Welcome. This meditation supports the Stage Eight task of connecting to universal truths. Many religions and many ideologies are based on the same set of principles, or emotional roots. In this task, you are asked to explore different religions and different political ideologies to try and see what they have in common, in terms of underlying roots and principles (not in terms of specific beliefs). The hardest part of this task is reading about what you see as an opposing ideology, without becoming defensive. This meditation will support you in detaching from your own beliefs, and exploring other beliefs in that same detached way.
Posture
Take a moment to get comfortable. You can sit or stand or lay down. It’s doesn’t matter. You can close your eyes or keep them open. Do what works for you. You may want some paper near by to write down your thoughts as you go.
Presence
Take a slow deep breath. Let it out like a sigh of relief. Be at peace. You are here now. Take another slow deep breath, and this time, send it out slowly, consciously, with purpose, all the way. Be at peace. You are here now. Pause and repeat these breaths until you feel relaxed and at peace.
Journey
Let’s start in your own world. Choose a political issue that you care about. It can be anything you like: immigration, guns, taxes… anything. Just pick one.
Now you are already feeling a little defensive. Where in your body do you feel this? It is probably in the solar plexus, the center of your individuality. Good. Breathe into that space. There is no danger here.
Think of your political issue. What do you think is the right thing to do there? What do you think is the right solution?
Why?… Why?… Why?…. keep asking yourself why until you get down to the principle at the heart of your belief. Take the time to explore that now…
Now that you have the principle, write it down. And ask yourself. What is the emotion at the root of this principle? Write that down too. Take a little time to just feel that emotion.
Now, for a real challenge. Consider someone you know and like, who has the opposite opinion on this issue. Imagine you are them. Put yourself in their place. You are them. As them, ask yourself… What do you think is the right thing to do there? What do you think is the right solution?
Why?… Why?… Why?…. keep asking yourself why until you get down to the principle at the heart of your belief. Take the time to explore that now…
Now that you have the principle, write it down. And ask yourself. What is the emotion at the root of this principle? Write that down too. Take a little time to just feel that emotion.
Take a moment to sit with this truth that you just discovered…
At the heart of all ideologies are principles. And each principle is based on an emotional root. These emotional roots ultimately boil down to one thing: LOVE, even if they don’t look that way on the surface.
Return
When you are ready, bring your awareness back to your surroundings. Notice how you feel. Take this feeling with you and return to it anytime you like. Take the time to explore as many pairs of opposing opinions as you can. Find the truth at the heart of them all.
