berrigan. Dan was very visible in the 1960’s anti-war movement. In the 70’s, he became involved in the anti-nuclear movement. In the 80’s, I got to know him in working with people with AIDS. As involved as Dan was on the front line of many issues of social justice, he was also a contemplative soul and poet. It was the time in silence and by writing poetry that he nurtured his spirit and found the strength and inspiration to respond to the critical issues he faced. Dan knew that the way to avoid being consumed by the issues he faced was to also withdraw and be centered on a regular basis.
In order to turn down the volume of the political crises that face us and to be able to respond in a centered and focused way, I find that regular spiritual practice is critical. To that end, I encourage my friends to take more time sitting in meditation, do another yoga class, or hike for a few hours. Do whatever it takes to find that place of inner quiet again. Then from that place of inner quiet and peace, you’ll be better able to respond to the challenges we face today in the midst of the world’s turmoil.
Photo credit: walter.keller via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
We are living in a very crazy world, Lou. Dangerous leaders are taking on political power in a variety of places. In order to keep our sanity, we need to ramp up our own spiritual practices, hold on to each other tightly in spiritual community, and plan to respond to the political power. It seems you and your friends are focused on all three, which I think is essential.
Blessings on the journey!
The Real Person!
Author Lou acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.
Thanks for your comment, Rob. I agree.
Lou, I have the same feelings about health issues. Both beg to consider who are causing the discord and telling the lies with their own ends in mind, but stay silently in the background? They just light the match to cause the fire to use people to do their bidding for their own ends.
Propoganda by Edward L. Bernays –
Edward Bernays (1891-1995) is largely considered the founder of public relations (or “engineering consent,” as he called it) but is not known very well outside of the marketing and advertising fields. A nephew of Sigmund Freud, Bernays was the first to theorize that people could be made to want things they don’t need by appealing to unconscious desires (to be free, to be successful etc.). Bernays, and propaganda theorist Walter Lippman, were members of the U.S. Government’s Committee on Public Information (CPI), which successfully convinced formally isolationist Americans to support entrance into World War I. While propaganda was commonly thought of as a negative way of manipulating the masses that should be avoided, Bernays believed that it was necessary for the functioning of a society, as otherwise people would be overwhelmed with too many choices. In his words: Modern propaganda is a consistent, enduring effort to create or shape events to influence the relations of the public to an enterprise, idea or group.
[Source: Bernays, Propaganda, 1928, p. 52
It is more about people who make great sums of money being able to do what they do, hidden under the radar of being found out. If they are now threatened because of the turn of recent events, then they have to create a disruption in an endeavour to remove the threat.
I see people on facebook posting propoganda with no research validating the information they are passing on to friends asking them to pass it on likewise. With statements like; ‘It has been said…’ ‘It is believed…’ and so forth with endings that entice hatred and anger without evidence this or that is factual.
And you are right that it is a good idea to remove ourself and do our research, then ask for intuition, calmness and guidance.
The Real Person!
Author Lou acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.
Thanks for taking time to comment as well as to share the Bernays’ quote. It’s very thoughtful.
Indeed, we’re in a time when we need to be vigilant and use critical thinking regarding sources and validity. It’s a strange time when people intend to deceive to cause disruption.
Best wishes.
Lou