Pasāda: A Clear Heart in Troubled Times

In Pāli, the word pasāda carries the meaning of clarity, calm confidence, and serene trust. It’s often used to describe the heart-mind when touched by the truth of the Dharma—a heart that has settled, become bright, and sees clearly what matters. Right now, as we witness cruelty and confusion in the actions of the U.S. administration—whether it’s the dehumanization of migrants, attacks on bodily autonomy, or the steady erosion of compassion from public discourse—many of us are heartbroken, angry, or numb. In times like this, pasāda isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

To cultivate pasāda is not to turn away from suffering. It is to develop the kind of clarity that keeps us grounded in the face of injustice. It’s the quality of heart that says: I will not be swept away by hatred. I will respond with wisdom. When we turn toward the Dharma—through practice, study, or simply sitting in stillness—we begin to reconnect with a deeper stream of integrity and care. In a world designed to disorient us with fear and outrage, pasāda is a radical act. It allows us to see clearly without collapsing into despair. It lets us act from a place of steadiness, even when the ground around us shakes. As the Buddha taught, this clarity doesn’t come from blind faith, but from seeing for ourselves: that kindness is stronger than cruelty, that compassion is more sustaining than greed, and that the truth is something we can come to know in our own bodies and hearts. The world needs clear hearts right now. Let’s not give up. Let’s take the needed time to turn inward—not to escape—but to remember who we really are, and what we truly stand for. That is pasāda.