Life is one word that comes with multiple meanings and experiences. Above all, life is not just about existence but also about how an individual defines that existence.
Almost every day of everyone’s life is an experience. Every new experience influences a person’s way of looking at life.
Thus, there cannot be one single way in which one can look at life, consequently there cannot be one single meaning and purpose one might find to one’s life. Life is not the same for everyone. Life is the journey of Living. We live, we lead our life and we die. In doing so, we try to give shape to our lives. In past years I have been thinking how do experiences shape someone’s life? I believe experiences are episodes that changed the outlook of an individual, and these in turn shape a person’s life. Covid-19 emerged in March 2020 spreading fear and panic not only through our community but through the entire world. Villages, towns, cities, nations, everyone felt the fear of this pandemic. People took all possible measures and precautions to protect themselves following strict lockdown, maintained personal hygiene and that of the surroundings.
My family and I did the same, but somehow the virus came inside. On 26th April 2021, my father started showing symptoms of covid-19. As we knew about India’s second wave challenges and complications, my father immediately decided to quarantine himself. To be honest when I saw my father showing covid-19 symptoms I was in shock and my whole body went cold.
As my mother was helping father to settle in the quarantine room, I took a walk in my garden calming and preparing myself mentally, physically and getting ready emotionally. In a moment I got a voice command from inside: Do not panic. My heart was racing, my mind was flooded with different questions and answers. That very moment I stood still, looked up into the sky, and my eyes could pierce the sky above, reaching out to the stars hidden behind.
My stars: my Gurus. I could feel their presence inside me as strength, energy and light guiding me through the darkest forest of my mind. Gathering myself I came inside and told my mother that there is nothing to worry about.
Mantra was our strength during covid times. I started chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra at night and continued chanting the entire night. As I was chanting the mantra I could feel my aura getting stronger and stronger. We were following the covid-19 protocol strictly yet I started showing covid symptoms the next day, and was followed by my mother the day after.
We started taking proper medication as prescribed by the doctor. I can say we were so weak yet we held each other’s hands, supporting and taking care of each other. After two weeks we started feeling better and the covid-19 symptoms started to fade away.
Covid-19 has given us the opportunity to find ourselves again. Many of us who were so busy before, have slowed down. Each day is unique when you live one day at a time. Putting all our energy into it, knowing that a divine force guides us, we now have time to feel the blessings and recognize new opportunities in the quietness.
The pandemic has affected people of all walks of life, every religion, country, and every person in one or the other way. We are One. These times have given many of us a different lens with which we can see the world and know that each day is precious.
Being more spiritually aware gives us hope, hope amidst the pain and suffering. Getting through these testing times will require a lot of spiritual innovation. We can offer support to those who are fearful by praying for them and be the light to others who need our help. This has aroused the spirit of union of head, heart and hands as we all unite as a family.
To sum up, the reality of covid-19 has also shown us how fragile we are regardless of how developed we are as human beings. We ask ourselves, who we are? What is our purpose? Where are we going? The answers to such questions only come when we get in touch with our inner self, and search for ways to come together in spirit and in solidarity.