Buddhism and Global Suffering
In our Recovery Dharma practice we learn to sit with, and investigate, the suffering within our own lives. This is challenging enough, yet when we turn our gaze to the outside world, we are met with the tremendous amount of suffering that is experienced around the globe. This can leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless. We may ask ourselves, “What can I do?”
First and foremost, we can take a sacred pause and recognize the pain within us as we witness this suffering. We can practice extending compassion towards the world and towards ourselves (perhaps utilizing practices such as Metta or Tonglen). From a place of groundedness, we can consider Wise Action. Wise teacher Tara Brach says, “my deepest inquiries continue to be: What is love asking from me? How can we take action in ways that liberate ourselves and others?” (What is love asking from us? Reflections on Gaza and the Boddhisattva Path, 2024)
The problems of the world may seem insurmountable, but we can remind ourselves that each wise action, no matter how small, moves us toward transforming suffering.
