Episode 72 - Love in The Time of Coronavirus

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This episode is about a very old Buddhist practice called ‘transforming adversity into the spiritual path’ and is intended to give quick relief and peace in these challenging times. Our world has changed so much since the arising of the coronavirus pandemic. We can transform our personal struggles and anxiety into the spiritual path</span> <strong>by cherishing others</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This will bring us inner calm, happiness and solve tension between people.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This practice involves cherishing others in three ways:</span></p> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Making ourselves calm and relaxed for the benefit of others. Practice the relaxing breathing meditation (see instructions below).</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Being mindful of our actions in order to protect those who are at-risk of great suffering from Covid-19.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Cherishing those we are spending most of our time with. In Buddhism love is a verb. We cherish others by behaving in ways and doing things to make them happy or peaceful.</span></li> </ol> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Simple Breathing Meditation to Relax your Body and Mind</span></p> <ol> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Straighten your back comfortably. Rest your hands in the lap. Close your eyes.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Breathe deeply from the diaphragm, feeling your stomach expand.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Breathe out more slowly than you breathe in. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Count during your inhalation, starting at one.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Count during your exhalation, also beginning at