Coping with Coronavirus

This is a global crisis, meaning that everyone in the world is dealing with this. One of the biggest issues that we will need to face is the loneliness that comes with self-isolation and social distancing. For people who live alone or those who used their social activities as coping methods, this is particularly difficult. One method we can use to cope is mindfulness. The practise we will talk about here aims to help you feel less isolated and more connected to the world.  This practise is called the Web of Life meditation and it uses a script to help melt away the idea that we are all separate.

Web of  Life Meditation

• Check in with yourself. Take a few minutes to see how your mind and body are. Acknowledge these feelings and let it be.
• Start breathing mindfully. Do not try to change how you are breathing, just notice your in breaths and out breaths. 
• Move your attention to where you are sitting or lying. Feel the connection between your body and the chair and its connection to the floor. 
• Become aware of the earth beneath you. The earth below is holding you and keeping you safe. As you meditate the earth will continue supporting you. 
• Think of someone you love being held in the same way. Your loved ones are being held the same way you are. The earth holds all beings with no judgement or discrimination.
• Reflect on how the world holds all beings. No matter the size or their purpose, the earth holds them. Think of how the earth is not alone, we are connected to a solar system and an entire universe. Feel connected to this, our bodies, the earth, the sun and the stars are all composed of the same materials.
• Return your attention to your breath. Again do not try to alter the breathing, just notice your breath going in and out.
• As the meditation comes to an end, allow yourself to wish all beings, including yourself well. You can use the line "May all beings here and everywhere dwell with peace".