Facing the Challenges of These Times

There is no need to tell you or anyone that we are living in extraordinary and challenging times. We all carry our own aspirations for peace and extend those same aspirations to others around the world. Mothers and fathers want to be able to see their children grow up in a world free from fear and cannot with certainty say that they can keep their families safe. Lessons abound along with the challenges and if we can see how we have all played a part in the many problems, then we can also be sure that we have a part in resolving them.

Global problems are beyond our ability to control or change so where is our place of strength? How can we achieve “peace of mind”? Just as we are all individuals, we are also a vast unity that also makes up a group life, a collective life with its own being and destiny. We are each a unit of that life and therefore what we do and do not do affects the whole. What we think, feel, do, and say matters and has its immediate effect on us and those in our circle of influence. The quality of our inner life does affect the whole of the human family therefore we do have more influence than we recognize. How do we use this knowledge?

Facing the Challengs of our Times

Find the peace within your innermost being by accepting that you are here for a reason and can make a difference within yourself and influence those around you. Practice “harmlessness in thought, word and deed. Become aware of “old snapshots” that you may be carrying around. For example, opinions and judgements of others who are close and familiar as well as people in general. Cultivate worthy thoughts and attitudes. Increase the practice of Loving Kindness and experience the transformational power of its simplicity.

We all create “ripples in the pond” and these move out from us in a circle eventually intersecting the ripples of everyone and everything else. We are not alone, isolated, alienated and powerless. We matter and are each precious in our own unique way. Find Joy in all of the little things and the big ones too. It is an effort worthy of the best that is within us.

In Loving Kindness - Greg Tzinberg

Related Recordings

Working with the Challenges of These Times

Global problems are beyond our ability to control or change so where is our place of strength? How can we achieve 'peace of mind"? Listen to this brief talk about how to maintain your ‘peace’ during these turbulent times.

Introduction to Tonglen Meditation

Happiness, Compassion and the Practice of Tonglen

A guided meditation introducing the practice of tonglen which focuses on developing and sending out happiness and compassion for oneself and others.