Much news during the pandemic has focused on the controversy between what’s considered safe behavior and the freedom to pursue normal activities and earn a living. How can society find the unity that’s needed to move forward?

I found clarifying direction one day in some words I saw on a T-shirt: “Begin within.” This spoke to me of two key spiritual teachings on how to find answers to anything important. First, instead of judging or fearing other people’s behavior, I can begin within to see how my thoughts and actions can contribute to healing. Second, I can find safety and freedom within God, the universal Mind, in which “we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17: 28).

In the view of life as material, dangers and strife arise over who wins and loses good. But in the spiritual view of life, safety and freedom and all that is truly good are inalienable rights of everyone. “Inalienable” rights are those that can’t be taken away. But rights that are inalienable also can’t be forfeited—that is, not even given away by choice. God-given rights belong to everyone—are included in our nature.