Rev. Cameron Trimble, CEO of Convergence
We are now just 12 days away from Election Day in the United States, and the anxiety is palpable. It feels like the very fabric of democracy is being tested. Many of us are struggling with the reality that friends and family we care about see the world so differently than we do. In these moments, it can feel almost impossible to have the kinds of conversations that bring us back to shared values—values that could help guide us through this difficult time.
Last week, I found some comfort in a conversation with theologian Matthew Fox, who shared insights from his new book. He pointed out that throughout history, the anti-Christ archetype emerges during times marked by fear, lawlessness, entitlement, hatred, prejudice, and panic. The anti-Christ energy says, “I am the one who can save you,” or “I am your retribution.” Carl Jung observed that this energy appears when humanity needs to “find our way back to the original living spirit which is the mediator and uniter of opposites.” This archetype, Fox suggests, is a warning—a call for us to return to loving compassion and mutual care for one another.
This conversation helped me see more clearly how the narratives of division and fear can pull us apart. Yet, it also reminded me of the need to choose a different path—one rooted in compassion, reconciliation, and love.
I was further grounded by another profound conversation this past week during the Post-Doom Spirituality event, where Margaret Wheatley, Brian McLaren, and Matthew Fox offered us deep reflections on how to live in these challenging times. They posed three guiding questions:
- How is your faith serving you at this time?
- What have you observed about the emotional journey people go through as they come to terms with our current reality? How does hope play a role?
- What is your role in contributing to a world that is collapsing? What activities or practices sustain you?
Their responses were both honest and sobering. They acknowledged that humanity is in a mess. We have inflicted so much harm on the world—on each other, on creation, on the systems that sustain life. And yet, they offered us wisdom on how to move forward with faithfulness and compassion. It’s clear that these days require more from us—a deeper commitment to living with integrity, care, and hope, even when the future feels uncertain.
Finally, this week carried another weight as we learned of the passing of Dr. Barbara Holmes, a friend and colleague to many of us. Her life was a powerful example of generosity, creativity, and courage, all of which enriched the lives of those around her and made the world more just and compassionate. Her passing feels like a deep loss in a time when voices like hers are needed more than ever.
Life feels heavy, hard, and beautiful right now. There are no easy answers. But what I do know is that we need each other more than ever. The challenges ahead—whether political, spiritual, or environmental—demand that we hold on to one another, that we seek wisdom in our shared humanity, and that we continue to live with compassion, even in the face of uncertainty. As we near Election Day and beyond, hang in there. We are in this together.
A Practice for the Next 12 Days: The Breath of Compassion
When anxiety and tension can feel overwhelming, I encourage you to engage in a simple but profound practice: The Breath of Compassion. This meditation helps ground us in the present moment, cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, and reconnect with a sense of shared humanity—especially when division feels heavy.
Here’s how to practice it:
- Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably with your feet on the ground and your hands resting on your lap. Close your eyes if it feels right.
- Begin with your breath. Inhale slowly through your nose, and exhale gently through your mouth. Feel the rise and fall of your chest with each breath. Let yourself settle into the rhythm of your breathing.
- Breathe in compassion for yourself. On each inhale, silently say to yourself, “May I be at peace.” As you exhale, let go of any tension or judgment you’re holding. Breathe deeply, allowing compassion to fill your body.
- Breathe in compassion for others. On your next inhale, think of someone you find difficult to connect with right now—maybe someone who sees the world differently than you. As you breathe in, say silently, “May you be at peace.” As you exhale, release any frustration or anger you feel toward them.
- Expand your circle of compassion. With each breath, expand your focus outward—to friends, family, your community, and the world. Breathe in and say, “May we all be at peace.” On the exhale, release the need to control or fix anything.
- Sit in stillness for a few moments. Allow yourself to rest in the space you’ve created—aware of your breath, aware of your connection to others, and open to compassion.
- Close with gratitude. Before you end the practice, take a moment to express gratitude for the ability to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your heart.
This practice can be done in just 5-10 minutes each day. In moments when the noise and anxiety of the world feel overwhelming, return to your breath and the intention of compassion. It is a way of anchoring yourself in love when everything around you feels chaotic.
Over the next 12 days, let your breath remind you that we belong to one another. No matter how divided things may seem, compassion is always available to us—for ourselves, for others, and for the world we are working to heal.
