Your deep questioning is so eloquent here. Much gratitude for your musings here. Roshi Joan Halifax and the work of her center Upaya may be something you are looking for, especially if you are already drawn to Buddhism. She is about to start another year of engaged Buddhism with some of the most eloquent and dedicated people of our time. Good luck, there are many of us by your side.
Thank you for this well timed piece, I myself shy away from all things organized and religion but am consistently drawn to Buddhism and its teachings but also want to expand the self into my world!
For me, I find sanity in reminding myself to keep focusing on what I have control over, which, as it happens, is only myself. As the world becomes increasingly disconnected while simultaneously constantly connected it can get very overwhelming to care about what is happening to the people in our network. There was a time when Benny was little and having a lot of medical problems that I realized that I needed to take a social media break, because finding out about the loss of kids with Down syndrome who I didn't know personally but felt I did through social media was giving me an intense anxiety that wasn't in any way helpful for anyone, especially not myself. Whenever I find myself in a state of anxiety now I ask myself whether there's something I am trying to control that I don't have any control over. I remind myself that I only have control over my own thoughts, responses and actions and I focus on the things that I can do that make the world better, even if it's just having gratitude and appreciation for the beauty around me. What else is life for, if not to appreciate the beauty around us? Do others suffer less if we suffer more? As a deep thinker and sensitive soul it is easy to take on responsibilities that truly do not belong to us. The more we fill the world with love and art and beauty the better the world will be.
Maggie, this is beautiful. I struggle with this same dilemma and so admire your commitment to be present to the larger world in ways I am not often able to be. But I know it is taking a toll on you. I don’t know the answer. As you note, we all need balance. But how does one find balance amidst staggering horror and evil? Thank you for writing this. I hope you are able to find some space around your anxiety, my dear friend. ♥️
Your deep questioning is so eloquent here. Much gratitude for your musings here. Roshi Joan Halifax and the work of her center Upaya may be something you are looking for, especially if you are already drawn to Buddhism. She is about to start another year of engaged Buddhism with some of the most eloquent and dedicated people of our time. Good luck, there are many of us by your side.
I’m going to look her up now, thank you so much. I am hungry for the ways.
Good and thanks to you musings I remembered that I had meant to sign up but got sidetracked during the last couple of weeks.
Yes and the gays are over her
I have been grappling with these same questions privately and do not have any answers, but I loved every bit of this read.
Thank you for this well timed piece, I myself shy away from all things organized and religion but am consistently drawn to Buddhism and its teachings but also want to expand the self into my world!
For me, I find sanity in reminding myself to keep focusing on what I have control over, which, as it happens, is only myself. As the world becomes increasingly disconnected while simultaneously constantly connected it can get very overwhelming to care about what is happening to the people in our network. There was a time when Benny was little and having a lot of medical problems that I realized that I needed to take a social media break, because finding out about the loss of kids with Down syndrome who I didn't know personally but felt I did through social media was giving me an intense anxiety that wasn't in any way helpful for anyone, especially not myself. Whenever I find myself in a state of anxiety now I ask myself whether there's something I am trying to control that I don't have any control over. I remind myself that I only have control over my own thoughts, responses and actions and I focus on the things that I can do that make the world better, even if it's just having gratitude and appreciation for the beauty around me. What else is life for, if not to appreciate the beauty around us? Do others suffer less if we suffer more? As a deep thinker and sensitive soul it is easy to take on responsibilities that truly do not belong to us. The more we fill the world with love and art and beauty the better the world will be.
Maggie, this is beautiful. I struggle with this same dilemma and so admire your commitment to be present to the larger world in ways I am not often able to be. But I know it is taking a toll on you. I don’t know the answer. As you note, we all need balance. But how does one find balance amidst staggering horror and evil? Thank you for writing this. I hope you are able to find some space around your anxiety, my dear friend. ♥️
Jane your quiet yet fierce spirit is so beautiful, and I know just by being yourself in this world, you are offering something important.