Meet the outer chaos with inner clarity

Most of my conversations with friends and clients these days either start or end with the same question: “So what are you doing to stay sane?” With ignorance, avarice, and cruelty running amok, it can be challenging to keep from shutting down, burning out, or getting knocked off your center. Here are a few practices that I am finding helpful.

First, I’ve taken steps to break up with my phone (I highly recommend this book!). I was experiencing the effects of compulsive information consumption — distraction, agitation, foggy-headedness, and a persistent itch for the latest drama. After starting to break that addiction, right away I noticed having more time, energy, and focus as well as less roller-coastery moods. Even just putting an app blocker on my phone to silence news and social media for most of the day made a huge difference — I can stay informed and in touch without getting derailed and activated over and over.

Second, I am asking three questions in my morning meditation practice:

What is something I can do today to feel healthy?

To feel purposeful?

To feel connected?

I ask and then I get quiet and listen. Turning down the outer noise and dialing up my inner voice has been a big part of the phone break-up.

If I’m not getting clear answers it can be helpful to switch to the third person: “What is something that Alexa can do to feel healthy today?” It’s often easier to recognize what someone else needs to do and then tell them to do it!

While the meaning of “healthy” or “purposeful” or “connected” might change each day, and of course it will be different for everyone, I’ve found the inquiry process helpful for staying grounded in my own ethics and priorities. Depending on your particular tendencies and challenges, you might be motivated by different questions. I think that the most important aspect is getting quiet, going inwards, inquiring, listening, and setting an intention to honor your own sage advice. Meet the outer chaos with inner resolve.

Keep taking care of yourself, using your gifts, and looking out for one another!