Beyond Reactive Activism: How Stillness Helps Us Break the Scroll-Rage-Repeat Cycle
Trump's first few weeks have signaled significant social upheaval. During times like these, we often feel pressured to react instantly, to stay constantly engaged, to never look away.
Yet as Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us: "Meditation is not to avoid society; it is to take action with the kind of insight you need. To think that it is just to sit down and enjoy the calm and peace, is wrong."
Here are four ways stillness practices can transform how we show up for the work that matters:
1. Cultivating Clear Perception: From Reactivity to Response-ability
Stillness practices help us see through the noise of social media and rapid-fire news cycles. By pausing, we can distinguish between reactive content and authentic calls for engagement, choosing our actions with wisdom rather than being swept along by manufactured urgency.
2. Sustaining Our Energy: Building Capacity for the Long Haul
Regular meditation and mindfulness create a reservoir of emotional resilience. When we pause to replenish ourselves, we build the stamina needed for long-term advocacy and social change. This isn't self-indulgence – it's strategic preparation.
3. Deepening Our Understanding: From Surface Reactions to Root Awareness
In moments of stillness, we can examine our own biases and assumptions, leading to more nuanced understanding of complex social issues. This deeper awareness helps us move beyond superficial solutions to address root causes.
4. Connecting with Purpose: Aligning Action with Values
Stillness practices help us stay connected to our core values and deeper purpose. When we regularly touch base with what matters most, we can act from authentic commitment rather than guilt, fear, or social pressure.
A Moment to Reflect
Take a moment now: When you think about recent events that call for your engagement, what immediate reactions arise? Notice what feels like reactive noise versus a deeper knowing about how you're called to respond. What changes in your body and mind when you give yourself permission to pause before acting?
Need a practice to help you Pause?
Check out the following practice for a little assist!