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The New Coronavirus is to be Perceived as Chaos― Confronting with the Mindset of “I Will Change Myself” (To All GLA Members) ―Updated July 19th 2020
On the media and the internet, news about the new coronavirus is reported every day, and we believe that there are many GLA members who are feeling anxious not knowing what to do.
In such a state, it is vital that each one of us observes the situation with the perspective based on the Study of the Soul. Keiko Takahashi sensei has conveyed the following regarding the new coronavirus.
―The new coronavirus is to be perceived as “Chaos” (a state in which results and conclusions are not yet fixed, and that both possibilities and limitations are hidden). Trials are callings. There is always one pure path.
Now is the time to learn – let’ confront with the mindset of “I will change myself”. We should not let our energy be engulfed by the new coronavirus, nor become obscurely anxious or excessively fearful.
Find the true face of Chaos and practice with the Divine Truth. By doing so, we can change the way we perceive and the way we respond. It is about nurturing the Good-Self of “Self-Reliance → Responsibility”, and taking specific actions.
Based on these words by Takahashi sensei, the following information will be shared.
On April 16th, the Prime Minster of Japan has declared a state of emergency (until May 6th) for 40 prefectures in addition to the 7 prefectures, expanding it to nationwide. As the situation is constantly changing, the latest information will be continued to be updated on the GLA homepage, or please contact your local GLA.
New Coronavirus (COVID-19) = Looking at the Face of Chaos
3 Facts to be Aware Of
When we perceive this state as Chaos and look closely at the face of Chaos, there are 3 facts to be aware of:
- Infection has spread across the country including the Tokyo metropolitan area and there is concern that the epidemic trend is to return nationwide
The number of people infected with the new coronavirus has reached the highest in Tokyo, and other regions have confirmed cases approaching to the number peaked in April. Currently in July (as of 19th), the situation remains unpredictable, not knowing when Tokyo’s epidemic trend will expand nationwide. - 80% of the people are only experiencing mild symptoms, but older people and those who have illnesses are at higher risk
The new coronavirus infection is a type of a flu, and among the people infected 80% of the people are recovering after experiencing only mild symptoms. However, elderlies and those who have diabetes, cancer, pulmonary or heart disease, it is know that they are higher at risk of getting severer symptoms such as pneumonia. - The new coronavirus is the issue of our human mind: Ju-Hatsu-Shiki (Receive (Perception)-Transmit (Response)-Reality), rather than a medical issue
With the two facts above in mind, what is it that we need to be mindful about? It is in fact the danger of spreading the infection whilst thinking “the symptoms are going to be light so it’s not something to worry much about”, “it’s tough now, but eventually someone will do something about it”.Takahashi sensei explained that the new coronavirus will take advantage of our pleasure-lethargic mind: “Insensitivity-Vagueness-Confusion”, and is the reason why it is the issue of our human mind, rather than a medical issue.
In addition, Takahashi sensei has informed that the new coronavirus is calling forth our heart to care for others and love others, based on the Bodaishin (the heart to seek the real self, to love others, and to contribute to world harmony), and to start a new way of living to protect your life by taking action with the mindset “I will change myself”.
The 5 Preventative Actions and 3 Admonishments to Fight Against the New Coronavirus
Based on the nature of this new coronavirus and the callings to us, Takahashi sensei has advised that the 5 preventative actions and 3 admonishments is what we should do as part of practicing the Divine Truth:
- Washing Hands – making it a habit to use soap
Washing hands is the most important action. When you return home, arrive at school or work, and after going to the bathroom, be sure to wash your hands. Also wash your hands after you have coughed or sneezed without a face mask on, or when you have blown your nose and touched your face mask.
It’s effective to wash hands with just water, but we recommend to use soap. The virus is weak against soap that has surface-active agents. For this reason, make it a habit to use soap when you are washing hands. Sanitizers that have alcohol in it are also effective.
- Face Mask
There are cases where people do not have subjective symptoms and are unaware that they may be carrying the virus. For this purpose, everyone must wear a face mask even if you don’t have any symptoms to prevent spreading the virus. In the current situation it can be said that we have entered the next stage and a face mask etiquette is mandatory, more than the cough etiquette. To protect yourself from being infected, wearing a mask will prevent you from touching your face, and will also keep your nose and throat moist. Even during the summer, please continue to wear a face mask when you are indoors with people, and adjust room temperature with an air conditioner (around 28 Celsius recommended). If in case you are outdoors in the heat, please take off your face mask if you can keep enough 2-meter distance with people in order to avoid heat stroke.
- Ventilation
Thirdly, ventilating rooms with fresh air. Ventilation is an effective preventative measure. Ventilate air in your house or in places where people gather once every hour for 10-15minutes. Even when you use the air conditioner during the summer, make sure to ventilate once every hour to circulate air. Opening two windows diagonally located will circulate air more quickly. Using fans and circulators will also be effective to ventilate and adjust room temperature. Ventilate air in your house every 3 hours a day during daytime (be careful to not make yourself cold).
Sanitizing surfaces is also important. To prevent infection, sanitize common surfaces (doorknobs, tables, rails, light switches, remote controllers and toilet paper etc.) once or twice a day with antibacterial wipes in order to prevent infection. - (4) Measuring Your Body Temperature
In order to find signs of increasing severity at an early stage, even if we think we are okay, please measure your body temperature once a day. And if you have symptoms of a cold, or have a temperature of over 37.5 Celsius or above for 4 days or more, please follow your governmental guidelines to consult.
If you are a senior with hypertension, diabetes, cancer, pulmonary or heart disease with a temperature of 37.5 Celsius or above for 2 days or more, please follow your governmental guidelines to consult. - Humidify and Keep Your Throat Moist – hydrating frequently
The fifth measure is to keep your throat moist. When the air is dry, it will weaken the defense function of the throat mucous membrane. It is important to maintain relative humidity of 50-60% using a humidifier. It is known that more than half of influenza virus particles can remain intact at 40% humidity level. Raising the level of humidity to 50% will significantly lower the survival rate. If you do not have humidifiers, simply hanging wet towels is equally effective.
To avoid your throat to dry up, we also suggest you to wear as mask and hydrating frequently. (It is recommended to consume 1.2 liters a day. Two bottles of 500ml, and 1 cup of water before going to sleep to prevent from getting heat stroke). Drinking water at once will not be absorbed by your body so it is important to drink frequently in small amounts.
3 Rules to Prevent Heatstroke During the Summer with Coronavirus
1) Use a sun umbrella when you are outside (If you don’t have one wear a hat)
A sun umbrella is effective to avoid from strong sunlight. It is also effective to keep yourself distant from other people. Wear a hat if you do not have a sun umbrella.
2) Use a thermometer and hygrometer to check
Body temperature, air conditioner, and room temperature can often be different. If the thermometer exceeds 28 degrees, or the hygrometer exceeds 50-60%, switch on the air conditioner.
On sweltering nights, heatstroke cases tend to increase while you are asleep, so leave the air conditioner on throughout the night.
3) Wear clothes with good air flow
Wearing clothes made of materials that absorb water quickly and dry quickly is recommended, such as polyester, linen and cotton. Also, try to wear underwear as it helps to evaporate sweat.
2. The 3 Admonishments
In addition to the 5 preventative actions, the 3 admonishments are also very important. To prevent new coronavirus cluster infections, avoid:
1. Closed spaces with poor ventilation
2. Crowded spaces with many people nearby
3. Close-contact settings such as close-range conversations.
Avoid situations where the above Three Cs will overlap.
It is known that even if there are no coughs or sneeze, there is a risk of spreading the infection when a number of people are at close-range (being able to reach each other when they spread their arms) and speak for a certain time. For this reason, keep at least two meters away from others when taking place conferences and meetings.
The above 5 preventative actions and 3 admonishments are acts of kindness to care and love others, brought forth from our Bodaishin (the heart to seek the real self, to love others, and to contribute to world harmony). Now is the time to bring forth our Bodaishin in order to fight against the virus that is trying to take advantage of our mind, and to take action to stop the infection.
In addition, as part of a practicing the Divine Truth, let’s get familiar to pray and meditate. For example: Read the prayer “To Receive Light” in the Path of Prayer, and take time to receive light into your mind from God. You can make this an opportunity to become familiar with the lifestyle based on the Divine Truth.
Live with “Self-Reliance and Responsibility” without Falling into Pain-Lethargy
It is said that the most significant principle for disaster prevention is self-help. This can be applied as an important measure to prevent from the new coronavirus, and for everyone to keep in mind to protect oneself.
Considering that we are not well informed about the new coronavirus, we can become excessively anxious or afraid.
However, Sensei tells us in this way:
You do not have to become pain-lethargic. Do not fall into delusion, because now is the time to replace your Fear and Avoidance with Self-Reliance and Responsibility. Let’s transform your way of Receiving (Perception) and Transmitting (Response). What is most important is to take action.
Let’s practice the 5 Preventative Actions and 3 Admonishments daily (1. Washing hands; 2. Face Mask; 3. Ventilate; 4. Measure body temperature; 5. Moist your throat, and Avoid the Three Cs) and turn them into our habit in order to protect our own life and the lives of the people we love.