Finding Peace Amidst a Chaotic World: A Spiritual Approach to Coping with Covid-19
“Anything is possible when you have Inner Peace” — Master (from the animated movie Kung Fu Panda ) voice echoed in my living room and I looked up from my laptop screen as this simple sentence gave me a new perspective to all the chaos around us. There are many ways to describe what humankind is experiencing as we go through the COVID19 pandemic. We may all have different views but we all agree that this experience has led us to face our deepest fears and is also giving us an opportunity to overcome them by tapping into our Inner Peace.
Can we truly find Inner Peace in this chaotic world?
To answer this question for myself, I ended up watching Kung Fu Panda again. Here are some simple tips inspired by the movie Kung Fu Panda to find peace amidst a chaotic world coping with a pandemic -
Meditate
“Your mind is like this water, my friend. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear.” — Grand Master Oogway
Meditation is a simple practice to be aware of ourselves, others, and the environment. Science-based benefits of meditation include stress reduction, gaining clarity, and reclaiming a calm state of mind. Meditation changes our brainwaves from beta to theta leaving you feeling more open, deeply connected, and joyfully aware, and lighter.
Don’t judge
“There is just news. There is no good or bad. .” — Grand Master Oogway
It’s easy to fall into the trap of blame game or strong judgments, especially when we are reeling under a global crisis. The next time you catch yourself judging, remind yourself to shift position and try to be an observer instead of a being a judge. Then note down your thoughts as an observer. A minor shift in position and attitude creates space for our internal resources to the surface and rekindles our inner power and motivation.
Be Mindful
“There is a saying: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” — Grand Master Oogway
Being present in the moment helps us regulate emotions, gives us clarity in decision making, and eliminates anxiety. We keep the chaotic monkey mind at bay and focus on inner strength and resources. This helps us eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed and prevents us from over-reacting. We navigate through our thoughts and emotions neutrally — this boosts our productivity and confidence.
Surrender
The panda will never fulfil his destiny, nor you yours until you let go of the illusion of control.” — Grand Master Oogway
Surrender can mean many things, but the one I’m focussing on here is the act of being with what is right in front of you. It’s allowing you to feel. It does not mean inaction. On the contrary, it means saying ‘yes’ to life.
Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle says, “Surrender is to say ‘yes’ to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.” It is letting go of the urge to control finally leading us to patience and joy.
Serve Others Unconditionally
“There is no charge for awesomeness.” — Po
This is probably the easiest routine to establish. We thrive on meaningful connections. So, even though we maintain social distancing, we can still reach out to our families, colleagues, neighbors and even strangers with small acts of kindness. Ignite the awesomeness within and spread the light — inner peace will follow, really fast.
Exercise Your Choice
“Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn’t make you who you are. It is the rest of your story who you choose to be.” — Soothsayer
We can choose to be victims or we can rise and embrace the Dragon Warrior in us, just like Po did — it’s a choice. It is also our collective responsibility to find our individual silver lining to our clouds. Choose today, chose tomorrow and the next day and the day after — till you find peace within — the unshakable peace that guides you like a lighthouse through this difficult phase.
Let Go What Doesn’t Serve You
“You gotta let go of that stuff from the past because it just doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now.” — Po
What was possible, relevant, and comforting yesterday may not be the same today. The world is changing, and probably changing irrevocably. But only if we focus and believe that we are the masters of our universe and direct our resources to build a new routine in the new normal we can be free of what doesn’t serve us anymore.
Inner Peace is finally finding the Inner You. Are you ready to look within?
“Your real strength comes from being the best “You” you can be.
So who are you?
What are you good at?
What do you love?
What makes you “You”?” — Po
Originally published at https://illuminations.ae on August 27, 2020.
