The word “spiritual” has long been associated with religion, but it is only indirectly related to theology and/or faith. “Spirit”, in contemporary terminology, usually means the nonphysical or energetic part of a human being. While most religions seek to be spiritual, our spiritual connections are not limited to religion.
We know that one of the main differences between matter and energy is that matter separates while energy connects. So, the word “spiritual” can best be understood and defined as anything that connects us deeply to one another, to non-human beings and/or to something greater than ourselves. This connection is spiritual because it is based on compassion, empathy, acceptance and heartfelt understanding, a bond that goes beyond the ordinary to something where the “other” is almost like a part of ourselves.
We already use the word this way. Many of us describe lots of non-religious experiences as “spiritual”; things like communing with nature, listening to music, interacting with our children, grandchildren, and pets. One of the great benefits of meditation is that it can lead to deep and even ecstatic connection with all of creation. Religion is spiritual because most religions seek a deep connection with God. I’ve heard people describe rock concerts as spiritual experiences, and I agree. Everyone is enjoying an incredible high from listening to live music with tons of other people all feeling the same way. This fits the definition perfectly.
Why is the coronavirus spiritual?
Ironically, one of the most important aspects of duality is that the lack of a thing often highlights its importance. The coronavirus is forcing us to separate, one from another. If we want to remain safe and make sure our friends and loved ones are safe, we must isolate ourselves from them. In order to do this, we must drastically change our daily routines, slow down and really take stock of what is important in our lives. And when we do, we realize that the most important thing in all our lives is connection.
Pre-crisis our culture has left at least half of all humans on the planet exposed to physical danger through economic ruin (no food or shelter, and in the case of the US, no healthcare), with no social safety net to take of care of them if a crisis occurs.
One important benefit of connection is the empathy and compassion it brings. The coronavirus is exposing not only the vulnerability of the lower half of the economic ladder, but the need not only to take care of them physically (healthcare) and financially (a living hourly wage, for example), but offer them a more appreciated role in our culture. When the economy shuts down and life as we’ve known it comes to a halt, the most important workers are not CEOs, but people like garbage collectors, shelf stockers and artists.
There is evidence that this realization is already happening and is already changing people.
In the last week, my Facebook feed has lit up with tons of posts with ideas about how to connect, reach out and help everyone through this crisis. Musicians and actors are live-streaming music, singalongs and theater productions, artists are offering online tutorials, business people are offering suggestions about how to help those who are losing their jobs, restaurants are offering take-outs or even giving away free meals or supplies that they now do not need and cannot use.
There are many posts about how to sew face masks to help ease the shortages, and famous chefs are sharing their recipes to inspire us to be creative in our food preparation. There are many, many humorous and inspirational stories about people coming up with creative and innovative ways to enjoy life, solve problems, and reach out. In addition, there are many online groups forming to help health care workers those that are most affected economically.
However, social media can also spread fear, scams, conspiracy theories, nasty behavior and other efforts to separate us. Please remember, we do not have to be subjected to this content because we can choose what we see. Fear separates, and is even more contagious than the virus. We can keep ourselves safe from this contamination by eliminating or unfollowing feeds that promote this attitude, and choosing positive content instead.
Television and news outlets are also highlighting inspirational stories and creative ways of meeting this crisis. They are, as well, drawing attention to the negative extremes that fear can bring on; things like shaming and bullying Asian and infected people, and hoarding supplies.
But there are also reports that the people who are practicing greed and nastiness are being socially and financially shamed on social media and by reactions both personal and public. There is public outrage over hoarding and bullying, retailers are now refusing to refund money to those who bought more than they need, and online sellers are refusing to sell needed items for more than their worth, forcing hoarders to donate their stash.
While there are plenty of news stories (as well as pandemic, post-apocalyptic and violent movies) that generate fear, anxiety and promote conspiracy theories, it is again our choice as to whether we watch or listen to them. We can choose to separate out of fear, or we can choose to connect by calling on our better angels (and we all have them).
We are coming together spiritually (connecting energetically) on a global basis because we are all in this together. We are all facing the same danger, and this danger knows no racial, ethnic or economic boundaries. The only difference is the competence, foresight and wisdom of the governments of individual countries.
We are coming together as communities, reaching out to our friends and extended families by any safe medium, and working together to protect and help those most vulnerable both in health and economics.
We are coming together as families. Being stuck at home with a spouse and kids can be a deeply spiritual time, or it can drive you crazy. For most, it will probably be both. But hopefully we can all use this time for real physical, emotional and spiritual connection with those we love most, even though we might have to work at it.
And then there is the connection with self. We can take this time to really connect with the deepest part of ourselves, the part that knows we don’t have to be perfect, the part that appreciates us for doing the best we can, and forgives when we mess up. We can take this time to learn and practice compassion, forgiveness and love for ourselves. It may seem strange to some, but when we learn to love and connect deeply with ourselves, our compassion and understanding of others also increases.
The corona crisis is a spiritual crisis because all crises present us with crucial choices. For decades, our culture has promoted a culture of separation on many levels. Now, because we are forced to separate physically, we can choose to come together spiritually, and this choice will change the world.
You can learn more about the energy realm in my book, “It’s All About Energy: Adventures in Expanded Reality”, found on Amazon, and on my website, www.transformationalexpansion.com.