Emergency measures should not be reversed after the pandemic has passed.
The crisis caused by the coronavirus is certainly already teaching us some lessons. Indeed, following the very meaning of the word crisis – risk and opportunity.
In an interview with the website Tutaméia, also reproduced in Brazil 247, https://tutameia.jor.br/pandemia-pode-despertar-consciencia-diz-monja-coen/Monja Coen, who has been developing important work in disseminating Buddhism and our ancient meditative practices to enhance the power of compassion for a better life, warned everyone about the risks of greed and selfishness destroying everything in this pandemic. Everything, in this case, is a chance to awaken to the interconnectedness of existence and to the utopia of a higher consciousness, beyond the fear of illness and death. As a monk of the Shin tradition, also based on the teachings of the historical Buddha and so many others who were enlightened by the Other Power—that is, by the relationships that make us perceive, reflect, and become enlightened—I fully share her points of view.
Over the last 50 years, we have achieved infinite abundance thanks to capitalist scientific and technological advancement. But this is also an era of great misery because it prevails in a time endowed with the means for prosperity to be better shared. Therefore, as monks, it is our mission to ensure that the changes that were decided quickly, in the sense of the common good as emergencies, do not regress after the passing of this pandemic, because, as the writer Albert Camus pointed out in his most famous book, written in 1947, "The plague is within everyone and no one is immune." This warning draws attention to the fact that the threat of the pandemic plague also incorporates the spiritual factor necessary for civilizational progress – not merely economic, social, institutional, or political. Spirit is what gives life to life.
The crisis caused by the coronavirus is certainly already teaching us some lessons. Indeed, following the very meaning of the word crisis – risk and opportunity. Just a few days ago, we were dissatisfied with a series of circumstances and conditions of life. Today, due to the restrictions and precautions we are subjected to, we probably look at it from a different perspective, perhaps with more discernment and gratitude.
"If we don't learn to be content with what we have, we will live eternally without peace of mind." This statement, from an unknown Buddhist, is not, as it may seem, a message of conformity, advice to accept one's current conditions and not seek better days. Much less is it a declaration that things are immutable and, therefore, that it would be pointless to try to change, evolve, or improve. On the contrary.
According to Buddhism, the first primordial condition of life is impermanence. Everything changes, nothing remains. Therefore, we shouldn't cling so tightly to anything. Just as we cannot keep or imprison forever the good things we already possess, we shouldn't curse what we have because it's unsatisfactory in the present moment. We can dream, we can desire, but without cursing our present. What we have today should be good for today, even if we desire something better for tomorrow. Appreciate your life and your day, today.
I invite everyone to connect with the light of Buddha, which brings us the courage to face life as it is; the clarity to understand and the joy to overcome the causes and conditions of our suffering, by thinking of ourselves and our fellow beings, especially those who are still vulnerable, exposed not only to the epidemic, but also to the collapse of their businesses, unemployment, hunger, insecurity, and lack of prospects. It is time to meditate and trust in the transformation and enlightenment of all beings. If we do not liberate ourselves in this life, when will it happen? At this moment, we can and must transcend both the fear of Covid-19 infecting us and taking our loved ones to the Pure Land, and the fear of the economic future.
There are many options for navigating this journey, but I offer my effort by sharing our meditation channels:
On Spotify: https://sptfy.com/mongesato
On Deezer: http://www.deezer.com/show/1011692
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrapuradf/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrapuradf/
Let us repeat the name of the Light, which embraces all and never abandons us: Namandabu.
* This is an opinion article, the responsibility of the author, and does not reflect the opinion of Brasil 247.