|
Politics
Let's explore how this view relates to politics.
Nothing is more dualistic than politics - the process of making group decisions. However, it is an undeniable part of our reality. We need it to ensure that governance can take place. But anxiety, depression, anger, relationship issues, and more arise as we face those with opposing ideas and who seek to get their way.
It is difficult to reconcile a sense of kindness, compassion, and equanimity with the visceral feelings of righteous anger and judgment about our political opponents and their ignorance or greedy quest for power. They are probably thinking the same of us.
Knowing we are playing a role; we do not deny or judge ourselves for having feelings. We don’t let them drive our behavior. We respond, rather than react.
What to Do
Accept feelings. Consider that they are energy, and then transform that energy into the right action for the situation.
That is where a non-dual view comes in. Recognizing that it is all a movie playing out, don't take it too seriously. This does not mean passively giving up. Take it seriously enough to play your role as best you can. Opt for clarity, compassion, kindness, and equanimity while you play to win.
The action you take can be anything that fits the situation. Before you act, seek to understand what you believe and why you believe it, what you want and need, and why you want or need it. Seek to understand what your opponents believe, why they believe it, what they want and need, and whether they can engage in a dialogue.
If your opponents have open minds, create a dialogue, and learn from them. Seek reconciliation, a win-win outcome that satisfies needs.
If your opponents are closed-minded zealots or true believers or are otherwise unwilling or incapable of engaging in a dialogue, still seek to learn from them. Then, either engage in struggle or back away. You may choose to avoid discussing politics with them or avoid them.
If you choose to struggle, you may try to sway minds, using rhetoric and passive resistance or to take up arms and resist. Whatever you do, do it skillfully.
The Bottom Line
Don't be fooled into believing that struggle is a sign of attachment, aversion, and ignorance. That belief is as much a sign of these three poisons as believing that hating, killing, lying, or jailing the opposition is the only option.
Be clear about what is going on. If you let blind belief, greed, fear, revenge, and anger rule, you are part of the problem. If you do nothing to respond to evil and ignorance, you are part of the problem.
Play your role as if it was real and remember that it's all a movie, images appearing in the mirror of Awareness. Accept and let go into Flow.
Let me know your thoughts by emailing info@self-awareliving.com
| 
