Jack Kornfield’s talk on spirituality and politics. The notes below cover how the two relate, the sense of disconnection within ourselves, from the natural earth and from others, and meditation in the face of political division.
Spirituality and politics may not at first glance appear to fit together naturally, and yet the two are inextricably intertwined. The politics of the world today are highlighting our current state of disconnect – our disconnect within ourselves, from the natural earth, and from others. Many spiritual groups and Indigenous cultures have long emphasized our deep interconnectedness and have turned to spirituality and prayer in response to political turbulence.
Spirituality in a Political World
A holistic approach may serve us better than the usual one when we face the challenges in front of us. Spirituality can offer a new way of viewing the world and the problems we face, and with it some insight into creative solutions. A line often attributed to Albert Einstein says, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used to create them.” When it comes to the political divides and paradigms of this modern age, that idea is worth considering. A new outlook on our struggles, one that can grow through awareness of our interconnectedness and through meditation, may help us meet them.
Meditation for Healing Political Divide
To meet the world outside of ourselves, we can first begin by peacefully navigating the world within. Through continual understanding of mindfulness, we gain insights that can help us to bridge the divides between individuals, groups, and nations. If we are in leadership roles, we might also explore teaching mindfulness to the people we work with.
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