Sometimes it feels like the world is teetering on the brink. A world plagued by conflict, inequality, and environmental degradation. It’s a world that often seems overwhelming, a labyrinth of problems that appear insurmountable. It’s easy to feel helpless, a mere speck in the vast universe. The weight of this global burden can sometimes feel crushing, leading us to despair or apathy.
“The problems we face today, violent conflicts, destruction of nature, poverty, hunger, and so on, are human-created problems which can be resolved through human effort, understanding and the development of a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share.” – Dalai Lama
It’s true! All of the worst problems we face are human made and our response is often, “It’s not me. It’s those humans over there!”
We are never going to be saved by some big brother or big sister who has come up with the answers and takes the responsibility off of our shoulders. It is only ever going to get better when we realise amongst ourselves a deeper sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, that makes it obvious to each of us that we need to share the responsibility for our interconnected human condition.
How do we do this? Where the heck do we start?
I think it’s fair to say that we likely don’t have a clue how to make it better, and that the place to start is probably to admit as much and then commit to keep asking the questions together, and to keep trying – not losing hope – no matter how many times we get it wrong.
We are not mere spectators to the world’s suffering; we are active participants in its creation AND its potential redemption. When I let go of all idealistic thinking and try to become really practical with “how DO we do something that will be effective at scale?”, it quickly seems like an impossible task though! And then I remember these words from the Talmud that always inspire me to just keep doing the best I can:
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now… You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” – The Talmud
“The more you are motivated by Love, The more Fearless & Free your actions will be.” – Dalai Lama
“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.” – Dalai Lama
“An open heart is an open mind.” – Dalai Lama
We are not required to solve all the world’s problems, but we are obligated to do what we can – to contribute our unique gifts and talents to the betterment of humanity. This doesn’t mean we have to shoulder the burden alone. It means we must connect with others, and work together to create a more just and compassionate world. And we really only have a shot at this if we become motivated by love for ALL the humans on this planet.
Let us commit to:
- Self-Compassion: Recognizing our limitations and practicing self-care.
- Collective Responsibility: Acknowledging our role in creating a better world.
- Mindful Action: Taking inspired action, one step at a time.
- Cultivating Love: Nurturing love, compassion, and empathy within ourselves and others.
So, let us embrace the impossible task with open hearts and minds. Let us commit to doing our part, no matter how small it may seem. Let us cultivate a sense of universal responsibility and strive to make a positive impact on the world around us.
Have a beautiful Friday peeps!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Sharing love.