I just watched this long clip featuring Sam Harris. Towards the end of the clip, after he “guides” the audience through a mindfulness training, he is asked a question similar to yours. His answer is that we should consider whether we’re more effective or more honest or more worthy when we “emote” quasar-like. Earlier he acknowledges that we can learn to like discomfort because it may have beneficial effects, like when we work out. To be effective, we must balance our emotional and intellectual responses. I’m reminded of FDR’s December 7, 1941 following the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor. I can think of other effective responses in times of crisis, but I’ll stop here.

I have to take a break from the Now in the news. I prefer to watch Colbert, Trevor Noa, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers. ..at least thete is some irreverence to it. The now is hiking and enjoying the beauty...being with friends and present enjoying the connection
This is especially important at these divided times.

You can’t escape the now effectively, but you can live in your memories. I believe that’s what they mean.

I don’t.

Was Not The Past like that too?

No escape.
I don't have to deal with reality, it has to deal with me.

Sorry but I don’t understand your question. You mean, how can you enjoy the present? How can you avoid being riled up about “the wickedness about us.” If that’s the question, I would ask you to consider listening to Alan Watts. The short answer is that you can be riled up if you prefer. If pietism doesn’t suit you, if you prefer to confront the wrongs that you see, if you’re more Don Quixote than Sancho Panza, then by all means be true to yourself. But do it well, with flair. With gusto. Eckhart would support you as you do so. His message is that we should be tue to ourselves, that we should do what we choose to do, not what others pick for us to do.

You are right that when the world seems crazy and you have a full plate it can make meditation harder. Focus just on the physical now, your breath or the tip of your nose and if for one second you can do it that’s all there is, do it again... no judgment, it is what it is and nothing more.

By activbely fighting it at every turn. If we do not fight it, we will have to accept it.

I find the Ostrich has that one well covered.

Go outside and look around