Turning from “me” to “we”

In It Together

Dear Reader,

I was listening to a podcast by an Ayurvedic doctor who is also an astrologer this week.  He said that according to Vedic astrology, this time of the US election combined with COVID is a time of extreme transformation, like we haven’t seen in 600 years.  He said that it’s a time of turning from “me” to “we.”

I was thinking of this in terms of what I have been experiencing not only through COVID, but also through this very heated election season, which will hopefully soon come to completion.  

Differences can divide us

As a country and society, we are so split, and at odds with those with whom we don’t agree. 

Friendships and relationships have been severed over differences, leaving many people feeling lost, alone and without a “home” if they don’t fall on either side of the political spectrum.   I include myself in this category, along with several friends and colleagues:  we didn’t feel able to support either candidate fully, and the issues that have created the divide are very heated.  

COVID 19, supporting data on either side of the situation and advice on how to proceed has quite unfortunately also become a partisan issue.

I recently returned from a road trip to Missouri.  Once I left Denver and headed east, I became aware of the differing political climate, which was reflected not only in politics (signs, placards) but also in the attitude toward COVID and mask-wearing.  I felt this viscerally.  I also felt my own confusion and indecisiveness about specific issues rising to the surface. 

I was visiting friends whom I know from my mountain cycling and ski community in Colorado.  We had shared our love of sport together but never discussed politics.  As I was staying with them for several days so close to the election, it was inevitable that the subject of politics would arise.

Hearing each other

It did, one night at dinner.  I have shied away from these conversations for the specific reason that I don’t want to get into arguments or debates, nor do I want friendships to become stressed.  However, sometimes the elephant is in the room and it’s more uncomfortable to ignore it.

While I went to Missouri to ride on the Katy Trail, a rail trail that traverses the state of Missouri, the richest part of my trip was this discussion.   The reason why:  we were able to turn to one another and listen, instead of rigidly holding onto our individual positions.  We turned “me” and “my opinion” into “we.”  Not that we came out agreeing on all issues.  We didn’t.  But what we did do was hear each other, recognize our mutual humanity (and ability to be loving people) and decrease our potential polarity.  I also found, quite surprisingly, where we have common ground.  

What I see that we need right now, as a culture and nation, is restoration and repair in several areas.  We need to move from “me” to “we.”  “We” have lost this.  At the beginning of our journey in the US with COVID, for example, “we were all on this together.”  As the months have been dragging on, “we” have become fatigued and in my observation, have lost being in it—all of it—together.    We have to start someplace to reconnect, turning to one another, engage with each other, with the intention of listening.  If we want to return to some sense of normalcy, we somehow have to figure out how to cooperate, even if it’s an inconvenience to “me.”

As our final US election results are waiting to be certified, I am choosing to turn down the volume on the political noise and turn my attention to my meditation practice, and the through-line to peace it offers me.  I believe that “we” need to endeavor to cultivate a mind that holds room for all of us, same and different.  I choose to consider that this time we are going through, difficult as it is, is a necessary time leading to transformation.  The light has to shine in order for the shadow to be seen and potentially transformed.  As inconvenient and uncomfortable as it may be for “me” not to feel the freedom to do everything in the way I used to be able to, on a good day I feel the richness of the moment.  

Unfortunately, there will be some relationships that may sadly have to be put to rest because one side is not willing to listen or consider what the other side has to say.  Listening to each other may rock our boats and prompt us to have to reconsider some of our viewpoints.  Maybe this is the necessary opportunity for other relationships to deepen when “me” and “my opinion” can turn to “we.”    

Wishing you a warm and safe day of reflection and gratitude.  

Linda

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