Unmasked, Reflections on the pandemic and life

Context: Masked living to stave off the novel coronavirus has raised questions: of the purpose and the meaning of life. Learning to live with a purpose and meaning is the biggest takeaway from the Pandemic situation.

Lessons learnt during COVID-19 Pandemic: Unmasking the life as we masked ourselves to survive

• On the purpose of life: (The Purpose of Life is to be happy - Dalai Lama)
  • • Life is a battle against uncertainties and challenges: as experience during the pandemic.
    • The Bhagavad Gita says; “Whatever happened, happened for the good; Whatever is happening, is happening for the good; and whatever will happen, will also happen for the good.” This warrants us to evolve to find equilibrium to face the unending uncertainties.
  • Philosophical reflection: Life cannot be on the highway all the time.
    • Plato: ‘philosophy is a process of constant questioning that takes the form of dialogue’.
    • The philosophy of life: helps one in building principles in fighting the adversities of life and living in happiness.
    • Meaning of happiness: is an individual’s call. Seneca in his Moral Letters said philosophy offers counsel. It strengthens one’s ability to remain steady in the chaos and rush of life.
  • Reorienting our mindsets: towards living a balanced life amid modern times.
  • Continuously redefining and reinventing the purpose and meaning of life.
  • Choices and behaviour determine the happiness: that life should aim at. Choices include those we are willing to give up to remain sane and purposeful.
• Meaning of life: The principal challenge of life is to navigate the journey between birth and death, defining its purpose and finding meaning. (One is the master of one’s life and the path to its meaning)
  • The forgotten ideas of oneness, interconnectedness and the intelligent laws that govern the universe have come to the fore once again.
  • Living in moderation based on principles of coexistence with nature: to avoid a human-wild conflict and for the sustainability of all living beings.
  • Promoting common good: The meaning of life lies in contributing to the prosperity of humanity and the nature around for common welfare. Sharing and caring is the essence of our age-old ethos.

Conclusion: The need of the hour is to draw the right lessons from the experiences of the last several months as both individuals and a collective to usher in annus mirabilis, by wiping out the pandemic and the havoc it has brought on us.