GLOBAL POVERTY, HIGH RATES OF SUICIDE IN THE YOUNG, AND ALL


THE OTHER INEQUALITY AND INJUSTICE IN THE WORLD.//


//WE CAN BECOME OVERWHELMED BY


anathema to what mindfulness is about. Mindfulness is non-dualistic. It does not separate thoughts and actions but rather comes from a profound sense of wholeness, which is enhanced by a deeper connection to our true nature. It is not about exerting effort and achieving. Rather, it is about listening to what is most meaningful for us. This expresses itself through each person individually and then through society collectively. Each individual has a contribution to


make in the world. Joining like-minded groups and communities supports our mindfulness practice and contributes toward building a mindful society. However, it is important to do this


without getting caught up in a sense of self-importance or being motivated by wanting to prove we are right so we can strengthen our ego. This is not what mindfulness is about. If we seek to dominate with the


importance of our beliefs we make mindfulness just another dogma. Mindfulness continues to come back to the expression of our inner truth as it arises moment-by-moment, day-by-day. Whether you are a dentist or a social worker, a factory worker, an insurance broker, or a stay-at-home parent, the ripples that you create by relating mindfully to the people and things around you will reverberate and keep on reverberating. If the world is going


to genuinely heal and experience less violence and separation and more love, unity, and sanity, the change must start with each one of us. We are now aware of our effect on


the planet in a way that we were not even just 20 years ago. Our planet is threatened in so many ways and those of us lucky enough to live in parts of the world that are relatively free and developed need to be the change. This requires both rational problem solving and also developing our compassion and loving presence. We need to shed outdated mindsets and ways of being if we are going to make lasting change. Albert Einstein summed this up when he said, “We can't solve problems by


SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017 35


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