Navigating These Times
SnowFlower Sun July 2026
Based on a Dharma Reflection by Susan Schwaab
Before I meditate, I usually read something from a Buddhist teacher. Right now, I am reading Jack Kornfield’s No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love and Joy Right Where You Are. This book was published in 2017, also a difficult time in history. His book has been helping me process the many difficult feelings passing through me over the past few weeks—fear, anger, shock, despair, and even overwhelm.
I believe many of us are struggling with how to “keep our seat” given the current state of our world. There is a chapter in Jack Kornfield’s book titled Freedom in Challenging Times in which I found solace and hope. He says:
“Every generation or so, modern society is rocked by upheavals, whether by assassinations, war, political turmoil, or powerful economic and environmental challenges. In uncertain times the political leadership can worsen our fears. As H. L. Mencken reminded us, we are often deliberately encouraged to be afraid. It is natural to feel angry or frightened. When upheavals happen, we worry for our future and for the fate of the vulnerable around us. We may fear a rise in inequality, racism, environmental destruction, homophobia, sexism, or myriad other injustices. But these very challenges are the opportunities humanity has to face to grow. As Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, ‘Only to the degree that people are unsettled is there any hope for them.’”
I can attest that I have been feeling very unsettled!
In our heart of hearts, we all know from our practice that engaging in the world best starts from a place of being centered and grounded. Many of us have heard the story from our teacher Thay about how our own steadiness can become a sanctuary for others. He says:
“When the crowded Vietnamese refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked all would be lost. But if even one person on the boat remained calm and centered, it was enough. It showed the way for everyone to survive.”
At this present time, when many of us are struggling with the amount of suffering in the world, we can also listen to the words Rabbi Tarfon said 2,000 years ago:
“Don’t be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. You are not expected to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
And Clarissa Pinkola Estés today says:
“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching to mend the part that is within our reach.”
All I know to do right now is to get quiet and listen. Listen to all the fears, feel all the feelings, find comfort in nature, and come back to the heart, holding it all with as much equanimity as I can muster.
With equanimity, we can hold many things at once—the darkness, the turmoil, and the possibility of renewal and change. We can trust that the way will become clear and right action will arise from a place of deep knowing.
And so important, too, is remembering to breathe in the moments of joy—the red cardinal on the bird feeder, the beauty of the season, the smiles and laughter of loved ones. These moments can renew and refresh us.
I know, too, that being in community with others, listening deeply, and supporting one another is healing and necessary. In Thay’s book The World We Have, he says:
“It’s important while volunteering or taking part in activism, we find ways to continue with our practice of mindful breathing, mindful walking, and mindful speaking. Let us not give in to anger or despair when reflecting on the current state of our world. Instead, we can make our own lives an example of simple living. Deep listening and loving speech can help support the transformation of individuals and society and nurture the collective awakening that will save our civilization and our planet.”
We can be supported not only by our own sangha but by the wider sangha, remembering all the beings worldwide who sit and practice with us.
At our recent Thaypassana retreat, the feeling of sitting together brought a palpable sense of kindness, caring, safety, peace, and interconnection. Multiply this connection by the millions of beings in our wider sangha and one can tap into hope. There are so many in the world working for the well-being of people and our planet. This is good to remember each day.
In Paul Hawken’s book Blessed Unrest, he talks about the thousands of organizations and millions of conscientious individuals dedicating their efforts to social and environmental justice around the world.
Jack Kornfield says:
“We are the ones we have been waiting for, and we are enough to inspire all who despair. At this most difficult time, the glass may look half empty, but the forces of brilliance and kindness remind us to reimagine a future we can celebrate.”
He goes on to say:
“You have been training for this moment for a long time, perhaps lifetimes. You have learned to quiet your mind and open your heart. You have learned about love and interdependence. Now is the time to step forward, the time to bring your equanimity and courage, wisdom and compassion to the world. Be the bodhisattva, the being of peace, who seeks to alleviate suffering in the midst of every imaginable chaos. When storms of fear and uncertainty arise, it is time—collectively and individually—to stand up, calm and clear, and with peacefulness and unwavering mutual respect become a center of vision and protection.”
I take much inspiration from these words.
So many times, we hear that we are living in unprecedented times. We hear dire predictions. But here we are, sitting quietly together, bearing witness to what is happening in the world. And, very importantly, we can also remember the value of self-care and being mindful of our consumption of news.
I am remembering the image that Kaira Jewel Lingo uses of the infinity symbol, with one side of the teardrop being caring for ourselves, which naturally leads us into caring for the world, which naturally leads us back into looking at ourselves, which includes our own biases and suffering.
Coming back to ourselves with rest and seclusion helps us heal and liberates us to go back into the world in helpful ways. We can take as much time as we need to rest and to understand where we want to put our energy. The actions, both large and small, will become clear.
I recently listened to a podcast by Sharon Salzberg. She is dear to my heart for many reasons, but especially since I began meditating with her guided meditation CDs.
In this podcast, she talks about having compassion for people doing a lot of harm, but being careful not to let the toxicity in; it can soak us and even shatter us. Standing on who we are can be a refuge and a protection.
She relayed a story from the Buddha. The Buddha had angered a farmer who was yelling and cursing at him about trespassing. The Buddha said:
“Oh farmer, what would you do if you prepared a gift for someone and you held it out in your hand and they refused to take it? What happens to it?”
The farmer said:
“Then it would remain with me.”
“Just so,” said the Buddha. “I am refusing the gift of your anger, yelling, and screaming. It will remain with you.”
Remembering, “This is yours and not mine,” will help us conserve our energy for what we can do, how to stay involved, and how to use our energy wisely and compassionately.
As always, Sharon recommends loving-kindness meditation as an antidote to fear. She jokes about asking herself, “Is this a situation where getting more fearful will be useful?”
She reminds us to take one moment at a time, just the next step, not take on the next four years or the next eighteen years. And to remember the power of love.
As the Buddha taught that “Hatred will never cease by hatred. Hatred will only cease by love. This is an eternal law.”
May we take heart from these words that have inspired powerful movements in the world, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela to Gandhi.
I’d like to end with a poem that Sharon Salzberg shared. The author is Chelan Harkin.
“It’s when the earth shakes and foundations crumble, that our light is called to rise up. It’s when everything falls away and shakes us to the core and awakens all of our hidden ghosts that we dig deeper to find once inaccessible strength.
It’s in times when division is fierce that we must reach for each other and hold each other much, much tighter. Do not fall away now, this is the time to rise. Your light is being summoned, your integrity is being tested, that it may stand more tall. When everything collapses, we must find within us that which is indomitable.
Rise and find the strength in your heart. Rise and find the strength in each other. Burn through your devastation, make it your fuel. Bring forth your light. Now is not the time to be afraid of the dark.”