Episode 73: THE COVID-19 CRISIS: LEARNING AND GROWING STRONGER IN FEARFUL TIMES

04/25/20 • 57 min

We continue in our "extraordinary reality" of the COVID-19 pandemic, the daily experience of possible death, illness, and financial uncertainty. How can we best deal with our fears? Will we give in to debilitating fear or will we channel our fear into healthy, self-preserving attitudes and activity? By being open and vulnerable about our situation, neither avoiding or pretending, we can get help and learn how to manage ourselves and our emotions and take positive action. As the experience of being able to survive and get through a crisis becomes more familiar, we become more confident and resilient in facing future adversity.

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Episode 72: THE COVID-19 CRISIS: TIME TO LOOK AT THE TANGIBLES VERSUS THE INTANGIBLES"

We remain in the critical initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, living in survival mode. We need to stay aware, in our "extraordinary reality", of the possible buildup of negative emotions of fear and panic which can cloud our perspective and even threaten our physical health. Victor Frankl's values - productive work, love for others, and courage - can guide us to reach out and help others. These times can teach us, if we let them, to begin to lessen our focus on the "tangibles" - money, job security, material possessions - and embrace the "intangibles" - our relationships with those we love, compassion and empathy for others, and our individual spiritual practice.

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Episode 74: THE COVID-19 CRISIS: THE VALUE IN FACING OUR MORTALITY

Beneath the fear of illness or death that we feel during the COVID-19 pandemic - whether we acknowledge it or not - is the fear of our own mortality. Some of us may die as a result of the coronavirus, but we will all die sometime. Spiritual practices of the past have included ways to prepare for and accept the end of life. People sometimes believe a quick and painless death is preferable. These old spiritual practices, however, acknowledge the value of having time to get ready to relinquish life and loved ones. With honesty and a willingness to accept our mortality, we can realize what is really important in life and stop worrying about the things that don't matter. We can let go of pride and see the real, lasting value of love, empathy, and helping others.