Event Three

 June 2, 2021

Event Three: Meditation: Oxygen for South Asia

Out of the three events I've attended, this event was one of the most peaceful and eye-opening. This event was hosted by many speakers including Professor Vesna. In the beginning of the event, Professor Vesna introduced each of the guest speakers. After introductions, Professor Vesna sent a link that takes viewers to an immersive interaction video. The first three minutes of the video were for meditation. The video showed a view of the ocean and gloomy sky while the audio was of people taking deep breaths. From my personal experience, this video made me anxious rather than making me calmer because of my fear of the ocean. Professor Vesna guided meditation after the three minutes of silence and allowed listeners to meditate with her. 

Screen Capture from Vimeo link

One of the main ideas that was introduced by Professor Vesna is that 80% of our air is produced by plankton. Since plankton are producers, they are the basis of all life so if they go, we go as well. All organisms, including humans, need oxygen to survive. One thing that the coronavirus pandemic has taken away is our oxygen. One of the speakers resides in India, where there is a lack of oxygen for the patients infected with Covid-19. Since Covid-19 affects the lungs, patients with serious cases need oxygen to survive. There has been a massive recent surge in coronavirus cases in India and hospitals have been struggling to care for patients with the lack of medicine and oxygen. 

Graphical Representation of Covid-19 Cases in India Today

One last message that Professor Vesna stated was the idea that if one side of the world isn't doing well but the other is, we all aren't doing well. We are all here in one world, breathing in the same oxygen and living on the same land. This was one of the most important, take-away messages that Professor Vesna left us with, which has stuck with me. 

Image of Professor Vesna's Idea   

References:

Center, Art|Sci. “DESMA 9 Week 9 Featuring Richelle Gribble.mov.” Vimeo, 31 May 2021, vimeo.com/554825978.

Deutsche Welle. “COVID: Why Is India Facing an Oxygen Shortage?: DW: 04.05.2021.” DW.COM, www.dw.com/en/india-covid-oxygen-shortage/a-57425951.

“India Records 300,000 Covid Deaths as Pandemic Rages.” BBC News, BBC, 24 May 2021, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57224565.

Krivis, Jeffrey. “The Five Stages Of Mediation.” Mediate.com - Find Mediators - World's Leading Mediation Information Site, www.mediate.com/articles/krivis.cfm.

National Geographic Society. “Plankton Revealed.” National Geographic Society, 28 Jan. 2013, www.nationalgeographic.org/media/plankton-revealed/.