how to practice Buddhism/spirituality in light of this crisis

     This was my reply to a friend who asked "How can we still stick to our Buddhist / spiritual practices and apply them in light of the crisis? " 

    

As trite or as invalidating as it may sound, I think that the current situation is a great chance to *WORK* on our Buddha nature.

 

I highlight the *WORK* because it takes real, embodied and continual work to shift our consciousness from what is conditioned and impermanent to that which is eternal and pure while not being consumed by both. Meaning embracing "what is". Embracing all states, all feelings, all realities without escaping but without indulging it in compulsion.  We are not all positive. We are not all negative. We can be both. But we are more than those too.

 

As a human in this day and age it is not easy. But see, when our comforts, our subconscious desires, stored memories, beliefs, unconscious beliefs, coping mechanisms are shaken and challenged, this is an invitation to look at our "core". When nothing else matters, who are we? What are we here for? Even The Buddha reminded us not to solely follow his words but seek our own truth.

 

How do we create space every day to find "our truth"? It may be as simple and small as pausing and acknowledging a feeling in our gut, listening to it say: You have been consuming too much salt. And how do we go about our daily lives carrying our newfound truths? I think this is very personal.

 

My point of focus nowadays have been my traumas, forgotten memories and self-talk. Meditation helps me a lot but I fail to do it consistently. I try to forgive myself. I cry when I can. I laugh hard when I can. I eat with gusto even when the sugar adds to my waistline. I get angry.

 

I change my long term plans every day. It is exhausting. All I can really do is accept them and invite more light. Maybe I'll never reach my dreams. Maybe one fine day it will all work out, at least for now, the sky is blue and I am breathing.

 

I wish I could analyze more and use terms from ancient texts. But that is just another desire!

All I've learned so far can be summed up to this: 

We still have our free will... We can still embrace what is.