“I hope you remember my hug while you sit in Quarantine,” said a friend from Maui.
“Of course I will,” I replied almost jokingly, not yet aware of the true meaning behind his words.
Before I left Maui, it seemed like I would be leaving a safe harbor to sail to a dangerous, unknown land, not knowing what would happen on the way, unsure if I would safely arrive at my destination, my Swiss Home. However a beautiful rainbow this morning convinced me that I would bridge the distance from Maui to Switzerland with no impediments. So, I decided to leave.
Indeed, all went well. Tired but safe I reached my home after a long 48-hour trip. Having traveled back and forth between the two countries for a number of years, I know that I metaphorically have to switch a button, since each country is so different. But this time something was really different. The heartwarming embraces I received from my friends, my son and daughter-in-law before leaving Maui, I had taken for granted. I realized that, after arriving in Switzerland, taken aback by the distant posture from my neighbor, even though she picked me up at the train station in the middle of the night.
“We better don’t touch each other,” she explained, seeing my puzzled face. “You know, the virus.”
“Ah, ok, sure I understand,” I replied. Having already experienced a layover in Japan, rated a high-risk country, even if I spent just one night in a hotel room, I was classified as a person of risk and advised to go into quarantine for two weeks. In other words, to stay home, avoiding contact with other people, except for grocery shopping.
What happened in the next few days in Switzerland was drastic. Life went from “business as usual” to a state of emergency. It happened so fast that it gave me the feeling of a passenger in a car where the driver suddenly hits the brakes. Even with “savety buckles” on, you are flung forward, likely causing a whiplash.
Well, in my case, I did wear my “safety buckles” and because of many years of practice felt I was mentally prepared for what might greet me. However, the difference between theory and practice is huge. First day buying groceries was as usual. The next time, the restrictions increased. Then, we received a number at the entrance because only a limited amount of people were allowed in the store. There were barriers to keep people at a distance and certain items were either sold out or restricted, ie. flowers. How sad. To cheer me up I always bought flowers. Fortunately, I was able to get some from a self-pick farmer’s flower field.
We are living in times of Corona. Times are not what they used to be and I think the world might be different by the time this is over.
The second night I was home I had a dream:
I was looking for something. I see a friend of mine who attends my Swiss Hula class. She smiles at me and takes me into her arms to hug me ever so dearly. I am very surprised that she is doing this since it is not advised to touch each other.
Then I go on to look for whatever I am looking for, and I see my meditation teacher. He just stands there and looks on. Then I wake up.
I understand the meaning. How important it is to touch each other, also physically, to hug, embrace and kiss. We humans are social beings. We need social interactions and also physical contact. Deprivation of this is torture. I think I wouldn’t die of the virus, but of loneliness, of isolation. I understand that there are monks in the Himalayan Mountains who live in a cave all by themselves and thrive. Those are exceptions. I am not there yet.
The second part of my dream, where I see my meditation teacher means to me that I should continue to meditate regularly. Studies have shown that good meditation practice has a tremendous effect, especially on older people. And here older doesn’t mean 65+ but older means here 40+! Among other benefits, it brings the meditator into a heart-brain coherent state, into restful alertness. The study shows that meditators have more
- T cells that destroy virally infected cells and tumor cells,
- have more B lymphocytes, which identify and neutralize foreign objects, such as bacteria and viruses and
- have more Natural killer cells, which proved rapid response to virally infected cells and tumor formation,
- as a whole a better immune system.*
So meditation is a perfect remedy in these troubled times. To go into deep silence and stillness with myself is one thing, but how wonderful that I have several circles where we “meet” at a certain time to meditate and to feel our connectedness. We are indeed all in one boat.
Sitting in my apartment, alone, now I understand the full meaning of my friend’s words when he said: “I hope you remember my hug while you sit in Quarantine.”
“Yes, I do!” How precious it has become.
*If you like to read the whole study here is the link: Artikel