Ever since there were people, there’s been politics. As a great lama once said, “One person in a room – no politics. Two people in a room – politics.” The raucous presidential election of 2016 shed a light on the divisions in American society, and post-election joy (on the one side) and sadness (on the other side) have the potential to further deepen our divides.

How can we stay positive in a divisive political climate? How can the teachings of mindfulness and compassion lead us when we feel like being led astray by angry political forces – both outside of us, and within us? This talk reviews Buddhist basics and how they relate to keeping one’s calm in the face of political strife.