Raghubir Singh Pirta
Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
Pages:13 – 28
In context of COVID-19 pandemic and future well-being, this presentation aims to explore four areas: premises of care; communication processes; origins of flourishing, and, community resources. The paradigm from loss to flourish signifies a nostalgic walk with some eminent teachers in knowing the mother infant bond. Mother’s role as a universal caregiver was enormously felt during COVID-19. It is vital to orient health workers and pedagogic practices to this end. The second part of the presentation introduces loss of loved ones in the language of metaphors, and the overall objective is on use of indirect speech in communication with the grieving family members. In this view metaphoric processes are catalysts in creative cognition. In the third part of presentation, the theorization of fear of being killed as a factor in the genesis of cooperative primate group is in consonance with the innate tendencies of maternal attachment eliciting pain of separation during moments of distress, as we saw during the pandemic. For some it is another experience of gloom, as they expect better care. A few younger ones suffering loss may imbibe the spirit of fire of biraha of Sufi saints. Whereas for common people the practice of Bodhichitta is eternal source of maternal feeling. The fourth part of the presentation underline role of community resources in mental well-being. This is another way to lay emphasis on collective healing embedded in the organizations of local deities as theory of moralizing gods suggest. Some aspects of the Shari-ra-Deo, a local deity from western Himalayan region, are illustrative of coping with common distress.
Keywords: Attachment. Metaphor. Cooperation. Separation. Mother. Caregiver. Loss. Mental health. Community resources.