I was speaking with my daughter last evening and we were discussing the virus and the mayhem it has caused. She said something which made me ponder.

It’s so important especially in these trying times to have a routine and adhere to it. It feels like I have taken control of the situation and at least something is in my hands.

This is one way to take responsibility back into our hands and navigate the storm. The strong winds cannot blow us off in their direction as we’ve decided the direction we would like to take.

We need to make a conscious choice; do we want to be a part of the problem or a part of the solution? It’s like each of us has a complete truck of garbage we are responsible for. We have a choice, we could empty the truck on ourselves and become one with the garbage else we can layer it out and turn it into manure. We could use it to grow.

Some points we could use to manage the crisis better

1. Each of us get energized differently. Extroverts get energized by meeting with people, being social, and building connections, and introverts by spending time with themselves.

This pandemic has taught us, that irrespective of our preferences we no longer can depend on Durga or power from the outside, it’s time to invoke the Shakti within ourselves.

A beautiful story comes to my mind; when Krishna was to leave Vrindavan and go to Mathura all the milkmaids were crying and weeping and holding on to the wheels of the chariot.

They didn’t want him to leave. They depended on him for power or connection.

However, once he left, they went through immense pain but emerged stronger, evolved and found Krishna within themselves. They could connect with Krishna even though he wasn’t present. They had invoked the shakti within. That’s the call of the hour.

2. In these challenging times, we need to be cautious not to act from a space of fear. It can be very crippling and cause harm not only to self but people around as well.

Garud was sitting on the beautiful Mount Kailash and admiring the majestic beauty and mountains. His eyes caught sight of a tiny bird on the mountain top and he felt a sense of oneness and was mesmerized with creation.

Just then, he saw Yama the lord of death pass by and frown as he saw the bird.

Garud was worried for the bird; he immediately took the bird under his wings and flew across seven mountains and oceans and placed it on a succulent fruit tree.

When he got back he questioned Yama and asked him; why did he frown when you saw the bird. Yama replied the time for the bird to exit the world had come; however, his death was destined across seven oceans and mountains. A python under the succulent fruit tree would eat the bird.

An interesting story. For many of us, the pandemic has overwhelmed us with fear and panic and enlivened the Garud in us. To save our family and friends many times, we act from a space of fear to protect them. However, as a result of this; homes have become a breeding ground of stress. This in turn leads to a breakdown in physical and mental health.

So, in our need to protect we could be causing more harm; because the need stems from fear.

Garud never consulted the bird; he decided for the bird.

When it comes to our family and friends the approach needs to be inclusive, it’s important to ask and involve the family members for their opinions and suggestions, have dialogues, and work together as a team keeping the well-being of the whole unit in mind.

An interesting line, which I once read, has remained with me.

 

“Nothing real leaves”.

In my opinion, this is a powerful opportunity for each of us to transform.

To get conscious of how we eat, speak our thoughts, and our actions.

This can be truly empowering; as far as I’m concerned with the onset of this pandemic I’ve become very conscious of how I spend my time with whom I spend it; my thoughts and how I speak.

It has compelled me to take an inward journey. If each of us can take ownership for at least one change at an individual level the world post the pandemic would be inclusive, beautiful, and spiritual.