Acts of Loving Kindness

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It would be irresponsible for the Wall to ignore the COVID-19 crisis sweeping our world. So let me try to Wall it in. To manifest the primary tenet of Distilled Harmony - Foster Harmony - in a world in which all forms of human contact are frowned upon is, to say the least, tricky. What is more harmonic than a touch, a hug, a kiss? Probably nothing, but apparently we need to try to find some options.

When I think about the various ways in which one can foster Harmony, they all share one characteristic - they are all, in one way or another, acts of loving kindness. Whether we are seeking to create beauty in some artistic medium, clarifying a path to Harmony, or seeking to reduce discord, we are trying to express a love of all mankind and trying to behave in ways that manifest that love.

As we, as a global community, seek confront this bizarre event, it may be somewhat comforting to know that some simple acts of loving kindness are available to us all. First we need to lose the “me first” attitude that tends to permeate much of our competitive culture: We tend to feel that other people need to practice social distancing, other people need to adjust their use of paper products, other people need to stay home and deny themselves the regular company of friends and family. No, it cannot be just other folks, we too need reassess how we carry acts of loving kindness to those around us.

Through my daughter’s Facebook page, I have seen neat, joyful, compassionate activities being devised by and shared among the parents of young children. Also, there has been some excellent outreach in the academic community to keep courses moving along. Art galleries and museums are rushing “virtual rooms” online to bring digital versions of their collections to our various screens. These things that perhaps we should have done have finally come to life because we have to do them. If there is a silver lining to this nefarious covid-cloud, perhaps it is that we will discover and begin to utilize new positive ways of sharing our lives that reach beyond our neighborhoods, cities and states to a truly global village.

Still, there are at least a couple of areas where I remain confused. First, there seems to be some lack of clarity when it comes to family interactions. Some sources say it is good to maintain normal family interactions. But what does “normal family interaction” mean when the “normal family” means a dozen or so people across generations who live in four different houses with ages ranging from 91 to “one’s on the way”? How does “normal family interaction” mesh with social distancing? In this era of COVID-19, does loving kindness lean more toward the emotional comfort of the family, or toward the medical prescription of social distancing? Is a puzzlement! Hopefully ongoing research will guide us through these and other complex issues.

And speaking of complex issues, that older age group, of which I am one, presents it’s own issues. I mean, as cute as Daniel Tiger may be, he doesn’t lend much insight to issues of say, “Retirement in the age COVID-19” or “What sport will make my knees hurt the least?” or “Are there really no good new artists over 60?” Or “What novel do you remember from your own 20-something years that seems to have retained its legitimacy and impact and why?” (OK, I’m a college professor, I can’t help it!) Anyhow, I’m thinking that some digital face-to-face around senior friendly topics could spread a nice bit of loving kindness among the golden set. Perhaps I need to take my own advice here. Your suggestions are most welcome!

So, as we continue to figure out this new reality, we can probably make better decisions about life in general if we remember to foster harmony guided, in all our actions, by the common sense dictates of loving kindness.

Oh, and in closing, I should point out that I think a sense of humor is essential to staying focused on acts of loving kindness.  So - 

A guy walks into a bar.

Bartender: What will you have?

Guy: Gimme a Corona.

Bartender: You sure?

Guy: Positive.

Bartender: Sorry, we can’t serve your kind in here.

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