There’s a wisdom that we know and carry: hatred never ends by hatred, but by love alone is healed. This is the ancient and eternal law.
Human beings periodically go through wars and depressions, and we will no doubt go through global crises again. We may actually be in the middle of one now. But that does not mean we should abandon our hope.
“To be hopeful in bad times,” writes Howard Zinn, “is not just foolishly romantic. It’s based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, and kindness.
What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something good. But if we remember the times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and the possibility of sending the spinning top of the world in a fine direction.”
Take the long view—set your heart’s highest intention amidst all the cycles of birth and death. Setting a deep intention creates a beneficial force for a wise society. It becomes a rudder through difficult times.
The word vipassana means to see clearly, to look with clear eyes. In times of confusion, believe in your own observation, your honest wisdom. Believe in science when it’s good science. Believe in heart.
As it says in the Kalama Sutta: Do not follow what others say. See for yourself this is harmful, this is beneficial. Then follow what is good.
Don’t be afraid. Have the clarity and courage to not avert your gaze. Yes, times can be difficult for us all. Did it never occur to you, the texts say, that suffering will come to you as well? We’re in this together, this human realm subject to joy and sorrow, gain and loss, praise and blame. This is our place to practice and bring our best selves.
As times becomes turbulent, it’s up to each one of us to tip the scales to compassion. You can become what’s called a makeweight.
In the old days, when you went to the market, they’d hold up a two-sided balance scale. You’d put the papaya or the rice one side, and on the other side, you’d put big metal weights until they almost balanced. Then they would add the last tiny weights, called makeweights. Often, they’re quite beautiful—created in the form of little animals, like ducks or other shapes.
And when you add the last makeweight, the scale tips, and balance is found.
It doesn’t take a lot for us to add our goodness—to serve, to care, to support, to awaken. You can be the makeweight that tips the scale to compassion.
How? Join sacred others. Take refuge in the Buddha, the teachings, and the community—cultivating resilience, grounding, fierce love, and deep wisdom. In these times where it is so easy to let ourselves get isolated, community helps give us purpose and strength.
There are a thousand ways to find others—create affinity groups, join service organizations in your neighborhood—whether you’re political or social, whether you join with organizers or artists, whether you’re feeding people at the soup kitchen or dancing for liberation with drag queens—reach out and say, “Let’s do this together. Let’s speak up. Let’s support one another.”
There are a thousand small ways to tip the scale to compassion. And now is the time.
With metta,
Jack
*This article is from my video podcast, Heart Wisdom – Ep. 279 – Standing Up For Compassion: A Wise Rudder in Turbulent Politics. Download/stream on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, and JackKornfield.com
