“The Compassion of Dame Jacinda Ardern” with Alex M this Sunday at Minneapolis Insight
Dear Community,
Sunday 10am Community Practice & Discussion
Last night, my wife and I had the opportunity to hear the Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, offer a lecture on leadership at St. Kate's in Saint Paul. Dame Jacinda led New Zealand through the pandemic, not only achieving one of the lowest death rates in the OECD, but actually extending the life expectancy of New Zealanders during that time. She oversaw the nation's implementation of an assault weapon ban and a gun buyback which removed over 50,000 military-style weapons from the community. And she did this as the world's youngest female head of state (37) and only the second elected head of state to give birth while in office.
During the discussion, Dame Jacinda shared a story of her early days in parliament. After giving a speech and being subject to much heckling and abuse by her opposition, she sought out a colleague who she considered to be tough and often bull-headed. She asked him, "How can I develop the thick skin and strength needed to be strong in this space?" His response: "Don't become mean like that. If you do, you'll lose your compassion. And it's your compassion that will make you a great leader."
In our practice communities, we talk so much about being present with how things are right now. Recently, I've heard many practitioners question how to do this when the present moment can feel so scary, sad, painful, or simply unsatisfying. I often find myself slipping into thoughts that maybe the right response is to be a little harder, more activated. Other times, it's appealing to move toward indifference and disconnection. In the end, both of these reactions represent a desire for things to be different--wishing I could change things, or if not, that I could care less.
Dame Jacinda's leadership points to a third strategy. To welcome the compassion that arises in our hearts, with all the discomfort that it brings, and to allow wholehearted concern for others to guide us. Sometimes this will mean focusing on caring for ourselves, other times acting to support our communities, and sometimes acting on opportunities that have huge effects, even up to saving hundreds of thousands of lives during a pandemic. With a focus on compassion, we don't worry about the outcome, but instead stay focused on kindness in this moment.
Please join us this Sunday for practice, reflection, and community. All are welcome. Registration and Zoom information available here.
With mettā,
Minneapolis Insight
