Svastha News March

Staying calm

These days I stop sometimes and think that this whole situation feels like taken from some catastrophe movie, isn't it? Who of us (in this part of the world) had experienced or imagined anything like this? A few weeks ago we observed what was going on in China from a (safe?!) distance, last week we discussed whether the Bundesliga should be played in front of empty ranks and now we (in Bavaria) are sitting alone in the house or with family and are thinking about where we can get the next toilet paper rolls;).

What does such an exceptional situation do to us? Most of us are probably trying to understand by gathering information. That is a good thing in itself. There are many channels that have something to say about Corona. 'Experts' do not always come to the same conclusion and the big questions evolve around the risks related to Corona infestions and the measures to be taken. Whether these measures are put in place too early, too late or unnecessarily. And what are the consequences for the psyche, physique, rule of law etc. Here I do not want to add to the cacophony of opinions, rather, I would like to highlight what happens to our minds in this situation and how we can keep our composure.

In India, there is the Bhagavaghita, an epic in which the wisdom of the Vedas has been woven into a story. It's about a warrior who is faced with a difficult decision in the middle of the battlefield. In talks with his charioteer, who is actually the god Krishna, he overcomes his fears in the crisis and remains clear and able to act.

Fear and worry paralyze us. Thoughts ineffectively revolve around the same things, we lose our inner center, do not know what is right. If our fear is further nurtured, it can even somatize, i.e. show bodily symptoms.

The Bhagavaghita says: "The only source of light that never goes out or goes down is the light of the heart that is present in every person." (Bhag. 13.17, from R. Sriram "Wish you everything ...").

In our yoga lessons we often think about the heart space 'Hrdhaya', we focus on it behind the closed eyelids, listening to our breath. This exercise often feels like coming home to ourselves. We feel how breath and thought movements slow down. We let go of stress and a sensation of free space arises from inside.

This practice restores our nervous system, resplenishes our mind. Such a refreshed mind remains calmer and more serene. This mind is in a better place to find out when to take which action that is most sensible for us and our sourroundings. Now that our lives are changing so rapidly and we have given up control over things that before were under our control, we need a clear and calm mind and find an anchor in ourselves.

Make it a habit to sit still maybe once a day. Touch your heart (hrdhaya) with your hands, close your eyes and bring your attention to where you feel your fingers. Allow yourself to just be for 12-24 breaths. Notice what is. Sometimes time 'stops' and you just stay longer. Sometimes you want to incorporate simple exercises. You will experience a wonderful break and emerge refreshed from it. With htis small practice you can nourish and strengthen yourself. You have control over that and this you will not lose.