31/01/2026
Political Turmoil Invites … The Middle Way
Fill in the blank: Political/social turmoil invites ###X. Despair, action, anger, name-calling, frustration, peace, searching, righteousness?
The prompt for this writing is a friend reached out to me, saying in part, ‘I’m praying …that the federal government hears and sees what thousands of peaceful protesters are saying….’ Followed by ‘any tips for navigating this?’
Hate spews hate, and love spews love, and light dissipates darkness. Our thoughts, words and actions create ripples. Thoughts can turn negative, leaving us with a sense of hopelessness.
Words from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, delivered during the Davos summit less than a week ago, paint a potential reality: ‘We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition… it means naming reality. …It means acting consistently, applying the same standards to allies and rivals.’
And I pause here, letting that idea of applying the same standards to all be breathed in. The issue is not the people behind shields who are acting on what they believe to be actions that support democracy. The issue is not that thousands of people disagree, and they too are acting to support democracy. The issue is that we are applying different standards to those on whatever ‘side’ we lean towards, or, often, stand firmly in. And when this happens we cannot see there is room for many views. (I am NOT condoning actions that result in death, maiming, and violence.)
In Buddhism there is an approach called the middle way. It is present in some form in most religions. This recognizes that the pendulum of change – both internal and external – can be wide arcing and we are invited to BE the balance in between.
How can we BE balance and peace amid turmoil?
First a practice, and then considerations with the disclaimer that I, too, am seeking peace and love, compassion and open-heart, in the midst of turmoil....
Read the full article + a bonus meditation video I recorded, an invitation to explore here: https://www.evenbeing.com/blog/political-turmoil-invites-the-middle-way
