By Sr. Mary Thadavanal MSMHC –
A shudder went through the spines of most people when Covid 19 hit our world like a thunderbolt darkening the bright horizons of new hopes and diligently woven projects of many. Since then the oft-heard words looming in the air have been ‘short breath, bad lungs, ventilator, vaccination, lockdown, social distancing, mask’, causing anxiety and fear which come as uninvited guests. One who looks at life with a realistic eye realizes that every catastrophe is a pointer leading to an unfamiliar plateau from where life is seen with a different lens. We are often in a serious intellectual world of study, work, performance, reflection, planning, decision making, evaluating, undoing and even addressing emergencies. For a change, entering the fascinating world of a child and becoming part of its wonder, excitement, innocent laughter and fun, and seeing life with the eyes of a child will pay rich dividends. We began life as a child and hopefully will leave it as a child!
The brighter side of the Pandemic
The pandemic gives us ample time to be indoors, to set priorities right focusing on vital aspects of life which may have been neglected or set aside, to look at a convenient time. Now is the opportune moment to clear off the fog that may have blurred our vision. “Your life will only change when you decide to change your life”. Roger Lee
Self-care is the panacea for all ills and the best investment one can make with the sure hope of getting it back with profit. Apart from responding positively to Covid protocols, taking time off, to care for self, is essential to one’s wholeness. It leads to the discovery of the true self hidden behind the tough ego/false self.
The first thing in self-care is Awareness. Being in a state of constant awareness without thoughts is the key to discovering who we are at our depths and attaining inner freedom, personal integrity, self-compassion and altruism.
We are not our thoughts nor another’s thoughts. We are our breath which keeps us alive. We need to stay focused on the breath of life flowing into us unceasingly bringing freshness, and carrying away grubbiness, leading to the discovery of the truth about ourselves and our true identity. Constantly being aware of our breath gives clarity to our inner eye to behold our original self, full of grace and beauty.
No pandemic can take away our breath without our permission until we are perfected in love and are ready to merge into eternity.
“Breathe deeply, until sweet air extinguishes the burn of fear in your lungs and every breath is a beautiful refusal to become anything less than infinite”. – D. Antoinette Foy
When the breath is unsteady, all is unsteady;
when the breath is still; all is still…
Inhalation gives strength and a controlled body;
retention gives steadiness of mind and longevity;
exhalation purifies body and spirit. – Goraksasathakam
Be aware of the NOW, the present moment; this is all that matters. In the NOW we breath in and breath out and come alive; bubbling with gratitude we are full of light in the divine, safe and secure, held in his embrace.
Being in touch with the supreme author of life we walk hand in hand, enjoying every moment. No sadness, no anxiety, no tension, but all confidence. We are now in a world of wonder, laughter, surprises, love. Everything and everyone now become our own. We own all and are ready to move out to serve our brothers and sisters in love.
In total awareness, we listen –
listen until we can hear over and above the noise of the world,
the music of the air … the plants… the trees…
the rustling of the leaves… the trickling of the rain …the chirping of birds…
the music of the heart… the symphony of the soul … the soundless music everywhere…
We watch –
the stillness of the night… colours of the sky… gliding birds… changing phases of seasons… blooming buds … blending of light and shadows… exotic butterflies… mesmerizing snowflakes … dancing bubbles … freshness of the grass… the miracle of the human person … the complex networking within the human body… the sparkling gleam in the eyes of a child … and the myriads of everyday wonders …
We feel –
the power of the wind … the touch of the mother earth … the caressing of the gentle breeze … the sweat dribbling through the pores of the skin … the rippling flow of water over us … the merging of the day into night… the warmth of a clasping hand… the embrace of the Divine…
We develop –
unshakeable trust in God as we stay attuned to the continuous whisperings of his heart: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” Isaiah 49:15.
“He does not treat us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our faults. For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong his mercy for those who fear him”
Psalm 103:9-11
God has proved his steadfast love for us tangibly by coming into the world in human form, and liberating every human person on earth from the slavery of sin and shame through the supreme sacrifice of his life made in excruciating pain, agonizing death and glorious resurrection. He has won for us abundant life. Having thus gained the status of the child of God we don’t have to prove ourselves to anyone because being redeemed by his love we are complete and whole. Now we only have to acknowledge it and accept it.
We Reach Out –
Lighting a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life is a noble act of selfless love. At this time of the pandemic, while we treat ourselves lovingly, we need to reach out to others who are in pain. Just a phone call away, there are many who wait to hear an endearing human voice. We need to tell them things that would take them out of their dungeon of fear, hopelessness, depression and anxiety. Heart-warming words spoken from the core of our hearts can soothe many aching wounds and gradually put together fragmented lives.
We conserve Mother Earth –
We express our love and gratitude towards our mother earth in all the ways we can. She is our home and we need to appreciate, love, respect and enhance her natural life. She keeps us in balance, peace and calmness. She gladdens our hearts with her diversities and colours. Sharing her abundant fruitfulness generously she keeps us healthy and vibrant. We must take time to care for our mother, speak to her, sing to her, make her feel our loving touch and care in many creative ways.
We Keep Abreast with Knowledge
With the self in place, we need to keep abreast with the knowledge of emerging ideas and ideologies, new trends and changing patterns and their impact on society while holding fast to the perennial values. It is our unavoidable obligation to refute error in order to set our succeeding generations on the path of truth and righteousness that they may have a purposeful morrow, to discover the beauty of their own lives, make it more beautiful for God and others, and leave their legacy on the sands of time.
In conclusion, I would like to state that we may contract Covid, or may have heart failure, or meet with an accident or may find ourselves with a fatal illness. But if we have kept pace with the movements of our inner being, the real cause of our death will be pure love. By then we will have become love, and through the portals of death, pass joyfully into the outstretched arms of eternal Love. The gateway to this world of total freedom is a determined determination to take care of self, others and mother earth with all she possesses.
Sr. Mary Thadavanal MSMHC is former Mother General of MSMHC congregation
