The world is in a panic with the spread of the Corona Virus. Along with the political environment the world feels chaotic and unstable and even dangerous. How can we navigate this chaos in the most sourceful, calming and healthy way? How can we use this situation to enhance the positive rather than focusing on fear while at the same time taking necessary precautions to ensure our health?

Stepping forward with Awareness is the key. Without awareness:

  • The mind can spiral out of control down a frightening rabbit hole.
  • The panic purchasing has already spiraled out of control and fuels even more panic.
  • We can either exaggerate or diminish the true and healthy response to the situation.
  • Our pain body can become triggered and run the show.

How do we step back into awareness?

1. Stop and breath.

Several times a day, simply stop and take several long, slow deep breaths. Deep breathing calms the nervous system and lessens the tendency for negative emotions to take control. Deep breathing also helps one to step back into awareness.

2. Step back into awareness.

Engage the witness. Watch your thoughts and emotions. When you are in a state of witness consciousness, you have the power to choose. It not, the mind can drag you down a very dark tunnel.

3. Chose wisely.

What thoughts frighten you? What thoughts inspire you? What thoughts are aligned with fear? What thoughts are aligned with common sense? As you watch the mind from awareness, you can use discrimination as to which thoughts to give your attention to and which thoughts.

4. What is real, right here, right now.

Be aware of the tendency to awfulizing. What do you need to do right here right now to keep yourself and your family safe? Watch the tendency to project what may or may not happen in the future. Deal with what needs to happen in the present moment.

5. Trust in the big picture.

I know the world can seem like a very scary place right now. Yet, there is a higher force of goodness that is far superior than any egoic manipulations or dramas playing out in the world. Trust that there are more loving, heart centered people in the world and that the power of love will always, ALWAYS over come fear.

 

6. BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF LOVE.

Here are some quotes to help ground you in a positive focus

And the People Stayed Home

“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.  And listened more deeply.  Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows.  And the people began to think differently.

“And the people healed.  And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

“And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”

~Kitty O’Meara

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighborhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing.

– Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM March 13th 2020

 

Until Next Week:

May you be safe.

May you be happy

May you be free.

May you know your true self.

May your heart be open to love and compassion.

From my heart to yours, 

Bindu