Social Distancing - A New Self Care Mantra ?
Social distancing - the new self care mantra is not really new. Lord Krishna has cautioned us in many ways in the scriptures to distance ourselves from predators. Why predators you might ask? One meaning of predators is “those that exploit others”. Social distancing is the new self care mantra, as we can protect this human body and mind from the predators of this world by doing so.
Currently we are in a situation where social distancing is a must unless we want to acquire this potentially, deadly virus. Generally, humans are the predators who have been exploiting other humans, animals of all species, and nature itself. But somehow, by the will of providence, the tables have turned. The Coronavirus is the predator and we are the prey. The virus is looking for a host. If we fall prey to our enjoying mentality then we become the prey for the Coronavirus.
Lord Krishna also teaches us that whomsoever or whatever we associate with, we become that. Our thinking, the finer threads of the mind, get influenced by that which you spend most time with. We actually build samskaras based on what we see, hear, eat and experience through our senses. If in this very life we plan to advance spiritually and don’t get a grasp on our association, then it is not possible to reach the lotus feet of Krishna. Or said simply, monkey-see monkey-do. Whatever we see others do, we imitate and do the same. Very rare will we be the person who doesn’t get influenced. The less we associate with worldly minded people, extravagant food, cinemas, shopping malls, etc. the better we shall be. Not to say we should never go out again, but the means of entertainment has to change. This is not entertainment anymore.
In this world of duality, there are two things you can do: serve materialism or serve spiritualism. That is serve Maya, the illusory energy of the Lord, or serve Lord Krishna. Both are not possible. Since we are in this material world, we can use the material things in service of Krishna and we can make the best use of a bad bargain. Here Lord Krishna gives the first social distancing advice. He tells us in Bhagavad Gita 2.62
dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ
saṅgas teṣūpajāyate
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ
kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyateTranslation
While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.
One who is not Kṛṣṇa conscious is subjected to material desires while contemplating the objects of the senses. The senses require real engagements, and if they are not engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, they will certainly seek engagement in the service of materialism....One who is not, therefore, in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, however powerful he may be in controlling the senses by artificial repression, is sure ultimately to fail, for the slightest thought of sense pleasure will agitate him to gratify his desires.
Source
Here He mentions saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ, meaning association with the objects of the senses causes feeling of attachment and lust. So He advises us to distance ourselves from these objects of the senses. If we always want to be out of the house with an enjoying mentality then we can never progress in our spiritual life. The home should be our sacred space where we are far removed from these objects of lust and surrounded with things that lift us up spiritually. Social distancing should become the norm, incorporated in our lives just like brushing our teeth, as part of our self care routine.
When you release the lower taste of material enjoyment, the higher taste of spiritual enjoyment in association with the Lord will take over. This process is achieved by the chanting of the holy names. It seems to be a bitter medicine at first but the sweet taste comes after several doses. This sweet taste is such that it relieves the enjoying tendencies we have to enjoy anything separately from Krishna.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare