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"When the crowded Vietnamese refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked, all would be lost. But if even one person on the boat remained calm and centered, it was enough. It showed the way for everyone to survive." —Thich Nhat Hanh
The coronavirus crisis is heavily affecting each one of us. We're experiencing intense anxiety, panic, and concern. Still, there's another way of relating to this virus (besides maintaining healthy habits like frequent hand-washing and physical distancing) that's not panic. It's needed now more than ever.
Parts of China are finally opening to a bluer sky and visible clouds for the first time since factories are down. In Wuhan, after decades of noise pollution, you can hear the birds again. The sky is no longer replete with dark smoke.
So, could this virus actually be here to help us remember what is truly important? To help us truly reset? Reducing travel could give the environment, the sky, the air, and our lungs a needed rest.
Could working from home, when possible, rather than commuting to work be relaxing? Could this be an opportunity to reconnect with family as there is more time at home? Is this an invitation to turn inwards with mindfulness, rather than the usual extroverted norm of going out to self-soothe? To reconnect with yourself? To enjoy life's subtle everyday pleasures? Is this an economic reset? Could this unprecedented societal shift in our society covertly benefit us and help us recharge? Could this virus actually be an ally to us in our psychological evolution? Could it connect us to living a simpler life and being kinder to our increasingly heating environment?
Every generation faces serious challenges. They face them together and grow wiser and stronger from them. This is referred to as "post-traumatic growth" and it turns out humans have a knack for it. Coronavirus seems to be one of our biggest challenges so far. We will overcome it and grow too, no matter how difficult. My hope is that we take this opportunity to nurture our most important relationships and find beauty and peace in unexpected places during this difficult time.
The panic may be harming us more than the virus itself. Meditation and mindfulness can be invaluable now to mollify the panic and be the "calm in the storm." While they obviously don’t protect you from infection, they can help you live with more equanimity and thus more able to protect yourself and others—overall more in touch with your own inner resilience, strength, and wisdom. It just takes a few of us to ease the widespread panic.
*I know that this post reflects my privilege in that I'm not infected (yet) and am able to work from home when possible, unlike many people. I'm thus open to any feedback in the comments if this post feels out-of-touch with your suffering related to coronavirus.
This post is for educational purposes and should not substitute for healthy habits like frequent hand-washing and social distancing, or psychotherapy with a qualified professional. Copyright Jason Linder, LMFT.
