The pandemic invites us to connect with our holistic nature

Date: 27 March 2020 | Author: Edina de Jong – Hodzic

The corona pandemic has changed the world unexpectedly in the last month. We went from a heavy activity state of ‘doing’ into a lock-down state of ‘being’. When we’re faced with adversity and uncertainty, we tend to feel disempowered. In fact, it is during those times that we’re challenged to explore our individual power and leadership. More than ever we’re invited to introspect and explore ourselves in ways we haven’t done before. By doing this we’re inviting inner growth and change. This is beautifully captured in below quote from Viktor Frankl. He was a psychologist, a holocaust survivor and author of the book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ (amongst many other of his books).

When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.

Viktor Frankl

In our today’s reality our physical bodies feel ‘at risk’ and people are looking for ways to maintain their physical activity within their homes, outside in nature and within their minds. We’re more conscious of the food that we eat and the nutrition that we take in. People all over the world are looking for natural ways to strengthen their immune systems through organic foods, plant oils, natural supplements and good sleep. We’re rightfully asking ourselves about what our bodies truly need in this time of physical vulnerability. 

Our mental body is equally impacted. Emotions of fear and despair are fed by various headlines as we tune in to the news from the outside. This period forces us to become conscious of what we think, feel and intent.
It is very common for each of us to feel fear and anxiety during this time, these are normal human emotions. When emotions arise they want to be acknowledged, processed and healed. The intensity of our emotions is driven by our individual beliefs about ourselves on a spectrum from ‘I am not going to get through this’ to ‘This brings opportunity for my growth’. If we choose to connect to the stillness in the outside world (by limiting our engagement to the news and social media) it brings us an unique opportunity to become aware of our thought patterns and to let them go where they don’t serve us. People often forget that our immune system is significantly impacted by our ‘mental state’, meaning that negative thought patterns that drive our negative emotions are directly impacting our physical health through the stress that we’re experiencing. 
TIP: When negative thoughts and emotions take over, acknowledging them is a first and important step. Often our instinctual reaction is to suppress the negative emotion, though this only makes it worser. By acknowledging something we bring it into consciousness and then we can decide how to react to it. Whatever we bring to consciousness doesn’t control us anymore. This is the beginning of inner empowerment.

This period also invites us to connect deeper with others and especially with the people we share our homes with. For some this can feel as a gift and for others as a challenge or both. This time brings an opportunity to explore our archetypal role within our families – the behavioural patterns that we have adopted and to reflect on them. Questions might arise such as: ‘How do I want to express myself within my family?’, ‘Which behavioural pattern doesn’t serve me anymore?’, ‘Which new decisions do I want to make going forward?’ etc. Any relationship and especially the closer ones are a mirror for us to learn something important about ourselves.
TIP: When we ask self exploration questions it’s important to keep them focused on ourselves, not on others. As such, we empower ourselves to take action instead of blaming others and giving our power away.
If we allow ourselves to take this precious time of self-reflection we create new possibilities for growth and steps towards true self-empowerment.

This period can also birth deeper questions about ourselves, our purpose and our place within the bigger universe. I believe that there is a higher truth that today wants to be revealed to us – that despite our age, gender, ethnic background, colour, status, religion we all breathe the same air, drink the same water and walk on the same earth. We are connected and united more than we ever realised. As we start to understand and connect to this reality of connectiveness and unity, we will explore new ways of ‘being’. The feminine expression of ‘being’ (in both women and men) has been disowned by many of us who have lived busy lives, though it is finding it’s way back into our hearts in this time now. By opening up to it, we can share the gift of unconditional love, compassion, care, understanding, intuition, healing and creativity with ourselves and others. This will bring the balance back within ourselves and to the outside world.
TIP: The language that we daily use reveals a lot about our intentions, thoughts and feelings which creates our reality. For example, if you wish for a kind environment pay attention to what you’re sending out through your own words – are they kind?

In times of adversity it can seem that time is standing still, it could be difficult to see a different reality. Though, the nature around us is creating new realities all the time when we pay attention. And we are part of nature. Using nature as a tool can provide you with hope, wisdom and strength. In the northern hemisphere we recently entered a new nature cycle: spring. Spring is characterised by cleaning (physical, emotional), renewal, growth and birth. By choosing to flow with this new cycle of nature you can experience more balance within yourself and in your life.

If there is a personal truth that resonates with me from this pandemic, is that all of us are deeply connected with each other and with nature. We co-exist with everything around us, the trees, the plants, the animals, the insects, the lakes, the sees, the air, the ground, the planets and each other. How do you wish to co-exist?

Please stay healthy in your bodies, minds and souls!