Changing Perspective — Michael Spayd

Before last Sunday, my relationship with the Coronavirus, and COVID-19, was much like I imagine many of you — the virus felt almost like an alien invader, a malicious force out to ‘attack’ us humans, and it must be defeated, or destroyed. Then, I essentially had a conversation with COVID-19, and everything changed for me.

I’ve used systemic constellations on many occasions to explore the field around a system or a topic, but hadn’t considered doing so for COVID-19, until a colleague shared a video. I was immediately inspired to setup a simple constellation, with representatives for me, a friend, and COVID-19. The virus felt frightening at first — so much so that it was hard to stand in its place in the constellation and just experience it; but when I honestly let it in, I began to feel a deep sense of respect. I had the insight that COVID-19 arose to be our teacher, and I communicated that to the virus. There was a sense that it appreciated being seen; there was respect on both sides, and also a sense of the gravity of the situation (for there surely is a danger here). I believe COVID-19 is bringing changes that we sorely need, even though I am not that happy about some of those changes, at least in the short term. And the changes I’ve already seen are profound.

My relationship with COVID-19 changed that day. I returned to a certain kind of humility and openness with respect to this new force in our collective consciousness.

COVID-19 has put all of us as humans at our Collective Edge — and has taken us quickly outside our comfort zone. We are going to need to change our relationship with a lot of things that we perceive create comfort for us. And we’re going to have to do it pretty quickly. And, we’re going to want to do it together.

Maybe we start with a dialogue.

—Michael Spayd