Post-COVID-19 outlook: Grim or proper?

Post-COVID-19 outlook: Grim or proper?

“As a Buddhist, I believe in the principle of impermanence. Eventually, this virus will pass, as I have seen wars and other terrible threats pass in my lifetime, and we will have the opportunity to rebuild our global community as we have done many times before. I sincerely hope that everyone can stay safe and stay calm. At this time of uncertainty, it is important that we do not lose hope and confidence in the constructive efforts so many are making.” ~Dalai Lama

These words are inspiring to me not only because I share the Buddhist philosophy of impermanence but also because I believe moving forward with hope and optimism is important to successfully navigating the uncertainty we are in. 

The irony is that I was basically a pessimist when I was a kid. When I read my writing from middle school (thanks for saving that stuff Mom! Geesh…), I’m struck with how little I thought of the future world I’d find myself in today. 

At the time, I would chalk it up to hormonal angst and existential crisis seeking freedom from not only boredom, but also that trapped feeling of living into an almost certain future that I did not like. The idea I’m getting at here is captured well in the movie Dead Poets Society (1989) for those that need a(nother) movie pick to get through COVID-19 quarantine.

Despite the odds, we need to move forward. 

Indeed, to effectively change the odds we need to take action. At any moment in time, we can draw a logical cause and effect line to a dismal future. But we can also do that same exercise, with slightly different inputs, and arrive at a positive future. The difference is in how we act and the decisions we make leading up to that point in time. That’s why I am constantly asking people what they are going to do about it. Essentially, I’m asking “will you choose love?” 

I say, ignore the forecasters!

While there are many people that using this as an opportunity to predict the future, many of us have our heads down and are already getting to work. What will the new environment be like? Who do we want to support and be supported by? Who can we trust to have our best interests in mind? Who will we play the next round of this game with?

Listen, we can fall back into our old patterns and live in the same world we did yesterday, which will almost certainly result (see what I did there?) in another pandemic experience. OR we can make different choices. We can choose to live in alignment with the Will of Nature, which is balance, and the Will of God, which is unity. Through these choices, we will discover peace and love.

I wouldn’t be a process of discovery if we knew for sure what would happen, it would instead be an almost certain future. Which road will you choose?

Radio Show Debut! Shifting Consciousness | Thomas Chavez

Radio Show Debut! Shifting Consciousness | Thomas Chavez

Hello, everyone!

 

We just launched our new podcast radio show, where we interview spiritual teachers, healers, and community voices. Each person has a unique perspective on spiritual growth, wellbeing, and the emerging paradigm.

 

For our first podcast, we interviewed Thomas Chavez, the author of Body Electronics: Vital Steps for Physical Regeneration and Cofounder of The Compass Way. Thomas was one of Oregon’s most prominent naturopaths, and has been on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual investigation for much of his life.

 

During this interview, Thomas discusses the power each of us has to choose our own state of consciousness. It is a myth that we are prisoners of our minds and emotions. In a matter of moments, with conscious intention, we can shift our operating angle.

 

There are 3 main divisions of human consciousness:

 

  • Self-Protection, the state of fear and aggression
  • Getting Along, the state of social adaptation and tension
  • Grace, the state of expanded awareness and flow

 

Through vivid memory, we can tap into any state of consciousness, particularly Grace. Most people have experienced one event or another in their lives when they felt boundless love, earth-shattering awe, fathomless peace, or divine joy. The key is to recall, as clearly as possible, such an experience and bring it to your awareness as if you were living it now.

 

Thomas distinguishes between 2 types of Grace: Disembodied and Embodied. Disembodied Grace is pure, diffusive being. There are no limits, borders, or confines. It is nebulous. Embodied Grace is being centered in your body, as a unique personality, while still accessing the Sacred. You are conscious and engaged in mundane activities, yet in tune with an aspect of Divinity.

 

To listen to the podcast, please click here.

 

You can find Thomas’s books on Amazon and can visit his website at www.thecompassway.com.