In the midst of a crumbling world order, as strongmen and individuals corrupted through ignorance, ideology, and greed work to undo progress, it is more prudent than ever to examine how one should respond both internally and externally in the hard days and years to come. We must remember that empires disaligned with Ji — those built on fear and cruelty — will fade away. They rise, fall, and vanish into dust. Yet we cannot sit idly by and watch this happen; the responsibility to uphold harmony with Ji endures.

You Have the Power: The authority of a government lies in the consent of the governed. Without consent, a governing body’s power is illusory (māyā). Even when outward force compels obedience, inner consent cannot be taken without your surrender. Do not comply in advance for this legitimizes authoritarianism. A government that fails to recognize the equality and inherent dignity of all people has breached its contract with its citizens and does not deserve to be respected.

Practice Right Speech: Call out lies, deceit, and propaganda, especially that which seeks to demonize marginalized groups. The creation of an alternative reality prevents others from perceiving real systemic and societal issues. To speak truth is to align with Ji and to speak it with skill and timing is to move reality back into balance.

Resist Despair: To despair is to forget the impermanence of oppression, however powerful it may seem in the moment. Only through the preservation of good can cosmic harmony prevail. Equanimity is the lamp that preserves clarity even in the darkest of hours. Serve as a shining example of light in the darkness by upholding the Ten Virtues and remind others of the promise of humanity unfettered by the chains of tyrants.

Refrain from Martyrdom: To act on one’s own against the power of an unjust state is ill-advised and the manifestation of the height of ego, even if one genuinely believes one’s actions are well-intentioned. Sacrifice is noble when it arises from compassion, not pride, and when it serves the many rather than glorifying the one.

Embody the Ant: In Jiaya, justice is exemplified by the ant, representing how it is most often accomplished through collective rather than individual action. Do not try to face the struggles of the world alone. Only by working together and relying on each other can people overcome evil. Organized protests and strikes are particularly effective. Through unity, good prevails.

Provide Refuge: In the event of persecution, it is one’s moral imperative to provide refuge to those targeted and safeguard the rights of those who are suffering and being attacked. Do not become an agent of oppression even when one’s livelihood or life is at stake. To refuse to act is to be complicit.

Practice Ethical Consumption: Do not patronize those who are complicit in or kneel to authoritarianism. Under capitalism, hurting the wallets of businesses and corporations is oftentimes and unfortunately one of the most effective ways to enact change. If this is not possible — particularly if one lives in an area where there is a monopoly — minimize your patronage however you can.

Contribute to Reputable Organizations: When one is unable to get directly involved, contributing to organizations that are on the front lines of humanitarian and civil rights efforts is one of the most effective uses of your resources. A brief, non-comprehensive list of such organizations is provided at the bottom of this page. Feedback on improving the list is appreciated.

Preserve Knowledge: Regimes thrive on dismantling cultures and histories that don’t fit their narrative. If successful, part of the rich tapestry of human tradition could be lost forever. We must use whatever means are in our power to preserve scientific and cultural knowledge and heritage that is at risk of being destroyed for the sake of future generations.

Guard Your Inner Life: Authoritarianism seeks to dominate both body and tongue, but it cannot conquer a mind aligned with Ji. Daily practice — whether this be through meditation, reflection, or remembrance of harmony — is a quiet act of defiance, a way to keep freedom alive within. One must, however, keep in mind that this alone does not constitute action.

Prepare for a Different Future: Understand that you are not fighting to return to a rose-tinted past exactly as you remember it. All things are impermanent and it may not be possible to restore things to their proper state depending on how events unfold. Most importantly, things must be different and better than they were before so that there will be less of a chance disharmony can arise again. Renewal, rather than restoration, is the duty of those aligned with Ji.

Remember that each act of resistance against oppression and disharmony, however small, moves oneself, communities, the world, and the universe back into balance. Authoritarian states, like all things, will pass. To live in harmony with Ji, even in dark times, is to ensure that harmony itself will one day be triumphant.

Shortlist of Reputable Organizations

Note: this list focuses on charities targeting areas of ongoing human rights abuses and is in no way representative of all reputable charities

• American Civil Liberties Union
• American Himalayan Foundation
• Amnesty International
• Anti-Slavery International
• Center for Humane Technology
• Doctors Without Borders
• Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
• Hope for Ukraine Inc.
• Human Rights Campaign
• Human Rights Watch
• OutRight International
• Palestine Children’s Relief Fund
• Physicians for Human Rights
• Plan International
• Refugees International
• UNICEF
• Water for South Sudan
• World Animal Protection
• World Vision