A few months ago, I was busy planning Reviva’s longest tour yet heading out west on a 5 state journey. I was reading the news about an outbreak going on in Wuhan China, and quickly texted the guys that I didn’t think the tour was going to happen. As March is typically one of our busiest months, I was working a lot and felt burnt out between my day job and organizing all the details of a 2 weeks stint away. While I was disappointed that we would never get to play venues that we had dreamt of playing for years, I realized that as things slowed down, it may provide some opportunities for me to press the “reset” button and spend some time with my inner voice. Like many people, I struggle with anxiety and issues related to PTSD, and have found time during the pandemic to explore ways to manage it the best that I can. While it took some time to find a disciplined routine, I want to share some things that have been quite useful as we continue to live in the new world of Covid-19.
Equanimity
The first thing that I do every morning is a 10 minute meditation. This is not a religious meditation of any sort, but rather a way to slow my mind down and allow thoughts to flow in and out of my mind without being attached or affected by them. This naturally takes away some of the stress that comes with pressures from work, responsibilities at home, and fears about the future or regrets from the past. My favorite meditation is called Equanimity, and it goes like this: “May you be safe, light, and secure. Free from aversion, attachment, and anxiety. Full of love, joy, compassion, and equanimity.”
You are supposed to say the meditation for 4 people every day: Yourself, Someone you love, Someone who is neutral or whom you don’t know, and Someone who you consider to be an enemy. It is hard to send good vibes to someone you really dislike or who has hurt you, but this part of is probably the most important.
Virtual Yoga
I also have finally found an online Yoga training that has really helped me to be in the moment. It is a series of YouTube videos from the channel “Breathe and Flow”. There is a series of Men’s Yoga Flow that has become my go to as I am finally seeing the mental and physical benefits of doing yoga daily. I now alternate my exercise routine between weights, yoga, and running. Whenever I take more than one day off, I really start to feel more anxiety and thus have learned that physical exercise is key to maintaining mental health.
Other than those two practices, there are a few other things that are important to do as it looks that the pandemic is not slowing down anytime soon. First, I find time every day to connect with family and friends. Whether through a phone call or virtual visit, we all have a few minutes to tell our loved ones we are thinking about them. Second, I spend time every day outside, especially in my garden. We recently took a band trip up to northern NM, and just breathing the fresh air and getting away from the pavement was super healing.
Legislating Peace
Finally, I make sure to find time to laugh about something every day. I really like to keep up on the news and know what’s going on. But now is a time for deeper reflection as to how things will look when we get out of this. As I was sitting with my friend in the park during a Juneteenth event this weekend, I couldn’t help but think that we are somehow going to figure out a society that is more equitable for everyone. But even if we pass legislation and vote in the right people, it is up to each of us to continue on our inner journey to peace. No justice no peace is so true. But as Geshe Gyatso said, “Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.”
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Alex Paramo
I grew up in
Pride in the Name of Love
Pride in the Name of Love by Alex Paramo
Since this article was originally written our nation has elected a new leader. A man whose hate-filled speech is on the record and that he continues to employ in the White House. His ascension to power has, in some quarters, mobilized the liberal and progressive movements against him and those who support his rhetoric. Now more than ever we need to utilize the relationships inherent in our common humanity to spread the power of love.
This portion of the article was originally published on 06/24/16
I
n light of the Orlando tragedy our natural inclination might be toward despair and sadness. We should be sad but also motivated. Motivated to not let fear drown out courage, not let hate drown out love. It never can and it never will. We are all one family and one consciousness whether you subscribe to it or not. Therefore doing harm to one is doing harm to all but the collective energy of love heals and give us the strength to forge new realities and help us slowly come back into balance.
Whatever the overt motivation of the murderer, the covert motive is always hate. The only way to defeat hate is through unity. Unity brings folks together from all walks of life. United in this human experience we must move past stereotypes, past fear.
I read a thoughtful article in the Albuquerque Alibi, “Silent No More” by Ty Bannerman, where I discovered the story of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben who helped train George Washington’s Army during the American Revolution. Von Steuben was gay, and his story has been unfortunately hidden as have been the stories of thousands of other men and women who fought and/or served honorably in the U.S. armed forces.
Bannerman’s article discusses the new monument at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park that will openly honor LGBT veterans. Despite the fact that it is long overdue, I am proud of New Mexico and hope that other States follow suit.
We must bond together as a nation, and as people in the global sense with the message of love. It is our natural inclination to work together and ultimately our salvation.
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