26/06/2024
How do politics and mindfulness live together? I think one of the challenges of being present in the moment is the emotional reactivity that comes with difference. There is difference everywhere; difference of thought, difference of ideas, difference of culture and dare I say, difference of politics. It is human nature to notice difference, in evolutionary terms difference can be a threat. Any emotional response we get to a difference in politics may manifest as a threat. When threatened we get defensive or attack.
Bringing mindfulness into political debate is recognising that another's ideas are not a threat, they are an interesting and meaningful exploration of the other's experience. Be curious and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Be courageous and talk from a place of honesty and respect.
Only 8 days to go!
Namaste.