Or
“How do I get through the heartache of all the cruelty?”
You experience freedom when you recognize that objects of hope and objects of fear are subjective phenomena that are not part of objective reality. (Andy Karr)
Recently, I have been challenged by how to navigate the current political situation in the US, given that I am also a trained meditation leader. I should be able to stay grounded during this challenging time, yet some days I get swept up in the frenzy churning across the country. Some days I feel overwhelmed by the cruelty, the corruption, the manipulation, and hypocrisy of what seems to be a fascist overthrow of our democratic government. There is so much blatant disregard of the US Constitution and outright corruption and illegal maneuvers.
I grew up Catholic and close to its teachings of love and faith. As a middle-aged adult, I gravitated toward more earth-based spiritual philosophies. Native American spirituality seems a more balanced way to find meaning and belonging in an ever-changing world. Enrolling in a meditation leader program, I began to learn about Buddhism, and its perspective has helped me in times of uncertainty.
So, I decided to research the Buddhist perspective on why fascism is rising and taking form now. This writing is from research and a stream-of-consciousness sharing to help me get clear and settle into some kind of acceptance. My heart needs to ground into the present moment, and my mind needs to understand. Here’s what I have learned. (This is long and heady. Hope you’ll stay with the flow and allow mind and heart to collaborate.
From a Buddhist perspective, the question isn’t only “Why is fascism appearing now?” but also “How is it that we are perceiving it now?” Buddhism treats both the phenomenon and its perception as products of conditions coming together.
A hard but central Buddhist insight would remind us that the seeds of fascism exist wherever fear, clinging, and ignorance exist. This insight comes from the concept of dependent origination, which teaches that nothing arises from nowhere. All phenomena occur (or arise) due to causes and conditions (pratītyasamutpāda). Fascistic tendencies aren’t sudden anomalies; they emerge when certain conditions converge:
- fear and insecurity (economic, cultural, ecological)
- perceived loss of identity or status
- unresolved historical trauma (slavery, genocide, inequality)
- systems that reward domination over compassion
From this perspective, what we’re seeing in the U.S. is a predictable outcome of long-standing societal causes that were never fully addressed. Collective clinging and the illusion of a fixed self help to understand the concepts of suffering, clinging to identity, certainty, power, and narratives of “us vs. them.” A society grasping for solidity in a world that feels impermanent and out of control leads to disregulation. Buddhism would say, “When impermanence is rejected, fear hardens into aggression. Fascism feeds directly on these ideas:
- clinging to a rigid national identity
- clinging to race, religion, or “tradition” as fixed and threatened
- clinging to authority as a source of safety
Furthermore, in Buddhism, ignorance (Avidyā) as a social force isn’t stupidity—it’s misunderstanding the nature of reality. When ignorance dominates, compassion shrinks, and systems rooted in domination appear reasonable, even necessary. Fascism, through this lens, is ignorance made structural. Ignorance shows up socially as:
- mistaking narratives for truth
- confusing power with strength
- believing suffering can be ended by eliminating “others.”
So, a question arises, “Why are we perceiving/experiencing a fascist takeover now in the U.S.?” Buddhism explains that our awareness is conditioned, and it is becoming visible because the conditions for seeing it are now present. What was once normalized societal behavior is becoming visible as suffering. It may be that our collective consciousness is evolving, and we no longer accept what was once considered normal. There has been a steady progression of consciousness throughout history, but the fascist patterns are now more obvious because:
- information flows more freely (even if distorted)
- marginalized voices are harder to silence
- crises (pandemic, climate, inequality) expose the ethical core of systems
- Denial is less sustainable
Buddhism doesn’t respond to social suffering with despair or moral panic. It emphasizes right view — seeing clearly without hatred and with mindfulness; being aware of the present moment and bringing a deep focus to it without reactivity. Right view and right understanding include:
- Naming harm without demonizing people
- Resisting dehumanization in all directions
- Understanding that those drawn to authoritarianism are also acting from fear and delusion
In summary, from a Buddhist perspective, fascism in the U.S. appears now because:
- The causes have been ripening for a long time
- Instability intensifies clinging
- Ignorance becomes politically organized
- Awareness/collective consciousness has matured enough for some to see it clearly
The question Buddhism leaves us with isn’t only “How and why did we get here?” but, more importantly, “Can we respond without perpetuating the same fear and delusion we’re trying to oppose?” Understanding the current political situation through a Buddhist lens doesn’t weaken the need for resistance. Instead, it helps ground the commitment to resist in wisdom rather than rage. That which sees the growth of fascism in the U.S. and that which resists and protests it are actually the same. By letting go of clinging and aversion and replacing them with compassion and love, may we engage in protests from a shared desire to find harmony in our world. There’s a shared goal: to live in harmony and without fear.
Bodhicharyavatara – The way of the Bodhisattva – by the great Master Shantideva.
May all beings everywhere
afflicted with suffering of body and mind
achieve an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits
That no living creature suffers,
Commit evil and never get sick
Let no one fear or be belittled
May the mind not be weighed down by depression
The blind can see the shapes
And deaf people can hear sounds again
May those whose bodies are worn out by toil
recovering in finding rest
May the naked find clothes
Hungry people finding food
May the thirsty find water
and delicious drinks
May the poor find wealth
Those who are weak in pain find joy
May the hopeless find hope
constant happiness and prosperity
May there be thunderstorms
And the harvest is plentiful
May all medicines be effective
Healthy prayers bring fruit
May all those who are ill be freed quickly from their ailments
No matter what sicknesses in the world
May it never happen again
Can the scared stop being scared
May the innocents be freed
May the powerless find power.
As long as there is still space,
As long as sentient beings remain,
Until then, I might as well stay
to dispel the miseries of the world.
— 8th-century Tibetan prayer. A staple & favorite in the life of the Dalai Lama
(There are many translations of this beautiful poem/prayer. The final stanza can be used on its own as a daily mantra.)
And now as long as space endures,
As long as there are beings to be found,
May I continue likewise to remain
To drive away the sorrows of the world.
For another perspective on this topic, I recommend this article in Lion’s Roar magazine on Wise Hope.
Mindful Frontiers LLC 
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