Hello Folks,
Jocelyne, Lili, and I hope that this email finds you, your family, and friends healthy and safe.
A friend of mine in Mumbai, Vivek Menon, sent the below piece of writing to me this morning. I felt it articulated a lot of what people are feeling right now. For some, this virus is a harbinger of a changed global consciousness. For others, the virus has destroyed lives, livelihood, and taken away loved ones who have died alone, gasping for a breath in a hospital bed.
Of course, it is all of these things at the same time. I too hope that the world will change in some lasting, positive ways because of what we are going through. But a reality is that for many this time will be remembered forever as a time of great suffering, where they counted the days and months for an end, so they could find work in order to feed their families, or leave their solitude to receive a hug from someone, and to remember human
touch.
This is what Vivek sent to me:
WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT
I heard that we are in the same boat.
But it's not like that.
We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat.
Your ship can be shipwrecked and mine might not be.
Or vice versa.
For some, quarantine is optimal: moment of reflection, of re-connection.
Easy, in flip flops, with a whiskey or tea.
For others, this is a desperate crisis.
For others it is facing loneliness.
For some, a peace, rest time, vacation.
Yet for others, torture: How am I going to pay my bills?
Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it; some are not sure their loved ones are going to make it, and some don't even believe this is a big deal.
Some of us who are well now may end up experiencing it, and some believe they are infallible and will be blown away if or when this hits someone they know.
Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020.
Others say the worse is yet to come.
So, friends, we are not in the same boat.
We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.
And each one will emerge, in his own way, from that storm.
Some with a tan from their pool. Others with scars on the soul (for invisible reasons).
It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, more than looking, seeing.
See beyond the political party, beyond religion, beyond the nose on your face.
Do not underestimate the pain of others if you do not feel it.
Do not judge the good life of the other, do not condemn the bad life of the other.
Don't be a judge.
Let us not judge the one who lacks, as well as the one who exceeds him.
We are on different ships looking to survive.
Let everyone navigate their route with respect, empathy and responsibility.
--Author unknown
I was moved by this writing, especially the ending. It is true that we are on different boats in the same storm, and also that we are on the same ocean together. Sailors look out for each other because they know that the sea is not kind, the sea does not care for loss of life or gain of fish. It is for us, sailors on this sea, to look out for the ones whose ships might be taking on water, in whatever small or big ways we
can.
That is truly what is happening. We look around and see an outpouring of care, generosity and an amazing energy to serve. From feeding children to hand-sewing hospital masks, this world is a tremendous place when there is a crisis.
At the same time, long-term change in consciousness takes work.
So what can we do? One suggestion from current thinking in psychology is to counter our positive thinking of a consciousness shift with obstacles that could come up. Ask yourself, "What will it really take to emerge stronger and more conscious from this?" "What will I have to give in order to effect a change?" "What happens if the shift isn't as pronounced or long lasting as I hoped?" "What could prevent a shift from
occurring and how can I be a force for change so that it does?"
Countering positive thinking with contemplating potential obstacles gives us the energy to face hardship. If we just think positive, the mind thinks that we've already arrived, and we don't do the work to get to where we want to go. If we balance our positive attitude with a realistic pessimism (which is a way of managing expectations and increasing motivation) we develop the mental fortitude to face challenges and embrace disappointment.
Embracing disappointment means that when we get knocked down, we were prepared for it to be one of many possible outcomes, and because of that preparation, we can get back up again with out too much of a set-back. We can brush it off quicker. Spiritual practice is, quite often, learning how to deal with set-backs, and retaining our energy and enthusiasm to keep trying when things get tough. It is a reframing of of obstacles, a reframing of
stressful situations to turn them into growth challenges.
Thank you, Vivek, for sending in that piece of writing, and thank you to the unknown author!
Love,
Eddie, Jocelyne, and Lili
PS Our schedule for the week can be found here. My faves right now: Ganesh chanting each morning on IGLive and the Yoga Sutra classes! :)
