This is a time in my life for reflection and reflection has always been important to me. More and more I turn to the words of Jesus living his last days on earth. “My kingdom is not of this world.” Because this world is reflecting the inner chaos of its inhabitants.

Here in America, women are losing their rights to have control of their bodies. This does not bode well for us. The Republicans are moving us back to a time when blacks could not vote and women were mainly housewives.

The yin part of American life is disappearing, while the yang predominates. Yes, we are totally out of balance.

As spiritual students we are told to witness everything and that includes the unfair treatment of the already downtrodden.

So with a sigh, I sit and reflect on the way the world is going. Thousands dying at the hand of Vladimir Putin, millions starving worldwide and climate change inevitable.

“My kingdom is not of this world.” So where is it if not within each individual’s higher consciousness? I take refuge in the Buddha, in the Christ, in all saints and sages that have seen through the world and all of its suffering.

May we understand with the depths of our soul that as individuals we will always have our own higher consciousness to return to when we grow weary of this old world. It is time to die to it rather than try to change it. If you argue with that, you have not taken many steps into the depths!

Vicki Woodyard