Coronaphobia: A New Epidemic of Isolation
An epidemic of Isolation called Coronaphobia
Dear Shared Heart Friends,
The Couple’s Journey February 14-19
A 5-day retreat just for couples that will transform your relationship. During this retreat, you will be open to more love and connection than you thought possible and have enough time to integrate these positive changes into your lives back home.
Spiritual Chanting February 24, 7-8:30 pm, FREE
A remarkable 90 minutes of singing, chanting (mainly in English), and opening your hearts to the divine. Join Barry and Joyce with guest musicians. Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Cruz
We are excited to offer our FREE album of sacred songs and chants, “I Stand for Love,” our first musical recording. You can download the whole album for free, or listen to it on YouTube. Wait till you hear the exquisite harmonies added by our son, John-Nuri.
Free Album Download
Listen on YouTube
Excerpt from this month’s article: “In one pandemic swoop, the world is now changed. Isolation is now justified.”
Our latest book: Heartfullness: 52 Ways to Open to More Love, is available only on Amazon.com as a Kindle e-book for only $5.99 (or paperback for $15.95). Read what one reviewer says:
“I love love love this book!! For me, it’s like a thought for the day … I read — then carry that nugget of love, joy, or peace to ponder and bathe in throughout the day –or even take into my meditations!! such a treasure !! priceless!” –Trish Turpel
Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Heartfullness-Ways-Open-More-Love-ebook/dp/B081K926GY
Unbelievable Book Sale: To Really Love a Woman and To Really Love a Man (each regular price $15.95) now $15 for both with free shipping; and if you buy both, as a bonus, just $3 each (and free shipping) for as many as you want of the following books: The Shared Heart, Models of Love, Risk To Be Healed, Rami’s Book, Light in the Mirror, and A Mother’s Final Gift. Please call Paris at 831-684-2130 to order.
Shared Heart Column
Heartfulness February 2023
with Joyce and Barry Vissell
“Coronaphobia: A New Epidemic of Isolation”
Yes, that’s right. Coronaphobia is an accurate word. Researchers coined this term in December 2020. It’s the fear of Covid infection, sometimes crippling a person, interfering with their lives. I have a counseling/psychotherapy client right now who is obsessed with dying from Covid. She is perfectly healthy, without any risk factors, and has not lost anyone close to her in the pandemic. In other words, there is no apparent cause for her fear. She’s terrified of being physically close to anyone. Even though she lives locally and can quickly drive to her appointments, she has insisted on Zoom sessions. I finally convinced her to at least face her fears in the room with me, so she obliged, sitting next to an open window, bundled up against the cold air.
Coronaphobia, sadly, has led to the escalation of Social Phobia. People are afraid to gather in groups other than their family or close friends (i.e., their “safety pod”). The initial Covid pandemic set the tone. Social distancing was the mandate. But now it has become a habit, a way of life, a normalizing of isolation. In one pandemic swoop, the world is now changed. Isolation is now justified.
Over the years, there has been more and more isolation in our modern society. Loneliness has been on the rise. Even just the advent of smartphones and texting has encouraged this isolation. Ten years ago, we could never have imagined two close friends sitting in the same room and communicating via text messages. Now, this is commonplace, especially among the younger generation.
For Joyce and me, this new epidemic of isolation has hit close to home. Now, before people come to a workshop or retreat, they must move through their Coronaphobia and enhanced Social Phobia, their fear of being in the same room with strangers. Even with precautions like testing and mask-wearing, people still hesitate to come to a retreat. Our retreats are the favorite part of our work. For almost fifty years, we have watched a group of strangers become best friends, often in just one weekend. We have nurtured the immense power of healing created in a focused group of people. Our retreats have taken a big hit. They are smaller since the pandemic. We are managing because of our counseling practice. People are willing to risk getting help as individuals or couples, just not in a group.
I also love music and leading, singing, and chanting. Most people have loved circle dances during our retreats, moving around a circle and singing sacred phrases with each person they meet. The process has facilitated heart-opening. Singing/chanting is a powerful way to connect with your heart and other hearts, to have a welcome break from thinking. Now, however, many are reluctant to participate in these circle dances because of the fear of spreading germs. And singing through a mask is just not the same experience.
Even my local monthly chanting group in Santa Cruz has fewer participants. It’s still excellent with a small group, but many people are too afraid to be part of any group. Singing is now too often equated with virus-spreading. But then the enormous benefits of group singing and chanting, the spiritual atmosphere, and the powerful healing energy are too easily ignored.
Please remember that we are all social beings. We need each other. Giving and receiving love is essential for our very happiness and well-being. Be mindful of the spread of illness, but distinguish this from the epidemic of fear and isolation. Take necessary precautions, but don’t be ruled by fear. Remember the phrase, “When two or more are gathered in my name, there I am.” Social visits and parties are great, but spiritual gatherings are vital. Please don’t miss out on the spiritual healing power generated by a focused group. It’s the best protection against isolation and strengthens your immune system.
Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors near Santa Cruz, CA, passionate about conscious relationships and personal spiritual growth. They are the authors of 9 books and a new free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Call 831-684-2130 for further information on counseling sessions by phone, online, or in person, their books, recordings, or their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their website at SharedHeart.org for their free monthly e-heartletter, updated schedule, and inspiring past articles on relationships and living from the heart.
Our schedule at a glance (details below — All events are now in-person):
February 14-19: The Couples Journey
February 24: Spiritual Chanting and Singing
April 19-23: The Greatest Journey (Mentorship Program)
Quote of the Month:
“It is the friend within our heart who fills the loneliness and gives us the feeling of being loved. The more we contact and feel our inner friend, the more we can give to and receive from others.” – The Shared Heart, p. 18
Please join Joyce and me in holding a vision of a world where women, men, and children of all nations, races, and religions can see and feel the divine in themselves and one another. Here is our current 2023 workshop schedule. Joyce and I would love to see you at one of these events. Please remember how vital this spiritual-emotional growth work is. Let’s take another step into the heart of love and deeper awareness, where real-world healing begins. Peace be with you all.
February 14-19: The Couples Journey A 5-day retreat just for couples that will transform your relationship. During this retreat, you will be open to more love and connection than you thought possible and have enough time to integrate these positive changes into your lives back home.
February 24: Spiritual Chanting and Singing
A remarkable 90 minutes of singing, chanting (mainly in English), and opening your hearts to the divine. Join Barry and Joyce with guest musicians. If you are a musician, please bring an instrument and join us.
When: Friday, February 24, 2023, 7-8:30 pm
Where: Center for Spiritual Living, 1818 Felt St, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: FREE or Love offering to support CSL.
April 19-23: The Greatest Journey (Mentorship Program)
Find and live your dream, your passion, and your purpose! Individually and together with a small, carefully chosen group of 8-14 participants (singles or couples), these six months will help you recreate your life.
July 21-23: Esalen Couples Retreat Learn skills to dramatically improve your relationship while luxuriating at one of the most uniquely beautiful retreat centers we have ever visited.
Volunteers Needed. The Shared Heart Foundation needs volunteers. If you would like to support our vision and work, no matter where you live, email info@sharedheart.org.
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Counseling with the Vissells. For individuals or couples needing help, you can choose from one hour to a two-day intensive with either or both of us. http://sharedheart.org/counseling/
Do you ever shop on Amazon.com?Now you can support The Shared Heart Foundation just by shopping online? Just go to smile.amazon.com, sign in like you usually do, specify The Shared Heart Foundation (you only have to do this once), and 0.5% of every order supports us. Thank you for this support.
Our love and blessings to you all,
Barry and Joyce Vissell
Please click on SharedHeart.org for inspiring articles about relationships, consciousness, and our updated schedule.
