It is understandable that many of us become overwhelmed when we consider the sufferings of the world. It is understandable to assume we aren’t taking the suffering of others seriously unless we are unhappy ourselves.
Our being unhappy doesn’t necessarily bring happiness to others. Without inner peace we can easily become triggered in ways that actually make it harder to be of service to the people who need it. I believe we serve the world better if we come from a place of inner peace and compassion.
In the same way inner peace without activism can be hard to distinguish from mere numbness. “Turning things over to God” can be very hard to distinguish from mere apathy. Inner peace is not numbness to the sufferings of the world but a deep harmony that allows us to feel the pain of others without becoming overwhelmed.
If we consider our hearts to be sacred temples where compassion reigns, they can become candles bringing light into the darkest of times. Inner peace and social justice activism go together as the inhalation and exhalation of a balanced heart. It is important to work for a better world, but never underestimate the gift of a well tended heart.