When the Buddha Shakyamuni was asked, “What is suffering,” He responded “birth, sickness, old age and death.” Individual sickness and plagues have been the scourge of both humans and animals since long before history. The world has not seen a major worldwide event with such a large impact as this current pestilence since WW II. That is not to say some locals, or some group of locals have not suffered but it was not at such a large scale worldwide. It is also not to lessen the pain and suffering that families have undergone with the loss of a loved one from any cause.
We cannot control many great events but these events do testify to the fact that not only individuals have karma but nations and the whole world has karma too. I would caution anyone to not think that this is a punishment of some sort. If it is a punishment or not would be a value judgement and we of limited vision are better to not make judgements that require a limitless vision.
Buddhist yogis/ yoginis are usually very fond of limited contact with the outside world and retreats are popular. Since we are now on very limited outside activity try to turn this situation into a blessing. You can increase your formal practice, read sutras, and roll up mantras for the statue.
Often when something you have a small liking for is easily available, you don’t even think about it. Weeks and months can go by and you don’t feel the urge to get some. Now, we are prevented from moving at will, the desire can grow to almost uncontrollable extent. But this and all else is nothing more than your own mind.
That mind is the samsaric mind. It is never satisfied so if you get whatever now, tomorrow there will be something else you are lacking and simply must have immediately. In addition to your formal practice, look at your mind. How does it decide what to fixate on, how does it determine when to change the fixation? Feeling cabin fever, why -why is your mind feeling unsettled? Don’t have chocolate ice cream, you didn’t buy some for five months, why are you in a panic now? Your mind is like a monkey jumping from one thing to another. Observe how the mind fixates on some mental object. You can do this going about your day so, it does not have to be in a formal sitting. After observing for a few days then try to watch where does the fixated thought come from. What is the first point in the mental process that leads to a fixated thought. Did it start fixated? Did it start not fixated and then join with another thought become fixated? Do you have a pre-set category and so any thought being categorized will be fixated upon? Pay attention to what and how these thoughts arise.
After some more days, observe what does the fixated thought go? Does it disappear suddenly, is it replaced with another fixation, does it move into the non-fixated?
These thoughts are the waves on the ocean surface. But if you ever watched the waves on the ocean, they are not all the same. The wind, the shape of the shore, perhaps rocks all change the waves. The same is true with you mind. The karmic wind, your psychological profile and the categories you maintain have their effect on the surface of your mind. By this practice of observing you mind, when doing the dishes, sweeping the floor, baking too many brownies you will come to know the true nature of this samsaric mind. That is wisdom and it will help you be liberated.
Gassho,
Shirfu