Corona Virus Diary -1

Corona Virus Diary -1 (March 23, 2020)

(I have been confined in a building for the last two weeks. We are more than 70 of us in the same building. We try to keep ourselves isolated in our respective rooms and have very minimum interactions with each other. But life has not stopped. Life keeps on going like a flowing river. It is all together a different experience.)

It’s Monday! Like many other students, Monday is the most boring day of the week for me. After the weekend, it is difficult to get back to the classroom again and eventually at the centre of consultation for the practical work. Every Monday, I used to be at the university around 8.20. But today, I have to remain in my room.

8.00: As usual, after the morning prayer and breakfast, I took my smartphone to connect with the world. There were messages from Bangladesh, India, Srilanka, USA, Italy, Ireland...The world has indeed become a global village. It is a humbling experience that many people care for me. They wish me ‘stay safe’ and assure me ‘prayer’.  

10.00: I got a phone call from one of my classmates, with whom I am supposed to present a seminar next week. After the initial business talk, we began to share our life of these days. Then we connected with another friend. Three of us had video call by using zoom. What a joy ‘being’ together online. We have been together for last four years in the university- attending the lectures, having a chit-chat during breaks, doing assignment and occasionally eating Indian food outside! A sudden epidemic has brought our life into a standstill. But this has helped me to value the friendship.

12.00: As usual, I celebrated Mass with another friend. In spite of suffering, we try to ‘find’ God in everything. We find consolation and become energetic as we celebrate life with the Eucharistic Lord. 

14.00:  After the lunch, I was talking with a senior Jesuit, who happened to celebrate toady his 75^th birthday. I had to entered to his room to get a book. It was a mini library. I could find only books and books. Of course, there is a small cot and a very few personal belongings. I have seen many Jesuits, who have only books as their personal belongings.

20.30 After the dinner, I went to the terrace for a walk with the same friend with whom I celebrate Mass these days. It was so windy that we had to cut-short our walk. I went to the community recreation room to watch a film with some of the community members. My friend arrived little later. He gave me a chocolate and sat next to me. We kept on laughing as it was a hilarious film...Perhaps, this is the Jesuit community life, friends are always there to be with you to bring little ‘chocolate’ at the most difficult time...

Coronavirus: A lazy thought (Part 2)

Coronavirus: A lazy thought (Part 2)

Yes! Finally, I have made it. I have remained in the closed door for 24 hours. It must have been one of the few days in Rome that I spent whole day inside the four wall! It is possible to break the usual habit when situation demands.

It was coincidental that I dedicated a good part of the day reading on Adlerian psychology. Alfred Adler has a positive approach to life as he says human beings are holistic, creative and responsible beings. He claims maladjusted persons are not ‘sick’ rather they are ‘discouraged’. He insists that every problem can be solved and invites us to ‘live in present’. I was also reminded the words of my founder (St Ignatius of Loyola)- “finding God in everything.” Where do I find God! What good do I find in this situation! What can I do! What can we do! The endless thoughts destroyed my ‘peace of mind’. 

I came out of my room to take a short stroll. Near the stair case, I met an Indian friend with a huge mug of coffee. The fragrance of coffee reminded me of coffee that I used to take in India. I was so tempted to grab the mug from him and take a sip! I wondered from where did he get Indian type home-made coffee? Usually we get coffee from the 'coffee machine' and the fragrance is entirely different. Before I could ask him anything, he smilingly said, “I was feeling boring in my room. I went to the small kitchen and prepared Indian style coffee.”  He entered into his room without even noticing my 'tempted face'.

I felt he was very innovative. It clicked me that even in this crucial time, we can do many simple things to rejuvenate ourselves. I returned to my room and immediately took a pen and began to write of what we can do during this time of coronavirus.

1.      We can spend time with ourselves. Often we say- we are busy people in a busy world. It is time when we can enjoy our presence. We can feel our emotions, listen to our desires and dream for a better tomorrow.

2.      We can spend time with our near and dear ones. Perhaps, someone wants to share something personal. We can also share our personal stories to someone.

3.      We can even spend time with the Lord, who is our creator and saviour. It is a time that we can build personal relationship with Him.

4.      We may get in touch with a friend, whom we have not contacted for so many days. We can just call him/her up or send a mail. It refreshes our lives when we recall our old memories.

5.      We can devout sometimes to any creative work. We may have had many hobbies in the past. But our hectic life must have forced us to give up all our hobbies. It is the time that we can get back to these good hobbies. 

6.      We can read a book, watch a film or listen to the music that we wanted do for a long time. (To be continued)

Coronavirus: A lazy thought (Part 1)

Coronavirus: A lazy thought (Part 1)

It takes just seven to eight minutes to reach to the university from my residence. It is the same road that I have been taking for the last four years. I wonder that I might even go to the university by closing my eyes! Along the way, I meet and greet certain people like restaurant waiters, street vendors, shopkeepers...

I ‘had’ to go to the university today. Every day, I go to the university but today I ‘had’ to go! As I was leaving the community, I was surprised when the receptionist wanted to know the motive of going out. Usually he never asks. He listened to me carefully and finally said, “be careful.”

The narrow road going to the university was empty- a complete deserted look. There were very few vehicles. Public transports were running without any passengers. The street vendors, near Via del Corso, happen to be my countrymen, were with masks. They were sad and frightened. One of them greeted me and said, “be careful.”

I have been entering into the university building for the last four years. I know every corner of the building. I was surprised when the receptionist stopped and asked me where I was going. It was for the first time! I had to explain the motive of coming to the university. With a puzzled look, she said, “be careful.”

I had gone to meet a professor. The professor, who usually takes a lot of time, took less than a minute. I was surprised that she did not even ask me to sit down. At the end, her simple advice was- “be careful.”

I went to my work place. It is always crowded. I found just one of my class-mates was sitting in the office. I was surprised that she greeted me very softly. She is the most social-able and outgoing person that I have met in Room. Her usual smile was missing and she did not even show any interest to talk to me. As I parted from her, she said, “be careful.”

As I was returning back to my community, I was reflecting on “be careful” that I had heard from many people. In fact, many seem to be warning me- don’t do this, don’t do that. I have also received a few instructions of what I should not do during this time from the authority. Reflecting on their words, suddenly I asked myself – what can I do these days! (to be continued)