View this post on Instagram

 

What does it mean to resist with wisdom?

In a time of political turmoil, when outrage fuels division and fear dictates discourse, how can we hold onto our principles? For Buddhists and mindful activists, the answer lies in ethical resistance—not passive detachment, but engagement rooted in truth, compassion, and clarity.

The resurgence of Donald Trump as a political force has intensified societal divisions, misinformation, and fear. For those dedicated to mindfulness, ethical engagement, and spiritual activism, this moment calls for a response rooted in wisdom rather than reactivity. Buddhism offers a profound framework for navigating these turbulent times with integrity. By grounding ourselves in three ethical precepts—Right Speech (Fourth Precept), Non-Harming (First Precept), and Avoiding Intoxicants (Fifth Precept)—we cultivate resilience and ensure that our resistance is as just as our ideals.

Right Speech: A Commitment to Truth and Constructive Dialogue

(Aligns with the Fourth Precept: Avoiding False, Harsh, or Divisive Speech.)

The Trump era has amplified the weaponization of language—propaganda, incendiary rhetoric, and dehumanizing discourse. The Buddhist precept of Right Speech, rooted in the Eightfold Path, instructs us to speak in ways that are true, beneficial, and conducive to harmony.

I recall a conversation with a friend who held vastly different political beliefs. My initial impulse was to argue, to correct. Instead, I paused. I chose to listen deeply, responding with measured words rather than reactionary fervor. Over time, that dialogue shifted from animosity to mutual understanding. This is the power of Right Speech—not merely avoiding falsehoods but cultivating conversations that bridge divides rather than deepen them.

How to Practice Right Speech in the Trump Era:

>> Fact-check before sharing information. Reject exaggeration and fear-mongering, even when countering misinformation.

>> Refuse to Dehumanize: While resisting harmful ideologies, we must not perpetuate the same divisiveness we seek to dismantle.

>> Speak with Purpose: Avoid reactionary rhetoric and instead foster conversations that promote understanding and change.

The Dalai Lama reminds us: “A compassionate attitude helps to create a peaceful mind. If your mind is peaceful, you are happier and can contribute more effectively to a better world.” While this wording may or may not be exact, and verbatim in his published works, it encapsulates themes he frequently discusses. This sentiment urges us to wield language as a tool for transformation rather than destruction.

Non-Harming: Resistance as an Act of Compassion

(Aligns with the First Precept: Ahimsa—Non-Violence in Thought, Word, and Deed.)

The First Precept teaches us to avoid causing harm to living beings. Under the Trump administration, harm manifests in policies that marginalize the vulnerable, in rhetoric that incites violence, and in systemic injustices. Ethical resistance demands that we take action without contributing to cycles of hatred or destruction.

During the Vietnam War, Thich Nhat Hanh spoke not with rage, but with a quiet, unshakable conviction that war could never be the answer. His resistance was not passive; it was active and deeply compassionate. He demonstrated that non-harming does not mean disengagement—it means fighting injustice without forsaking humanity.

How to Resist Without Harming:

>> Challenge Injustice with Compassion: Support policies and organizations that uplift the marginalized, but do so in ways that remain rooted in love rather than animosity.

>> Cultivate Metta (Loving-Kindness) for All Beings: We can reject oppressive systems while recognizing the shared humanity of those caught within them.

>> Engage in Nonviolent Resistance: As modeled by Thich Nhat Hanh and Martin Luther King Jr., nonviolent activism embodies the highest ethical principles.

Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, “When you say something that nourishes you and the other person, you are offering good food. When you speak and destroy, you are eating toxins and offering toxins.” This insight calls us to practice resistance that does not mirror the harm we oppose.

Avoiding Intoxicants: Resisting the Pull of Fear and Outrage

(Aligns with the Fifth Precept: Avoiding Intoxicants That Cloud the Mind.)

Traditionally, the Fifth Precept refers to abstaining from alcohol and drugs, but in today’s world, intoxicants include social media hysteria, doomscrolling, and fear-driven thinking. The Trump era has cultivated a state of perpetual outrage that erodes our clarity and depletes our energy.

Neuroscientists have found that anger and fear are addictive. The more we engage in reactive media consumption, the more our brains crave the dopamine hit of outrage. But just as we mindfully nourish our bodies, we must mindfully curate our mental and emotional landscapes.

How to Practice Media Mindfulness:

>> Reject Doomscrolling: Establish limits on news and social media consumption to prevent anxiety-driven engagement.

>> Cultivate Discernment: Ask, “Does this information empower me to act wisely, or does it fuel despair and rage?”

>> Prioritize Inner Stillness: Meditation, deep breathing, and digital detoxing restore balance and keep us anchored in clarity.

Pema Chödrön reminds us, “You are the sky. Everything else—it’s just the weather.” When we remain grounded, we engage more effectively and prevent external chaos from consuming our peace.

Practicing Right Speech, Non-Harming, and Avoiding Intoxicants does not mean disengaging from political struggle; rather, it means engaging with integrity, wisdom, and purpose. Ethical resistance is a commitment to truth, justice, and nonviolence in thought, word, and action.

As we navigate another Trump administration, let us resist with clarity rather than confusion, compassion rather than cruelty, and wisdom rather than reactivity. Buddhism teaches that the path to liberation is not through aggression, but through conscious, deliberate, and ethical engagement.

Your Call to Action:

• Take one week to practice mindful speech, noting when you react versus when you respond with clarity.
• Dedicate one conversation this week to truly listening without the intent to argue.
• Observe your media diet, and reduce sources that fuel anger rather than informed action.

Resistance is not just about what we fight against. It is about what we build. What will you create?

~