Practice loosening the ‘death grip’ on your individual self or ego through methods like meditation, embodied practices, or engaging in collective movements, recognizing the futility of excessive self-protection to foster connection and solidarity.
Engage in more empathy work, recognizing that others’ beliefs and actions might stem from their unique life conditions and wounds, which can reduce feelings of separation or superiority.
Before exploring ideologies or information from those you disagree with, clearly define your core values and beliefs to maintain your bearings and avoid being swayed.
Listen to people on the other side of the ideological spectrum with intellectual humility, seeking points of agreement to build bridges and understand potential harms, especially to help those who may have been radicalized.
Engage in civic and political life by finding and building relationships with others, recognizing that systemic problems require collective political action, not just individual efforts.
Seek out experiences of ‘unselfing’ by beholding beauty in nature or art, allowing yourself to enter a state of wonder, openness, and porousness where self-consciousness fades.
Strive for calm when engaging with distressing information or discussing serious issues, aiming to inspire thoughtful action rather than inducing panic, as panic hinders reasoning and empathy.
Foster a deep love and connection with nature and other important aspects of life, as this love can become a fierce and sustainable motivation for protection and action against threats.
Supplement individual practices like meditation and embodied practices with finding and connecting with other people, to avoid loneliness and ensure solutions aren’t solely solitary or phone-based.
Engage in discussions about corporate media consolidation, dependence on drug company advertising, and real solutions for healthcare affordability, especially when these issues are co-opted by opposing ideologies.
Be generous with yourself and others regarding participation in systemic issues, acknowledging that we are all part of a system we didn’t create, and openly admit to personal struggles or contradictions to foster authenticity and relatability.
Avoid overburdening the self with the belief that individual consumer choices alone can solve large global problems; instead, recognize that personal behavioral changes primarily serve as social communication that can inspire collective policy action.
When facing identity confusion or being mistaken for others, get curious about the phenomenon instead of being defensive, to learn what message it might be sending.
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