One of my meditation teachers often says:
“Be wise, not right.”

In this world of division, opposing views, right verses wrong thinking, we must learn to quiet our minds and listen for the wise response to the various situations we find ourselves in.

For me, this is perhaps one of the greatest challenges of this period of time.

What is my highest response?
What is my wisest response?

It is easy to feel right.
It is easy to feel superior.
It is easy to feel judgemental.

But what is the wise response to the situations we find ourselves in?

What is my deepest response?
What is my most compassionate response?
What is my highest response?

I’m still exploring this for myself.
And I will make many mistakes along the journey and yet the aspiration continues.

What else can we do but ask ourselves:

What is my highest response to this situation?
What does wisdom say?

This answer can not be found within the analytical mind. This answer cannot be found in black and white thinking. This answer cannot be found within the veil of anger and judgementalness. This answer can only be found in stillness. This answer can only be found in quietude. This answer can only be found in deep listening.

No one else can tell you this answer and no one else may agree.
It can be a lonely and deep journey to the center of yourself.

During times of great divide we must all learn to listen deeply within and seek to find our highest response.

It is not an easy time for anyone.
The forces that be want us divided.

Be kind.
Be generous.

And ask frequently: What is my wisest response? What is my highest response? What is the loving thing to do?

Be kind to others and do not propose to know what is right for them. Everyone is on their own unique journey with their own unique guidance system.

Everyone is doing the best they can.

In the words of Rumi:

Out beyond the ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field. I will meet you there.

~Hayley Mermelstein