Holistic Living by Riza Shanti Lim
For people like me who live in the mountain where water shortage has always been a concern, the arrival of the rainy season is truly a great blessing — like Santa Claus stopping by on a summer, dropping “manna” from above.
As most of us know, the rain washes away bacteria, viruses, dust and pollutants floating in the air. Which means the water that land on the ground or any surface contains contaminants that cause sickness and damages; harmful to those who get exposed to it.
I still vividly remember when I was a little child, my siblings and I used to play under the rain and we were just fine, each time after. Unfortunately, nowadays, whenever drops of rain hit my head, surely, the next day, I will feel feverish and ill if I don’t take a shower right away.
Our environment has changed a lot over the years, the same goes with my perspective about it. Before, when the sprinkle from the sky started pouring, my heart was tremendously gleeful with joy. I even tried to catch some drops in my mouth to taste the precious sweet nectar from the heavens. But now, when I hear the drizzle taking over, I mindfully protect myself by avoiding going out so it doesn’t touch my skin and get me into trouble.
Reflecting on these circumstances, the trees, the plants, the animals or even non-living things, are for sure affected by it in an unpleasant way — just how it affected me.
As a matter of fact, according to a research, the rainwater’s unsafe level of PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances), popularly called the “forever chemicals”, already exceed the safety line. These poisonous chemicals don’t breakdown — a dilemma that the population will face eventually, if not addressed right away.
Just last year, while I was in Kathmandu, Nepal, in the month of June, every single day, for three weeks, I was openly out in the rain performing the sacred “kora” while chanting my mantras around the Boudhanath Stupa. After the routine, I head straight back to the hotel where I was staying at.
Drenched and exhausted as I enter my room, I changed in my pajamas quickly, crashed in my small cozy bed, forget about the bath. I thought I would be sick the next day after this unmindful act. Luckily, I was perfectly alright. Which puzzled me that moment. I continued the practice for three weeks, with no worries.
From that simple experience, I learned something worthy. I realized that the rain is a blessing if it’s pouring from a clean space and a tragedy if it’s coming from a contaminated atmosphere.
My mother used to tell my brothers to take a bath immediately when they get wet from the pour. Her worry was they might catch a cold from it. Though it is true by being exposed to cold may cause flu, but in reality, part of it is because of the toxins present in the water.
Now that the rainy season is very much around, let’s be cautious and heighten our awareness by wearing proper water-resistant clothes that could protect our entire body, especially the head. Take vitamin C, Zinc, B-Complex, D3 and probiotics to enhance your immune response. Make it a habit to cleanse your hands often with an effective sanitizer or wash with natural soap.
Sitting on my bed facing the crystal clear window, I see the shining trickles dancing enchantingly. It’s captivating, hypnotic sound made me sleepy.
The physical component of the glorious rain may have been exploited by man, but its powerful soul of purity that soothes the broken and the wounded remain the same.
Namaste.
Peace and light.
