Part of the homework I had for one of my classes required me to sit down and listen to three sessions of guided meditations. Each of the meditations was focused around a different topic: equanimity, love and kindness, then lastly compassion and sympathetic joy. I was required to listen to the whole session and then take notes on something that was relevant to class. However, as I was going along, I realized that the meditations were more relevant to our American lives than ever before.

The recordings all focused around having the listener think of a different topic and ultimately it would drift to how that one thought affected multiple ideas and concerns we have each day. Equanimity asked me to think about someone who had recently wronged me and then question if this had been a constant in my life or if the wrong-doings simply occurred only once or twice. Love and kindness had me thinking about what things in my life do I strive for that may bring me joy. While the topics all ranged at the beginning, they ended up coming together in the end to create a cohesive thought.

The main thing I was supposed to focus on during these recordings was my happiness, but also, everyone else's happiness. I was supposed to focus on the things that I want to obtain in my life and then think about how all humans simply want to gain the same happiness that I do. I need to eliminate self-absorption and gain perspective over others' and their wants.

As I was listening, I began to realize how prudent these meditations are to our current political and social climate here in the United States. As of the past few weeks, many decisions have been made that are hurting and emotionally stunting individuals of all backgrounds. We seem no longer to be the welcoming U.S. that we once may have been and are now closed off and unfair. Many can agree that there are individuals in multiple scenarios who are worried for their rights or who have already lost some.

If we took the time to eliminate our own self-pride and focused on the happiness and concerns that these individuals are facing, we would be able to come together as a country and attempt to heal the wounds that have begun to tear open. Rather than allowing our OWN happiness and wishes dictate our decisions, we should be thinking about our positions in this country on a global scale. How these decisions do not necessarily affect ONLY Americans and how these decisions play out all over. All humans want is to be happy and live the life they seek out, in a safe environment. If we could provide that for those who live within our border and those seeking refuge in them, we could gain more insight into the struggles that many individuals deal with including those on our own soil.

The meditations I listened to forced me to rethink the way in Americans have been making decisions as of late. We have been focusing on what we think is best for us, rather than what we think is best for all. We are supposed to be a country of open arms and now it seems as if we are closed off only for those that the political administration deem appropriate. If we took the time to rethink our own happiness to include the happiness and goals of others, we may be able to find some enlightenment in this new age of disenchantment.