Introduction: The Call of the Cosmos

Have you ever had an experience of feeling at one with the universe? A moment so profound that your sense of individuality melts away, replaced by a deep, timeless connection to the earth, the cosmos, and every living thing? This feeling of awe is more than a fleeting sensation—it is a wellspring of spiritual sustenance. In this episode of Resilience in Dark Times, host Michael Glavin reveals how you can consciously tap into this profound feeling of ‘interbeing’ as a source of strength to navigate our turbulent world.

A Moment of Awe

This episode explores the deep truth captured in William Blake’s timeless poem:

To see a world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.

Why This Episode Is a Lifeline for Today’s World

In an era defined by overwhelming political upheaval and environmental crisis, it’s easy to feel isolated within a small, anxious “ego self.” Yet, as this episode reveals, it is often when things fall apart that we awaken to our profound interconnection. Building on recent explorations of resilience through political action, creativity, and personal love, this episode takes the ultimate step: expanding our sense of self to encompass the entire cosmos. It frames this universal connection not as a philosophical luxury, but as a vital resource for transforming anxiety into sustained, compassionate action.

“I…felt connected deeply with the heavens. I felt deeply connected with the universe. And I felt my particularity, my small place in this vast, awesome, awe inspiring universe.“ (Michael Glavin)

What You Will Discover Inside

Embark on a journey through ancient wisdom and personal stories designed to awaken your own sense of deep connection. Inside, you will discover:

• Awe in the Badlands: What can a sunset and moonrise over the Badlands reveal about our place in the cosmos? Hear the host’s perspective-shifting story and reflect on your own moments of profound awe.

• The Universe Looking at Itself: What happens when the universe recognizes itself through the eyes of a human and a robin? Hear the host’s deeply personal story from a silent retreat that reveals the startling truth of our shared consciousness.

• The Cloud in the Paper: Unveil the concept of “Interbeing” through Thich Nhat Hanh’s famous meditation. How can a cloud, a logger, and a field of wheat all exist within a single sheet of paper?

• Indra’s Cosmic Net: Settle in for the ancient Buddhist parable of Indra’s Net—a vision of the universe where every being is a brilliant gem reflecting every other gem. What does this infinite web of connection mean for our individual lives and our impact on the whole?

• The Radical Love of a Revolutionary: Explore the teachings of Jesus: How does the revolutionary act of loving the stranger and the enemy dissolve the illusion of separateness and place you in “the kingdom of heaven,” here and now?

• The Spiritual Warrior: Enter the Tibetan myth of the Shambala Warriors, who march into the heart of darkness. Learn about their two weapons “compassion” and “insight into inerconnection”—and why you need both to fight for a better world.

Why tend to these strangers? Why tend to these immigrants, the cast-outs? … Because of this universal recognition … we’re all connected, and we all need to take care of each other, and we need to take care especially of those who need it the most. (Michael Glavin)

Your Action Item:

Reconnect with the Web of Life through Forest Bathing

The goal of this practice is to quiet the mind and experientially reconnect with the natural world, allowing the feeling of interbeing to arise naturally.

1. Find a natural setting—a forest, beach, meadow, or park—and dedicate at least 30 minutes to being present there.

2. Leave your phone behind or keep it in your pocket. The goal is to disconnect from the digital world to reconnect with the physical one.

3. Engage all your senses. Consciously notice the details you would normally miss: the texture of a leaf, the variations of color in a stone, the sound of the wind, the smell of the earth. Let yourself be fully absorbed by your environment.

Listen to the Full Episode

To dive deeper into these transformative ideas and hear the full stories and reflections, listen to the complete episode.

About Resilience in Dark Times

Resilience in Dark Times is a podcast for anyone feeling overwhelmed by political upheaval and environmental crisis but who refuses to normalize injustice or ignore planetary emergencies. It is a space to explore how we can transform our anxiety into meaningful action and build the emotional resilience we need to keep fighting for a better world.

Subscribe & Join the Community

Building resilience is something we do together. If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Visit resilienceanddarktimes.com to learn more and join our community of people who refuse to give up.

Useful links:

Podcast website: ResilienceInDarkTimes.com

Practice website: DCCtherapy.com

William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence”

Thich Nhat Hanh, “Clouds in Each Paper”

“Indra’s Net”

Joanna Macy, “Shambhala Warriors”

Linked previous episodes:

Get full access to Resilience in Dark Times - Podcast at michaelglavin.substack.com/subscribe