We are living in a time when trust feels fragile, almost like a luxury. Governments, media, systems, even personal relationships—mistrust has seeped into every layer of our lives. The result? Anxiety, fear, and a world where it’s easier to isolate than to connect. But what if this crisis of trust is also an invitation? What if it’s asking us to transform, to create a new foundation not just for trusting others, but for trusting ourselves?
The Cost of Mistrust Mistrust doesn’t just happen on its own. It grows in the fertile soil of separation. The moment we divide the world into us versus them, we lose sight of what connects us. We create “the other,” and with it, fear, anger, and a narrowing of our vision. When we see others as separate, we miss a crucial truth: the people we judge are often reflections of the parts of ourselves we haven’t made peace with. As Carl Jung suggested, what we resist in others often mirrors what we resist within. The problem with mistrust is that it shrinks us. It makes us cautious, guarded, and reactive. And when we live like this, the world feels smaller, darker, and lonelier. The Healing Power of Belonging At the heart of trust is a deep, ancient need: the need to belong. From our earliest ancestors, belonging meant survival. To belong was to be protected, valued, and safe. This need is still within us, shaping how we think, feel, and act. But what if we turned belonging on its head? Instead of asking, “Do I belong here?” imagine saying, “You belong with me.” I learned this from a friend during a moment of personal discomfort. I had attended an event where I didn’t feel I fit in. When I shared this, she offered a simple insight: “Instead of worrying about belonging, make others feel they belong with you.” That shift was revolutionary. The moment we extend belonging outward, we create safety for others. When people feel safe, they relax. And when they relax, trust begins to grow. Whether you’re in a retreat, a boardroom, or a family gathering, this mindset changes everything. What’s Yours to Do? In times of crisis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the world’s problems. Climate change, political unrest, wars, personal struggles—it’s too much for any one person to hold. This is where clarity becomes essential. Ask yourself two simple questions:
This practice is liberating. It allows us to stop wasting energy on what we can’t control and focus fully on what we can. Trust grows when we act decisively within our sphere of influence. A Simple Mantra for Trust Here’s a life-changing insight: What unites is true. What divides is not. When we choose to invest our energy in what brings people together, we align with a deeper truth. This doesn’t mean avoiding difficult conversations or pretending everything is fine. It means discerning where to place our focus. Division is loud and exhausting. Unity is quieter but infinitely more powerful. The poet Rumi expressed this beautifully: "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there." That field is where trust lives. It’s where we remember our shared humanity. The Disease of Seriousness Many of us take life too seriously. We carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, convinced that seriousness equals importance. But seriousness is often a mask for fear—a way of gripping tightly to control. Here’s the truth: We are at our best when we’re light, curious, and playful. When was the last time you let yourself laugh freely? When did you last approach life with the wide-eyed wonder of a child? Joy and trust are deeply connected. Joy reminds us of what’s good, what’s possible, and what’s worth trusting. To cultivate trust, we must make space for joy—whether through play, gratitude, or simply being present with the beauty around us. Practical Ways to Cultivate Trust
The Invitation Trust isn’t about blind faith. It’s a conscious practice of presence, love, and discernment. It’s choosing to see the humanity in others, even when it’s difficult. It’s deciding to act within your power while letting go of what isn’t yours to hold. When we cultivate trust, we create a world where we can breathe more freely, love more deeply, and live with greater ease. This is the invitation: to transform mistrust into connection, fear into courage, and crisis into growth. You belong with me. We belong with each other. Let’s start here. In trust, Bhaskar
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January 2025
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