{"id":252833,"date":"2024-07-31T06:35:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T13:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/?page_id=252833"},"modified":"2026-03-16T11:17:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T18:17:49","slug":"navigating-political-turmoil","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/topics-for-personal-growth\/navigating-political-turmoil\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating Political Turmoil"},"content":{"rendered":"

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RESOURCES TO GROW INNER STRENGTHS FOR<\/h2>\n

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Navigating Political Turmoil<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” max_width=”1000px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

It’s completely natural to feel frustrated, anxious, afraid, or overwhelmed by political events and conflicts.\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

These are complex issues that can have real impacts on our lives and communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news<\/strong> is that by acknowledging our fears and anxiety while taking purposeful action<\/strong>, we can navigate political turmoil with greater calm and effectiveness<\/strong>. Though challenges remain, we have the power to shape our response <\/strong>and contribute to positive change<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F2F0ED” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Simple Practices for Navigating Political Turmoil<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tell-the-Truth-and-Play-Fair.jpg” alt=”Tell the Truth and Play Fair” title_text=”Tell the Truth and Play Fair” url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/tell-the-truth-play-fair\/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”on” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(242,240,237,0.36)” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Tell the Truth and Play Fair<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Know-Where-You-Stand.jpg” alt=”Know Where You Stand” title_text=”Know Where You Stand” url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/know-where-you-stand\/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”on” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(242,240,237,0.36)” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Know Where You Stand<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Find-the-Facts.jpg” alt=”Find the Facts” title_text=”Find the Facts” url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/find-the-facts\/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”on” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(242,240,237,0.36)” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Find the Facts<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Find-Your-Ground.jpg” alt=”Find Your Ground” title_text=”Find Your Ground” url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/find-your-ground\/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”on” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(242,240,237,0.36)” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Find Your Ground<\/a><\/p>\n

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Take Heart<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Stand-Up-to-Bullies.jpg” alt=”Stand Up to Bullies” title_text=”Stand Up to Bullies” url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/stand-up-to-bullies\/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”on” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(242,240,237,0.36)” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Stand Up to Bullies<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Vote.jpg” alt=”Vote” title_text=”Vote” url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/vote-revised\/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”on” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(242,240,237,0.36)” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Vote<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Us-All-Thems.jpg” alt=”Us All Thems” title_text=”Us All Thems” url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/us-all-thems-finding-common-ground\/” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”on” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(242,240,237,0.36)” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“Us” All “Thems”<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”#simple-practices” button_text=”Find More Simple Practices Below” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

4 Ways We Can Respond After the Election<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/JF–jNS-6L8″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

You can check out the accompanying notes for this talk on 4 Ways We Can Respond After the Election here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2f0ed” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Compassion & Resilience in Uncertain Times<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=D__1yrr0BGw” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

You can check out the accompanying notes for this talk here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How to Promote Healthy Human Politics<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/qwt5YWi9XKo” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

You can check out the accompanying article for this talk on How to Promote Human Healthy Politics here<\/a>, which is a part of this series on Virtuous Conduct<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/being-well-podcast\/topics-for-the-being-well-podcast\/anxiety-and-fear\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Being Well Podcast Episodes<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_is_carousel=”on” pac_dcm_carousel_row_items_to_scroll=”3″ pac_dcm_carousel_row_items_autoplay=”off” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_arrows_background_color=”#284B71″ pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_arrows_color=”#F2F0ED” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_arrows_border_rad=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_prev_icon=”4||divi||400″ pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_next_icon=”5||divi||400″ pac_dcm_carousel_navigation_dots_color=”#ABD1C9″ pac_dcm_carousel_active_navigation_dots_color=”#017580″ global_colors_info=”{}” pac_dcm_carousel_row_items_to_scroll_last_edited=”on|desktop” pac_dcm_carousel_row_items_to_scroll_phone=”1″ pac_dcm_carousel_row_items_to_scroll_tablet=”3″][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ include_categories=”695″ show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” show_pagination=”off” offset_number=”3″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.4em” read_more_font=”||on||||||” custom_padding=”20px|20px|1px|20px|false|true” border_radii_fullwidth=”off||||” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ include_categories=”695″ show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” show_pagination=”off” offset_number=”4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.4em” read_more_font=”||on||||||” custom_padding=”20px|20px|1px|20px|false|true” border_radii_fullwidth=”off||||” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ include_categories=”695″ show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” show_pagination=”off” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.4em” read_more_font=”||on||||||” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|true” border_radii_fullwidth=”off||||” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ include_categories=”695″ show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” show_pagination=”off” offset_number=”2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.4em” read_more_font=”||on||||||” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|false|true” border_radii_fullwidth=”off||||” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][et_pb_blog posts_number=”1″ include_categories=”695″ show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” show_pagination=”off” offset_number=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.4em” read_more_font=”||on||||||” custom_padding=”20px|20px|1px|20px|false|true” border_radii_fullwidth=”off||||” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#f2f0ed 0%|#ffffff 99%” custom_padding=”100px||||false|false” top_divider_style=”mountains2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Online Course<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_5_font=”|300|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Dealing with Anxiety<\/h3>\n

5 Powerful Practices for Feeling Calmer, Safer, and More Capable<\/h5>\n

Explore ideas and practical, evidence-based methods for replacing anxiety with a sense of ease and confidence. Hardwire the benefits of these practices into your nervous system so you feel less preoccupied and nervous about the political landscape, and stronger and more hopeful.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/online-courses\/dealing-with-anxiety\/” button_text=”Learn more” button_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_bg_use_color_gradient=”on” button_bg_color_gradient_direction=”84deg” button_bg_color_gradient_stops=”#284b71 0%|#017580 100%” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover=”#017580″ button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/AnxietyProgram_Thumb.jpg” title_text=”AnxietyProgram_Thumb” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#f2f0ed 0%|#ffffff 99%” custom_padding=”100px||||false|false” top_divider_style=”mountains2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/MakingGreatRelationships-3D-Cover_forWeb-1.png” alt=”Resilient” title_text=”MakingGreatRelationships-3D-Cover_forWeb-1″ url=”https:\/\/rickhanson.com\/writings\/books\/resilient\/” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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Connect with People of Different Political Views with Simple Changes Inside Yourself<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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50 Simple, Powerful Practices for Solving Conflicts, Building Connection, and Fostering Love<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

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Psychologist and Author Dr. Rick Hanson answers real questions* about<\/span><\/h6>\n

Political Engagement<\/span><\/h3>\n

*Questions have been edited to protect privacy.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_font_size=”18px” toggle_letter_spacing=”0.5px” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Is it appropriate for someone with a platform focused on individual-scale wellness (broadly considered) to express opinions occasionally about societal-scale issues? Second, if it is occasionally appropriate, what guides my own opinions?” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”on”]<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve wrestled with these questions a lot. And many others have as well.<\/p>\n

Regarding the first question, my view is that there are many connections between individual wellness and societal factors such as a strong social safety net, low rate of poverty, and good public education. So I have come to the view that at key turning points such as a US presidential election, I should speak up about societal factors that bear on individual suffering, health, and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I understand that some will be jarred by this, or will disagree with my views. I respect my readers as adults who can simply glide past something they don\u2019t want to read.<\/p>\n

Regarding the second question, three fundamental principles create healthy relationships at all scales, from children on a playground to leaders in the halls of power to nations interacting with each other:<\/p>\n

Tell the truth<\/p>\n

Play fair<\/p>\n

Have compassion<\/p>\n

So I support politicians and policies that lean toward these principles, and oppose those that lean away. When there is a binary choice between two candidates or parties – as is usually the case in America, and often in other countries – neither option is likely perfect. But one is better than the other – in light of these principles – and that\u2019s the one I choose.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”When I reflect on %22What is true… what is real…?%22 I feel very challenged: where to begin when it’s a matter of perception? For example, my husband drives slowly because he feels this is safe. I experience his slowness as unsafe based on my perception relating to other drivers and my understanding of the rules, which he interprets in his own unique manner. Which reality is true? We could enlarge this to political discourse, especially in divisive and challenging times. I don’t want to add aggression to the world, and I struggle to respond mindfully. How do we not create enemy images? How do we determine what is TRUE\/REAL when every individual creates their own unique reality based on perception? One cannot measure his objectively when each individual has his own unique subjective reality!” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s make some clear distinctions: I think there is an objective reality \u2013 in other words, facts \u2013 independent of our descriptions of it. For example, if a tree falls in the forest, it falls in the forest no matter whether anyone sees it or hears it. Whatever is happening in the center of our earth is what is happening there no matter whether anyone knows what it is. What is real and true is real and true even if our knowledge of it is limited and our descriptions are shaped by culture or emotion. Reality is distinct from our perceptions of it. People describe facts in different ways. But just because our descriptions are limited and sometimes erroneous does not mean that facts are not facts!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Each human has a unique individual perception of reality, but reality is universally true. Just because we disagree about perceptions of reality does not mean that there is not an actual reality, nor does it mean that it is not knowable. Think of the zillions of ways that people do recognize reality: Is there water in the glass or not? Is the light green or red? Did the kid do her homework? Also think about the progress in science and education in which humans have gotten vastly clearer in the past few centuries about what is actually true.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, some descriptions of reality are more accurate than others. Saying that the earth is round is more accurate than saying it is flat. Saying that the crowds at Obama\u2019s inauguration were bigger than those at Trump\u2019s is more accurate than the reverse. Saying that Russia manipulated our election to favor Trump (as all 17 of our intelligence agencies have concluded) is more accurate than saying they did not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over time, people reveal how credible their descriptions of reality are. People who are usually accurate are more credible than people who are not. People who place a high value on telling the truth are more credible than people who routinely lie. People who admit their errors and correct them are more credible than people who do not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We discover what is true and real by patient observation. You can trust yourself. What do you see? What did you hear? What is happening in front of your nose over time? Who is getting richer? Who is stagnating economically or getting poorer? Is the planet warming up? Are there more severe weather events? Who is trying to count all the votes and who is trying to stop the count? These are things we can see plainly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Third, a lot of our descriptions of reality are probabilistic, in which we estimate the chances of something happening, such as a car crashing into us on the freeway. The actual chance of something \u2013 if we could run an experiment in a jillion parallel universes and then find the average percentage of times it did in fact occur \u2013 is an objective reality, but our estimate of this chance is a description of things.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It could be that your husband\u2019s estimate of the chance of an accident is higher than yours. His estimate could be more accurate than yours, or yours could be more accurate than his. But part of what is at issue is an estimate of the chances of a bad event, and clarifying this could be helpful.<\/span><\/p>\n

It could also be that your husband\u2019s estimate of the consequences of a car crash are more awful than yours. His estimate could be overly tilted toward the negative or yours could be more tilted toward the positive. But another part of what is at issue between you is an estimate of how bad or costly the consequences of an event would be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fourth, we have values that are independent of the facts and our descriptions of them. As a general principle, your husband might value caution more than you do. I\u2019m not saying what value is right; reasonable people can have different values; it\u2019s a personal choice, and not a matter of what objective reality is. But just because we have different values, does not mean that we share different realities. We live together in one shared reality, in which we have multiple individual descriptions and values.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”My question is about resilience and how to find agency in a world where we seem to be failing in so many ways (environmentally, politically). Deep in my heart I am aware that I must be the change I want to see in the world. Sometimes this gets intense and I feel my devotion slowly transform into attachment and I feel all this fear and desperation and hopelessness rise up inside. And then I hear the truth that the cause I have been fighting for has failed again. Should I just bag it? Do I just stop responding with my opinion, my signature, my protest? Do I just meditate and pray, eat organic, hike in the hills around town and pull knapweed? Honestly, I am stumped about what to do here and how to be. I would dearly love to know the approach a sane and healthy person would take and how this all relates to agency. I would love a description %22where the rubber meets the road%22 because I am not grasping how to be truly effective in my own life.” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

The issue you raise is at the white-hot center of socially engaged life these days and always. I sure don\u2019t have the answer, though I do have some personal answers. I try to explore some of them in my book, <\/span>Resilient<\/span><\/i><\/a>, including in the sections on \u201cAgency, Make Your Offering\u201d, and \u201cAspire Without Attachment\u201d. As to the essence of the matter, my personal approach is to sustain wise action with as little \u201cfriction\u201d as possible: the damage to oneself and others of getting stressed, anxious, and angry. The art of course is to tap into healthy outrage, fieriness, fierce compassion, moral disgust, etc. without getting sucked into the \u201cpoisons\u201d (Buddhist reference) of ill will, hatred, contempt, us-against-them tribalism, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It can be helpful to bring to mind admired models of this sweet spot \u2013 badass but not pissed off, alarmed but not immobilized, compassionate toward them but also toward oneself \u2013 and then imagine \u201cchanneling\u201d them or tuning into some aspect of how in the world they stay in that sweet spot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, we fight the good fight and do what we can. And stay happy meanwhile; they may have our White House, but they never need to have our minds.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”To what extent should Buddhism focus on actively working to improve societal conditions and pursue justice, rather than simply accepting %22what is,%22 even at the level of a killing a mosquito?” open=”off” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” inline_fonts=”ABeeZee” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Buddhism is 2500 years old, with lots of expressions. So I look to the original teachings of the Buddha, and can speak to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

He really emphasized the combination of compassion and other prosocial qualities, and personal virtue notably not harming oneself and others, and insight into the mind and impermanence, and the overall aspiration for awakening. In the Tibetan, Chan, and Zen evolutions from there, the motivation to awaken others got included (e.g., the Bodhisattva ideal).<\/span><\/p>\n

So there is a strong, moral, prosocial emphasis in Buddhism. And a strong focus on values in general.<\/span><\/p>\n

And – it has generally focused entirely at the individual level. Not the systemic, structural, political, or policy level. Much like other major religions (I say this not to defend Buddhism, but put it in context).<\/span><\/p>\n

Then only in the past 10-20 years, mainly in Western circles, there has been a push toward \u201cengaged Buddhism,\u201d which focuses on the systemic, etc., levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, in a strict sense, Buddhism broadly has not focused on \u201cjustice\u201d as a matter of public policy, legal systems, etc. Meanwhile, it has focused deeply and broadly at the individual level on not harming, having compassion, developing prosocial virtues like generosity, etc., etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Personally, I wish that organized religions would address societal-scale factors that increase suffering. This said, I believe in the \u201cseparation of church and state\u201d advocated by America\u2019s founders.<\/span><\/p>\n

And I welcome engaged Buddhism! You might like the writings of Bhikkhu Bodhi on this.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last, about mosquitoes. The first precept is to refrain from killing living beings. Obviously, that means not murdering other humans. But what about eating meat? What about spraying crops to prevent bugs from eating them? What about swatting a mosquito? Personally, I\u2019m mainly vegetarian for moral (not health) reasons, and I go out of my way to help spiders out of our home and not kill them. But mosquitoes – which I know are hunting my blood – ulp, I will indeed swat them. But I try to keep in mind what I am doing, and knowing that that mosquito is a sentient being in its way.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Additional Resources on Navigating Political Turmoil<\/h2>\n

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Articles<\/h3>\n

Stressed about Politics? Here Are 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health<\/a><\/p>\n

Keep Hope Not Fear Alive<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Worry Less about Politics and the Election<\/a><\/p>\n

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Tools for Finding Common Ground<\/h3>\n

Common Ground: The Book<\/a><\/p>\n

Finding Common Ground: American Politics Needs to Change, and So Do We<\/a><\/p>\n

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Talks<\/h3>\n

A Courageous Brain: Not Manipulated by Needless Fear<\/a><\/p>\n

Rediscovering Connection & Belonging<\/a><\/p>\n

Stress-Proof Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n

The Inner Peace That Releases Fear<\/a><\/p>\n

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