Staying Human in Turbulent Times

Article written by Melissa Moore

Lately, I’ve been asking myself what it really means to stay human in times like these. Many of our social norms, political institutions, and even environmental rhythms seem to be unraveling. The age of the thoughtful statesperson feels increasingly rare. Yet perhaps this is exactly when the practice of being human—awake, embodied, and connected—matters most.

To be human, we must keep returning to our bodies, to our breath, and to one another. It’s so easy to lose that center. Some days, a glance at the morning headlines can hijack my nervous system for hours. When that happens, I remind myself that a bit of “phone hygiene” can be an act of sanity—limiting news intake, or at least saving it for later in the day. As Pema Chödrön wrote, “To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.” We can’t avoid the push of uncertainty, but we can choose how we meet it.

This moment also exposes how deeply intertwined we are. Our data, our climate, our collective trust—all feel precarious. Here in Denver, it’s April with temperatures in the seventies, when historically it should be our wettest month. The imbalance in nature mirrors the unease within us. Joanna Macy calls this “the great turning,” a time when falling apart and awakening coexist. Recognizing that impermanence is not just a Buddhist teaching—it’s the world speaking its truth.

How do we self-regulate amid chaos? Often through simplicity. Watering plants. Cooking something from the earth. Talking to a neighbor instead of scrolling through the news. Taking walks, or, if you’re like me, resting with the creatures who remind you how to be present—my cat Howard and my dog Juda are both excellent teachers of embodiment. Minor everyday humble rituals of decency keep our attention wide and our hearts permeable, especially when the world feels narrow and harsh.

I’ve also found solace in remembering that humanity has endured cycles like this before. History reminds us that even when authoritarianism surges, compassion and collective wisdom will reemerge more strongly. The breakdown of old systems that no longer fit the moment reveals their buried wounds—racism, misogyny, greed—and the change offers the difficult grace of starting again. None of this lessens the suffering we and many others face, but it can stir a resilient heart-mind: one with clarity, care, and basic sanity, which are evolutionary forces like impermanence.

Most of all, staying human means staying connected. We need communities where we can be authentic, included, and inspired toward wise action. If you’re reading this, you’re already part of the Karuna Community—an international network committed to living from what we call Brilliant Sanity: our innate capacity for wakefulness and compassion, even amid confusion.

Our stated values remind us of how brilliant sanity looks in daily life:

Basic Sanity – Cultivating our innate goodness, even when the world feels fractured. Transformative Journey – Bringing practical contemplative tools to everyday hardship.
Inclusivity – Honoring difference while remembering our shared ground.
Secular Approach – Rooting contemplative psychology in experience, not ideology.
Sacred Community – Drawing strength collectively from ancient wisdom. Transmission Through Presence – Trusting that truth can be communicated simply by being.

If these values resonate, I invite you to stay close. Join our online Circle membership site, Karunity, study with us in a cohort, take a course, or attend an in‑person retreat in California. Gather with others who are learning to hold the world’s turbulence with steadier, open, empowered hearts.

When we ground ourselves in practice and community, we remember: nothing is too broken to be mended, and no storm can dissolve our shared humanity.

I'd love to continue this conversation with you in person at Staying Human in Turbulent Times: Embodied Compassion for Daily Life. Join me on Saturday, May 30th, from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM at the Berkeley Shambhala Center for a full day of guided meditation, embodied exercises, and relational practices drawn from the Karuna Training lineage. You'll leave with real tools for coming back to clarity, warmth, and presence in daily life. No prior meditation experience necessary. This day is open to all who want to meet these times with a steadier, more open heart. Free registration required, suggested donation $25.