Regardless of where you sit socially, economically, politically or spiritually, it can feel destabilizing at times . . . even divisive.
Oftentimes when we are in the flow of our daily lives, we can lose sight of major transitions because it can feel like we’re on autopilot, going along with the motions until we take a pause and something feels “off.” Our nervous system knows it and yet we move through what has become a natural daily rhythm.
As human beings, we often create a routine since anything that remains constant feels comfortable—almost soothing at times—when situations can seem so volatile. These consistencies help us feel secure and grounded. When things around us go awry, our habits and patterns may change to adjust, but this can feel chaotic in the short term.
We’ve often heard that at the heart of spiritual practice is learning how to ebb and flow with our triggers. It's our shadow work. How do we handle the triggers that come up, whether it’s a New York Times article telling us about more layoffs or that there’s a heated exchange between the White House and our universities and institutions? We look at certain countries as allies; however, even this status quo doesn’t feel quite as stable or certain as it once did.
We are living in a challenging era, ones with valleys and mountains to cross and climb. As we make our way through this ambiguous landscape, our breathing might become more shallow when fear makes its way into our minds. We may find ourselves asking questions like, ”How is this all going to shake out? Will we be able to afford to send our kids to college? As a woman, do I still have rights over my body? Will I have affordable healthcare in six months or be without insurance altogether?”
During such watershed times, we face the choice to turn inward or seek others for solace. It’s all too easy to find ourselves adrift without anchoring practices that once kept us going.
I think of a sailing ship that is on a course to what we could call our ultimate destination. A strong wind comes up and for a short period, we are excited about a faster and more thrilling ride. Then, we lose the awe of that precious present moment and suddenly the sailboat stops. No matter how many moves we try, the boat is floundering.
While in limbo, we can either turn to panic and ask, “What now?” or we can say, “This too shall pass. Let me sit in the silence of this uncertain moment and trust that the universe has my back.” In the present moment, we have more patience and resilience. Fear hasn’t taken the breath out of our sail.
Life is like that at times, isn’t it?
It’s important that we have anchors during transitions and as a global society, we are going through a big one. It’s not as if we haven’t lived through chaos and uncertainly before and one could argue that humanity is kinder as a collective consciousness than it was one hundred years ago and definitely more than it was 2, 3 and 400 years ago. Let’s face it—we aren’t living at the time of Henry VIII where people were beheaded for holding a religious view that was deemed heresy at the time. We’ve come a long way.
And yet for so many, it feels as if the progress we’ve made is being unraveled, whether that be environmental changes to protect our forests, rivers, parks and oceans or the ability to afford medical insurance within a broken healthcare system that defies logic at the best of times.
What are your anchors? Do you know? If so, write down your top three anchors on a piece of paper and tape it to your fridge or bathroom mirror so you see it everyday. We all have anchors that keep us in flow and connected when things appear to be broken.
Let’s explore some vital anchors you can integrate into your own life, starting with community, which has always been a big one for us. In Buddhism, Sangha is one of the three pillars that represents a community who support each other on the path to enlightenment or spiritual awakening. Other lineages have something similar and certainly those who attend a service or ritual to meditate, pray, sing or dance know the power of community. Some may find this level of support at their temple, synagogue, church, monastery, mosque or around the fire on a full moon. These gatherings help us find connection, meaning and purpose in the middle of change but also receive support from others who may have gone through something similar. Here we receive validation and comfort. We feel heard and seen.
Another pillar in Buddhism is Buddha or the “Enlightened One,” which one could see in other traditions as the teacher or spiritual master . . . one who inspires them when they need words of comfort, encouragement or direction. Our teachings have always focused on Yeshua’s original wisdom from over two thousand years ago: The Kingdom Lies Within. In other words, the guru you seek “out there,” is inside. You are the Ascended Master with the answers to life's most pressing questions.
That said, learning from others we respect and admire can help us stay the course. As you navigate this path, we suggest the following self-reflective questions: Is the leader, guru, master or teacher I tune into feeding my soul? Are they focused on love, connection and unity or anger, frustration and divisiveness? These are simple questions that will help you discern who you spend your time with and why. After all, we are all mirror reflections of each other.
The third pillar of Buddhism is Dharma.
While our primary teachings are not Buddhist, there are many parallels to other traditions. It raises the questions: What do I care about most? What can I live with and what derails me? What is mine to do as we navigate this challenging period together?
What's key is how you listen to what bubbles up. You can even look in the mirror as you ask yourself these pivotal questions and notice . . . just notice . . . do you look up as you reflect on these pressing questions or do you sit into inner knowing? The mirror is a great guide because if you notice yourself looking up, you’re likely going to your mind rather than your heart for the answers. It is only when we sit and rest into our heart that our Higher Self can speak.
Also within these pillars are what can be called "instruction" — WISDOM, where we cultivate loving-kindness, empathy and compassion. Ethical Conduct and Action also live here. This translates to avoiding gossip and divisive speech, not killing, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct or making decisions that cause harm to others. Meditation is also part of this path or if you're from a different lineage, we can simply call it stillness, setting intentions, prayer, spending time in nature or just being present.
From this place, we can make a conscious effort to focus on the present moment and keep our hearts open. In other words, we kick judgment to the curb.
We would never advocate that you ignore the news entirely since it’s critical that we are aware of decisions that can affect our well-being and livelihood.
Dancing with the information rather than “plugging into” divisive energy is a great way to stay balanced and grounded. Just like a Tai Chi master ebbs and flows with energy, so too will you, when you choose to sail above the fearful and distracting pleas to subscribe to someone else's dream or vision. In these important teaching moments, we can learn to dance harmoniously with what comes our way . . . triggers and all.
When we get hit with what appears to be ugly or cruel at times, it's easy to forget that they have always been there: Misogyny, racism, antisemitism, an attack on free speech, neanderthal behavior towards those with different beliefs and dismissing warnings that we’re destroying our vital resources. As many podcasts as there are amplifying women’s unsung stories, there are just as many idolizing inappropriate locker room banter and justifying a distorted view of equality to keep the wealthy and privileged in power.
Who do you choose to give voice to?
Where will you spend your time and energy?
Listen to your heart at this time. Feel into what’s kind, conscious and giving versus self-serving or combative. Get clear on what and who you resonate with—from your heart-space—and write down the values they hold dear. Do they align with your own?
Do you fear standing up for what you believe in? If so, what holds you back? What is the worst possible scenario for speaking up for the pillars you wish to amplify?
Will you be shot down for speaking up for love? For unity? For raising a collective consciousness that heals humanity rather than divides it?
Remember, we are part of the whole, but we are also the whole. We are the drop of ocean but we are also the ocean. The blade of grass but also the field. The branch of a Redwood, but also Her roots. The grain of sand but also the entire Sahara desert. We are all of it.
There is no separation. Separation or rather the illusion of it, is what keeps us stuck. It’s what keeps us floundering in fear. It’s what stifles our voice. It’s what dampens our hearts. It’s what depletes our souls.
Connection and love feed our souls,
fill our hearts and strengthen our voices.
Sustainable change starts with us showing up and having the courage to speak our truth. Speak up for love. For unity. For non-duality. For oneness. For connection. For embracing our similarities across cultures and borders, NOT our differences.
Let's face it: We all want connection, love and physical touch. We all want to live in a world infused with compassion, integrity and empathy. We get fed by emotional support. We gather strength from our community when the path gets too hard to walk alone. Every single human being shares these qualities regardless of religious beliefs, skin color, or gender.
So, what’s yours to do at this time? Only your heart knows. Sit in silence and connect to that stillness. Ask your Higher Self for guidance as we collectively navigate the storms ahead. Breathe into the innate knowing that only your heart can tell you.
As the French peasants apparently said:
Praise the God of all
Drink the wine
Let the world be the world.
Beautiful words, but I’ll add the following: Namaste and So It Is.
END
Renee Blodgett is the founder of Blue Soul Earth with her partner, Anthony. They are authors of the bestselling book Magdalene’s Journey, which shares the untold story of Mary Magdalene’s life and teachings. The parallels between science, psychology and ancient wisdom across cultures and belief systems are laced throughout. The teachings focus on Universal Consciousness, Heart-Centered Living, Masculine and Feminine Balance, and our Human Existence. Together, they lead retreats, workshops, memberships, and mentorship programs, and are also the producers of the Blue Soul CHATS podcast, which bridges science and spirituality; you can subscribe to for free at www.youtube.com/bluesoulearth, and the audio-only version at www.anchor.fm/bluesoulchats.