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Long before the phrase entered our vocabulary, the Buddha stressed the vital importance of spiritual social distancing. He strongly urged us to journey through life with one or two good spiritual companions, people who raise our spiritual vibration. On the flip side, he said if you can't find such people, then walk alone. Here is the Buddha's wisdom on walking and wandering alone if you can't find someone who will support or increase your vibration:
For a sociable person
there are allurements;
on the heels of allurement, this pain.
Seeing allurement's drawback,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
Free from longing, finding no pleasure
in the world's sport, love, or sensual bliss,
abstaining from adornment,
speaking the truth,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
If you gain a mature companion,
a fellow traveler, right-living & wise,
overcoming all dangers
go with them, gratified, mindful.
If you don't gain a mature companion,
a fellow traveler, right-living & wise,
wander alone
like a king renouncing his kingdom,
like the elephant in the Matanga wilds,
his herd.
We praise companionship—yes!
Those on a par, or better,
should be chosen as friends.
If they're not to be found,
living faultlessly,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
- Khaggavisana Sutta: A Rhinoceros
Note that the Buddha dos endorse companionship but it must be the right kind: "those on par or better" than yourself.
For a sociable person
there are allurements;
on the heels of allurement, this pain.
Seeing allurement's drawback,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
Free from longing, finding no pleasure
in the world's sport, love, or sensual bliss,
abstaining from adornment,
speaking the truth,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
If you gain a mature companion,
a fellow traveler, right-living & wise,
overcoming all dangers
go with them, gratified, mindful.
If you don't gain a mature companion,
a fellow traveler, right-living & wise,
wander alone
like a king renouncing his kingdom,
like the elephant in the Matanga wilds,
his herd.
We praise companionship—yes!
Those on a par, or better,
should be chosen as friends.
If they're not to be found,
living faultlessly,
wander alone
like a rhinoceros.
- Khaggavisana Sutta: A Rhinoceros
Note that the Buddha dos endorse companionship but it must be the right kind: "those on par or better" than yourself.
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The most serious form of imbalance, which is characteristic of Western societies, exists as an over-emphasis on activity and striving. A person who grows up in these societies finds that the pattern of attitude and expectation inclines him to focus his attention and energy on outward striving and action rather than on states of passivity or receptiveness.
- Joan Cooper
- Joan Cooper
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To be a kinder, gentler and more compassionate human, reflect and act on this wisdom from Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. "Recognize when the needs of others are greater than your own. The Sefer Chasidim offer an example: 'A man walking on a narrow road comes across another man carrying a heavy load, walking in the opposite direction. Even if he has arrived first, the man without the load should step onto thee shoulder of the road, even it is is muddy, so that the other man can pass by.' "
Applied to modern living this could mean:
Applied to modern living this could mean:
- Stopping your car allowing a pedestrian to cross an intersection;
- Allowing merging traffic to enter your car lane;
- Holding a door open for someone carrying heavy packages;
- Giving your seat on a crowded bus or train to a pregnant woman or elderly person.
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The Buddha encouraged us to think of the good things done for us by our parents, by our teachers, friends, whomever; and to do that intentionally, to cultivate it, rather than just letting it happen accidentally. - Ajahn Sumedho
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I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand but because joy is what the Earth gives me daily and I wish to return the gift. - Robin Wall Kimmerer
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I don’t consider the pandemic another war to be won. Instead, I choose to take the virus as a call to rethink our living. - Vanessa Zuisei Goddard
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Human beings, by nature, tend to take things for granted and think that they would last forever. But life is short and all things are impermanent, so we must treasure the moments where there is peace and when we are with our loved ones. - Cheng Yen
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As human beings we all have the potential to be happy and compassionate people, and we also have the potential to be miserable and harmful to others. The potential for all these things is present within each of us. - Dalai Lama 14th
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Whether we use our life to benefit or to harm self and others depends upon the state of our mind. - Glenn H. Mullin
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Yoga, tai-chi, dance, and other forms of movement stimulate the soothing system of your organism, as does sitting meditation and even just regularly taking some conscious, long, deep breaths. Slow down and do one thing at a time. - Ratnadevi