News as a Tool
The daily news is mostly the same stories over and over, with different names, locations and scales.
Still, there is a surprising fascination with these stories, one that goes beyond what is necessary to make choices based on their information.
It seems that much of this fascination, especially concerning events that do not directly impact us, is due to projections. Something in the stories reflect processes and characteristics in ourselves that is not in our awareness. The stories trigger aversions (fear, anger etc) and attractions (admiration etc) that brings our attention to the stories so we can explore them in the outer world. From that, we - hopefully and eventually - recognize and become familiar with the same processes and characteristics in ourselves.
Ever since high school, I have used the daily news as a tool for awareness. Every characteristic I see in the outer world is also there in the inner world. There is no difference. No separation.
And with that, less need to be attached to stories, and less need for blind judgment (blind aversions or attractions). There is only events reflecting the human - including my own - condition. And there is more clarity in how to deal with these situations - how to reduce suffering.
What is left is deep compassion, based on recognition. It is all part of the human condition, we are all in this together. It opens up for a deep sense of connection, and for deep gratitude.