More Reflections From The 21-Day Corona To Karuna
ServiceSpace
--Xiaojuan, Joserra, Ari, Andy
3 minute read
Apr 22, 2020

 

Some Reflections by the participants from the 21-Day Karunavirus Challenge hosted by a team of volunteers: Joserra, Ari, Andy, Xiao, and two members behind the scene. :)

Day 9: Appreciate the Beauty of Nature
"One thing which has been a positive from being in lockdown is the ability to appreciate nature because there is more stillness than previously. I have loved the opportunity to notice the birds singing and the blossom developing on the trees." --H

Day 10: What Is The Earth Telling Us? Tune In.
"What do you not want to "go back to" when you step out of quarantine? I don't want Los Angeles traffic to be like it was. There is so much calm and peace now. Be healthy and safe my friends. :-)" --B

Day 11: Allow Grief In
"Yesterday was a very difficult day for me. I couldn't put my finger on why until I read today's challenge. I am grieving for the earth, for my fellow human beings, for those who are alone and in need of companionship. I am grieving for myself and my sense of loss. I have so much to be grateful for, a loving husband, food to eat, a roof over my head and things to occupy my mind and body but still I grieve. For the loss of connection with those who I may never see again; the seniors in retirement homes who I instruct exercise and chair yoga classes for. These classes are so much more than then classes they are connection between myself and the participants, we laugh and joke as we move our bodies and I grieve the loss of that connection.In acknowledging my grief it has liberated me from its darkness. I am able to see all the blessings of life.Thank you for being a space that I can put that into words." --TC

"I really appreciated today's prompt. i think it's hard to see how grief can be something that liberates, but that has indeed been my experience. the capacity and willingness to feel seems like a real part of the inner path as we deconstruct our subconscious stories. for about 10 days after I realized the gravity of this coronavirus experience, I had a pit in my stomach and was in tears daily. something about allowing it to be, without saying it is bad/good/etc seemed to help it come through me. I still have waves, but i notice it as a side-effect of allowing life in at this time, allowing it to work on the sense of 'me.' And the real-world impacts of this approach have been everywhere in my life. From how I engage with my family to the nature of my work. I'm grateful for my grief." --BP

Grief In Corona World "The Corona Virus has nonetheless taught us a lot about ourselves as humans but of course not without some loss. Many of us are unavoidably experiencing some type of grief or sense of loss during this time. I have been fortunate enough to maintain stability through this pandemic with minimal loss. I think what resonates most with myself as a feeling of grief is a loss of my sense of safety or familiarity with the world as we know it. The world is constantly changing however most people are built on routine or commonality between their experiences. Corona virus has at least temporarily changed the way people must operate; “don’t forget your mask”, “6 feet please” and “have you washed your hands?” are some of our main thoughts now. I miss hiking and am long overdue for a camping trip. It makes me think with climate change and other world changes becoming more pressing what will our world look like? We must learn form this experience and readjust our values to make way for the future. Deep breathing allows room for the future within yourself. I find myself sometimes feeling tense about everything that is happening in the world, but a few deep breaths and my chest opens allowing my head to clear. This is what helps me accept the everchanging world." --P

 

Posted by Xiaojuan, Joserra, Ari, Andy on Apr 22, 2020