11/02/2024
Buddhist Wisdom for Election Anxiety
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In just a matter of days, the 2024 United States presidential election will take place. Many people in the country and around the world have spent recent months immersed in its constant news cycle โ a 24/7 marathon of debates, opinions, polls, and forecasts. While there have been moments of hope and inspiration, weโve also witnessed great waves of anger, grief, division, and anxiety, each piling on to the weight of an already heartbroken world.
In a strange way, the level of divisiveness on display in recent months has profoundly reminded me of our interconnectedness โ how our actions ripple beyond ourselves and into the world around us. Our votes, our compassion, and our hope become part of a collective path โ a journey towards a future we create together.
Earlier this week, I read through a selection of gathas for daily practice in Thich Nhat Hanhโs book Peace is Every Breath. I was particularly struck by his verse for โEnding the Day.โ He writes:
The day is ending,
our life is one day shorter.
Let us look carefully at what we have done.
Let us practice diligently,
putting our whole heart into the path of meditation.
Let us live deeply each moment in freedom,
so time does not slip away meaninglessly.
How can we use our time most meaningfully? How can we make every day count? It could be staying up-to-date on the very real worldly concerns weโre faced with and taking whatever action we can. It might also mean loosening our grip on worry and anxiety, grounding ourselves in the knowledge that mindful choices nourish not only ourselves, but the world around us. By acting mindfully, we can โlook carefully at what we have doneโ at the end of the day and proudly know we did our best to be of benefit.
If youโre looking for ways to settle your mind this weekend, Iโve found solace in the wisdom of the three pieces below, each written with times like these in mind. May they help you live deeply โ each moment โ in freedom.
