As craziness unfolds in our world these past few weeks, I think about the nature of herd mentality. Native Americans of the Plains would cause a stampede of buffalo. They would herd them off cliffs where it was easier to kill them.
Why is yelling “FIRE!” in a crowded theater so dangerous?
It creates a stampede. A run on the door. Everyone rushes to get out as quickly as they can. To save their life and that of the people they care about. People get trampled, crushed, injured. All for what? And what if there is no fire?
The damage is done from the stampede. It cannot be undone.
Panic feels instinctive. Like there is no choice but to panic. As the gongfu masters say, “Don’t forget to breathe.” What I find with even a few minutes of deep breathing, my spirit calms. I can see the world more clearly. I can see the effects of my actions and my attitudes around me. I can be a force for good, for peace, for hope, for courage by controlling my emotions. I refuse to be stampeded off a cliff.