It is rare for any circumstance to force us completely out of our accumulated habits, patterns and comfort zones – which is exactly what is happening right now. People all over the globe are having to drastically alter their lifestyles and livelihood in response this mysterious virus.
I have resisted saying anything over this summer – the big climate issues, market crashes and now Covid-19. I am not one to make predictions, but all the signs are there that even on the other side of this storm, things will not just go back the way they were. Quietly watching the tidal waves of advice and reaction in the media and community has been fascinating. The art of being human seems to be a tricky business for many.
Perspectives are useful in dropping all the stories and seeing what is. When our day-to-day inertia's are interrupted, it is a wonderful opportunity to make new choices, to recognise the patterns that haven’t been working and to turn your gaze to new patterns that work better. New patterns that work better, bring greater resilience, deeper compassion and more skilful responsiveness.
Interruption like this opens up some wonderful spaces to explore and tune up. For example:
Our spiritual practice – presence, equanimity, the most fundamental questions;
Our shadow practice – dealing with fear, anger, frustration and other strong emotions;
Mental practice – our focus and clarity, dealing with uncertainty, seeing what is through all the noise and hype;
Creative practice – staying connected, grounded and letting beauty emerge;
Embodiment practice – physical health, wellbeing and resilience;
Safety and hygiene – reducing the chances of exposure;
Intimacy practice – empathy, connection, more space – less separation;
Financial practice – remaining sustainable in the midst of the economic storm.
In this uncertain time, investing in self is critically important. This is what transformation feels and looks like. And the beautiful this amongst all of this, is that each and every one of the practices I have listed above, is completely within our own control and volition.
What course are you charting through this storm?
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