Corona: a pandemic of fear and a call to open to grace. A Muslim Yogi's view on the virus crisis.
We are all scared. Maybe some more than others. This crisis has brought with it a lot for us to handle. Many of us are worried sick. I don't know what people who suffer from anxieties and panic attacks must be going through. I can only imagine how much tougher life has all of a sudden become for them.
Today, humanity faces unprecedented circumstances. It might be the first time in history that people from across the globe and from all walks of life are united. Whether rich or poor, young or old, black or white or yellow or whatever other colours are out there used to define us, we are all in it together. We share what we are facing and what we are feeling. We share hardship, fears and anxieties.
This virus-crisis has us all fretting for our lives one way or another. We worry about our health and of those we love. The incomes that might cease and the bills and rents that might become or already are impossible to pay. We all share the same worries about a collapsing world economy, in which we are all connected and dependent on one another.
Some of us are terrified. And that's ok. Fear is natural and sometimes even necessary to ensure our survival when we feel threatened. But it becomes an obstacle when it amplifies like we are seeing happening today as we obsessively follow the news. We are exposing ourselves to a significant amount of negativity and pessimistic headlines that are raising anxieties and feelings of helplessness even more.
Fear has becomes the virus that infects us.
Too much fear and worry can trigger more negativity, anger, violence, and hate causing more damage and suffering than the virus itself.
When we give fear too much space, it can stop us from being able to reason and discern and being able to make the decisions that best serve and protect us.
And so we end up facing not one pandemic, but two: Covid-19 and Fear.
We could, for one, reduce the amount of exposure to the media and focus on things that make us feel better. And that’s the reason why I am writing this: to share with you the yogic and islamic perspectives and ideas that help me deal with the challenging thoughts and emotions that this crisis has brought about. I hope they can help you find the patience, (self)compassion and confidence we all need while we navigate the uncertainties of this crazy situation.
Although I had been composure, calmness, and confidence in-person since the begin of this crisis (so much that I could fool people into thinking I am unaware of the magnitude of what has been happening), I got to admit that I too became a victim of fear.
In a moment, reality hit me. In my positivity, I had imagined this crisis to be over within a couple of weeks. For a self-employed person like me (and so many others), this pandemic stretching out longer means months of not being able to work as I did, having little to no income, and not being able to pay off credits and bills. I got scared. The intensity of the situation got the better of me, manifesting in a headache like I haven't had in ages.
The Power of Yoga and Spiritual Connection
I chose to go out to the garden to meditate instead of taking a pain killer. I not only needed the fresh air, but I also needed to regain my calm and clarity. I needed to sit quietly to observe the chaos inside my head and the chain of thoughts worrying had triggered.
So I found myself a good seat and began to deepen my breath. Just a few breaths and I already started to feel better, realising for yet another time: thank you, God, for putting Yoga on my path or putting me on the path of Yoga. It is indeed a gift; the knowledge of self-care under challenging times like these. Understanding the tools that soothe and heal and bring the peace we all yearn for.
Something beautiful happened during meditation. I could hear birds singing while the sun was shining its warmth on my face. There was a feeling of peace surrounding me that also began to settle inside. Then I heard the muezzin calling to prayer, calling on us to remember, trust and surrender to the higher power.
By the end of my meditation, my head was clear again. The anxiety I had before was gone and replaced with a feeling of assurance and trust in God.
And that I choose to surrender to the divine. The only One with a plan.
I believe what would help us right now is a spirit of humility. To remember that we are not all-knowing and that there is divine wisdom in what we go through even if we can't (yet) name it. We neither know all nor understand everything out there.
In his book 'Living Presence,' the much respected Sufi master and author Sheikh Kabir Helminski describes humility as a quality to cultivate that helps the forming of a connection with the Infinite Creative Energy. That connection that brings us peace (Salam) and what some Yogis would describe as Ananda (bliss).
Open to Grace
Humility would also remind us that this crisis might be carrying opportunities that we still haven't recognised. Maybe when we realise that all that comes our way is grace, we listen more carefully and start to see the good. To open to grace. Even Corona.
“Grace is always there. It is the life that flows from the Source of Life. What we need to learn is to receive it and to become aware that grace is flowing from life all the time. This life is within us.”
Through connection and humility, we remember to pause and receive.
To open up to the grace is to open up for the possibilities in this crisis. Every challenge is also an opportunity to transform something.
Corona is giving us a chance to reveal what is in us. It is an opportunity to showcase the skills and the qualities we have developed in our yoga and spiritual practices. The ones that not only help us find peace and transform fears but also persevere, transform and evolve.
Perhaps this is our chance to change ourselves and the way we live our lives to the better. Probably when we do, we realise that it was one of the best things that happened to us—all grace from above.
What are your thoughts? I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas and any input that you might have.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
With love,
Ingy