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Editorial

Well-Being & Happiness

during the Pandemic

As we enter 2021, the spread of Covid-19 continues It’s important to remember that these second arrows
unabated. First identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, — our emotional and psychological response to
China, it was declared a pandemic by WHO in March crises — are natural and human. In truth, they tend to
2020. As of 24 December 2020, more than 78.7 million bring us more suffering by narrowing and cluttering
cases have been confirmed globally, with over 1.73 our mind, keeping us from seeing clearly the best
million deaths attributed to the coronavirus. In Malaysia, course of action to take. When we accept the first arrow
100,318 people were infected and 446 have died. – that the Covid-19 virus is here – we are not being
pessimistic, but realistic. We accept the reality of its
Public health actions, such as lockdowns and social presence in our midst.
distancing, have made adults and children feel isolated
and lonely, and increased their levels of stress and Buddhism offers us three strategies to cultivate
anxiety. Indeed, in a crisis, our mental state often seems resilience in the wake of the pandemic — reflect
only to exacerbate the challenge, becoming a major on its reality, accept its existence, and connect with
obstacle in itself. How can Buddhism change this? others through kindness and compassion knowing the
interdependent nature of life. All these strategies to
The parable of the arrow in the Sallatha Sutta, SN 36.6 cultivate mental resilience is done through mindfulness.
shows how we can choose to respond mindfully in a Through mindfulness, we are able to better manage our
crisis. The Buddha once asked a student: “If a person is minds in a way that increases our ability to withstand
struck by an arrow, is it painful? If the person is struck the first arrow and deflect the second before it strikes us.
by a second arrow, is it even more painful?” He then
went on to explain, “In life, we cannot always control the By being mindful means to live in the present moment.
first arrow. However, the second arrow is our emotional Our anxiety and worries arise because of past
reaction to the first. And with this second arrow comes encounters or thoughts of what may happen in the
the possibility of choice.” future. However, the truth is that we can’t change the
past, or determine the future to suit our happiness.
We have all experienced the pain of the first arrow The Buddha gave his disciples the same message in the
of the coronavirus in one way or another. We are Bhaddekaratta Sutta, MN 131. All we know is what we
impacted by either sickness, travel restrictions, social know in this moment. And in most cases, despite the
distancing, or job losses, among others. But the second Covid-19 pandemic, in this moment, we are fine. As Jon
arrow — the anxiety about getting the virus ourselves, Kabat Zinn says, “Wherever you go, there you are.” So
fear that our loved ones are at risk of being infected, enjoy and savor the moment.. EH
worries about financial implications and all other dark
scenarios flooding the news and social media — is to a Benny Liow
large extent of our own making. In short, the first arrow
caused unavoidable pain, but our resistance and fears
to it are the emotional turmoils caused by all the second
arrows which inevitably followed the first.