How Buddhism Can Help Us in Today's Suffering World

Each of us individually has an effect on the lives of beings around us through the quiet processes going on in our minds. — Robert Thurman

Acquire a peaceful spirit and thousands around you will be saved. — Seraphim of Sarov

Emotions are contagious. We catch feelings from one another as though they were some kind of social virus. — Daniel Goleman

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. — Victor Frankl

After reading those opening quotations, you won’t need to guess where I’m going in my post-sabbatical return to steady blogging and podcasting. Today’s world seems dominated by a contagion of anger and divisiveness. Many react to that world with more anger and divisiveness. They aim to defeat those other people and enthrone the right worldview.

Maybe the worldview we favor would indeed lead to less overall suffering. Or maybe it wouldn’t. There’s no question, however, that anger and hatred cause more suffering.

So, how do we foster our compassion without being drawn into suffering? This podcast offers suggestions.

Mel’s book, The New Middle Way: A Buddhist Path Between Secular and Ossified - Enlightenment for Regular Folks, is available from Amazon and Audible.

Check out Mel's Substack blog and his author website.

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