As we(in Western India) face an Act of God in the form of the Cyclone – Nisarga, the US is facing the brunt of Act of Man in the form of violent protests, arson, looting happening across the Country in protest of the death of George Floyd. In both cases, COVID has been relegated to the number 2 position in our minds. The point I’m trying to make is it’s possible for us to shift focus from one thing to another if we have to. This can also be possible if you train your mind in “choice of focus”. How?
Mind is our most powerful ally or enemy, depending on how you train it. It can be the cause of your greatest joys or worst suffering. Train the mind to respond positively to every situation and that training is possible by the practice of Raja Yoga which comprehensively exercises the body, prana, thoughts, emotions (and opens up the possibility of Self Realisation). The more you practice the more you are freed of negative tendencies of anger, greed, lust, etc. So whilst you will still not have any control of what challenges life brings to you, you will have full control of how you choose to respond to them, with equanimity.
Control the controllable, accept & face the uncontrollable. The learning and practice of Raja Yoga is within your control, it will strengthen your mind & body to respond better to any situation, do it. The situations of C19, Cyclone, Riots, etc are not in our control do accept and face is the only choice we have.
Those interested in learning Raja Yoga could start off by reading the exposition of Raja Yoga given by Swami Vivekananda and thereafter learning directly with a Master. It would certainly transform the quality of your life thereafter.
Bodhisattva 