Being with Fear During COVID-19

Author:

Join Trudy as she leads a meditation and discusion focusing on how to work with fear due to coronavirus. 

Note From Trudy:

Hi Everyone, here are the links to information i mentioned on Sunday + some things you shared. There are many meditation apps with countless offerings, and you can also find guided meditations by me and our other teachers on our website. Enjoy! 

Remember, there is no hierarchy of human needs in actuality; i saw this very clearly when teaching in the Darfuri refugee camp in Eastern Chad where malnourished people living in open prison conditions voted the mindfulness teachings their #1 favorite!  We all need skills for meeting and greeting reality just as it is – with dignity and grace in the face of fear of the unknown. This coming Sunday I’ll talk more about this. And Thursday evening, we’ll have a Community Sit, “In This Together” – check the newsletter tomorrow, or the website.
 
Please take good care of yourselves and each other,
Love,
Trudy

1. Article about the benefits of fresh air as a natural disinfectant:

Coronavirus and the Sun: a Lesson from the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

https://medium.com/@ra.hobday/coronavirus-and-the-sun-a-lesson-from-the-1918-influenza-pandemic-509151dc8065

2. The poem i read, “The Afternoon the World Health Organization Declared the Pandemic”

https://www.rattle.com/the-afternoon-the-world-health-organization-declared-the-pandemic-by-rosemerry-wahtola-trommer/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rattle%2FCNOS+%28Rattle%3A+Poetry+for+the+21st+Century%29

3. The poem I read last week, “Lockdown”

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.

4. In addition to your meditation practice, please consider availing yourself of extra support if you’re feeling frightened, isolated, and not sure where to turn. Below find some therapy apps; i’m just passing this list along without recommendation since I don’t know much about them, but if you don’t have access to a therapist, they’re worth a try:

https://www.e-counseling.com/tlp/therapy-apps/?imt=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImYDr4v2x6AIVlddkCh2FjgjeEAAYAiAAEgIbgfD_BwE

5. Some of what you shared on the chats:

Kathy offering walks and connection to anyone who’s feeling alone: 310-817-3998

Akemi, our Volunteer Coordinator, set up Dharma Pals for everyone: insightla.org/dharma-pals

Eminem, “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” music video expressing his rage and letting it go – cleaning out his emotional closet and naming his remorse for mistakes he made, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ9_TKayu9s

Rosamaria teaching 3 meditations in Spanish each week : https://insightla.org/teacher/rosamaria-segura/

Julie Gold singing “From a Distance” recommended by Boston friend Janet Y.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4q9JUMF0oc

Alex M   There is an opportunity for a real beautiful shift in awareness and in the way our societies function. There’s lots of hope to be found! https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/03/19/coronavirus-effect-economy-life-society-analysis-covid-135579

If I’ve left anything out that you wanted to share, please let Anisa know and/ or bring it up next time we’re together.

Thank you for your practice and your presence!

More love,

Trudy

Other posts by Trudy Goodman, PhD:

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