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Editorial

How to Remain Positive

during the Pandemic

Dan Harris, the well-known ABC News anchor who arise, and those that have already arisen will increase.
wrote 10% Happier, asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Sabbasava Sutta, MN 2)
on his news program Nightline in May 2020, how one
should respond to the Covid-19 crisis. The Dalai Lama When we understand the Buddha’s teaching, we realize
offered the following advice, especially to those who are that the pandemic vividly illustrates a core Buddhist
having a difficult time dealing with the pandemic: principle: That we are all equally subject to birth, aging,
sickness and death. All things — physical and mental
(a) Practice meditation - be it one minute, five minutes — are in continuous change, not remaining the same
or 10 minutes each day, especially when we wake from one moment to the next. Consequently, although
up. This basically involves training our mind to be we crave stability and pleasant experiences, there is no
positive so that we adopt a positive approach to life. real security, and happiness is fleeting. We are just not
Whatever type of meditation we may follow, the in control.
main purpose should be to calm the mind so that
we can respond to a situation mindfully rather than Psychologists have revealed that 90% of things which
reacting with thoughts of fear, worry, or doubt. we worry about are out of our control; so it’s not helpful
to worry about them. However, for the 10% that we can
(b) Practice compassion – this will lessen our control, we should do something about it, instead of
th
attachments to our ego as we look to those around worrying. This is the same advice that the 8 century
us who may need help. The Buddha taught us that Buddhist pandit, Shantideva taught: “If a problem can
we live in an inter-connected world, so we should be solved, why worry? If the problem cannot be solved,
not just think of our own well-being but that of worrying will do you no good.” (Verse 10, Chapter 6,
others too. It is when we cultivate thoughts of Bodhicaryāvatāra)
loving kindness and compassion for others, that we
too will benefit from such wholesome thoughts. As Even though the pandemic is still around, we also know
the Dalai Lama said to Dan Harris, “Taking care of that all phenomena are impermanent; as such Covid-19
others is actually taking care of yourself.” cannot last forever. It is therefore reassuring to hear what
the Dalai Lama said to TIME magazine on April 14, 2020:
We can say that the essence of the Buddha’s teaching is
all about how to develop our mind. When we cultivate “As a Buddhist, I believe in the principle of
a positive attitude, we are able to respond to difficulties impermanence. Eventually, this virus will pass, as I
in life by being more relaxed, calm, peaceful, and have seen wars and other terrible threats pass in my
equanimous. This is the exact opposite of having a lifetime, and we will have the opportunity to rebuild our
negative mind state when we react to difficulties or a global community as we have done many times before.
crisis with anxieties, worries, fears, and frustrations. I sincerely hope that everyone can stay safe and stay
calm. At this time of uncertainty, it is important that
In the Buddha’s own words, he said that for one who we do not lose hope and confidence in the constructive
contemplates wisely, anxieties and troubles that have efforts so many are making.”
not yet arisen do not arise, and those already arisen will
cease. But for those who does not contemplate wisely, May all of you stay safe and healthy!
anxieties and troubles that have not yet arisen will August 31, 2021
Malaysia’s 64 anniversary of independence.
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