Teachings for our times - my take on corona and spiritual practice
As well as the constant stream of news about coronavirus, you may also be feeling an overwhelm of well-meaning newsletters with all sorts of advice during this time, so I'll keep this as brief as I can.
I am offering FREE weekly guidance, meditation and sharing sessions at 5pm Central Europe time/6pm Egypt each Thursday - and the sessions will be recorded and available to all to watch later if you're unable to join us live.
Please get yourself set up before we start, and ensure you're comfortable for meditation and gentle yoga. Please also download the Zoom app (if using a mobile device), and check your Zoom settings before the call time - please ensure your audio is working and microphone and video are off to avoid disruption.
Everyone is welcome so please feel free to share this information among your loved ones or anyone you think might benefit from this online community sharing.
Last week, I reflected on our sacred Adi Mantra, the mantra that is said to connect us to the teachings, and the mantra which is the foundation for all of my own personal experiences and teachings in the water:
ONG NAMO : I bow to the infinite creative wisdom of the Universe
GURU DEV NAMO : I bow to the divine teacher within me
What if Corona is the 'infinite creative wisdom of the Universe' doing what she needs to do to rebalance herself? What if, tired of all our talk but no action around last autumn's climate change crisis, on top of years and years of us taking and taking and taking, destroying, depleting, raping and giving nothing back, she decided to take things into her hands and MAKE US ALL LISTEN? Could this be ONG NAMO in action?
It seems that only when the crisis arrives on our own doorstep, in our own homes, that we will actually STOP TALKING AND TAKE ACTION. And there is no denying that it is action, not talk, that is needed these days.
This is where GURU DEV NAMO is important - what is in your heart, what feels like the right, responsible, creative and positive action that you can take during this time? Now you finally have time to REALLY LISTEN, to REALLY HEAR, to REALLY CONNECT with your own inner truth, in the stillness that this crisis brings as an unexpected gift.
You can learn how to chant this incredible powerful mantra to support your daily practice, or simply to bring calm and peace to your heart when you need it, here.
On the global level, please do take the advice of the WHO and your local government to self-isolate - we must each take responsibility for the impact that we have on this situation, the contribution we make to this crisis, either positive or negative.
On the personal level, how can you make this a time of personal change and action? What can you do to both have a positive impact on your community, and in your own life and for those closely connected to you?
Here in Dahab we're calling self-isolation 'home-retreating' which I much prefer - it doesn't imply that we need to distance ourselves socially, just physically. And it invites us to go deep into a personal inner space, one of peace and introspection, finding time for meaningful connection with our own hearts, and our loved ones, using the time we previously filled with hectic running and endless 'doing', to follow creative pursuits, cook delicious and healthy meals, learn a language, practice the ukulele, take long walks with the dogs, and catch up on the pile of inspiring books that have been waiting beside the bed.
There is an absolute abundance of resources online if you want to get on to your mat and go deeper with a yoga or meditation practice. I'm happy to share this 45-minute warm-up flow which is a great way to stay in shape, balanced and healthy, as well as all of my FREE videos on my YouTube channel here.
Finally, I was a bit behind on my communications last week, so for those of you who would like to join that online Home Retreat session too, here is the link : DYD HOME RETREAT : NEUTRAL MIND.
We are very sad to have had to cancel our Magical Encounters Dolphin Retreat, and our April Holistic Freediving programmes. We wait to see what happens, but our priority is your health and safety, and that of the planet, so we appreciate your understanding while the Universe sorts us all out and we do our part to serve her in doing so.
With deep love and infinite ocean hugs