Around 2004 or 2006, I became acquainted with the Bali Usada Health Meditation and was invited by a friend to join the class. He knew that I couldn't stay still and was very emotional. At that time, I was surprised to be invited to practice meditation because I like to go for walks. Finally, I tried to take the Usada 1 Regular class in Cisanggiri for 8 sessions. To my surprise, it turned out that I enjoyed each class. I have never missed 8 sessions. At that time, the instructor was the late Mrs. Komar. After completing the Usada 1 Regular class, I often join the One Day Mindfulness and Wisdom Meditation session to refresh my daily practice.
My story is that I was diagnosed with Covid-19 on September 25, 2020; my swab test result was positive. Why did I need a swab test? It was because my friend in the office was diagnosed with Covid-19. The rule at the office was that if there is someone gets Covid-19, all staff must take swab tests, especially those who have had contact with that person. I felt very nervous. I kept on thinking, is it really necessary to have a swab test? How is the result going to be? At that time, I tried to delay taking the test. Then, I thought about it again if I kept on delaying, my other friends, including my family would also be in trouble. It felt very uncomfortable when I did the swab test. That night, I was restless thinking about the result. Two days later, the result came out and I tested positive. It felt like being hit by lightning. Why can I be positive? I don’t have the symptoms of fever, flu, anosmia, loss of appetite, or tiredness. I still couldn’t believe I was positive. I could be categorized as ‘OTG’ (people without symptoms).
Then I was isolated for 14 days. My condition deteriorated because I was afraid, worried, and anxious. Many people say that the first 7 days will probably be fine. However, the condition can get worse for the next 7 days. I became more worried. Then, I realized that my unconscious mind was destroying the body's immune system even more. In my opinion, Covid-19 is not just a virus, but it is very damaging to our mind and emotions. I felt very uncomfortable. Moreover, when I was isolated at Wisma Atlet, I was alone, without family. There were only nurses and doctors accompanying me.
One of my friends asked why I chose health meditation practice to help the healing process. I did everything that I could to heal, such as praying, meditating, taking medicines, and doing other healing techniques that I found on YouTube. During the isolation, I thought about contacting Mbak Ade Wuryaningsih, one of Bali Usada's facilitators. I haven't seen Mbak Ade for a long time.
Mbak Ade provided me with information and links to the Bali Usada YouTube meditation practice where Pak Merta Ada talked about Covid-19. I followed the meditation practice according to the instructions in the video. With the condition of being ill with Covid-19, it was very difficult to practice meditation because my mind was all over the places. Then, I suddenly remembered the book, The Power of Now; when we think about the past or the future that might not necessarily happen, we are often filled with regrets and worries. The most important thing is the present.
When meditating, I have to be in the present moment. Sometimes I feel impatient. I remember, there is one thing that Pak Merta Ada said which is very powerful, "we really want to recover from illness, but it requires patience and acceptance, all conditions change". When I am uncomfortable, restless, all these conditions change. I was uncomfortable yesterday, I am comfortable with being in this moment and my meditation practice today. I often imagined the videos that were shared on social media, people who died were buried according to the Covid-19 protocol. At that moment, I wanted to scream. Then, I reminded myself again and tried to be calmer, patient, and accepting. With the practice of health meditation, I can be in the present. Meditation makes me feel more grateful.
During meditation practice, I felt like my body was talking to me. Some parts of my body felt warm, uncomfortable, etc. Then I reminded myself that everything that is conditioned can change. Finally, I was calmer and more patient. My immune system had become stronger. I was in the ICU for two days and then moved to the intermediate room. I was monitored every day. I felt a lot of fear during this time. My friend was in the ICU for 3 weeks. He also told me that he was worried. With old age, he said that we are vulnerable and should be careful. I often heard stories like this. My family was also panicking. Moreover, there was a family member who had a heart disease. So we had to be more careful. My family was confused and did not know what to do. Then I brought myself back to the meditation practice, so I could feel more comfortable.
When I had Covid-19, my condition was weak, so I meditated in a lying down position. When I was able to sit, I would sit down to meditate. I continued to meditate as much as I could. Most importantly, I focused on the meditation object and the present moment. Where did I focus when I practiced meditation? In accordance with Pak Merta Ada's instructions, I meditated by spreading loving kindness to our bodies, the environment, the universe. Then, I felt my breath in and out, its characteristics, and the changes or the impermanence of the breath to strengthen the Harmonious Mind. Then, I felt the 36 body parts and focused on the organs that got affected by the Covid-19 virus, such as the respiratory system, throat, thymus gland, chest, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys. This virus is very greedy. Not only the respiratory organs are being attacked, but other organs are also affected by this virus.
Now I feel healthier. I have started my morning walk of 4,000 steps. Even if the weather is a bit cloudy, I have to walk. I have increased the frequency of meditation to 3 times a day, with a duration of approximately 40 minutes for each sitting meditation. Due to the medicines I was taking were quite strong for my stomach, Mr. Agus, one of Bali Usada's Senior Instructors, told me that I had to generate a lot of Harmonious Mind in my stomach and solar plexus. After following the advice, I could feel some reactions in my body. Sometimes I felt shocked, then I reminded myself with Anicca (impermanence).
I hope all Meditation Friends can continue to pray, maintain good health, follow the ‘5M’ protocol, and practice meditation regularly. We must accept and be patient when dealing with Covid-19 virus. We have to accept that this virus is around us. Don't forget to be grateful for this life. For friends who are positive for Covid-19, I highly recommend that apart from taking medicines from the doctor, meditation practice is very useful for a faster healing process. May all beings be happy.
