Adhere to the five basic guidelines of Buddhist ethics: not causing harm (to self or others), not taking what isn’t freely given, being wise with sexuality, being careful with speech (truthful, kind, not gossiping), and avoiding intoxicants that lead to heedlessness.
Strive to live the best possible life by fostering love, care, and connection with others, and pursuing truth and understanding, as these are the things that make life worthwhile.
Recognize that immediate gratification often leads to temporary happiness and negative outcomes, while understanding the natural law of cause and effect in your actions can lead to a clearer, lighter life.
Strive for actions that lead to the ‘bliss of blamelessness,’ experiencing freedom and liberation from the mental weight of regret, which often manifests as cognitive dissonance when overriding ethical alignment.
Let the principle ‘when I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad’ serve as your guiding North Star for ethical decisions, acknowledging that while mistakes will happen, this principle points towards alignment with your heart.
Before acting, use mindfulness to pause, check into your own fear or resistance, and consider the possible impact or outcome of your actions to avoid causing harm to others, even in small ways.
Act generously by considering what you truly need versus what you merely want, especially during times of scarcity, as taking what you don’t need can deprive others and goes against societal responsibility.
Practice self-compassion by acknowledging your fears and difficult emotions without wallowing in self-pity; instead, use mindfulness to identify what is truly happening and take actionable steps to care for yourself.
When angry at those in denial or not taking a situation seriously, try to empathize with their underlying needs, such as a desire for connection or belonging, by reflecting on your own past heedlessness.
When addressing people not taking a serious situation seriously, approach them from a place of genuine worry and care, rather than flooding them with facts or rules, and seek to understand their perspective (e.g., fear or lack of understanding).
Acknowledge the radical changes people are facing and approach those resisting with compassion, letting them know you care about them and want them to change their behavior for their own good and the good of others.
While empathy and compassion are important, mindfulness also provides the wisdom and clarity to know when to be firm, clear, and straightforward in setting boundaries or enforcing guidelines, especially to protect your home and family.
Acknowledge anger as a basic emotion, and when it’s well-placed (e.g., towards leaders whose harmful actions influence many), focus it on shutting down those actions as quickly as possible.
During critical times, practice renunciation by acknowledging desires for immediate affection or comfort, but choose to wait and hold those feelings, understanding that delaying gratification serves the greater good and prevents potential harm.
Before acquiring items, especially during scarcity, reflect on your motivations by asking ‘why’ you are doing it; if it’s purely fear-based, acknowledge that fear and consider how your actions impact others who might be deprived.
Recognize that during new and shocking circumstances, you will make mistakes or act in ways you’re not proud of; be easier on yourself by employing self-compassion as you navigate a new world.
Recognize that perfection is unattainable, but commit to doing everything you possibly can and stretching yourself to do more to help flatten the curve and support others during a crisis.
Before relocating, especially from a high-risk area, carefully assess your intention and the potential impact of your move on the destination community, including their food supply and healthcare system.
If considering leaving a high-risk area for personal comfort, reflect on the potential harm of spreading the virus and stressing local resources in your destination, and be prepared for negative reactions from the community.
Take the five precepts every morning as a daily reminder to guide your actions and ethical practice throughout the day.
Actively look for opportunities to do things for and with one another, as positive actions can make life more worth living and strengthen connections.
Participate in 10% Happier Live every weekday at 3 Eastern/noon Pacific for a 20-minute guided meditation and Q&A to help maintain sanity during challenging times.