Seeing Beyond Politics: Reclaiming Our Shared Humanity
While I feel uncomfortable standing idly by in silence amid all that’s happening in the United States and around the world, I also feel compelled to write this blog post (and others) because many of my private clients are trying to make sense of it all. My hope is that these writings will provide solace, peace of mind, and hope in the face of the profound changes taking place on the planet at this time.
Given my holistic and transpersonal orientation—and my lifelong immersion in psychology—you likely won’t be surprised that I approach these topics through this lens. It is my deepest and most heartfelt hope that my readers find this and other writings helpful in navigating the massive shifts occurring in our world. While everything may seem confusing, frightening, and chaotic, I believe this moment is actually one of profound transformation and, yes, great hope.
The Uncomfortable Reality of Political Division
Talking about politics in today’s world can feel like lighting a short fuse on a very big stick of dynamite. Why is that? I’m not a historian or a politician, so I’ll do my best to avoid getting caught in the weeds discussing things beyond my expertise. But I do want to offer some context—at least as I currently understand it—as a way of segueing into a conversation about how spiritual wisdom and insight can help guide us from a state of animosity and division toward unity, understanding, compassion, and ultimately, peace.
I recently listened to comedian Bill Murray in a short YouTube video where he spoke seriously about how avoiding political discussions might be necessary if we want to get along. His statement piqued my curiosity. I imagine he made this remark in response to the current political upheaval we’re witnessing in the United States and around the globe.
As I scrolled through the comments, one in particular stood out:
“The problem is that it’s not JUST politics anymore. Politics now DIRECTLY parallels ideologies. Absolutely two different ways of life.”
This idea was new to me. So, in modern fashion, I consulted ChatGPT to help unpack what this commenter was saying—and what I discovered was both illuminating and helpful.
I hope you’ll excuse the density and length of the following AI-generated contribution and trust that it will provide deeper insight into the core issue at hand: moving from animosity and division to unity and inclusion, ideas that we’ll explore in more depth later on in this post.
A.I.’s Perspective on Politics and Ideology
ChatGPT provided this explanation:
“In the past, politics was primarily about differing opinions on policies—things like taxes, healthcare, or education. People could disagree but still get along because these were just different ideas on how to run things. But now, politics has become much more than that. It has turned into a battle of entire belief systems, meaning it’s no longer just about policies but about deeply held values, morals, and worldviews.
These beliefs shape how people live their lives, raise their children, define right and wrong, and even determine whom they trust. Because of this, political differences don’t just feel like debates anymore; they feel personal—like challenges to one’s entire identity and way of life. That’s why political discussions today can quickly become heated, emotional, or even divisive.”
ChatGPT elaborated further:
“When I say ‘deeply held values, morals, and ways of seeing the world,’ I mean the fundamental beliefs that shape how people live, interact with others, and make decisions. These beliefs influence perspectives on individualism vs. collectivism, personal responsibility vs. systemic issues, and traditional vs. progressive social norms. They also shape worldviews, such as law & order vs. social justice, nationalism vs. globalism, and religious vs. secular perspectives.
When politics was just about policies—like how much to tax businesses or how to fix a road—people could debate and compromise. But now that it touches on these deep, identity-defining beliefs, disagreements feel like personal attacks. That’s why today’s political arguments are so emotionally charged and divisive—it’s no longer just about laws, but about how people define themselves and their place in the world.”
Politics vs. Ideology: Understanding the True Divide
I included this AI-generated explanation because it clarifies that our current struggles are not simply about political differences but about something much deeper: politics now parallels ideologies.
In today’s political climate, it’s not uncommon to hear people say they’ve cut ties with family members or friends over political differences. This, to me, is both heartbreaking and unnecessary. It reveals a deeper confusion—one where political views are mistaken for entire belief systems. People aren’t distancing themselves from loved ones because of disagreements on policies; they’re struggling to reconcile fundamental differences in identity and worldview.
If you’re willing to entertain this perspective, you might be wondering: If all this is true, then what now? The rest of this post will explore a possible way forward.
A Spiritual Perspective on Political Division
If the root of our current discord lies not in politics but in our deeper belief systems, then how do we find our way out?
Albert Einstein famously said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
As I’ve mentioned in previous writings, humanity often seems stuck in an age-old pattern—trying to solve problems with the same strategies, despite their repeated failures. We keep trying, trying, and trying again, expecting different results. It’s a frustrating cycle, but perhaps a necessary one.
I’m no Socrates, nor a politician or historian. But if I had to say it plainly: Our problem is not a political one. It’s not even an ideological one. It’s a spiritual one.
A political problem could, in theory, be solved through policy changes, compromises, or better governance. An ideological problem might be addressed through dialogue, education, or cultural shifts. But what I’m suggesting is that these approaches, while necessary, are not enough on their own because they don’t address the core issue: our disconnection from one another at a fundamental level.
By calling it a spiritual problem, I am pointing to the loss of a shared sense of humanity, compassion, and interconnectedness. When people see themselves as separate from others—defined by political or ideological differences rather than by their inherent worth and shared existence—it creates division, fear, and hostility. The “us vs. them” mindset that fuels modern conflicts isn’t just about policies or beliefs; it’s about a deep forgetting of our unity.
What I’m suggesting here is that the way forward isn’t merely about winning arguments or proving a point, but about shifting consciousness—moving beyond surface-level disagreements to recognize the common humanity in all people. This shift, rooted in spiritual wisdom, allows for healing, compassion, and ultimately, peace.
I don’t believe we’ll find our way through these challenging times without a spiritual perspective. And with that, I’d like to introduce an idea that may offer a way forward.
A Spiritual Solution: Shifting Perception
Now, I’m aware that in recent decades, our culture has been inundated with New Age philosophies—many of which focus on positive experiences while overlooking deeper unconscious structures and collective pain. This has understandably led to skepticism about spirituality’s role in real-world challenges.
But what I’m proposing isn’t an ungrounded, “woo-woo” solution. It’s one rooted in the wisdom and psychology of diverse spiritual traditions spanning thousands of years.
I believe the solution to our deepening division begins with shifting our perception—learning to see beyond surface-level differences and recognizing our shared humanity and interconnectedness.
I know, I know—talk of “interconnectedness” can sound like New Age fluff. And even if this is the answer, how do we translate such an abstract concept into a real, tangible practice capable of transforming our collective consciousness?
Stay with me.
When we truly remember—or, as I like to say, re-member—that we are all deeply connected, something shifts. We begin to approach political and ideological conflicts with compassion rather than opposition.
Reframing Conflict as an Opportunity for Healing
What if, instead of seeing political differences as a battle of right versus wrong, we viewed them as reflections of collective wounds in need of healing?
When someone expresses anger or fear, what if we saw that as a sign of their pain rather than an attack?
When we recognize that fear and division stem from suffering, we can respond with understanding rather than defensiveness.
And that—more than anything—may be the first step toward a more unified, compassionate world.
Choosing Love Over Fear
A core metaphysical truth is that every thought, word, and action stems from either love or fear. While it takes awareness to recognize this, we do have a choice in how we see the world. Fear fuels division—fear of the “other,” fear of losing control, fear of change. And for a long time, we’ve fed that cycle. But when we consciously shift from fear to love, we stop seeing others as enemies and start recognizing them as fellow travelers in this human experience. What if, instead of arguing, we listened to understand rather than reacting to defend?
All this complexity is really just a distraction—a way to avoid recognizing the real problem and, in turn, keep it from being solved. But what if the only problem we’ve ever had is the belief in separation, no matter how it appears? If we could truly see this, the solution would suddenly make perfect sense. And once we recognize the common thread running through all our struggles, we’d also realize that we already have everything we need to resolve them. The only thing left would be to use it.
I don’t want or need you to agree with what I’m saying. I’m asking you to question your preconceived notions because when you do, you will surely cease to value fear and will most likely choose love.
You don’t have to be a mastermind to recognize that powerful, accessible tools for deep listening and compassionate communication—rooted in non-violence and love—have been available to us for a long time. Yet, we often choose to ignore this fact. Why is that? Why do we prioritize everything else—including blaming others for the world’s problems—over learning these essential skills?
We already have the knowledge to take responsibility for the shadows in our own minds, yet we continue to project our unexamined fears and judgments onto others. How much more proof do we need that blame and victimhood have never truly solved anything? This isn’t about excusing harmful behavior; it’s about asking an honest question—one that demands an honest answer.
If we take a step back and look at the state of the world, it’s clear: self-reflection and accountability aren’t just personal virtues. They aren’t qualities required only of “those bad and wrong people over there.” They are the missing ingredients in the transformation we all so desperately need to be practicing.
Seeing Beyond the Illusion of Separation
Much of the conflict in the world stems from the illusion of separateness—the belief that we are different, disconnected, or even opposed to one another. But spiritual traditions across the world remind us of a deeper truth: we are not isolated beings struggling for survival; we are aspects of the same divine consciousness. Beneath the surface of this seemingly divided world, there is a field of awareness we can learn to access—a natural state where we remember who we truly are. When we connect with this awareness, this quiet center, we recognize ourselves as love itself. And if we allow it, this voice of truth will remind us that we are already whole, peaceful, abundant, and ready to extend kindness to all beings.
What I’ve been sharing with you will only be as effective as your willingness to let go of your need to define the problem yourself. I’m not asking you to abandon all your preconceived ideas—just to allow a little doubt about your version of the problem. That’s enough.
The real goal here isn’t to fix things the way you think they need to be fixed, but to recognize that the answer has already been given. When you stop clinging to your version of the problem, you create space for the solution to meet it. And in that space, another possibility—one rooted in love, self-reflection, and interconnectedness—becomes clear. The path to peace isn’t something we have to create from scratch; it’s already here, waiting for us to choose it.
So as we close, I want to emphasize this final and essential point. It may seem as though we are separate, walking through a world with some eight billion other people who are different from us. We can stubbornly cling to this perception, digging in our heels, insisting on our divisions. But to do so only guarantees more pain—both for ourselves and for the collective.
Each of us must make this choice for ourselves. But let it be known: when we choose wholeness, oneness, and unity, we choose it for all beings. We may never fully grasp the magnitude of the ripple effect that a choice for love has on the whole, but by now, we have more than enough evidence of what happens when we continue choosing fear. That path has never worked. It has only deepened the madness.
As Rumi, the 12th-century mystical poet, so beautifully wrote: “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”
We all have a choice to make now.
Let’s choose love.
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If my writing resonates with you and you’re seeking support, I’d be honored to share this journey with you.
As a holistic mental health practitioner and life coach, I offer virtual sessions worldwide. Whether you’re breaking free from anxiety, navigating a life transition, healing a relationship, or stepping into a deeper sense of purpose, I invite you to step into a space of deep transformation—one where you’ll not only create lasting change but also discover a truer, more empowered version of yourself.
If you’re ready to explore what it means to show up fully in your life, let’s connect. To book a FREE 20-minute Discovery Call, click HERE.
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