Last month's blog was about turning the other Cheek. It's not easy to do, on either side. Let's look at both sides of the current political polarization, and see how this might be accomplished.
On the Left
How can I accept the inhumanity of sending innocent Haitians, for example, about 250,000 of them, to the threat of certain death, with the loss of their Temporary Protective Status (TPS) rights in this country?
For those U. S. citizens living hand to mouth, without savings, how do we deal with rampant inflation and with the loss of health Insurance, for those who can least afford it, while the more affluent among us benefit from a rising stock market and some significant tax breaks?
On the Right
On the other side, It seems equally difficult to let go of an ideology based upon a belief in radically different facts presented and believed by millions as undeniable truths diametrically opposed to, and equally strongly defended, as facts supporting a different story.
Compromise
What has worked in the past has depended upon an ability for both sides to be willing to compromise. In the current situation this seems sadly lacking!
Both sides seem adamant that they are right and the other is wrong.
My suggestion, for the good of us all, is that we 1) seriously look for any places, no matter how small, where we might be able to concede something, find common ground, or at least to somehow accommodate the other side. 2) We attempt to actively propagate even in small ways, a willingness to get along, even in small things, and once again, try to be nice to each other.
In T'ai Chi terminology, we talk about getting the Chi to flow. The analogy of wave propagation might help here.
The water in the waves of the ocean might only move a few feet, but a wave often might travel for thousands of miles.
Just so, even very small actions might engender large and lasting effects.
Movements originating from the body's center, and connecting all the parts, propagate through such waves.
Our Commonalities Unite Us.
The Dalai Lama has suggested that such a commonality is that all humans seek to be happy, and through this common trait, we might all connect and work together through this simple connection.
Our differences abound. Perhaps pondering some of our similarities might be Good Medicine for our Country at this point.
Blessings to All,
Daniel
