How To Maintain Personal Peace During the Rise of Political & Religious Warfare
- Brainz Magazine
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Jasmine Clemente is a Bestselling Author, RYT500 Yoga Teacher, and Spiritual Guide for women on the cusp of profound transformation. Through the ancient wisdom of yoga, the power of storytelling, and the sacred act of journaling, Jasmine empowers women on their self-healing journey.
With Christianity being the largest religion globally, Islam the second, and Hinduism the third, it’s hard to determine which, if any, is the ultimate “true” religion beyond personal belief. While a person’s faith or non-faith is usually a private matter, the past few months have highlighted the ways religious doctrines are re-entering public life, increasingly affecting more people in ambiguous ways, spilling into university protests, workplace discussions, and even elections. Could this be leading us into a period of renewed spiritual connectivity with the divine? Or should we be concerned about deepening division?
When the shift began
Like many around the world, I was shocked by the news footage from October 7th, 2023, when an armed group crossed into the Israeli Nova Music Festival, slaughtering and kidnapping young partygoers, which ignited a war between Israel and Gaza. Within a week, university students across the United States and Europe staged protests, aligning themselves with either the pro-Palestine or the pro-Israel perspective. This sparked controversial debates between the history of Jewish and Muslim ancestors, arguing over the native inheritance of the holy land, Israel.
Religious wars are nothing new, but they were mostly stories passed down from a distant and more barbaric past, episodes we assumed modern-day society had transcended. Yet the escalating tensions between Israel and Gaza further widened the ideological divide between Republicans and Democrats. Within this increasingly polarized environment emerged the prominent right-wing Christian activist Charlie Kirk, who was publicly assassinated on September 10th, 2025, at Utah Valley University for vocalizing his views. We see now that, just like a game of dominoes, when one chip falls, it is only a matter of time before the entire row collapses. One by one, a heaviness descends upon another.
Walking the middle ground during the political & religious warfare
The late Dr Wayne W Dyer said, “You are not a human being having a spiritual experience, but rather, you are a spiritual being having a human experience.” If so, are you enjoying your experience so far? Because you deserve to.
Depending on your religious upbringing, you might resonate with one side or the other or feel entirely removed from the situation altogether. Some people are unfazed, yet others think it is their duty to protect their lineage, no matter the cost. I am not here to tell you what you should do or how you should feel, but I will be honest. I have my own desire to shed some light and heal the division.
As a yoga teacher, I enjoy guiding group meditations to relieve stress and promote mental clarity. Because the truth is, no human is entirely immune to life's effects. In Buddhism, there is a devil named Mara, recognized as the voice in our head that causes distractions and leads us to our demise, or the demise of another if we are urged to attack them. And so, through the practice of meditation, we commit to the discipline of keeping our thoughts clean as we observe our intention behind them.
Consider the assassin who pulled the trigger from unresolved anger or the person who kidnapped another against their will. Are they really in their right mind when they do so? Was it impulse, rage, or ignorance? This is why meditation becomes so beneficial in a world run mainly by the ego, which, if not tamed, will overtake you.
When it comes to everyday interactions with peers who may raise these issues, I find that remaining neutral in certain situations can help us rise above the conflict and see it from a broader perspective. But we cannot do that if we become reactive. Part of the challenge is having the courage to set boundaries if you feel that a politically charged conversation is getting overheated. Usually, a person who has been practicing meditation for many years can remain anchored in their center without being pulled in either direction. They are not easily swayed or influenced because they recognize that people are allowed to have their own perspectives, especially as they change over time as we evolve. How many of you can say that you are still the same person you were ten years ago? Our thoughts, perspectives, and opinions change all the time.
The choice
People often ask, “Who are you voting for?” as a way to determine which political party you are affiliated with. Your response can cause them to either draw closer to you or grow more distant, or they might try to recruit you to their side. In these moments, you might feel pressured to answer, especially if you are among a group where your silence can be interpreted as evasive or impolite. However, you are never wrong for protecting your soul when it is the spring well from which your life flows. Therefore, if you are in an environment that makes you feel uncomfortable, it is not you who needs to change. It is the place you feel intuitively guided to move away from because your soul knows the way.
People identify with many different groups, whether they are religious, political, or racial. We all do this to varying degrees. To maintain a sense of balance, it helps to reflect on where you feel most authentically yourself. For some, it might mean engaging in spirited debates, as Charlie Kirk often did, or maybe it does not. When you honor your own nature, you become less likely to remain in rooms that do not align with your values. And if you become someone who practices meditation more regularly, the calm you develop will help you observe your surroundings with greater clarity rather than feeling compelled to respond to every question or social cue.
Keep in mind that, in ancient times, some crusaders massacred entire civilizations if they would not convert to their political or religious group. Not every crusade was the same, but there were indeed violent extremists. Today, modern society is safe enough to debate in educational settings, political forums, workplaces, and even at dinner parties while respecting each other’s differences. Still, as we have witnessed in recent months, if we are not mindful, we could slip back down a slippery slope with conversations taking a turn for the worse. This is another reason why protecting your peace is the right thing to do for your mental health and spiritual hygiene. You do not have to prove a point, insult someone’s intelligence, or change the world in one day. All you need to do is remain rooted in your own authenticity by checking in with your intuition before you jump into hot water, if any at all.
Remaining open to growth
It is not about shying away from difficult conversations, but about knowing when to have them. When approached thoughtfully, specific conversations can strengthen bonds, as people are allowed to consider perspectives beyond their own, potentially expanding their views. However, the only way this can happen is with patience and respect from both sides because your peace of mind is non-negotiable.
Just as many spiritual seekers explore several religions in one lifetime, people also switch political parties. Without penalty or heavy consequence, it is safe for us to do so. We will not be judged in court for switching sides, as if it were a crime, although it was in the distant past. Thankfully, we live in a time where we can take our chances. And that is why remaining open to growth is so imperative. Have the difficult conversations on podcasts, in online communities, and in safe spaces. Our freedom of speech exists to be exercised with respect.
In my self-help book, “Living In The Light: A Guide to Discovering and Manifesting Your Life Purpose,” I ask readers in Chapter 7 to reflect on the beliefs and behaviors we pass down to future generations because, as we see, even political figures are willing to crush their opponents’ spirits to win. When will we realize that pushing others to the point of no return is what creates monsters?
I want you to grow, flourish, and evolve to your highest timeline, not stay on the battlefield fighting for your existence. I may not know everything, but what I do know is that not every battle is yours to fight. You have to pick and choose them wisely, know when to have them and when not to. Hopefully, your path will lead you to a space where you are all winners, thanks to the harmony in the air. It might sound like heaven, and maybe it is. But if they say that the kingdom of heaven is within, then perhaps it begins with you.
Read more from Jasmine Clemente
Jasmine Clemente, Bestselling Conscious Author & Yoga Teacher
Jasmine Clemente is a Spiritual Guide for women on the cusp of profound transformation. As someone who began her career as a Recording Dance Artist before becoming an RYT 500 yoga teacher, Jasmine bravely writes about her experiences of loss, change, and self-reflection, while encouraging women to embrace their unique journey as well. She offers writing courses in the categories of memoir, self-help, and therapeutic journaling.
