Our strange predicament
Eight billion people, hurtling through space on the same piece of rock, have ended yet another trip around the sun seemingly, more divided than ever.
You have to wonder, how can this be, especially now when we are more connected to each other than we've ever been?
Misinformation, disinformation, algorithmically driven feeds (so we all see a slightly different version of reality), inequality, old and new prejudice ... the list of possible causes goes on.
At this point in the year, the question that keeps coming up for me is how can we do better - for our sake and the sake of all others around us?
Inner & Outer Worlds
As I was preparing to write this piece, I thought I would consult our resident sage, Darren Pryce, how he felt about 2025?
His answer,
"Hard to say what will happen but I feel confident that I can deal to it in my inner world without getting caught up and overwhelmed. I'll be OK."
(And that is about as much chit chat you can get from him most days…)
My professional training has always had me looking outwardly in the world, anticipating the big shifts that were coming and developing strategies and plans which to capitalise on or at least mitigate these. This sort of work is good in that it helps you learn to deal to uncertainties but it can also create a false sense of security.
When I reflect on world events or indeed, my life events, what becomes apparent is how little control we actually have over things that transpire …
It seems that the only thing that we can have control over is our inner mental state - and can maintain that control regardless of the happenings in our outer world.
Becoming zen with the outer happenings in our world
When people hear this proposition for the first time, most tend to just roll their eyes - I've been guilty of it too...
It's easy to understand why - Our 'apparent' reality tend to differ starkly.
Take extreme events such as wars, pandemics, famine for example. These have very real consequences on our wellbeing - both physical and mental. I would not take too kindly to being preached out cultivating inner happiness on an empty stomach either ...
Even more commonplace life events like loss of employment, income, housing, health and relationship breakdowns also wreaks havoc on our mental and physical health.
So, yes, it is hard to deny that external events causes both physical and mental suffering.
But the yogis, philosophers and psychologists amongst us would also say that the problem we all face is that our mental suffering in response to an external event tends to be unnecessarily prolonged; so much so that it compounds our suffering above and beyond what is warranted.
Besides, just having positive external conditions and comforts is no guarantee of freedom from mental suffering either.
Think back to all those stories we tend hear stories of ultra rich people who have every wealth, pleasure and power that one can possibly conceive of - yet feel empty, if not dark and sorrowful inside. What of all the celebrities that succumb to addiction? What of all the ultra successful people who struggle with feelings of inadequacy?
Conversely, lack of happy external circumstances and material comforts does not guarantee misery either.
Ever visited a poor third world country and come across people with very little material wealth and comfort , who for some inexplicable reason always seem to be brimming with joy?
What about people who go through the most horrific life events yet come out of it stronger and wiser that ever, with a heightened sense of enjoyment for life.
Call it peace or happiness or contentment or whatever word speaks to you but the point is this:
Our inner subjective reality is more pertinent to our wellbeing that our outer objective reality - and as contemplators and philosophers have said for millennia, with practice, it can be a place that remains unperturbed by the outer happenings in our world.
It is this possibility that excited and drew me to philosophical and contemplative traditions in the first place - and after many years of practice have seen the very change play out in my life.
What paying attention to my inner world has taught me
I am by no means a perfect practitioner but I suffer the outer happenings of the world a lot less now than I used to.
I am also very aware when it starts to impact my peace and with that awareness am now able to sit with it and watch it pass - rather than react blindly to the feelings and emotions it inspires.
The other wonderful side effect of the practice (of paying attention to your inner world) is that it has made me more aware of my triggers … and this in itself has made me take responsibility for my reactions rather than blame the other for making me feel/act in a certain way.
It is important to note that this does not mean that one ends up living like a potato, sitting around and waiting to get roasted by the world. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
When we don't let the outer world impact your inner peace, it gives us the strength and clarity to act with wisdom and compassion - that is to say, take action with a clear head and good intent. This in itself sets us up for success.
Becoming zen with the outer happenings of the world is a lifelong practice - and there is no doubt 2025 will test it so, no better time than the present to start. And who knows, perhaps once we manage to develop equanimity inside, perhaps our outer world may begin to transform as well...
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