Today, six surrounding Bay Area counties were ordered to “shelter in place” in an effort to protect our local area from community spread and allow for only the most essential needs to be met in our communities. We know that COVID-19 is a pandemic that has been sweeping the planet with disastrous effects. Hundreds of thousands have been impacted already and in some places, draconian measures have been taken to try and contain the outbreak.
It is in moments like these that we can ask ourselves who we want to be as a global village. Right now, we’re being called upon to go much deeper inside ourselves to see how our actions can have both a positive and negative impact on our community. Rather than succumbing to our survival instincts that in crisis, cause us to go into self-preservation mode, we can look to see how we can support the healing of our global village by tending to the needs of the collective.
The word “pandemic” comes from the Greek “pandemos” = “all the people.” In this moment, we’re being challenged to rise above our fears and hold the best interests of all the people in our hearts. Pandemos is about all of us. Maybe there’s something for all of us to learn from Her. Instead of blaming, hoarding or fearing each other, we can come together to support our collective healing (and I don’t mean just healing from COVID).
What an extraordinary time! Just about every human being in this world is simultaneously coming home. If you’re not in crisis, choose to make it a time of deep self-reflection. A time to remember what you care about.
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, collective healing is practiced through Tonglen meditation—the giving and taking (or sending and receiving). For a 5-minute talk and practice session on Tonglen, I’ll refer you to one of the greatest teachers of it, Pema Chodren. Let’s heal together.
Stay well.
Rebecca A. Ward, LMFT, SEP, PCC
Founder, the Iris Institute
Psychotherapy, Executive Coaching & Consulting