{"id":2370,"date":"2020-04-08T12:55:58","date_gmt":"2020-04-08T02:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=2370"},"modified":"2020-04-09T09:39:11","modified_gmt":"2020-04-08T23:39:11","slug":"coronavirus-contemplation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/coronavirus-contemplation\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus Contemplation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019re living in a tumultuous time \u2013 in many aspects,\nunprecedented. Day after day, sobering news reports emerge \u2013 both of the COVID-19\nspread and its casualties, as well as its impact on society, especially the\neconomic effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entire world has dramatically changed in a remarkably\nshort time. It was only at the end of December, 2019, that a young doctor, Li\nWenliang, sent a message to other medics about a new virus in Wuhan in Hubei\nProvince of China. Now, only a few months later, the whole world is in various degrees\nof lockdown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is surely a fitting time for young and old to stop to\nponder life \u2013 its instability and uncertainty, as well as its meaning and\npurpose. Also, what should be our own values and focus to remain resilient and\nsound-minded, and to avoid excessive fear, stress and anxiety? Here are eleven\nreflections using the timely acronym C.O.R.O.N.A.V.I.R.U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calmness<\/em><\/strong>: Despite the turbulence, may we seek\nto live day-to-day with an abiding calmness, peace, and clarity of mind, made\npossible by taking time to pause, reflect, pray or meditate each day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Openness<\/em><\/strong>: Let\u2019s keep an open mind to what is unfolding, and what these dramatic events may be teaching us about our individual lifestyles and our civilization as a whole. Will some of the societal deeply-rooted structures and entrenched power bases need to change? <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflections about Reality<\/em><\/strong>: This can be a good\ntime to deeply reflect on the realities of life. All things are impermanent and\ncome to an end \u2013 sometimes very quickly and unexpectedly (such as the untimely\ndeath of a loved one). Therefore, may we each make the most of our time and\nopportunities, helping others and engaging in positive deeds while we can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oneness<\/em><\/strong>: From this present crisis, may we\nappreciate anew the intricate inter-connectedness of all humanity and the\nentire web of life on earth. We are all participants in life together, all\ninterdependent, as well as dependent on other species. This contrasts with our predominant\nview as independent selves (egocentricity), and everyone chiefly looking out for\nthemselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Normal<\/em><\/strong>: While many are asking when will\nthings get \u201cback to normal\u201d, some are voicing that for the welfare of all, this\nis not the best way forward. In reality, the \u201cnormal\u201d that we have known in the\nWestern world has not worked for humanity as a whole. When we take an unbiased\nlook at crises around the earth, the need for new norms to emerge becomes\nincreasingly clearer.  Some, therefore,\nsee the present pandemic as a catalyst for the formation of new approaches\nbased on greater cooperation, kindness, caring and altruism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acceptance and Appreciation<\/em><\/strong>: In the present\nsituation, some will understandably slip into denial, fear, anger, and even\ndepression \u2013 or obsessing about getting what they want, and trying at all costs\nto avoid what they don’t want. A more trauma resilient approach is to accept\nwhat is, and to appreciate what is of abiding value. In fact, appreciation and\ngratitude are powerful, positive states of mind that increase immunity and\npromote wellbeing \u2013 and with them we can better make the most of our opportunities\nand reach out to help others less fortunate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vision<\/em><\/strong>: Some have suggested that our civilization\nneeds a new vision for humanity. Such a vision includes a world where loving-kindness<\/em>\nreplaces anger, hatred, enmity and war; where cooperation and humility<\/em> replace\ncompetition, arrogance, superiority and pride; where generosity<\/em> replaces\ngreed, miserliness, selfishness and hoarding; where wisdom <\/em>replaces\ndarkness, confusion, delusion and misperception; and where contentment<\/em>\nreplaces envy, jealousy, clinging and covetousness. Embodying such altruistic values\non a worldwide scale would usher in a golden age on earth (which according to\nancient spiritual writings, as well as archaeological evidence, has existed\nbefore and is destined to return).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individualism<\/em><\/strong>: A great deal of suffering\narises from a predominantly \u201cI\u201d, \u201cme\u201d, and \u201cmine\u201d orientation \u2013 desiring\nhappiness mostly for oneself, without the thought of truly benefitting others. The\npresent crisis is pointing to the need for cultivating greater altruistic love\nand compassion \u2013 being sincerely concerned for the wellbeing and happiness of\nothers, and yearning for them to be free from suffering.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resolutions<\/em><\/strong>: In a time of crisis, new\nresolutions are born. Collectively, new resolves might include: to maintain hope\nand faith in good arising from pain; to remain mindful, no matter what arises; to be\npatient and gentle with people and situations; to let bygones be bygones,\nleaving behind past hurts and regrets; and to cherish each day, knowing that\nlife can change, or end, quickly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uprooting Unworkable Paradigms<\/em><\/strong>: For some time\nnow, scientists and others have realized that the solely consumer-driven,\nprofit-oriented \u201cgood, comfortable life\u201d is unsustainable for the planet. The\nfact that a relatively small percentage of earth\u2019s population consumes a\nmammoth share of earth\u2019s resources, in an environmentally destructive manner,\ncan surely no longer be acceptable. May the present crisis powerfully reinforce\nthe need to uproot unworkable modes of operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soul Searching and Spirituality<\/em><\/strong>: This time of\nupheaval affords an ideal time to turn within, into the depths of one\u2019s heart\nand soul \u2013 and to discover what saints, sages, and mystics have found, that love,\njoy, peace, happiness, and wisdom lie within after all. This is in stark\ncontrast to thinking that happiness and freedom from suffering are dependent on\npeople, places, possessions, and found in pursuing status, fame and power at\nthe exclusion of spiritual values and realities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


\nMay the present time of distress sow the seeds that will in time lead to a\ntransformation of life on earth, moving from hedonism<\/em> (pursuit of\npleasure) for the relatively few, to eudaimonia<\/em> (human flourishing) for\nall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexander and Eva Peck (April 2020)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Reflection:
For some time now, scientists and others have realized that the solely consumer-driven, profit-oriented \u201cgood, comfortable life\u201d is unsustainable for the planet. The fact that a relatively small percentage of earth\u2019s population consumes a mammoth share of earth\u2019s resources, in an environmentally destructive manner, can surely no longer be acceptable. May the present crisis powerfully reinforce the need to uproot unworkable modes of operation.
(Alexander Peck) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"reddit\"<\/a>\"pinterest\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re living in a tumultuous time \u2013 in many aspects, unprecedented. Day after day, sobering news reports emerge \u2013 both of the COVID-19 spread and its casualties, as well as its impact on society, especially the economic effects. 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