After the onset of Covid-19, I have had several conversations with people across spectrum of society. In most of the cases, the conversation drifted towards Covid related issues. Their worries , fears , anxieties about getting infection , lack of health infrastructure , vaccination , income stream and related issues invariably cropped up. I tried keeping myself positive and always gave reassurance to others about this being a passing phase and soon the pandemic will end.
Last few weeks in India have been particularly very harsh, because of second wave of Corona Virus. The general angst in the population, coupled with overwhelming fears and anxieties consumed the headlines. This did have impact on my state of well being and at times I felt despondent and in low spirits.
I have three spiritual buddies who I really admired for keeping high spirits, living in the present and being totally consumed in meditation, reflection, service and keertan. Their fearlessness and unmoving faith in Waheguru gave them this state of mind, I believed. I reached out to them with questions about the way they were able to have such stable and elated state of mind , when everything around was completely negative. I thought this was great learning opportunity, amidst this chaos. Here is what I got from our conversations;
- Understand current situation as cosmic will - ਹੁਕਮੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਬਾਹਰਿ ਹੁਕਮ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ "Everyone is subject to His Command; no one is beyond His Command."
- Completely surrender to Waheguru and remain in his sanctuary. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀ ਤੂ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਅਧਾਰੈ ॥ ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਡੰਡਉੁਤਿ ਬੰਦਨਾਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਰ ਜਾਉੁ ਬਾਰੈ ॥ "O Dear God, You are the Support of my breath of life. I how in humility and reverence to You; so many times, I am a sacrifice. ||1||Pause||"
- Have complete and unwavering faith in Satguru and internalise Gurbani as absolute truth. ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਾਰੇ ॥ ਗੁਰੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਪਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥ "The Word, the Bani is Guru, and Guru is the Bani. Within the Bani, the Ambrosial Nectar is contained. If His humble servant believes, and acts according to the Words of the Guru's Bani, then the Guru, in person, emancipates him. ||5||"
- Naam Simran and joyfully reciting and reflecting Gurbani helps in empowering mind. ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਾ ਸਿਮਰਨੁ ਸਭ ਤੇ ਊਚਾ॥ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਉਧਰੇ ਮੂਚਾ ॥ "The remembrance of God is the highest and most exalted of all. In the remembrance of God, many are saved."
- Do introspection and search what is going on in mind. Analyse and address these issues using Shabad touchstone. These issues could be unaddressed fears, unfounded worries, anxieties and / or presence of other vices. Gurbani has powerful resources to cleanse this and replace it with virtues like poise , contentment, grace , acceptance and joyfulness. Use this time to heal your mind and make efforts to transform your state of being. ਬੰਦੇ ਖੋਜੁ ਦਿਲ ਹਰ ਰੋਜ ਨਾ ਫਿਰੁ ਪਰੇਸਾਨੀ ਮਾਹਿ ॥ "O human being, search your own heart every day, and do not wander around in confusion."
- Sat Sangat is very critical element in this journey of Paramartha and very useful in today’s times. Other important elements being Respectful obedience to Waheguru (ਭਉ), Loving devotion to Kartapurakh ( ਭਾਉ)and Reflection on essence of Gurshabad ( ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ).
- Understand the root of all diseases ( ਮੂਲ ਰੋਗ ) and its most powerful cure ( ਨਾਮ ਦਾਰੂ ). ਸਰਬ ਰੋਗ ਕਾ ਅਉੁਖਦੁ ਨਾਮੁ ॥ "The Naam is the panacea, the remedy to cure all ills."
I made detailed notes and did meditation to internalise my learnings. I will share in subsequent articles about my experiences in dealing with the situation.
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Related article: Healing with Gurbani
