Democracy rarely crumbles in a blaze—it unravels quietly, as our sense of connection to each other and our communities begins to wear thin. In a recent piece for Bucks County Beacon, Stu Faigen explores why defending local journalism is vital for anyone who cares about democracy, and how its slow decline quietly undermines our shared civic life.
The writer asks: Where do we see ourselves inside public life anymore? The answer, again and again, points to local journalism—an unassuming force that keeps our communities visible and accountable, offering orientation amid the noise.
🪞 Satya: Seeing Clearly, Speaking Honestly
Yoga teaches us the value of satya—truthfulness—not as a blunt instrument, but as a practice of seeing and naming things as they are. Local journalism embodies satya when it brings unvarnished stories to light, making public life legible. When we lose this transparency, collective confusion seeps in; orientation and accountability slip away.
Much like in yoga, where clarity is a prerequisite for growth, our communities depend on honest reporting to understand what matters. Without it, we lose our anchor and our ability to respond to challenges with integrity.
🫶 Ahimsa and Collective Care
Ahimsa, the yogic principle of non-harming, extends beyond individual action. Local journalism, at its best, is an act of ahimsa—it amplifies community voices, exposes injustice, and reminds us that we are shaped by shared choices and consequences. Undermining this connective tissue—through distrust or defunding—harms the very fabric of communal care.
Supporting trustworthy local reporting isn’t just charity; it’s a form of civic participation, a small but vital way to care for the ecosystems we all inhabit. This is how we hold space for each other, even when the work feels imperfect or slow.
🛠️ Accountability, Agency, and Practice
Faigen reframes support for local journalism as active engagement—participation rather than spectatorship. In recovery, we learn that agency is reclaimed through small, sustained acts. Likewise, reading, responding, and supporting local news are ways to say: “I am still here. I shape this, too.”
On the mat, the discipline of showing up matters more than grand gestures. Off the mat, subscribing or sharing credible reporting becomes a tangible practice—a way to stay connected to the truth of our communities and to each other.
🧭 Orientation: Grounding in Ethics
The article reminds us that democracy is not inherited; it is practiced, daily, in small acts of engagement. The yamas and niyamas—yoga’s ethical foundations—offer a map for this orientation. Just as in yoga, where ethical reflection is woven into every breath, our shared civic life is sustained by returning again and again to clarity, care, and participation.
When we support local journalism, we’re not just defending a profession—we’re choosing to stay awake, involved, and oriented in a time when it is easy to drift. The mat, like the newsroom, is a place to practice presence, honesty, and care—together.
— MJH
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