Being Mindful: Deepak Chopra reassures 'we can be alone but we don't have to be lonely'
Mindfulness expert, Deepak Chopra, previously shared with Yahoo Life his top tips for coping with stress and focusing on the present moment in order to survive the coronavirus crisis. Chopra joins Yahoo Life once again to discuss how we can manage fear and loneliness during self-isolation.
Chopra believes that now, more than ever, it is important to be present, aware, and grateful for our existence. Chopra says, “We take existence for granted, but if we experience gratitude for our existence, suddenly the fear goes away...you can’t have fear and gratitude at the same time.” This simple shift in mindset can help diminish fear of the unknown.
While we practice social distancing, it is normal to feel more alone than usual. However, according to Chopra, the key is to know the difference between loneliness and solitude. Chopra reassures that you can be in solitude and still be connected with the whole world. Fortunately, technology allows us alternate ways of connecting with and supporting one another in meaningful ways.
Relationships can be impactful in regards to managing our emotions during self-isolation. “Right now, we can be alone, but we don’t have to be lonely,” says Chopra. He adds, “We are meant not to be lonely. We are meant to care for each other....we are meant to embark on love in action.” One of the main ways to increase our capacity for “love in action” is to simply offer help to others, whether it is financial or by volunteering.
Chopra says if we have a shared vision during this time of solitude, if we bring out the best in each other, and if we care for each other, “this time doesn’t have to be lonely, it can be actually a time of intimacy and connectedness with your own self, with everybody else, with the universe and with the divine.”
Video Produced by Stacy Jackman
For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDC and WHO’s resource guides.
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