It was about 5 pm. I was walking back my friends' dogs. I heard clapping. Strange, clapping now? Here, in these odd times riddled with fear and uncertainties?

Then I saw a house with children and an adult playing classical music. It was soothing the overhanging fears. The neighborhood gathered but kept its distance. positive emotions were pouring. I was moved to tears. How amazing Americans are in times of crisis. How united they are when not listening to divisive politics or religions.

This 8th-grade orchestra teacher had his children play classical music for us, on their porch. It was surreal. It was a reminder that no matter what, that unquenchable human spirit is indomitable.

As long as we focus on those moments and let the best of our nature come out, what nefarious agenda can trap us?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1244838894517882880

It's truly unreal. This little virus did what no government could nor military or even great economic powers. It has brought the world back to a standstill, long enough to catch our breaths and recalibrate our lives. What shall we do? What shall we do?

Cars are not speeding anymore on our street. The skies are nicely quiet. There are no jet trails anymore. Just limpid splendid quietness. The occasional one to two-propeller aircraft buzzes. That's it. The once a day rare occasion jetliner roars above, maybe once. That's it. 747s are retired after 50 years of gracing the skies. It's sad for me. I first started flying in them since the mid-70s. 707 and DC8 have long gone but the 747 is something else. It's the one easily recognizable for almost anyone. It's the Queen of the Skies, never eclipsed by the A380. And it's now gone, turning a passage on our aviation history.

And with that, I'm happy. The serenity that is palpable in the street in undeniable. People are mellow. They're nice to talk to. They engage, from far but the engage nonetheless.

Will it last?

I hope so. It's really up to us to say: "Stop. Enough is enough. Non-serviam. I will not be your slave. I will not worship the faceless economy God anymore." It's really up to us to say once and for all, enough is now enough. I am my own person and acknowledge my healthy needs above all. If not, how else can I give the best of myself?

Dzogchen says it, so does the great Tao, as do countless of old religions and philosophies. So why are we still so rooted in duality and seeing everything through the lenses of duality?

I just read one of my EnneaThought daily emails for my type (7) as of March 27th:

"The Holy Ideas are universal perceptions of non-dual reality that are transformative no matter what our type. When we know the Holy Truth all sense of separateness, alienation, fear, and desire ends. We feel our unity with the One and realize that it has never been otherwise. (Understanding the Enneagram, 59)"

When it comes to it, deep down inside, we see and feel everything is connected. Never has this been more obvious than with the pandemic spread of the Covid-19 virus. It slowly started in one country, spread to neighboring countries and took to the world in a month.

In a year of low-brow elections where the choice seems to sadly gravitate -- yet again -- to a right versus left, Democrats versus Republicans. Isn't it time to stand back to see the bigger picture? IT would be nice to say no thank you. You, political parties, haven't done anything in decades but divvy up power among yourselves. It's time to let the adults back in the room.

Tuning in to the holy inner sanctuary and keeping mindful of the Universe, that's the challenge we are being asked to face. And to face it is not as difficult as the idea we make of it.

One think I notice is how we all flock outside since the Covid-19 social distancing and stay at work movement. While politicians fret and billionaires see their fortunes dwindle -- coincidentally asking us to get back to work sooner than later, this period is offering an amazing gift. What is the real master? The one who asks you to go to work for the sake of this thing called the economy or that which is within all of us, never failing?

Have you noticed how as soon as we were told to stay at home, most people went out? While I rejoice seeing others engage in ways they've never done before, the social distancing should be taken as a wonderful opportunity to tune in to the inside as well. While our first reaction is to go out and reach out, we also need to take the time to reach within.

Of course, easier said than done. But this social media picture made me laugh yesterday.

Seriously, let's not mess this one up.