Coronavirus Presents A Golden Opportunity for Inner Peace and Unity

In 1959, when John F. Kennedy exclaimed that the Chinese word for crisis meant danger plus opportunity, he was speaking at the convocation of the United Negro College Fund. Later these words by President Kennedy were corrected about the true meaning of the symbols, but this side note in no means diminishes the power of what he was trying to convey.

President Kennedy was talking about the opportunity in that time of crisis, to create a greater freedom for all Americans.

We once again are at a crossroad in history and how we respond practically, intellectually, emotionally and philosophically will determine not only how safe and healthy we are physically, but how safe, healthy and well will be mentally. It will determine if we as individuals and as a society squander this golden opportunity.

In this time of crisis we are called upon to capitalize on the opportunity for greater health, deeper states of inner peace and greater unity. We will need to call upon all of these to flourish in the days, months and years to follow.

Today there seems to be widespread panic. Entire sports leagues are suspending their seasons. People are binge buying, of all things, toilet paper, and in record numbers. The paper goods aisle at the local grocery store resembles a blood in the water, killer shark feeding frenzy on a Jaques Cousteau television special. And then there’s the stock market.

On Monday March 9, 2020 when the closing bell rang on Wall Street, the 123-year-old Dow Jones logged a 2,014 point drop, its largest in history, which equates to a 7.79% decline. This marked its 11th-steepest single-day decline, as well as the second biggest, in percentage terms, since 1987. To date this equates to a $6 trillion loss in global value in the markets globally this week.

This brings me to something that struck me as very interesting this week. When talking to my more financially successful clients about what was going on. Most held the same calm demeanor. One stating, “A lot of people are going to get really rich after this.”

Opportunity!!!

Hmmm…this seemed slightly counter intuitive. Yet, very understandable. When the masses are in panic the calm from KNOWING brings out ones confidence. The confidence to capitalize on this opportunity hidden in plain sight from the panicked masses.

And then I came across a quote from one of the most successful investors of all time Warren Buffet who recommends in times like these that we “Go Shopping.” One of his most telling quotes is, “When major declines occur they offer…extraordinary opportunities to those who are not handicapped by debt.”

That’s right “extraordinary opportunities!” I’m going to assign myself the role here as the Warren Buffet of inner peace. Let’s morph that Buffet phrase to fit our most current need. A sincere sense of unconditional positive regard for our fellow humans and a unshakeable feeling of inner peace and calm knowing that the Universe ultimately is unfolding as it should on our behalf if only we can see it. 

Now let’s change Mr Buffets phrase to meet that end and change it to, “When major declines (crisis) occur they offer…extraordinary opportunities to those who are NOT handicapped by FEAR.”

Fear leads us into stress and stress leads us into all types of mental and physical malaise.

In his open letter to society entitled, An Important Message – Coronavirus: Do Not Fear the Bogeyman  Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D. reminds us of perhaps the most important aspect of our current malaise. Stress!

”As presented in The Biology of Belief, stress is responsible for up to 90% of illness, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. When an individual is in stress, the release of stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) shuts down the immune system to conserve the body’s energy for running away from the perceived stressor, that proverbial “saber-toothed tiger.” Stress hormones are so effective at compromising the immune system, that physicians therapeutically provide recipients of organ transplants with stress hormones to prevent their immune system from rejecting the foreign implant.”

Dr Lipton goes on to conclude, “The conclusion is clear: The fear of the coronavirus is more deadly than the virus itself!”

I am in no way condemning the helpful information that is available out there in the media because there is quite a bit of facts to help prevent the rapid spread of the Corona Virus. I am whole heartedly a proponent of using this information to keep us all physically safe.

Wash your hands frequently, practice safe social precautions by staying 3-feet away from individuals, resist the temptation to touch your face after touching objects and conform to any of the restrictions designed to prevent the mass spread of this virus in our society.  Perhaps most importantly take special precautions for those elderly persons in your life that are most vulnerable to serious illness if they come in contact with the virus.

At the same time take some extra time with your mindfulness and meditation practice to nurture your own mental health. Talk to someone knowledgeable about your concerns and by all means reach out to your family and friends to make sure they are doing ok. Find a way to be helpful if by no other way by offering hope and calm to those who may be quietly counting on you for support and a reason to believe that in the end everything will be ok.

So, what are you going to commit yourself to in these coming weeks? The cultivation of your own inner sense of wellbeing and being a beacon of hope and peace to others. Or will you succumb to the fears that are being thrust upon you of a bleak future conjured up in your own mind and stoked by a well-meaning if not opportunistic media.

John F Kennedy, closed his poignant speech with a quote from, Woodrow Wilson: “We must neither run with the crowd nor deride it – but seek sober counsel for it – and for ourselves.”

Gently embrace your calm by turning within to your peaceful center and make it a priority. Then, as you feel your own inner peace deepen share it to everyone you can.  For world peace begins right there where you currently sit. It is you that makes all the difference.

Read the entire Kennedy speech here;

https://www.jfklibrary.org/archives/other-resources/john-f-kennedy-speeches/indianapolis-in-19590412

I also, posted the Bruce H Lipton, PH.D. full letter on the Inner Peace Today Facebook Page