What lessons are we learning from this pandemic that can help us deal with challenges to come? How does the pandemic affect our response to ongoing crises like climate change? Join Novasutras Daily Discussions, as we help each other make sense of our world, and develop strategies for increasing agaya and ubuntu emerging from the disruption.
Our guided meditation featured a message of global wellness, joy and loving-kindness for all beings. Before and after the meditation, there was conversation with our participants. We started by recognizing our gratitude in agaya. Then we talked about what’s up for each of us with this coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic crisis, to honor the struggles of this strange time - what is difficult, what is painful, what is scary right now. After an explanation of the meaning of the Equinox in Novasutras, we Called the Corners and began the meditation. Afterward, we reflected on what we had just learned and experienced, and what the current crisis is teaching us, and then talked about how to move forward in ubuntu and agaya.
We've made a short video illustrating some alternatives to hugs and handshakes, that can allow us to keep our distance physically (important for slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19) while acknowledging our emotional and spiritual connections. Two options to share agaya & ubuntu while remaining safe during an epidemic include the "Namaste" gesture (anjali mudra) and the "heart connection" gesture.
Each of the twelve principles of permaculture is a manifestation of agaya and ubuntu. They are in close alignment with Novasutras core principles: Life is sacred. Change is essential, inevitable and important. Complexity and maturity emerge from cooperative relationships. The beauty of the living world is to be savored, honored, celebrated and protected.
Our beloved Earth has three green hearts -- Amazonia, Congo and Sundaland -- the worlds three major equatorial rainforest systems. These are places of unfathomable complexity and diversity, places of beauty and wonder. They are the living embodiment of agaya and ubuntu -- joyous, raucous, mysterious, fierce and lovely.
