In the face of so many atrocities...

It is not always easy to remain mindful and present to oneself in the face of the many atrocities taking place around the world. This is a challenge that will only grow more acute in the years to come.

We can easily be drawn into one state or the other. Staying centered—experiencing spontaneous joy while also feeling deep compassion for others—is a delicate and difficult art. From certain perspectives, it may seem impossible, but it is possible. It requires great self-awareness and a constant confrontation with one’s own fears and illusions.

As we work through the various painful beliefs and experiences that led us to build a protective armor, we can begin to experience the presence of our True Self. As we delve deeper within ourselves and experience greater peace, calm, and spontaneous joy, we also become more sensitive and compassionate.

One might ask: Why go to all this trouble? Well, we have a choice about how to live our lives. We can lose ourselves in the media, with its endless videos and news reports that sometimes paint a bleak picture of the future, or we can cut ourselves off from current events and pretend nothing is happening. We can also choose to guide each breath in order to stay on the path of the middle way.  It is a path of awareness, a path of truth, where we become aware of both the dark and light sides of humanity and recognize that both are part of reality. The sages, mystics, and yogis teach us that a daily practice is essential for following the middle path.  My experience—drawn from the various stages of my life and the ups and downs of a spiritual practice spanning more than 30 years—has shown me that if I do not maintain a daily connection with my True Self, I allow myself to be swept away by the world of the media and the illusions that emotions can create.  It’s very hypnotic, and it’s not always easy to refocus. However, we always have a choice. Do you have the courage, strength, and awareness needed to make the choice that brings you back to the Middle Way and to adopt a practice that helps you stay there?