Compassion in an age of conflict

In an age with so much division and conflict, is there any logic to compassion?

The Buddha's teachings show us that the wisdom of interdependence leads to understanding. Understanding fosters acceptance, and acceptance leads to kindness and compassion. But how can we be compassionate if we are not even able to be present in the same room with one another?

No presence, no patience. No patience, no understanding. No understanding, no conversation. No conversation, no figuring it out. No progress. No change. Nothing gets better.

We feel stuck, powerless, uncertain of what to do.

Here we are, big hearts, big ideas, yet stuck with the way things are. In this place, it’s easy to internalize frustration, to feel defeated, to blame ourselves, to be overwhelmed with feelings of worthlessness, to think we are not good enough.

So what do we do?

It starts with presence.

We must first learn to be present and open to our own situation. If we cannot do that for ourselves, how can we be present for others?

Of course, the present is not a comfortable place. Remove all the distraction and entertainment, and most of us cannot sit in an empty room by ourselves for more than a few minutes. If we cannot be present and at ease with ourselves, how can we ever expect to be present and at ease with others?

So first, we need to learn how to relax and be at ease in the present. We need to learn how to be open and aware, and to not get overwhelmed by what is going on inside of us or around us.

That requires training in being mindful, present, and aware of our own what's going on inside us—our thoughts, emotions, pain, and anxiety. We can practice being open and accepting of our reality without rejection or judgement, without creating a story around what it should be or how it should be. Just learn to let it be as it is. Learn to let go of negative feelings. Learn to relax into presence. Learn to find your ground, the ground of being.

When you can do that for yourself, you can be present for others. First your loved ones, your family and friends. Then eventually those who challenge us, create problems, even those people we see as adversaries.

This kind of compassion requires courage. A bodhisattva is a sattva, a warrior—one who dons the armor of patience and kindness, is confident of their ground, and meets life’s difficulties with wisdom.

To cultivate this wisdom, we must zoom out—see the bigger picture, understand the nature of relationships, and recognize the interconnected systems that shape our experiences. When we see clearly, we are less entangled in the emotional energy and weight of conflict.

When we recognize our own innate dignity and extend that dignity to others, kindness and compassion become natural. It no longer matters if someone is on “our team,” shares our beliefs, or belongs to our community. What matters is how we are showing up in this situation, because that's all we have control over.

With presence, we can navigate uncertainty. We can begin uncomfortable conversations. We can listen to perspectives different from our own. We can discuss what’s at stake. We can figure out a path forward, together.

The world may seem to be falling apart around us. Conflict may seem like an inevitable age we are doomed to endure. But there is no “age” of conflict—only the reality unfolding before us. And it is up to us to decide how we will meet it.

Compassion is not just an emotional response; it is the logical path forward. In a world where division feeds itself, only wisdom, presence, and the recognition of our shared humanity can break the cycle. Compassion is the foundation of progress—it is not just an ideal, it's necessary.

To dance or not to dance—that is the question.