Trump 2.0: A New Chapter
Dear Friends,
It is a strange world, and I am trying to make sense of it.
Trump wants to buy (or take over) Greenland, and has not ruled out using military force. And on the eve of his presidency, what is his focus?
Launching and promoting his own crypto meme coin of course! What does this meme coin do? Absolutely nothing! Except make him billions of dollars. (I am not joking, this actually happened.)
I have huge respect for the architects of crypto, by the way, who I think intended to create a more unified and decentralized form of currency. They wanted something for the people, independent of a central bank, and I can only think they are as saddened by this meme coin phase as the rest of us.
The New Chapter
This seems to be the new chapter at play: everyone for himself and herself. If we have the power, why not take over another country? If I can make billions of a meme coin that does nothing, I am going to do it. I think about myself and myself only.
Where will this mindset lead us?
I have no idea. But I cannot think of how counter this is to most spiritual traditions, especially the teachings of Jesus, who focused on helping the poor.
To explore this new chapter, Jon Kabat-Zinn and I sat down in an attempt to have a mindful conversation about politics and lessons from the election. (I think he did a better job than I did!)
There is so much we can also say about how the Democrats have lost their way, and seem to focus more on raising money for campaigns than being a voice for the working class.
If they would’ve spent one-tenth the time they did raising money connecting with the working people, we might have a different election result.
The Invitation
But it may not be about political parties anymore. Maybe both Republican and Democratic parties need to be re-envisioned. I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with money and power, it is more about how it is used.
This is why our work is so important. Do we need a new political system or do we need more conscious people? I think both!
Imagine a world where politicians went on mindfulness retreats, healed the trauma from their childhood, and connected to the natural world? This is what we need, regardless of political party.
It is not only different systems we need, it is a different consciousness.
So lets do that together! And there is no time to lose.
Maybe this is the beauty and opportunity of our time. And whether you love or hate this new administration, this is our invitation.
Hope you enjoy my and Jon’s conversation.
And Happy MLK Day!
Blessings,
SOREN
Watch HERE »»»
This conversation touched upon so many aspects of our world that hold promise as it also revealed our "curriculum." Thanks Jon and Soren.
I'm also inspired by Bishop Mariann Budde's courage, passion and plea for mercy. Wow!
I appreciate Soren and Jon having a conversation about our “next chapter. “
I listened for the first 20 minutes or so, and feel compelled to share here. It is interesting to open up and begin to have a conversation and reflection about bridging politics government, our hearts and sitting on the cushion. I agree with Soren‘s email questions of do we need a new political system or do we need more conscious people? Or do we need both?
On the government system side, I do hope that we can look at how presidential candidates such as Marianne Williamson and Jill Stein, without a constitutional political campaign reform amendment, managed to raise money without political action, committees, receiving the results that they did, which includes not forgetting those that showed up at their town halls, signed, petitions, and ultimately voted. This I believe is part of some of the political “change” that may be interested in. I would like to see all presidential candidates debate publicly within the media equally. And if this is not possible for whatever reason that we find creative ways to do so. I also believe that a new political party was formed in the selection cycle, a new progressive party. These are all part of what I’ve followed, and noticed from the other side of the Atlantic ocean in France.
As it relates to more conscious people, it is always so good to hear again about “ searching and finding a middle way” or common ground, need, Hope, aspiration.
And it is from there, that maybe part of how we globally and locally can come together from all walks of life, political parties, religions, is relating to our basic human needs as people relating to healthy and plentiful food grown from our “food systems.”
(AI and food data: I read a news headline yesterday regarding an AI report tracking food preserves data throughout supermarket product items in the USA) future farmer workers and soil /water growing in California? + France and EU? +
For example, when I remember to be fully present and conscious, and I look into my plate and my fork before a meal and I give Grace and remember and look at every item on my plate and try and identify the original organic form was it growing? Do I know where it grew Imagine the workers how many hours how was it transported by fossil fuels in what packaging what is the nutritional value. It seems that I’m eating hundreds of work hours fossil fuels, soil, water, business models: who what how is in our plates, and therefore invisibly sitting at the table with us?
I wonder about the same middle way public private initiatives that can fill changing situations if government fundings evolve and change or need help expanding their reach and expertise…
And with the California fires, war zones and earthquakes natural disasters with such loss of home and shelter, is this not also a middle way opportunity to rebuild homes with “tables and plates” and food, neighborhoods, nations, and our children’s tomorrows.
I seem to recall reading an interview with candidate president Donald Trump saying “we all need good food “in relation to his support of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
In his inaugural speech he also said he wants to be known as a “unifier” for “peace”
Thank you merci beaucoup for this community space with frameworks and reflection points for consideration and collaboration. (Passionately and courageously with many words)…