Advice for our present time

For most progressive, liberal-minded people the events of 2016 have given rise to quite some anguish, if not despair. The causes have been elaborated too many times to bear repeating.

My suggestion is this: focus on being very well, strong in mind and body, happy, joyful, participating fully in life. It does not benefit the world at all for you to be morose, fearful and defeated; on the contrary, going forward valiantly radiating wellness has a greater positive impact on those around us, and thus the world.

Consider the French resistance fighters in WW2. From the subversive agents to the intellectuals such as Jean Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Albert Camus, they became even more active, brilliant and focussed in their activities facing great personal danger.

Danjo-San pointed out that during a dark time when ignorance and violence are ascendant, forces of compassion arise to extinguish it. 

In “The Book of Joy,” based on a week of dialogues between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, these old men who have endured so much show how we can cultivate joy in the midst of great uncertainty, by practicing kindness, concern for others, forgiveness, gratitude and lovingkindness towards ourselves. 

I would add to this the following points: Take excellent care of your body, including a gentle practice such as yoga, regular meditation, vigorous physical exercise and attention to a plant based diet. Spend time daily in pursuits that evoke joy, such as playing music, listening to great music, reading great literature, cooking, being with good friends, gardening and producing art. 

Remember that the enemy is bad policy, not people. As General Wesley Clark said so well last week, the enemy regarding climate change is not republicans, but carbon in the atmosphere. Keep your spirit clean and strong so you can fight bad policy with clarity and focus.