Isolation For The Common Good

Finding hope from both Eastern and Western principles

On March 27th, there was a photo of Pope Francis praying inside St.Peters square published in the New York Times. He was alone. His white vestments contrasted the dark, rain-splattered cobblestones which sat silently in front of him, where usually the faithful congregated to hear his words. Not this day. He stood alone in the vastness of the Vatican, praying for an end to the pandemic.

Perhaps it was my Catholic upbringing, but during this time of Lent, I could not help but see the similarity of Pope Francis, standing alone in the emptiness of the square and the parable of Christ praying alone in the desert.

I am not particularly religious yet I truly admire Pope Francis as a humanitarian. If pictures really speak a thousand words the first one that comes to mind with this one is Isolated. (Loneliness)

During his prayer, he said,

” For weeks now it has been evening. Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets, and our cities. It has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void.”

Of course, he speaks of the Covid-19 virus. The deafening silence may be a direct result of our own isolation. The quiet, vacant streets. Is this our own forty days in the desert?

I didn’t expect to give up everything for Lent

Growing up, I was taught Lent was a time of sacrifices and I was asked to give up, or sacrifice, something in my life. It may have been a small symbol such as chocolate or some other pleasurable indulgence. Perhaps this was to teach empathy or even a better appreciation for the small things in life. Currently, however, we collectively have been asked to sacrifice our livelihoods, our community, our daily routines, even our hugs for the sake of the common good. During this period where the world is quiet, it is through our quarantine we demonstrate our love for each other. It is how we are all connected.

So, is this fast from a normally fast-paced life truly a call to slow down and live life with a deeper meaning? I can honestly say it has shed some light of appreciation for the small things in life, just like my abstaining from chocolate did in my youth. That chocolate Easter bunny always tasted sweeter than any confection before it. Sharing a conversation over coffee with a friend is not quite the same virtually as in person. Watching a movie on the big screen with a box of popcorn cannot be replaced by binging Netflix. But it is the pictures of the downtown streets, now eerily empty which strike a chord of how much we really need community and connection, for just a few months ago these public places teemed with people, breathing life into them.

The Buddhist Way; where I find hope in Eastern and Western philosophy

As humans, we need to find meaning in our world around us even if that world has become much smaller in diameter. This is true in terms of our relation to our outer world as well as our inner one. It is especially true in times of uncertainty and when faced with the unknown. It is moments like these we may turn inward, finding that still, quiet place within us so we may hear our own, ancient voice whisper words of wisdom and hope. In usual times some people may do this in a church while others may quiet their minds surrounded by nature or sitting and following their breath. One inhalation and exhale at a time.

In Buddhist terms, isolation may be seen as a paradox for in its presence we are called to turn inward and look deeper at our connections, not our separation, with ourselves and how we relate to others. A spiritual reflection. One that allows us to examine how we may move forward into a new way of living.

Isolation sounds rather harsh but if the coin of isolation is turned over perhaps, in this case, it can be seen as an act of altruistic love to help others. It is with this view the struggle and suffering of isolation may cease. We are no longer separated from each other but connected by our efforts. This is the Buddhist way.

The First Noble Truth in Buddhism is that life itself is suffering. At first glance, this may seem defeatist but the principle at the root of this statement is that life is imperfect and if we can accept this then we cease our own suffering. How do we obtain this? Being in the present moment.

Many times we may say to ourselves, “I will be happy when…..”. When might be richer, skinnier, drive a better car, fall in love. But this is happiness in the future and therefore not real, causing us suffering for we may judge ourselves by these standards. What is present is real.

Currently, we may feel discontent due to the interruption in our plans for life. We put travel plans on hold, birthday parties, weddings, and graduations have all needed to be rescheduled for some far off date in the future. While these events are all well worth looking forward to, the challenge is can we find happiness at this moment, now? Are we able to go outside and feel the warm sun on our skin, or smell the sweetness of the spring flowers on the breeze? That moment of deep inhalation is living in the present. From there all it takes is a pause and repeat.

In the time of self-isolation, we may feel like we are experiencing our own version of forty days in the desert but with our own inward glance, it may be the Buddhist way that keeps us present and leads us into a new way of living amongst each other. One where we become a little more patient, a little more tolerant, a little more kind, a little more human.

Today is a beautiful spring day in my world. I vow to take a moment and feel the sun on my skin, to breathe in the soft, warm air bringing myself to the present moment. And to smile. May you find a similar moment in your day. Isolating ourselves can be for the common good.

MaryRose is a freelance writer living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She is a traveler, licensed massage therapist, a lifelong vegetarian, and most importantly a mother. She enjoys the mash-up of these that life brings and writes about them with insight, humor, and wit.

She is currently working on a memoir, reflecting on the highs and lows of motherhood as her oldest child came out as transgender. She is active in PFlag and works for social justice with the LGBTQ community.