Often seen as conflicting, the focus of attention outwardly on changing the world, and the focus inwardly on ones state of mind, are increasingly understood to be necessary complements to each other.

Outward: On June 14th, the same day that President Trump organized a military parade in Washington D.C., Indivisible and allied organizations mounted the ‘No Kings” protests that brought over five million people out into the streets in over 2100 cities and communities. This was not the first or last event the group organized, with local chapters holding weekly vigils and events at congressional offices of those supporting the MAGA drive towards autocracy.

Perhaps you’re one of the hundreds of thousands already involved. But if not, check out their national website https://indivisible.org/. If you put in your zip code you will be directed to local Indivisible groups, I found over a dozen within a 20 mile radius of my home. Their mission is clear, “We fight on, together. Our democracy is under threat. But we will not yield to fascism. We will stand together and we’ll fight back in defense of our rights, our communities, and our values. Join us.” Now they are launching “One Million Rising”—a national effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation, as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design.

If you are finding yourself afraid, wondering if there is anything effective you can do, it seems they are offering a hand to hold and suggestions and support in taking action, getting involved. Of course there are hundreds of other groups working similarly and in parallel ways. At least local to me, Indivisible has stood out. And we do need to stand OUT.

Inward: Wisdom or spiritual traditions, have long emphasized the need to look inside and face our own darkness if we are to engage in any activity that aims to effectively help others or the world. Taking time to be with our emotional reactions, to name and acknowledge them, and to find inner sources of healing and balancing are essential not only for our own mental health, but for being an effective agent of change.

States of consciousness are essentially part of the invisible universe in which we live. They are the source, or what is behind behaviors, our own and those of our perceived enemies. Understanding that allows us a greater sense of empathy and gives us a better handle on how the changes we seek can be brought about. Martin Luther King, Jr., taught, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Not easy. Can we take the time, after being revved up into rage or hate from hearing the latest rant on TikTok or MSNBC, to re-center in love and compassion? To maintain that, (or at least aim to), while at a vigil or rally or march?

Invisible are the dark impulses that reside in our hearts and minds. That is until we shine the light of awareness on them and do what it takes to free ourselves of their influence. That takes time. It takes a willingness to let go of the struggle for a bit and open to the deepest sources of wisdom and kindness that are our true nature. For those who are open to it, there are forces beyond the conceptual and material reality, beyond the kind of mind that creates the suffering in the first place. These are available to us through deep meditation or prayer. They are a part of the worldview of all indigenous societies and all the world’s religious traditions. Invisible to those of us raised in Western Civilization’s materialist mindset. Invisible until we bring the light of awareness to it.

Onward: Unless we acknowledge our own part in the causes of suffering that we see in the world and do the inner work to heal, we will be lost in mind circles of blame and rage and despair. Unless we take part in actions that challenge the causes of suffering in the world, systems that promote greed and separateness and fear, we will find ourselves isolated and depressed.

For millennia, humans have learned ways to live in balance, and passed these teachings along through the generations. Let’s face it; humans can be so beautiful, creative, loving, and brilliant. Yet we as a species have collectively found ourselves so distant from our own wisdom teachings that we are on the edge of destroying ourselves and most other forms of life on Mother Earth. I’m not alone in thinking that only through a shift in consciousness manifesting in compassionate action, spread through the collective of humanity, will we navigate towards survival and a better world.