At the Core of It: The Middle Way in a Bipolar World
The core is the center of existence—whether of a planet, a person, or a movement. Earth itself has an inner and outer core, just as we humans do. The Earth’s inner core, discovered in 1936 by Inge Lehmann, is believed to be a solid sphere of iron and nickel, surrounded by a liquid outer core that moves and shifts.
We, too, have inner and outer cores, shaped by our mental, emotional, moral, and spiritual characteristics. No two human cores are the same, as each of us carries a lifetime of unique experiences. These cores define how we think, feel, and act in a world that constantly tries to pull us in different directions.
The Fragility of the Human Core in a Bipolar World
I have experienced five manic episodes, three of which led to hospitalization. Each one requiring hospitalization was triggered by a toxic, chaotic, or deeply disturbing experience that shook me to my core. The most recent milder attack was in 2020, just before and after leaving a work environment that no longer served me compounded by menopause. The truth is, many of us find ourselves in environments—personal, professional, or societal—that disrupt our mental and spiritual equilibrium.
The bipolar pendulum of society swings violently between extremes—politically, economically, socially—never allowing stability to take root. One moment, a leader emerges promising radical change through disruption; the next, another promises to restore order but instead delivers stagnation. Neither extreme nurtures the core health of individuals or society. The Middle Way is the only path that allows us to stabilize ourselves and our communities.
Healing the Core Through Self-Awareness
I began to understand my high sensitivity and spiritual core after reading The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D. The book explained how people with heightened sensitivity experience the world more intensely—how chaotic environments, insensitive words, and traumatic events leave deeper scars. I had long been told to “shake it off” or “toughen up,” but the truth is that some of us are wired differently.
For decades, I stayed silent about what disturbed me, trying to maintain peace. But silence does not always lead to peace. It often leads to suppressed anger, frustration, and internalized pain. Society encourages compliance, especially for those who question authority or challenge the status quo. But at our core, we know when something is not right.
The Middle Way teaches that balance comes from self-awareness, self-control, and a deep understanding of when to speak and when to remain still. Not every thought should be expressed, but neither should we accept everything we are told. The key is discernment—listening to the wisdom of our inner core rather than being swayed by the shifting tides of a world that profits from chaos.
The Role of Energy in Personal and Collective Balance
Much like the Earth’s core generates energy waves that affect the planet’s surface, our own cores emit energetic waves that affect those around us. If we are filled with bitterness, greed, resentment, or fear, we project that energy outward. If we are filled with clarity, integrity, and love, we send out a different kind of energy—one that heals rather than harms.
Yoga teaches that energy blockages within the body disrupt our mental and spiritual well-being. These blockages, found in the chakras, mirror the Christian concept of pruning—letting go of outdated beliefs, anger, and emotional baggage that no longer serve us. Whether through spiritual practice, breathwork, meditation, or honest self-reflection, we must clear what is stagnant within us before we can hope to heal the world outside of us.
The Political and Spiritual Battle for Core Integrity
In hindsight, every manic episode I have endured had a higher purpose—forcing me to examine and strengthen my core. But this is not to minimize the destructive power of a mind out of balance. Just as my personal crises were triggered by toxic workplaces, dishonest leadership, and moral conflicts, society experiences collective breakdowns for the same reasons. We are watching it unfold now—leaders deceiving, institutions crumbling, and people becoming more disillusioned than ever.
I experienced my first manic episode after running for political office two decades ago. A reporter wrote that I was “too honest for politics.” That statement stuck with me. Why should honesty be a liability in leadership? Why do we reward deception, while those who speak truth are cast aside?
The answer is simple: the system thrives on dishonesty and division. It requires the pendulum to swing between extremes—between deception and outrage—so that people never pause long enough to find their center. The Middle Way Movement exists to break this cycle.
At the Core of The Middle Way
The Middle Way is not just about politics or governance—it is about personal and collective healing. It is about recognizing that our mental and spiritual cores must be strong, resilient, and balanced if we are to move forward as individuals or as a nation.
Earth herself is suffering, reacting to the weight of pollution, greed, and exploitation. Just as a damaged human core emits negative energy, a planet under attack will respond in kind—through extreme weather, shifting climates, and instability. Healing must happen on all levels—within us, between us, and around us.
As Nora Roberts wrote in The Rise of Magicks:
“Now I’ve looked,” she agreed. “And I see. The treasures, the dreams, the dangers, the glorious diversity of the world and those who live in it. She’s (Earth) a generous mother who offers all we need, and she’s a child who needs our tending and care.”
This is our task—to tend and care for ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
The question is: Will we continue to swing between chaos and control, or will we find the balance we so desperately need?