How to Cope with Fear Caused by the Pandemic

Many people have been talking about what's going on in the world and the ultimate purpose. Me too, but from a different perspective, a spiritual perspective.?

What I know is something I don't share often, largely because many people cannot relate to what I say, Still, I will try to make sense here. In my mid-thirties, I began a focused meditation practice. That took me through many disciplines, including Tibetan Buddhism, Siddha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Advaita, Zen and with many teachers, including Sogyal Rinpoche, Swami Chidvilasananda, Eckhart Tolle, Ramesh Balsekar, and Adyashanti. Eventually, I met my teacher, Stephan Bodian, who I worked with one-on-one for two years.?

At one point, he said to me, "you're done. For you, spiritual awakening is going to happen." Three months later, it did and my life was radically transformed. I became a different person (think Byron Katie and Eckhart Tolle). I received many teachings and knowledge about how life really works. It was a huge shock to realize that everything I had been taught was false. Over the coming months I had to relearn how to live and function. For a long while, I thought I would never be able to adjust. Eventually, things began to make sense again.?

One major thing was realizing I?was living in two worlds at the same time, the world of the absolute and the relative. Here's how Stephan Bodian explained it, "from the perspective of the absolute, everything is perfect as it is, but if the roof leaks, you need to get it repaired.?

Fast forward to the pandemic. I've heard many opinions flying around, that the world is in a battle between good and evil, between God and Satan and that God is going to win. Another story is we're involved in a spiritual battle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness.?

Interesting ideas, but for me, none of those work. When I check in with what I know, from the perspective of the absolute, everything is perfect and nothing is wrong. When I look at the world, I see chaos, fear, and enormous anger. From a spiritual perspective, the only way to deal with what I see is to let go, to accept everything as it is and then, from a place of silence, to see what to do next.?

It is clear a cull is happening, though I have no idea why. All I know is that it IS happening. From the place of acceptance, writing and warning people is my purpose, but only so far.?

I liken what is happening to a play. The script has been written, the stage is set, the actors are in place and the curtain has gone up. While we can interact with the actors, we cannot stop them from reaching their destiny. They will go where they are meant to go.?

And then there are the rest of us, who see differently. Why? Because many of us do not blindly accept what we have been told. We are curious, we ask questions, we want to know why and because of that, we don't follow the herd.?

As to where this will go, I have no idea. The only sense I have is we will win, though I have no idea what that will look like, nor what form it will take.?

A major problem for many people is the psychological fear. If it rises into your mind, all reason and sanity departs the stage. Witness the many stories of Karens and people snitching on their neighbors. The root of all this pain is the fear of death.?

So what do you do about it??

When the fear rises too high, you become ungrounded. Here are two exercises which will help you. If you have a lawn or live next to a grassy space, go for a barefoot walk for ten minutes three times/day.?

Secondly, I want to lead you through a visualization. Once I used it, I never lost my grounding again. In fact, I am happy every day, despite the circumstances. Here's how to do it.?

Wherever you live, take your shoes and socks off, so you can stand barefoot on the floor (a lawn would be even better). Visualize a column of white light descending from above you, entering your head, traveling down your body, and entering the earth. Next, visualize yourself as standing in the eye of a hurricane.?

All around you, the air is peaceful and quiet. Above you is blue sky with clouds. To the left, at arms length is a wall of air, spinning around you. You reach out with your hand, touch that wall with the tips of your fingers and feel the air tickling your skin, then you release your hand and let your arm fall to your side. As you stand there, notice how good you feel and for good measure, throw your arms over your head in a V position, palms up; head up. You hold that position for two minutes, then release it. When you do, you will feel light years better.?