While the global impact of Coronavirus is undeniably a horrendous tragedy, the greatest threat to our life, even today, is definitely not Covid. Last year millions of people in India died from air pollution and millions more from water pollution.

Covid is the silent shout of Mother Earth. As I meditate, I realise that She, much like any exasperated mother, after trying for decades to discipline us into changing our way, has sent us to our rooms, some without any dinner, until we learn our lesson. On Earth Day this year, we led an international Summit where scientists, activists and environmentalists emphasised the essential healing of Mother Earth taking place while we are relegated to our homes.

In a few months or years we will be free from Covid. But then it will be another virus or bacteria, lack of water or climate change waiting to pounce. There is a long queue, sans any social distancing, of threats lining up to wreak havoc upon us unless we change. We cannot go back to normal. We must go forward to a new normal.

In a beautiful irony, that new normal is not actually new to the traditional culture of India, which is rooted in philosophies of oneness, giving, service, selflessness and simplicity. Bharatiya Sanskriti is a culture rooted in teachings of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ ― The world is One family. It is a culture that prays to and for Mother Earth and all beings. It is a culture whose mantras are based on oneness, connection and indivisibility.

Sadhvi  Bhagawati Saraswati

Prior to saying our prayers before meals, we offer a few grains of rice and few drops of water to feed any bird who might be passing by. Our tradition wisely teaches, “Isha vasyam idam sarvam” ― Everything in the universe is pervaded by the Divine. All is Holy. All is Sacred.

Tragically today, development has become synonymous with filling our shelves. My Guru, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji always emphasises, “Don’t focus so much on filling your shelf, but rather, focus on the fullness of your Self.” In the rush to consume and to fill shelf after shelf, we have lost both our connection to our Self and also to Mother Earth.

Mahatma Gandhiji summed up the dilemma beautifully when he said, “What’s the point of that fast speed which has no direction?” Modernity, development, technology, progress give us speed, but our culture and samskaras give us essential direction.

Now, let us move with intelligence and clarity into the open world.

Turn Vegetarian

Here are a few suggestions to ensure that the days of lockdown were not wasted, but that we really internalise the message and the lessons this virus has offered us.

1. Remember we are one, interconnected humanity. Each individual action impacts the world. The days of the illusion of separation are over.

2. Do yoga, meditate, pray, keep your spiritual practice strong. These are incredible immune system boosters, keeping you healthy, strong, mentally and emotionally grounded.

3. Go vegetarian, or even vegan. The meat industry is at the heart of not only the Covid crisis, but climate change, environmental destruction and global hunger.

4. Go organic. Toxic agricultural fertilizers and chemicals pollute our soil, our waterways and ultimately our bodies.

Courtesy: https://www.sadhviji.org/

Sadhvi  Bhagawati Saraswati, a Ph.D in Psychology, raised in an American family in Hollywood, California, was the Managing Editor for the monumental project of the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Her TEDx talk on her journey from “Hollywood to the HolyWoods” was watched by over 287,000 people and the documentary on her life was viewed online by nearly a quarter of a million people. Officially initiated into the order of Sanyas in the year 2000, she has been living at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh for 24 years, engaged in spiritual practice and service.

More Stories by Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati