As we explored in Episode 1, there are eight pillars of the Liberation Lens—foundational truths that help us see life through the lens of personal and collective liberation. If you missed the first pillar, Consciousness Is Everything, you can catch up here.
Now, let’s dive into the second pillar:
Everyone Is on the Path
Yes, everyone—even them. Every. Single. One. Of. Us.
The heart of true inclusivity is that it includes all. Not just the parts of life we like. Not just the people we agree with. Not just those who seem to be on the “right side of history.” All of it, all of them, everyone, is on the path.
Ernest Holmes put it plainly when he said,
“When the pile is complete, we’ll all be in it.”
If the first pillar—Consciousness Is Everything—is true, then everything is an expression of some level of consciousness. That means everyone is on their own journey of awakening, discovery, and expression. Some may seem more aware, more enlightened, further along. Others may appear utterly unaware, even lost. But no matter what it looks like, the truth remains: they are still on the path.
Spiritual teacher Walter Starke described this radical inclusivity in his book It’s All God:
“Inclusiveness sounds like one of those simple words we think we understand and nod at, but once the truth is known, inclusiveness brings on a revolution in consciousness that will transform the world in unimaginable ways—and us, as we currently conceive of ourselves.” = Walter Starke, It’s All God
Understanding that everything is included and everyone is on the path is not just a comforting belief—it’s a revolutionary shift in perspective. It liberates us from judging others for where they are and, just as importantly, judging ourselves.
Comparison is a trap. If you spend your time measuring your progress against others, you’ll never walk your path with freedom. Maybe you’re ahead of some. Maybe you’re behind others. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that you keep walking.
Thich Nhat Hanh captured this wisdom beautifully:
“When we free ourselves from the idea of separateness, we have compassion, we have understanding, and we have the energy to help.”
Which brings me to the question:
How do we walk our path during the chaotic times we’re living in?
The world feels overwhelming right now. Many of us are asking, How do I stay engaged without burning out? How do I fight injustice while protecting my peace?
I have some thoughts. Here’s a simple guide to navigating this time with intention and power:
The Liberation Lens Guide to Navigating Chaotic Times
1. Educate
2. Activate
3. Rest
4. Recalibrate
Let’s break it down….
1. Educate
Knowledge is power. In times of upheaval, understanding what’s happening is the first step to staying grounded.
That being said, be mindful of how you consume information. Mainstream news—especially TV news—is designed to hook you emotionally, to keep you coming back for more. Doomscrolling and news addiction serve them, not you.
Instead, be intentional about your sources. Here’s my recommendation:
✅ Reduce TV news consumption. If you have a favorite show, fine (I personally enjoy Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow because they make me think), but limit the time spent absorbing narratives designed for ratings, and invest more time in critical thinking.
✅ Replace passive news consumption with active, thoughtful reading. Substack is a goldmine of insightful, independent thinkers. Some of my favorite voices include Robert Reich, Thom Hartmann, and Heather Cox Richardson (all of whom I recommend on my substack page).
✅ Balance political awareness with spiritual grounding. Consider reading Michelle Wadleigh, Darrell Jones, and others who bring a deep, soulful perspective to these times.
Understanding the bigger picture—historically, politically, and spiritually—helps us manage the emotional chaos, uncertainty, and fear.
2. Activate
Awareness is not enough. We must act.
The forces of injustice are counting on us to be worn out, apathetic, and emotionally drained. Their goal is to overwhelm us into silence. Our power is in choosing focused, intentional action.
Start small. Ask: What is one thing I can do this week to make an impact?
Engage with your elected representatives. A great resource is 5calls.org—a simple way to make a difference.
Participate in movements for justice. Find a way to show up—whether that’s through protest, community organizing, or simply amplifying voices that need to be heard.
Every action, no matter how small, contributes to the shift.
3. Rest
Let me say this as clearly as possible:
Rest is resistance.
In a system designed to extract from us—our time, our labor, our energy, our joy—choosing to rest is a radical act.
In a world that measures worth by productivity, where exhaustion is worn like a badge of honor and burnout is the default setting, rest is a radical act of resistance. To rest is to refuse the systems that demand our constant labor—whether physical, emotional, or mental. It is to reclaim our time, our bodies, and our spirits from the relentless push of capitalism, white supremacy, and all the oppressive forces that tell us we must earn our right to exist. Rest is not laziness. Rest is not a reward. Rest is a necessity, a reclamation, a revolution.
Audre Lorde reminds us: '
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
In a world that benefits from our exhaustion, where marginalized communities—especially Black and Brown bodies—have been systematically overworked, undervalued, and denied the right to simply be, choosing to rest is a way of reclaiming power. It is an affirmation that we are not machines, that we will not be exploited, that our worth is inherent. So, we must rest—not just to recover, but to resist. To dream. To heal. To sustain the fight for justice. Because a well-rested soul is a powerful one.
Rest is not just about “taking a break.” It is about deep restoration—for your body, your mind, and your soul. It is how we heal.
💆🏽♂️ Get a massage.
🛁 Try a saltwater float.
😴 Prioritize quality sleep.
📵 Take breaks from social media and the constant flow of information.
My brother, Rev. Kristian A. Smith, recently gave a powerful sermon about the sacred nature of rest. I highly encourage you to check it out here (message starts at 1:08 mark)
4. Recalibrate: Return to Community
After rest, we must reconnect.
Despite being more digitally connected than ever, we are lonelier than ever.
Derek Thompson, in The Atlantic Monthly, called this era “The Anti-Social Century”. He writes:
“A fundamental paradox at the core of human life is that we are highly social and made better in every way by being around people… and yet, over and over, we have opportunities to connect that we don’t take—or even actively reject—and it’s a terrible mistake.”
We were designed for community.
✅ Find a church, book club, sports league—whatever brings you together with real people.
✅ Prioritize face-to-face interactions.
✅ Surround yourself with people who inspire, challenge, and uplift you.
Final Thought: Keep Walking
If we truly embrace this second pillar—that everyone is on the path—we release judgment, we free ourselves from division, and we walk forward with clarity.
✨ You are on the path.
✨ They are on the path.
✨ Keep going.
Let’s do this together.
What’s helping you stay grounded right now? Share in the comments!
Until next time,
Rev. David Alexander D.D. is the spiritual director of the of Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, author of Freedom from Discord: The Promise of New Thought Liberation Theology and Recovery from the Lie of Whiteness.
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