A recent study by the American Psychiatric Association reported that 73% of Americans sampled are experiencing anxiety, fear, and helplessness about the upcoming election. Perhaps you are feeling similarly. It is very hard not to be deeply concerned, given that the stakes seem so high. The depth of the feeling points to the depth of our caring. How are we to practice with such a situation? In stressful times we commonly react by fighting, fleeing, or freezing.
When we engage beyond our capacities to stay calm and equanimous under stressful circumstances, we find ourselves fighting in an unhelpful way. Fighting – active resistance or “good trouble,” as John Lewis described it – can clearly be constructive but inner and outer raging is costly to ourselves and those around us. Caring for one’s anger by responding to it with care and understanding is crucial.
What does it mean to flee? One way is to avoid the news. I am sympathetic to the approach of limiting one’s exposure to protect one’s sanity. The news can be so repetitive that it can certainly be wise to take a news fast for a particular period. The nonstop availability of news can be addictive as some of us know all too well. But to avoid the news entirely, other than taking intentional breaks, is disconnecting.
To avoid repetitive negative conversations which are exhausting and not illuminating is surely wise avoidance. Because it can be overwhelming, tiring, and painful to engage in such conversations, the option to check out is certainly tempting. But to habitually flee from learning how to speak when the subject is difficult is disconnecting too.
Another study surveying Americans’ emotional states regarding the upcoming election found that those who are checked out and thus not experiencing at least some degree of concern about the upcoming election, who are trying to stay above the fray, are also not as engaged in beneficial actions. In other words, if you take a narrow approach and decide to just tend to your own emotions, you won’t be as connected to those around you.
To freeze is to not know what to do, to not know where to turn for relief. One can be addicted to the news but paralyzed and not able to shift into action. If we can keep in mind that we don’t have control over the outcome of much of anything, including the election, we will be able to act wholeheartedly, guided by wisdom, but without as much attachment.
If we overengage, we are racked with anxiety and rage. If we check out, we lose our connection with humanity and neglect compassion. I say this not to provoke guilt but to invite a different approach. Responsibility can feel very weighty. Let’s practice responsiveness instead, responding to the conditions we are facing with grace, buoyancy, and courage.
We might even make light of politics to try to stay above the fray. In a recent casual conversation about the election, someone told me they preferred one candidate because they are more entertaining than the other. This is an unfortunate way to view the election. Politics is not a game; it affects people’s lives in profound ways.
An age-old question in spiritual communities is, does one focus outwardly on healing the world or first address the torments within? The answer isn’t one or the other. We can do both and are always actually doing both, just by living an engaged daily life in which the precepts of wisdom and compassion are being enacted.
Collective action is an alternative to checking out, and an effective way of alleviating feelings of dread, anxiety, anger and despair. I will include some suggestions for how to engage below; of course there are many. Whatever we do collectively, if aligned with our heartfelt values and principles, alleviates anxiety without requiring us to disconnect. Collective action alleviates loneliness and helplessness and is a way to empower oneself and help others.
Political divisions In this troubled period of history are breaking apart families, breaking up friendships and dividing faith communities. As challenging as it is, we need to bring our understanding and practice into these complicated times.
We participate as we can, not with grandiose notions of saving the world but engaging in this world that we share. There is an African saying: “happy to care, happy to share, one another’s burdens, that’s why we’re here.” To my beloved CIMC community: please stay close. Please continue to keep your daily sitting practice going. And please take care of yourself and know that you are loved. And finally: please do vote.
Here are ways to engage:
– Vote.org: For everything you need to vote.
– guides.vote: For nonpartisan information about candidates and issues.
– Braver Angels: Cross-partisan movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen democracy.
– MA Secretary of State Elections Division: to register to vote, update your voter registration, check your voter registration status, view a sample ballot, vote early/absentee/by mail, and find when and where to vote.