Emotional Connection At A Time Of Distancing

Kamlesh D. Patel (Daaji), Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness, talks about the lockdown, social distancing, and how to strengthen our emotional connections during this stressful time

- Kamlesh D. Patel (Daaji)

Our lives are undergoing a lot of change at the moment. And it is not all bad! For a start, our mother Earth is having a chance to breathe for the first time in many years. And most of us are having to slow down and remember what it’s like to appreciate the little things in life.

As we prepare ourselves and our families to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are being cautious, and limiting our interactions with the external world to survival needs. Anything more would be foolish. The effect of the virus has also added new words to our vocabulary, but they are not just words – they symbolise an associated shift in lifestyle:

Self-isolation. Quarantine. Lock-down. Social distancing. Physical distancing. Travel ban. Work from home. School shutdown. Border closure.

What matters is how we are coping with all this. Are we anxious, stressed, panicked and fearful? Or are we going about our daily lives with an attitude of poise and care? Whatever we do will radiate out, affecting others.

COVID-19 is a great equaliser – it does not discriminate according to race, gender, culture, class or nationality. We are all in the same boat, and we will only survive if we are as concerned for others as for ourselves. This tiny virus is already teaching us about generosity of the heart, as we realise the need to be kind and compassionate to everyone.