Beneath the Virulent Waves

Looks like we in Malaysia are living in an unprecedented time. Perhaps, never since World War 2 or the riots of May 13 1969 have there been such a disruption to our everyday life. Because of the corona-virus pandemic, everyone is now talking about a lockdown, which many countries have already implemented.

The pandemic is decimating economies worldwide. The world is coming to a halt. We are asked to stay at home, which actually doesn't sound like the end of the world to many, that is if one doesn't need to worry about making a living. Perhaps I've chosen the right year to go slow on my work as everyone else are being forced to do so.

There's already a panic buying spree at all of our supermarkets and hypermarkets. Shelves are being emptied as if there's a zombie apocalypse. At the time of writing, we in Malaysia are considered lucky as there are still zero deaths, even though the total number of people infected today rises to 553. It will get worse before it gets better.

I'm happy to stay at home. In any case that's what I've been doing since the beginning of the year. Working from home requires a lot of discipline. I still dress up everyday, to drive to my apartment to work. I like the routine of going somewhere to start work. But even before I start this part of my day, I would have already clocked in at least an hour of preliminary work at home, after my morning routine of meditation.

My life is regimented and regular. Boring to others but extremely satisfying personally because I do the things that matter, which is improving myself everyday--physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I make sure that I make progress everyday. I am constantly writing, building and learning new things. The good thing about the internet is that you can never run out of things to learn.

Perhaps the whole country can look at this corona-virus episode positively. It is like a kind of enforced sabbatical for everyone to reinvent themselves. I hope good sense will prevail and people will not do anything to create more panic. People, as always like to blame the government for not doing enough. Not that the government is free from any fault, but I think we have to stop wasting too much time venting and arguing on social media. There's way too much virtual signalling out there.

But I suppose that's human nature. The ego seeks attention to reinforce its own identity. All that hatred, disgust and self-righteousness: I observe them as one observes the waves that rise and fall on the surface of the ocean. The waters could be turbulent but deep down inside beneath the surface, it is silent and quiet. There lies the greatest mysteries--mysteries which I've dedicated my life to explore. There could be virulent anger on the surface of everything, but beneath it all, lies some deeper truth. And that is where one finds meaning.