Finding Our Way Forward Together, A Path Through Uncertain Times
In times of profound upheaval, we often turn to our spiritual communities not just for comfort, but for wisdom in navigating what feels like uncharted waters.
Today, I sat with over 500 people in a Zoom call who came together to wrestle with the same questions that keep many of us awake at night:
How do I get out of bed when I’m feeling so depressed? How do I handle my rage? Should I move to another state or country where I can be protected? Knowing what we know about Project 2025, are there any reasons for hope? How do I protect those I love who are vulnerable because of who they are or where they live?
What emerged was not a roadmap but maybe something more valuable: a reminder of our shared humanity and collective resilience.
The Permission to Grieve
A participant shared Peggy Gannon’s powerful words to remind us:
We do not need to turn to joy, yet.
We do not need to find hope, yet.
We do not need to organize, yet.Today, we can howl at the moon.
This permission to grieve, to feel the full weight of our emotions, is essential. Like anxiety, which I’ve learned can become a superpower when adequately channeled, our collective grief can become a foundation for meaningful action. But first, we must acknowledge it, hold it, and honor it.
In some of the most difficult moments of my life, I’ve returned to Thich Nhat Hanh’s wisdom as a touchstone. This week especially, his teaching about caring for our anger as tenderly as we would comfort a crying baby has been a daily reminder. His words feel particularly resonant now, reminding me of a poem he wrote during the darkest days of the Vietnam War: “I hold my face in my two hands… Two hands protecting, two hands nourishing, two hands preventing my soul from leaving me in anger.”
This gesture of self-compassion — of holding ourselves with such tender attention — becomes even more powerful when we extend it to others. Like hands joining together, our individual acts of caring can weave a stronger collective fabric. This understanding leads me to three guiding principles that can help us move forward together:
The Power of Presence and Community
We don’t have to face this alone. As Timothy Snyder reminds us, “one element of freedom is the choice of associates.” Our gathering here today is itself an act of resistance — not through anger, but through connection. Every time we come together, we strengthen the fabric of civil society.
Mindful Engagement
Several Sangha participants spoke of redirecting their attention — away from the constant flood of news and toward art, community, and meditation. Your attention is precious; it’s a resource to be protected and directed wisely. This isn’t about disengaging but about engaging more meaningfully.
Critical Hope
We’re called to practice what Václav Havel defined as hope — not optimism that everything will turn out well, but the conviction to work for what is right because it is right, regardless of the outcome. Think of Alexei Navalny’s courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
The Wisdom of Small Actions
The wisdom from Spain’s transition to democracy teaches us that change is possible, but it requires patience, sustained effort, and — critically— the willingness to work together across differences. Democracy isn’t just about elections; it’s about the thousands of small actions we take every day to strengthen our communities.
As Roshi Joan Halifax teaches, even if circumstances are burning us up from behind, we must strive to maintain an open heart and mind as we face forward. This is the spiritual fight — not against others, but against the impulse to close ourselves off from the world when it feels most threatening.
A Spectrum of Next Steps: Finding Your Entry Point
Like the process of grief, moving from contemplation to action doesn’t have to mean leaping into immediate action. We can wade in gradually, finding the depth that feels both challenging and sustainable for us right now. Here are some suggestions to consider that match what may feel safe or doable for you right now:
Start with Self-Care
Ask yourself: What do I need right now?
Am I hungry or thirsty? Do I need to talk to someone? Do I need to hug someone?
The answer may be that you need to give yourself time to recover from feelings of shock or numbness. To pull the covers around you. To allow yourself to cry.
Possible next step: Contemplation
Start with sitting quietly with the Serenity Prayer:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
This isn’t passive acceptance — it’s strategic discernment. It helps us identify where we can direct our energy most effectively.
Possible next step: Personal Practice
Try on a daily ritual of reading poetry or inspirational texts that remind you of our shared humanity. Some suggestions shared on the call include the poetry of Rumi and books such as The Hidden Lamp or Sacred Rest. Or start a journal to process your feelings and identify what matters most to you. Practice a news fast — designate specific times to stay informed while protecting your peace.
Possible next step: Strengthen Community Connections
Join or start a group based on one of your interests or attend local government meetings, even if just to observe. Support local businesses and artists who contribute to community vitality. Volunteer for a local cause that you care about.
Possible next step: Build bridges
Host potluck discussions where people can share their hopes and concerns. Join interfaith initiatives that bring different communities together or participate in civic education programs.
Possible next step: Public action
Engage with your local government or run for local office/support those who do. Organize community clean-up days or create mutual aid networks.
Every action, no matter how small, matters. You don’t have to do everything — find what resonates with your skills and energy. The key is finding your sustainable point of engagement.
These seemingly small acts create pockets of beauty and resistance in a world that desperately needs both.
A Closing Truth
While we cannot control outcomes, we can control how we show up for each other and our community. Seth Zuihø Segall today shared that numbness is a natural feeling and is often confused with the idea of detachment. Where numbness is a reaction, detachment is a practice: “We continue to care, but we realize we can’t control outcomes.”
Accepting reality is not resignation — it’s liberation. It frees us to act with passion and wisdom, fighting for what we believe in while remaining grounded in love.
Together, we will find our way forward, step by step, day by day, holding each other up as we go. Our path forward isn’t about finding perfect answers but about walking together with open hearts and minds, committed to creating the world we wish to see.
If you found this valuable, please consider sharing it with others who might need these words. You can also follow me here on Medium for more reflections on leadership, education, and building resilience.
