A simple practice for silencing your inner capitalist

The next time you’re walking down the street or through the grocery store look at people and think, “I hope you find what you’re looking for.” That man digging through the trash can — I hope you find what you’re looking for. That woman rushing to get somewhere — I hope you find what you’re looking for.

It sounds cheesy, but this can be an extremely powerful and grounding practice because it flips the normal script. Usually, you’re looking out for yourself, hoping good things come your way. You rush to beat the traffic home from work or demand good service at a restaurant. You’re overly nice to your boss in hopes of being promoted. Life in a capitalist society turns the dial on ego up to ten. We all internalize its greed because we have to — the rent has to get paid.

Wishing the best for a random stranger reverses the flow. When you think “I hope you find what you’re looking for,” do it with a sense of openness. It doesn’t matter what exactly that person is looking for — we’re all looking for something. You’re just wishing them well. But you’re also heading against the stream — which is actually with the current. Human nature includes openness, a sense of cooperation. There’s a saying in Tibetan Buddhism that even the most vicious animals love and care for their young.

Capitalism, like all hierarchal systems, distorts human nature, emphasizing, even treasuring, our neuroticism. It forces all of us to swim upstream against the current, to strive ever harder, to pretty much ignore each other unless there’s something to gain, to chase a dream that never comes.

But not all hope is lost — we can access our openness in an instant. This practice is derived from Tibetan Buddhist teachings called tonglen, which are meant to help us do just that. Tonglen practices have us breathe in the pain of others and breathe out whatever will help them. But it’s not about the other person. It’s about changing how we relate to suffering. Reversing the flow starts to break down the boundaries between “I” and “you.” Suddenly there’s more space, maybe even unlimited space, enough for both you and I to be well-fed, healthy, safe, and content.

Of course, changing your behavior won’t change capitalism. But the ability to act from your openness will help shift your relationships towards building the sort of community with enough power to make a difference.

It goes without saying — I’ll just think it — I hope you find what you’re looking for.

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