Turn inward to examine the individual roots of war, violence, and suffering within yourself. This self-reflection is crucial for transforming the collective reality of suffering, as war is a manifestation of individual suffering.
Recognize that fundamental change requires a genuine desire to live differently. Without this intrinsic motivation, external advice or actions will not lead to lasting transformation.
If seeking a path to peace and transformation, commit to stopping the use of alcohol and other drugs and staying stopped. This is presented as a fundamental step for those wanting to live differently.
Commit to not killing, which includes stopping the consumption of meat, fish, and poultry, and actively choosing not to support institutions that engage in killing. This is a fundamental step in a disciplined spiritual practice.
Start and end each day by sitting for at least five minutes, bringing attention and intention to the process. This helps establish discipline and prevents being consumed by external events.
Extend the practice of meditation and cultivated silence beyond formal sitting sessions into all aspects of daily life. This ensures that mindfulness and awareness are continuous, not confined to specific times or places.
Breathe consciously, focusing on the breath entering the abdomen and noting the precise points of entry and exit from the body, without following it internally. This practice, integrated with daily activities, supports presence and self-regulation.
Recognize and acknowledge feelings like hopelessness, confusion, uncertainty, and powerlessness, understanding that they are transient and will pass. This approach prevents these feelings from controlling your actions or state of mind.
When experiencing fear, focus on staying as present as possible to avoid being drawn into fear-generated thought threads. Engage in practical, immediate actions to ground yourself and prevent seeking false certainty through intellectualizing.
Be cautious about the ’narcotic effect’ and ‘seduction’ of war images and news by exercising self-discipline to avoid obsession and compulsion, while still staying informed. This prevents being overwhelmed and getting lost in endless consumption.
Avoid social media for news and instead read from a diversity of news sources, including international ones, to gain different angles of perception. This helps stay informed without being drawn into the ’narcotic effect’ of visual media and avoids apathy.
Join a group of like-minded individuals to discuss consuming thoughts, feelings, or perceptions arising from media exposure. This provides a support system to prevent fostering dependence or compulsion.
Focus on concrete actions rather than just thoughts, words, or beliefs. Regularly ask yourself ‘what can I do?’ to translate intentions into tangible support and service.
Seek opportunities to provide real-time, on-the-ground assistance in your local community or neighborhood. This addresses the overarching reality of suffering, even if not directly related to distant global conflicts.
Before eating, recite a reflection acknowledging the food as a gift and the effort involved in its production, transforming eating into an act of meditation. Eat with gratitude, acknowledging those who lack food, and allow a healthy measure of guilt to inform action, rather than wallowing in it.
Be willing to acknowledge how you were conditioned by society and culture (e.g., to be racist or misogynistic), even if you don’t wish to embody those traits. This awareness is essential to see how such conditioning manifests in your life and to relate to it differently.
Acknowledge your inherent capacity for violence (in speech or action) and make a conscious, active choice not to engage in it. This is a practice of active non-violence, not passive pacifism.
If you do act violently (in speech or action), quickly recognize it and take responsibility by addressing it with those affected. This allows for correction and prevents further harm.
Consider letting go of the reliance on weapons, understanding that they do not provide true safety. This can be a literal act of disarming or a symbolic shift in mindset away from violence as a solution.
Accept and learn to coexist peacefully with internal ‘unpeacefulness’ (e.g., memories, feelings, images of past suffering) rather than trying to eliminate or forget them. This allows for a more integrated way of living.
Approach decisions made solely through intellect with caution, as intellectual ideas are often informed by inherited suffering and collective conditioning. Seek deeper insights beyond intellectual comprehension.
Commit to embodying the peace you wish to see in the world, remaining open to how circumstances may alter your perceptions and ideas about what that peace entails.
Make your bed ’like you never slept in it’ first thing in the morning. This simple act helps establish discipline and a routine.