When we discuss “what we can do?”

When discussions gingerly touch upon “what we can do?,” those I’m part of often focus on things we can do physically and verbally — towards others and in the world. Cultivators of the Middle Way also act inwardly. Part of what makes it Goldilocks is the balance between appropriate inner work (karma) and appropriate outer work (karma). Clarifying the inner helps us sort out the outer.

Here are examples of such inner work that I work on, inspired by the great suffering we are in:

• Examining how I view, perceive, and think about others — strangers at the store, public figures, local folks — to incorporate more consistent and heartfelt kindness, sympathy, and compassion. This is possible even with the political and corporate leaders pushing evil, destructive activities (in their delusion).

• Reflecting on the issues of the day in terms of inter-being, of radical inter-connectedness, with myself in the midst of it all. I am enmeshed in the polycrisis, not at all separate from all its manifestations. I touch and am touched by all of them.

• Rededicating to nurturing the sources of integrity within and around me. The integrity of others — such as in the church I attended as as a child or the dedicated school teachers I misbehaved around — has nurtured my own character. May my integrity strengthen and remain resilient so as to support integrity in others, in our locales, and in this troubled society.

• Reaching out in heart and mind to connect with Wholeness, with Life’s Totality, with the Fullness of Awareness (no matter how seemingly weak or intermittent the connection may be). This Unconditioned is so much more true than the biased truths of greed, hatred, and confusion.

I endeavor to daily engage in these, as well as in the work of physical, medical, ecological, and social realms.