How to Face the ‘Apocalypse’

The turmoil in the economic and financial sectors shows no sign of abating, while nature is baring its teeth through one disaster after another: outbreaks, earthquakes, flash floods, droughts, and fires. The picture is complete.

With so many challenges confronting humanity throughout 2026 so far, some people have begun to wonder, “Is the apocalypse really near?” Others ask, “Is this the end of the world?”

If it is, I suspect quite a few people will welcome it with joy. Yes, you read that right. We may never know who belongs to this group. It could even be someone close to us: a relative, a coworker, a neighbor, or perhaps a stranger sitting beside us on the commuter train.

Millions of people around the world can only shake their heads as they watch the antics of prominent figures, all while being bombarded with one piece of bad news after another about the state of the natural world in every corner of the globe. An acquaintance of mine explained that things have become far too dire to fix.

Even if someone were willing to try, those taking the initiative might not know where to begin. Should we start by changing the human mindset or by repairing the world around us? Both have been so badly damaged that razing everything to the ground seems like the only solution. How true is that? 

Illustration: Sumur Windu Kendedes, Polowijen, Malang

The Apocalypse goes round and round

Like many people who follow traditional belief systems, the Siberian Native Faith community does not believe in a Day of Judgment. Time keeps turning, and so does existence. Neither moves in a straight line toward a final endpoint; instead, both follow a cycle that keeps turning.

Consider the offerings they leave by rivers or in forests. For a day or two, the food or flowers still look fresh. By the next day, they begin to decay, eventually returning to the earth. However, the offering itself isn't the last one.  

Disasters and the many hardships that arise from disharmony are accepted sincerely. This does not mean they are too lazy to make an effort, or that they simply surrender to fate and are suicidal.

There was, indeed, a dark period when suicide rates rose among Siberia’s Indigenous communities. This painful time came not long after they began encountering ideas from outside their region. I see it as a kind of culture shock.

Outside influences cannot be avoided, even when people make a determined effort to isolate themselves. The only way forward, then, is to build new ‘cells’ strong enough to help them find balance amid those external influences. It is certainly not easy, especially since individuals within the community vary in their capacities.

Yet the Siberian Native Faith community sees this as the only way to face the apocalypse, understood here as an extraordinarily catastrophic event. One terrible event ends, only for another to follow, again and again. There will always be something worse than what came before. They do not demand an answer to the question, “Why does the apocalypse happen?” What they need is concrete action.

Life is ‘beautiful’

It may sound clichéd, but it’s true, isn’t it? Preparing for the End Times is necessary, because we are encouraged to be ready for all kinds of possibilities. We choose to prepare for the worst because we have hoped too often, only to be disappointed. As a result, we tend to fear the Apocalypse, the End, Doomsday, you name it.

As the saying goes, the future takes shape according to our mindset. If we allow ourselves to be ruled by fear of what lies ahead, then we shouldn’t be surprised by the world we find ourselves living in today. (dswas).