Thecuarantena (literally, forty days, also meaning quarantine) is practised in parts of Latin America,
In some traditions the new mom and her new born are not introduce into the world, until 40 days later, is a time of preparation and adjustment for the new life.
Why 40?
Lent’s duration of 40 days reflects other times of trial, testing and hardship that are found in the christian Scriptures:
The story of Noah tells of rain falling on the earth for 40 days and 40 nights.
Both Moses and Elijah fasted for 40 days before beginning their missions.
The Hebrews wandered for 40 years in the desert after leaving Egypt.
It took Joshua’s spies 40 days to search out the promised land and bring back fruit.
Goliath taunted the Israelite army in the morning and evening for 40 days.
Jonah warned the Ninevites they had 40 days until God would overthrow the city.
Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days before beginning his ministry.
Quarentine is a tremendous opportunity to not let pass for granted.
During a pandemic, we can get out of control allowing panic, anxiety and fear take over our life.
In the principles of Ayurveda, if we take care of our mind, by nature, the body will take care of itself. Today, especially with the younger generation that crave connections, there is a fear and panic of being alone. Nowadays, people are having less meaningful interactions due to more digitally spontaneous connections. This pandemic has created feelings of stress and loneliness, including a loss of community than our predecessors have experienced despite technology advances.
David Frawley, an American Hindu teacher and an activist, characterizes quarantine as a “time to embrace the wellness of being”, including,
Feel inner space,
Sleep abundantly
Eat wholesome plant-based nutrition,
Time to breathe deeply,
Connect with nature,
Return to family life,
Connect inwardly with manual work and hobbies,
Enjoy music with nature sounds,
Walk in nature,
Work cooperatively,
Spend time in silence.
Quarantine is an opportunity to quit our exces and to come back to find balance individually and collectively. These days means let go of unwanted:
too much external stimuli.
too much technology,
too much social media,
bad news,
Alcohol
Stimulating substances
Toxic emotions
Emotional Discharge
Quarantine is also an opportunity to Let go of toxic emotions. As 'we heal ourselves we are helping the planet to heal the negative load from all the emotional charge that we collectively pour out to mother earth. Which means:
Let go of Fear,
Let go of Sadness,
Let go of Shame,
Let go of Hatred,
Let go of Jealousy,
Let go of Envy,
Let go of Fury,
Let go of egoism,
Competitiveness – to know that you are enough!
Our collective role is to restore the planet to its natural origins and act cooperatively. During this time of transition is to awaken to a new life; as Maya Tiwari (also called Mother Maya) says, “In this time of healing, remember your prayers and your mantras.”
Practice to offer compassion to yourselves and others:
" Seat quiet in a confortable position focus on the in breath and out-breath
take your left hand on you heart and breath rhythmically.
play special attention to your heart.
Imagine that you breath in and out from your heart.
Slow down your breath making the duraction of the inhale and exhale equal.
Concentrate on the pause between each in-breath and each out-breath
Allow compassion to flood your being, like a full shower of compassion is poured over your face, body, arms and legs and allow the feeling of compassion to be sent to everything and everyone in the universe.
Silently repeat: "May all living beings in the three world be happy,
May all be free of suffering.
The choice is yours!
Resources
Excerpt from Massexplained.com.
NAMA 2020 Conference Ayurvedic Medicine, COVID-19 and Reflections on Spiritual Health Within a Pandemic.
The following material is provided for educational purposes only. Use at your own discretion. If you have a health problem, medical emergency, or a general health question, you should contact a physician or other qualified health care provider for consultation, diagnosis and/or treatment."
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