Download Issue 1, March 25, 2020: English Edition ; Dutch Edition
The current Corona pandemic has brought almost the whole world into an extreme VUCA situation (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity). What is seen as fact, or the best solution now may not hold tomorrow. The extreme volatility of information makes people experience high levels of uncertainty. Since no one was prepared for the Coronavirus, all members of society including experts, governments, professionals and citizens are poignantly aware of the complexity of the problem.
Governments in every part of the world are putting their utmost effort toward providing guidelines and implementing regulations to prepare societies to prevent or cope with the virus and its consequences. Information about the virus and government actions may lead to different interpretations as not every country is in the same stage of the outbreak, and different demographic, social and cultural conditions, create even more ambiguity.
But one thing many people have started to realize in this crisis is that we are all connected. The problem that has set the world upside down is a virus and not other human beings against whom we could fight, in the way we have traditionally prepared ourselves for, with armed warfare. All of a sudden nothing seems to be more important than the questions: How many people are infected? How many are in hospitals? How many have left their bodies? What are the new regulations? How will we find a cure? How much time will it take to get back to what we used to see as normal? Many, whether they like it or not, have confronted with existential questions like What is life about? What if I or my dear ones get the disease? What happens after death?
Everyone tries to keep up with news around the world. We have noticed a worldwide curiosity for each other in more pleasant times like during the Olympics. However, now the dashboard of worldwide news, instead of announcing Olympic medals, blares the numbers of deaths in each country. Each new day many of us are looking forward to taking new actions to cope better. Each new day we wake up with new hopes. On one hand, there is a fear and anxiety about the uncertain future. On the other hand, there is deeper contemplation as well as curiosity about the way it will transform life on our planet forever. In the end, it is just another play of nature to go from one equilibrium to another. Often pain is part of this transition invariably.
Every day more people realize that we are all connected. Ancient Hindu scriptures, from thousands of years ago, presented the notion that we are all connected. Some may find inspiration and hope in such a notion. In turn, people may become more curious and take action to contemplative existence itself and devote themselves to spiritual sources to find answers.
May we invite you to read this newsletter with the hope that it will bring you inspiration for the holiday of Navarātri and positive thinking in this time of crisis. Every year the festival of Navarātri and the Hindu New Year mark the rejuvenation of life at all levels. With Navarātri fasting and worship, we inculcate śakti (energy) and prepare or reset ourselves to joyously embrace the New Year. May this Navarātri give us the strength to cope with the current crisis.
Inspiring verses from Ancient Hindu Scriptures in times of crisis: All-connected
वेनस्तत् पश्यन्निहितं गुहा सत् यत्र विश्वं भवत्येकनीडम्।
तस्मिन्निदं सं च वि चैति सर्वं, स ओत: प्रोतश्च विभू: प्रजासु।।
(यजुर्वेद 32.8)
Venastat paśyannihitaṃ guhā sat yatra viśvaṃ bhavatyekanīḍam।
tasminnidaṃ saṃ ca vi caiti sarvaṃ, sa otaḥ protaśca vibhūḥ prajāsu।। (Yajurveda 32.8)
In search of the ultimate truth, the wise sages went everywhere in this universe and other realms, even in Divine realms (Devbhoomi). They found that there was only one omnipresent truth everywhere. They knew that they themselves were absorbed in the same truth and then they understood that they were already part of the same truth.
आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतोऽदब्धासो अपरीतास उद्भिदः।
देवा नो यथा सदमिद् वृधे असन्नप्रायुवो रक्षितारो दिवे दिवे॥
(ऋग्वेद 1.89.1)
Ā no bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvato’dabdhāso aparītāsa udbhidaḥ।
devā no yathā sadamid vṛdhe asannaprāyuvo rakṣitāro dive dive।। (Ṛgveda 1.89.1)
May auspicious powers come to us from every side, never deceived, unhindered, and victorious. That the Gods ever may be with us for our gain, our guardian’s day by day unceasing in their care.
Download Issue 1, March 25, 2020: English Edition ; Dutch Edition
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- Hindu Diaspora in Europe Today
- Kaliyug
- Finding peace through pūjā rituals
- Dealing with the indefinable
- Navarātri, Spring 2020
- Video Renditions – Durgā Saptaśatī
- Kaṭha Upaniṣad
- Existential Reflections
- Editorial Note: Spirituality & Society, Issue 1 – Navarātri
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