In this live stream, I explore the relationship between personal spiritual practice and political engagement, arguing that maintaining conscious control over our attention is fundamental to preserving democratic society. I discuss why so many people find current political reality overwhelming, and offer a framework for staying grounded and future-oriented even when facing hard truths about institutional collapse.
I examine the liberal establishment's legitimacy crisis, using the COVID mask messaging as a case study of how "noble lies"—however well-intentioned—erode the trust that makes democratic authority sustainable. The technocratic center's failure isn't about being wrong on facts, but about misunderstanding how authority actually functions in democratic societies and treating citizens as subjects to be managed rather than conscious beings capable of handling complexity.
Drawing on recent electoral developments, I analyze the rise of non-ideological voters who are open to dramatically different political alternatives—from socialism to authoritarianism—not because they've embraced specific ideologies, but because they're simply looking for authentic leadership that offers "something different" from a status quo that isn't working. This represents both opportunity and challenge for anyone seeking to build genuine democratic movements.
Throughout, I argue that the most important work of citizenship is cultivating spiritual health and moral grounding—the capacity to witness reality clearly while maintaining gratitude, perspective, and agency. This isn't separate from political engagement but the foundation that makes meaningful political engagement possible.
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