When you think about meditation, you might imagine gentle music, candlelight, or a serene space. It could remind you of your yoga practice or morning routine. Or perhaps meditation seems ineffective for you. But have you considered its potential for social change or as a path to action?

In a world that feels chaotic, looking inside yourself may seem counterintuitive. Yet, Sharon Salzberg, a bestselling author and meditation teacher, argues it’s the solution. Her book, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World, suggests that inner work can create changes externally.

“One of the strangest things I discovered about meditation practice is that while it looks like maybe the most solitary activity imaginable… what it actually produces is a profound sense of connection, not only to yourself but to others,” says Salzberg.

Her book aims to help meditators bring compassion to the world and provide relief to activists on the front lines. Regardless of where you are on this path, being present with your emotions can be healing. This awareness fosters connections that lead to change.

Practicing Mindfulness

Mindfulness involves being with your emotions without projection, comparison, or judgment, allowing clarity in your experiences. Salzberg suggests mindful meditation as a direct path to this state. Spend 10 to 15 minutes daily in meditation to understand yourself, your place in the world, and your relationships.

This practice can shift priorities and worldviews. Observing emotions like anger without judgment reveals its complexity, often containing sadness, fear, or guilt. Recognizing the helplessness within can drive action, channeling energy effectively.

Recognizing Your Agency

Salzberg notes that developing kindness and compassion can sometimes lead to self-doubt. People may feel their contributions are insignificant. However, agency requires action despite uncertainty. Start small, whether making a call or connecting with someone. Building these actions can lead to significant societal change.

“We share this life. We share this planet. We need to be responsive to one another as though what we do affects others and what others do will affect us, because that’s the truth of things,” says Salzberg.

The podcast portion of this story was produced by Andee Tagle. To share your thoughts, voicemail us at 202-216-9823, providing your name and a life tip. Email [email protected] for potential inclusion in future episodes. For more insights, subscribe to our newsletter.