We have been hearing for several months now that “we are all in this together”... Having a background in yogic and Buddhist philosophy, this slogan did not feel like big news to me! These teachings have been insisting for centuries on the interconnectedness of all things. Nonetheless intellectual knowledge is rather different from a felt experience. Proof of this came my way a few weeks ago when I got a call from a Yoga Studio where I had taught in the past. They told me that as the impact of the COVID19 pandemic kept intensifying, many of their students and teachers were experiencing such high levels of stress and anxiety that “even yoga was not ‘working’ any longer”. They wanted to know whether I would be willing to offer them a webinar to suggest some tools and techniques that would help them get through the situation.
I felt so far away from their problems and unable to “read” their faces. I reflected on what could I say that would be of help to them. I put some thought on what was going on in my own environment and realized that feeling overwhelmed, insecure, panicked or afraid in times of such uncertainty is absolutely normal.
I felt so far away from their problems and unable to “read” their faces. I reflected on what could I say that would be of help to them. I put some thought on what was going on in my own environment and realized that feeling overwhelmed, insecure, panicked or afraid in times of such uncertainty is absolutely normal.
When these and other similar emotions take hold and control of the mind, our ability to make rational decisions becomes limited. Can we find enough calm to mobilize ourselves towards an appropriate response? Can we sit with enough comfort and equanimity with the stresses, fears and anxiety, to allow them to lead us towards deeper and more meaningful contemplations...?
It is important to understand that when we seek equanimity in this way, we are not attaining it by ignoring or pushing away our emotions. Not even by labelling them as positive or negative or showing a preference between those two. The presence and knowledge that we gain through the practice of Yoga (In particular, the Nyamas in Patanjali’s Eight Fold Path) will help us assess each situation and what is going on for us at each moment. The yogic moral values (yamas) will help us evaluate whether the feelings and emotions we are experiencing are useful indicators or warnings that we need to consider for our resulting future actions. The centeredness and calm that often arises from a meditation or mindful asana practice will support us to explore the circumstances we are facing with a clearer mind. We can then work consciously with whatever is going on instead of ignoring, transcending or attempting to get rid of our emerging emotions.
Obviously it takes study and practice to be able to face strong emotions in this way. Starting with small steps, like taking a quiet moment to acknowledge and stay with whatever emotion arises, will be helpful. Well known psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Siegel advises: “Name it to tame it”. Being able to perceive give a name to the emotion may help us recognize a pattern of thought or a susceptible, tender part of ourselves. It may also create a useful mental space that allows us to objectively observe our emotion rather than to feel completely identified and stuck inside it.
In the current situation with the COVID19 pandemic, whether feeling alone or together, we are now forced to face the insecurity of the lives we live. How long can we survive in what looks like a plague without end? How long will it be, if it hasn’t already happened, before someone we love -- or ourselves-- become infected? Independently of what the statistics tell us, what will the survival probability be for such more personal case?
It is clear that as useful as asana practice can be to keep our bodies healthier, especially during these times of isolation and restricted activity, we’ll need to dig deeper into our practices to attempt to explore such questions. As “yogis”, what additional lessons have been passed on to us that could support us in this time of uncertainty? Obviously we need to address the training of the mind.
The old teachings of Yoga were developed to prepare the body, mind and lifestyle towards a wholesome state that would facilitate, support and sustain the meditation practice. In more modern times, science has discovered and studied the many physiological, psychological and emotional consequences of both stress and of a calm state of mind. Some of the benefits for the practice of yoga and meditation are:
In addition, modern neurosciences indicate that among the most basic human needs are:
As dire as the situation feels these days, the root teachings of Yoga are still our safest support. Not as intellectual knowledge, but as a way of life; moving back and forth through the Eight Limbs of Yoga described by Patanjali, while contemplating and practising each component. A few practical and useful suggestions can be as simple as:
William James.
And since the process of training our minds can be slow and/or frustrating at times (our minds can be rather strong-willed!), meditation on self compassion and loving kindness (Metta) should be part of your “meditation repertoire”. There are many examples available both on print and on the Internet.
Wishing you much patience and resilience...
May you stay safe and healthy...
May you find peace of mind and ease of well being...
May your heart be bathed in loving kindness...
Namaste
A version of this article first appeared in the Alberta Association newsletter fall 2020.
It is important to understand that when we seek equanimity in this way, we are not attaining it by ignoring or pushing away our emotions. Not even by labelling them as positive or negative or showing a preference between those two. The presence and knowledge that we gain through the practice of Yoga (In particular, the Nyamas in Patanjali’s Eight Fold Path) will help us assess each situation and what is going on for us at each moment. The yogic moral values (yamas) will help us evaluate whether the feelings and emotions we are experiencing are useful indicators or warnings that we need to consider for our resulting future actions. The centeredness and calm that often arises from a meditation or mindful asana practice will support us to explore the circumstances we are facing with a clearer mind. We can then work consciously with whatever is going on instead of ignoring, transcending or attempting to get rid of our emerging emotions.
Obviously it takes study and practice to be able to face strong emotions in this way. Starting with small steps, like taking a quiet moment to acknowledge and stay with whatever emotion arises, will be helpful. Well known psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Siegel advises: “Name it to tame it”. Being able to perceive give a name to the emotion may help us recognize a pattern of thought or a susceptible, tender part of ourselves. It may also create a useful mental space that allows us to objectively observe our emotion rather than to feel completely identified and stuck inside it.
In the current situation with the COVID19 pandemic, whether feeling alone or together, we are now forced to face the insecurity of the lives we live. How long can we survive in what looks like a plague without end? How long will it be, if it hasn’t already happened, before someone we love -- or ourselves-- become infected? Independently of what the statistics tell us, what will the survival probability be for such more personal case?
It is clear that as useful as asana practice can be to keep our bodies healthier, especially during these times of isolation and restricted activity, we’ll need to dig deeper into our practices to attempt to explore such questions. As “yogis”, what additional lessons have been passed on to us that could support us in this time of uncertainty? Obviously we need to address the training of the mind.
The old teachings of Yoga were developed to prepare the body, mind and lifestyle towards a wholesome state that would facilitate, support and sustain the meditation practice. In more modern times, science has discovered and studied the many physiological, psychological and emotional consequences of both stress and of a calm state of mind. Some of the benefits for the practice of yoga and meditation are:
- Calm the mind
- Calm the nervous system and shift into the relax/ renew/ repair: parasympathetic mode
- Reduce anxiety
- Improve immune function
- Improve clarity of thought
In addition, modern neurosciences indicate that among the most basic human needs are:
- To feel safe
- To feel we have some control
As dire as the situation feels these days, the root teachings of Yoga are still our safest support. Not as intellectual knowledge, but as a way of life; moving back and forth through the Eight Limbs of Yoga described by Patanjali, while contemplating and practising each component. A few practical and useful suggestions can be as simple as:
- Avoid too much time listening to the news.
- Practise “taking in the good”: Invest some effort in noticing that in spite of the challenges from the current situation there is still kindness, beauty, friendship, relative peace in your corner of the planet... There are lots of good things happening but we simply need to pay extra attention to them. This is important because as well-known psychologist Rick Hanson remind us: “the brain is like Velcro for negative experiences, but like Teflon for positive ones.”
- If there is a way you can reach out safely to help somebody in need, do it! You can call it “Karma yoga”. Helping others is another way of helping ourselves. Remember “we are all in this together”...
- Even if during these days we may be practising on our own, we do belong to a wider caring community and in very subtle ways our energies are connected.
- And in moments of intense sadness or distress, sit with it, but use your good judgement to decide when it may be time to stand up, call a friend, plan a zoom meeting or listen to an inspiring talk or podcast. A walk in the park or by the river may help to calm the mind and soften the heart too.
William James.
And since the process of training our minds can be slow and/or frustrating at times (our minds can be rather strong-willed!), meditation on self compassion and loving kindness (Metta) should be part of your “meditation repertoire”. There are many examples available both on print and on the Internet.
Wishing you much patience and resilience...
May you stay safe and healthy...
May you find peace of mind and ease of well being...
May your heart be bathed in loving kindness...
Namaste
A version of this article first appeared in the Alberta Association newsletter fall 2020.