An Uninvited Teacher

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make NOW the primary focus of your life”

Eckhart Tolle from the book The Power of Now

Teachers come in different forms in our life. Some walk on two legs into our classroom and some storm into our lives uninvited. Any situation or circumstances, challenging, heart breaking or disturbing, teaches us something, provided we are open to contemplation. Recent outbreak of corona epidemic is, such an uninvited teacher in all our lives. The question is are we learning?

Life as we know has completely been disrupted. A few months back if someone would have told me the whole world would shut down soon, I would have laughed it off (wouldn’t you have too?) But today what we are seeing is one of those apocalyptic movies coming to life in a horrible way. So here we have a teacher too tiny to be seen by naked eye but boy! is he being felt or what?

A small detour into what it has done… thousands dead, millions infected, and remaining are shut indoors. Forget the economy, basic life the breathing, joyful thinking life has been shut in four walls. Every eye looks worried, everyone is panicking, u hardly hear a smile when one talks across phone lines. My heart goes out to all the healthcare workers and other professionals who have to continue to work. To those who are having chronic illness, pregnant women or bed ridden loved ones, to those who are shut out on country borders, to homeless who have no home to stay in, to those who did not even get a chance to say bye before or after their death due to corona. Think about the various circumstances people were caught in when corona hit them.

The first lesson I learnt was it’s a great equalizer. Across nations, across disputed boundaries, across economic divides, across cultures and religions it has spared none. So, what does that tell us. The ultimate truth is we are all mortal souls made of flesh and bones nothing more and nothing else in the eyes of nature. Nature gives everyone everything equally. Every other distinction has been created by us human beings and human beings alone.

Secondly, how the best and worst of human nature comes out under trying circumstances. While some choose to hoard, ignore safety of others (and continue to spread the virus when they should have sat at home), become aggressive on the very professionals who are putting their lives on the line for us (including police force). There are those who show the best in human nature, working tirelessly in lab, in hospitals, in research units, in essential supply chains, on roads to keep the disease at bay. They choose generosity and open their heart and pockets for the greater good of mankind. There are those who have given free access to potentially good websites for the benefit of children / students locked up at home. Which side are you on ?

The stay at home has opened eyes of people to their personal life situation; happy or sad ; and forced one to look deep into it and realize ultimately you need loved ones around , not money, not latest car (sitting in parking lot right now), not even gold / property…Funny weren’t these the very things we were after just few weeks ago?

It has taught us to be self-dependent. There are no maids, cooks, gardeners and fleet of other helpers coming home. It’s time to relearn the basic survival skill of cooking. You will be surprised how many people depend on take out these days. We must know how to keep our own homes clean, wash our own clothes. Sounds silly, but think about it have we taught our kids these survival skills while paying lakhs for their education?

 It has taught how fickle life is. Its nothing but a house of cards. There are some who still believe nothing will happen to them, this virus cannot affect them, how we live in a foolish fantasy. In a matter of seconds life can change. A single test result can do that. A single life lost, of a dear one can do that. Have we bothered to disengage from the mad rush of money, fame, success, quick entertainment, quicker food, and paused to look with in?  Are we using this time to connect with our family and kids, connect with ourselves or mindlessly gorging internet?

I noticed that the nature is finally taking a break from all the human over activities, indulgence and interference. As I go for morning walks regularly I observe nature a bit more closely. I wrote of its marvels before especially the birds I see. I miss my morning walks dearly. After the great amazon fire, Australian bush fires and so many named and unnamed human atrocities on nature I see the animals both at land and sea happy. You can finally breathe unpolluted air in some of the most polluted cities. Don’t these animals have equal right on the resources of mother nature like the social animal: man ?

While countries are spending billions in building walls, pumping up their defence budgets, getting the best that money can buy. Are they sanctioning enough funds to research and healthcare ? In the 21^st century isn’t it shameful that we are unable to provide access to good healthcare for all. Hasn’t this COVID19 horror exposed our Achilles heel? While, we demand for so many things from our governments have we stressed on need for equal access to best of healthcare for all?

Above all, I am more thankful than ever before. Thankful that I have a home to stay in surrounded by loved ones. That all my near and dear ones are safe. That I have access to food, water, electricity and internet. I am sure all of us have our own list too. So whether you are a believer or an atheist shouldn’t we all spare a moment and acknowledge the grace that we are having in our lives right now ?

Lots of lessons from this uninvited teacher, that each of us will understand and scrutinize it from our own paradigms. I am hopeful that this is not the end of the world. Please do pray or if you are an atheist wish well for those infected, as there is a undeniable power to positive thinking.

Time and again in history of humankind such storms have come and somehow human race has survived. We didn’t come this far for no reason. The human intellect, the human will to survive, the fighter within us will come through. It will be at a heavy price, some very deep scars, but hope the light will shine through the clouds. I hope the human spirit thus renewed will slow down a bit, enjoy the subtle things, appreciate the love of loved ones and move forward in a more responsible way.

It would be an enriching experience for all of us if you could share your experience and lessons learnt through these trying times in the comment section and share the post with your loved ones . Thank you.

Stay safe, god bless you all .