Creating Peace Among Chaos
Unless you live under a rock you have surely been exposed to the rising drama of the COVID-19 virus. The news coverage of this is captivating the world and even if you aren't a TV watcher like I am, the news is unavoidable - just try buying toilet paper at Costco.
A Quick History Lesson
In 1979 Robert G. Jahn, Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and professor of aerospace engineering at Princeton University founded the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) lab. The lab's main focus was studying the impact of consciousness on the physical world, both on an individual scale up to a global scale. The lab conducted experiments for 28 years in hopes to prove that consciousness - especially on a global scale - is influential on the physical world.
Dr. Jahn and his colleagues placed machines in all areas of the world. These machines had one job: to spit out random sequences of numbers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The conclusive research these scientists had seen on a small scale inspired their theory for the outcome of this experiment - when there was a shift in global consciousness, the randomizers would become less random and create sequences based on the frequencies of global consciousness.
What they saw over 28 years was remarkable. Each time there was a global catastrophe or event, there was cohesion between the machines - all in different areas of the world. The data they collected over their nearly 3 decades of research was enough to statistically declare there is in fact conscious influence in physical world results (especially when considering their smaller scale data) AND there is an unexplainable influence over global events - what they call Global Consciousness.
Much of Jahn's research was discarded by the scientific community because it was unexplainable, but because his experiments are reproducible with similar results, I think it's important to remain open-minded about his findings.
We actually don't need science to tell us about Global Consciousness. We already know all of this, we know that when panic ensues, it's very difficult not to get swept away with the crowd and start our spirals of anxiety and worry. We know that when communities and cultures are heavy - we feel heavy. The world enters a different vibration whether it is for a few days or a few years - we know intrinsically when the world shifts.
So if we remain open to the possibilities that a Global Consciousness has the power to change the trajectory of events, it becomes important to take care of our own internal environments so we are not contributing to the chaos that surrounds us.
So how do we remain physically, spiritually, and mentally healthy during low-frequency periods of society? Let's remember that ebb and flow of "good" and "bad" are natural. It is to be expected and let's explore ways to feel whole and centered during the ebbs of life
1. Limit your Information Consumption
Turn of the news, go on a social media fast, and limit conversations with friends or family that thrive off "doom and gloom." I believe we need to stay informed about how a global event impacts our community and families, but there is such thing as "too much information." We have to use discernment while consuming information and decide what is relevant to us and what is not. We can make informed choices without over analyzing the situation and allowing our thoughts to take over our reality. Everyone will need different information, give yourself the grace to take what you need and leave the rest for others.
2. Get grounded
I didn't know the importance of grounding until I started a consistent yoga practice and now it is one of the most valuable tools I have while navigating life. It's so important to remain grounded in the present moment. I have a great little trick I use when I start to feel overwhelmed in a situation - centering with the five senses.
Take a deep breath and name:
one thing you can see
one thing you can hear
one thing you can touch
one thing you can smell
one thing you can taste
Keep running through this exercise, being more specific with each round until you have arrived in the present moment and know that you are safe. It's a wonderful little trick that doesn't look as funny as my favorite grounding technique, Nadi Shodhana breathing.
3. Strengthen your connection to yourself.
During this particular time of worry, where our heath is at the forefront of our thoughts, take extra care of your physical, mental, and spiritual bodies. They are most vital when they are all in synch and working together. Learn to listen to each part of yourself and give yourself the rest, nourishment, movement, and stimulus that you need. When our thoughts and energy are aligned, our physical body reflects health, healing, and happiness.
4. Give yourself permission to say no.
Protecting your health is important and we cannot hope to be a beacon of light during these times if we ourselves are running on empty. Give yourself the opportunity to serve where you can, and be honest about where you cannot.
5. Remember there are sanghas dedicated to healing the vibration of the earth.
All around the world there are Buddhist monks and nuns who's lives are dedicated to meditations of healing the world we live in. They run their meditations 24/7 - 365 and I often think of them as an anchor when we start to spin out of control during times like these. When you feel overwhelmed, visit them in your minds eye and allow their hope and dedication to spread through you, so you may spread it to the rest of the world with them.
Wishing you full health and vitality.
Metta,
Lindsay
