The Pandemic and Our Practice
We thought it would be useful to see how members of the
sangha were responding to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Many
of our sangha members have used the pandemic to actually deepen their
practice. Here is what a sample of sangha members had to say about
various aspects of the pandemic and their practice.
Softening with sitting practice
When the pandemic began, I found myself feeling quite
restless during my meditation practice. I couldn't sit still or stop the thoughts
from flooding my mind. My practice reflected back to me a sense of anxiety
that I had been trying to avoid. It woke me up to what I was truly feeling
inside and then I used my practice to cultivate a sense of ease. My sitting
practice allowed me to become emotionally aware and then use this awareness to
soften; to sit in stillness, breathe, and trust that everything is going to be
okay.
-- Alexandra Sredni
Musings on the Pandemic
I’m grateful to be alive during this pandemic. At times it
is profoundly sad and I am happy to know the depths and connection within that
sadness. It has stretched me. I want to help. That, in itself, is a gift.
-- Susan Calza
Helpful things that have supported my practice during the pandemic
Book group and discussions keep me focused and connected. It
seems more than a Zoom connection with our discussions. Plus, I love seeing
everyone's faces. Work sessions at the
temple were also helpful. I have helped three times at Shao Shan from picking
up sticks to cloistering temple apple trees with straw. I feel I am connected
to soul and place for the present and future. Recently, I met up with four sangha
members to Zoom the Zazenkai. Ahhh, so good to sit with the presence of others.
-- Heather Kralik
What
sustains me during the pandemic
Stop, look, listen, and smell. The weekly Independent Practice Project
sustains me.
-- Susan Stitely
Suggestions for surviving the pandemic
Breathe deeply, often. Fully appreciate, LOVE the breath.
Every so often, pause and focus on a couple of breaths. Limit the news
feed, don’t fall into a rabbit hole of horror. Keep opening to others’
suffering, practice Tonglen. Wide-open empathy. Then let it go. The belief that
we are separate is false. We are all struggling with many similar issues.
Stay with the present moment, as opposed to falling into fear of what might
happen in the future. Sit on the fine line between hope and hopelessness.
-- Julie Hand
Lessons from the pandemic
I truly believe that COVID has come to us as a message from
the spiritual realm. I would not claim to know what it’s supposed to teach us
exactly, but I have an inkling that it has to do with slowing down and paying
attention to the here and now. As we had fewer options to go shopping and
getting our hair done, there was perhaps the lesson that I need less stuff than
I think I do. Perhaps I learned that if I consume less and give away more, I
can pay attention to the here and now. We were reminded to be grateful to our
essential workers. Before the crisis most people wouldn’t have thought of being
grateful for these types of services. Expressions of gratitude are something we
practice as Sangha members. The current crisis encourages more kindness in our
society at large.
-- Clara Bruns
Help from the
Independent Practice Project and daily meditation
I found Shao Shan’s independent practice projects helpful,
even though I did not ever join in the discussions because the times were not
good for me. But I often thought about the projects during the week and
tried to be mindful of what they were asking us to do. I also found it helpful to meditate online with a group from the Barre Center for
Buddhist Studies. Every morning, including weekends, from 10:30 until
about 11:15 they have a guided meditation with teachers Bill and Susan Morgan
called Bridging the Physical Distancing
Divide.
-- Priscilla Fox
Taking Refuge
The daily regular messages from Shao Shan Temple that
include short suggestions for practice as well as information about activities
to join. Phone contacts with sangha friends, sharing practice
experiences, including stuck places, and humor. Readings from Buddhist sources and of
course, daily sittings. Early morning
walking/running/swimming, usually accompanied by silent and short mantra - Namu
Kie Butsu.
-- Judy Harden
Nature knows no
pandemic
Bee-balm for bees, zazen for do-nothings: never forget.
-- Scott Fields
Online programming at
the temple
My experience of turning back in to my home life during the
pandemic months helped me make some major changes that will benefit me in years
to come. The pandemic helped me realign with my practice at home and at the temple. The programs, especially the independent
study option, were invaluable, and life changing during this time. They played
an important role in my spiritual groundedness during a time when it feels like
a rug is being pulled out from under us.
-- Donna O’Malley
May all beings be
happy
Because of the restrictions placed on our social behavior as
a result of the pandemic, I found that I was unable to assist others in the
usual ways that friends and neighbors typically do during difficult times. This was frustrating for me. At Taihaku’s suggestion, I filled that gap by
intensifying my mediation practice focusing on the intention that all beings be
happy. Doing lovingkindness and Tonglen
meditation practices helped me feel both a connection to others and a sense of
service.
-- Max Schlueter
