There’s a subtle art to rebellion that many of us overlook – even us Rebel Buddhas. 😉 We’re often trained to blindly follow the rules and regulations without questioning if they serve a greater purpose. But here’s the thing: some rules are worth breaking. Especially when they don’t serve the greater good other than maintaining control or conformity.
You might have heard me joke that one of my own values in life is “getting away with things.” It’s one of the little joys that fuels me. It’s such a “thing” for me that my daughter will often ask me, “Mom, is this legal?” or “Is it ok to do this?”
She’s so aware that I like breaking rules that don’t make sense, and it stresses her out at times. However, she’s also at the age where she’s starting to connect the dots about rules and regulations, so I’m careful not to give her a simple answer about these things anymre. I want her to understand that while black-and-white rules may have served a younger mind, she’s now able to learn that life is a lot more complex than that.
That she has the capacity to use her own damn mind to decide if something makes sense or not, and that her capacity for doing so will increase as she learns and grows.
Enter the concept of “anarchist calisthenics,” which has been around for many years. James Scott, a professor of Political Science at Yale, wrote about this in an article in Harper’s and it inspired this episode. He encourages us to break more trivial rules so that we don’t fall into the habit of blindly following laws. It keeps our independent thinking and courage in shape.
I want to have you apply this idea to your own rebellious self.
These rebellious acts aren’t just about minor infractions like jaywalking (but that’s a fine start if it’s safe;). It’s about developing the strength to one day challenge the systems that don’t serve us or the greater good when needed.
I’m not talking about breaking laws just for the sake of it. The real lesson that I want to teach y’all (and my daughter) is that life isn’t always about blindly following the rules. It’s about tuning into our own discernment to make decisions that feel grounded in our integrity, fairness, compassion, and justice. To make sure that they align with our values and what in harmony with what’s best for everyone involved.
Scott argues that trivial laws – ones that are outdated, nonsensical, or oppressive – can be a form of preparation for larger acts of rebellion when they really matter. He said, “One day you will be called on to break a big law in the name of justice and rationality. Everything will depend on it. You have to be ready. How are you going to prepare for that day when it really matters?”
So the idea is if we break a trivial law that makes no sense, we’ll be ready when the big day comes. I love that.
While this may sound like an invitation to chaos, it’s actually an invitation to liberation – a chance to tune in to our own sense of morality and justice. Questioning rules that don’t serve us allows us to exercise our capacity to think critically.
You can think of it as flexing the muscle of discernment so that when we come face-to-face with larger injustices, we don’t be paralyzed by fear or passivity. Instead, we’ll be ready to act from a place of true alignment.
I also like to see these exercises – these calisthenics – as a way to embody the freedom and insight that comes from breaking free of societal norms and expectations. In fact, many great spiritual leaders – Buddha, Jesus, Gandhi (and more) – were rebels in their own right. They didn’t fit the mold of their societies. They broke the rules in the name of something higher, something that transcended societal conventions and power structure.
What these spiritual rebels have in common is this: they were willing to challenge the rules of their time to bring about a deeper truth.
They didn’t follow the law because it was the law – they followed their inner compass, which led them to break with the status quo. They understood the power of rebellion in creating a new world. One that was more just, compassionate, and aligned with a higher moral truth.
This is where the concept of the “Rebel Buddha” comes in, right? To be a Rebel Buddha means to embody both rebellion AND wisdom with compassion. The Rebel Buddha doesn’t rebel for rebellion’s sake (which can be a coping mechanism) —they rebel in the service of something higher: truth, compassion, and liberation for all.
This is where discernment comes in. It’s about using our discernment to decide when a law, a system, or a tradition no longer serves its true purpose. We can ask ourselves, “Does this rule serve justice? Does it align with truth? Does it promote well-being?” And if the answer is no, then it might just be time to break it.
Of course, rebellion in today’s world is quite complex. We live in a time where challenging systems of power can often feel like a direct threat to personal freedom, especially when the systems we challenge are so deeply ingrained and constantly evolving.
And to be real, for many, it isn’t safe to take risks like jaywalking or breaking even trivial laws. That’s when breaking internal laws can be where we practice (e.g. old ways of thinking and limiting beliefs that no longer serve us or the greater good). It can also be where we challenge cultural norms or familial traditions that are out of alignment with our values.
As the landscape continues to shift, the way we practice rebellion also evolves. Rebellion in today’s world requires not just breaking rules, but ALSO creating spaces where truth, justice, and compassion can thrive despite the control systems in place. Whether it’s speaking truth to power, creating alternative communities, or standing up against the crushing weight of systemic injustice, the need for rebellion is more urgent than ever.
Because here’s the truth: when the big moment comes, when justice calls, we need to be ready. This is true whether it’s happening in a relationship, a family system, a cultural milieu, or a political rebellion.
Rebellion isn’t just an act of defiance. It’s an act of preparation. It’s about staying sharp, staying aligned, and knowing when to use our voices and actions to change the world.
And who knows? Maybe your act of rebellion today will be the spark that ignites a revolution of consciousness tomorrow. So break a rule while using your discernment, and practice being the Rebel Buddha the world needs. The revolution starts with you.
You will learn:
// Why some rules are worth breaking
// What “resistance calisthenics” are, and how we can apply them to our own spiritual practice
// How to discern if a rule is worth breaking
// The importance of practicing being rebellious in preparing for – and creating – profound change
// The importance of trusting our inner compass and values when deciding which rules to challenge
// Why rebellion is so complex in today’s world
// How to practice if you’re part of a vulnerable population that can’t afford to take outward risks of breaking even more trivial rules
Resources:
// Episode 7: Know Your Values – The Rebel Buddhist Manifesto
// Episode 37: How to Disagree Like a Buddha
// Episode 154: Off the Cushion – Activism + Spirituality
// The Harper’s article by James Scott on anarchist calisthenics
// If you’re new to the squad, grab the Rebel Buddhist Toolkit I created at RebelBuddhist.com. It has all you need to start creating a life of more freedom, adventure, and purpose. You’ll also get access to the Rebel Buddhist private group, and tune in every Wednesday as I go live with new inspiration and topics.
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