As the meta-crisis continues to swirl into chaos we are tempted to resort to old conventions such as; stay positive; maintain hope, don’t get depressed.
In times of intense change, such as now, it is worth evaluating this conventional ‘wisdom’.
And inquire into what determines our mental / emotional / psychological well-being.
If staying ‘positive’ hinges on ignoring or not being fully informed regarding what is going on, then we are likely relying on ignorance for our well-being.
If we are hoping that our unsustainable, ecocidal and toxic culture, and our current lifestyle continues or ‘improves’, then we are likely relying on delusion for our well-being.
If we are avoiding anything that is “depressing”, then we make ourselves victims of whatever might ‘depress’ us.
Hopefully our mental / emotional / psychological well being comes from our inner spirit, strength, stability, and courage.
By engaging in our trauma healing work we become more attuned, discerning, less easily ‘triggered’, and more resilient.
If we have cultivated an inner state of being that is resilient we are free.
And we are able to deeply feel and grieve the loss of all the beings and things we have made important, including the natural world.
And we can maintain our sense of agency, our conviction that we can contribute meaningfully to life and to the future, while acknowledging the existential crises we face as modernity unravels.
And we can deeply experience joy, awe, wonder and love.