Yes, it seems absolutely nuts right now doesn’t it? However it’s time to relax, look inside, examine how does all this political and religious fervor really affect me personally, now, in this moment? Does it really affect me that people are going nuts over a fringy “movie”? Does it really affect me that Romney or Obama say this or that?
The truth is that our own inner state is the most important thing that there is. It is not out there in the world but right inside. All this stuff is happening to heighten our awareness of what is real and what is unreal. I understand that we can project our feelings and be compassionate about pain of others or outraged about injustices – that’s what makes us human, we are social. However, you cannot save a man drowning in a whirlpool by jumping in yourself unless you are tethered to something grounding and stable. Find that ground inside – it is there. It is in the breath, in the high heart, in witness consciousness just behind the eyes.
Specific tools are breathe. If you feel panicked take a deep breath. The state of the mind is directly tethered to the breath. You cannot make good decisions when you can’t breath or think.
Find the still space within. Shift your attention from your head to your heart. Sort of look into your heart or the top back of your heart. It is a haven of rest, and grace. Swami Nityananda of Ganeshpuri, India said, “The heart is the hub of all places; go there and roam”. It is a delicious safe space. You can do this anywhere, anytime.
Be in witness consciousness. Imagine that you looking through a window and watching your life moments unfold. Watch the mind’s commentary but refrain from engaging in it. Be amused by it. You will notice much about yourself and the management of your own state of being.
Finally, as Jim Self of Mastering Alchemy says, “Be happy, content, capable.”All this works, I know it, I have been practicing for years.”