03/16/2020
On the Psychology of Coronavirus
The Coronavirus was thought to start at a “wet market” in Wuhan, China. Wet markets are popular in Asia, where vendors sell live animals by the bulk to consumers to who then kill the animals on their own and sell to the public. It is thought that the virus came from a bat, who may have bitten one of the live chickens, who then gave it to a human. And then the world changed forever.
This is no different than the other major crises that face us—global warming, nuclear war—in that it is our own making. These are threats we face because of human greed, hatred, and delusion.
Now, don’t be too hard on yourself. And try not to be so angry. Hatred never ends by hatred, but by love alone is healed. If greed, anger, and delusion is the problem, then selflessness, love, and clarity will be what gets us out. It’s hard to be loving and giving when you’re angry.
So what to do about this? It starts in the seat you’re in right now. It starts on the cushion. We have to practice this. We live in a culture that doesn’t want you to be kind, and see things clearly. It wants you numb enough to ignore the greed, hatred, and delusion that got us here in the first place.
Start now. Allow your eyes to close. Be comfortable. Relax the brow, and the facial muscles. Loosen the jaw. Soften your shoulders, and your belly. And bring to mind the image of someone you know, or may have heard of, who is directly or indirectly effected by the current crisis. See their fear, as they monitor the news and hear about the next person who died. See their loved ones, whose lives have stopped so that they can be there entirely for this person. And see their fear too, as they also watch the news, and gaze back at their loved one. See the natural kindness, generosity, and love, that bubbles up to the surface in crises. And then zoom out, really wide, and imagine all the people, with the number growing by the hour, who are in the same position. Get in touch with the feelings that arise. Don’t run from it. That only creates more delusion. Instead, realize that you can hold it with compassion and kindness. And then softly say to yourself, as you imagine all the people affected:
May you be truly happy and deeply peaceful
May you find ease in the midst of your suffering
May you be safe and protected.
May you be free from harm.
And as you repeat these phrases, keep the images in mind. Shower as many people as you can with your own kindness, love, and clarity. It is only from this place, that we will begin to heal. And only once we’ve healed, can we change. And when we change, we change the world. Be part of the solution. Do your part. It starts in the seat you are in right now.
I see this crisis bringing the best and the worst out of us. Some people who were already afraid are hoarding food and goods. They’re closing themselves in, tighter and tighter. Some people are feeling more connected to others, as we really are dependent on each other to keep our families safe. Suddenly, it’s not you and yours against the world. The funny thing is, it never was. We are always in it together.
If I can do anything for you, please contact me. I am here to help, not only in times like these, but always.
May we all learn to live with kindness, love, and clarity.
The Coronavirus was thought to start at a “wet market” in Wuhan, China. Wet markets are popular in Asia, where vendors sell live animals…
