Stressfree Mind

 

STRESS FREE MIND with breathing techniques

Pointers towards how to boost a stress-free mind

1.      ENERGY – To combat stress, we need more energy. Inhaling long deep breaths helps us to enhance our life energy levels. Filling up our lungs with maximum oxygen helps us to increase the functional capacity of our internal organs. Just like better blood circulation improves overall health, higher oxygen levels boosts our energy levels. Bhastrika is one powerful breathing technique to shake off nervousness and fill up with newfound energy and enthusiasm.

 

2.     FLEXIBILITY – When stress happens, because of our rigidness, we either break or fail without being flexible.  These breathing exercises allows us to be in flexible mode – ready to adapt to any situation, person or task. Our brain muscles are toned so that they function with agility and become shock absorbers to bear shattering news and we become more resilient to trauma or loss. Our emotions are directly connected to our breath. If we are not careful, the emotions can rule our life ending up with wrong decisions and a messy life. Instead, if we know how to deal with these emotions, we can be in charge of our life. For example, on a hill station we get a WOW moment opening our breath in full flow as we are mesmerized in awe of the scenic beauty. We can get back this wow moment anytime we take fuller deeper breaths. When we are sad, we usually have shallow breath and by using breathing techniques we can come out of sadness promptly. This is the power of breath which make us in charge of our emotions and enables us to be in response mode rather than in reaction mode. Our resilience power increases and we can forebear any bad situation staying calm and stable. This is the secret of becoming rock solid. Your will power escalates tremendously as you are in charge of your life.

 

3.     BALANCE – Our brain has two aspects, left connected with analytical part and right connected with emotional part. Both are important for our functioning. However in most of the cases, if we are not very alert or aware, our mind tends to be lopsided to either the emotional or analytical half. The right balance is required to have a clear perspective and hence our thought process will be steered in the right direction. Here also through Nadi shodhan Pranayam or Breath purification breathwork, we can activate both sides of the brain and maintain the right balance.

 

4.    RHYTHM – By default, our biological system has a rhythm as a part of Nature. As we move from our childhood to maturity, we are getting influenced by outside conditioning and our inner tendencies also interrupt the rhythm, resulting in abnormalities like stress and diseases. The natural rhythm is reflection of our body-mind synchronicity and breath is the link between our mind and body. Practicing breathing techniques helps us to align our mind body in one harmony.

 

5.     COMFORT ZONE – Most of the times, we get stressed when we deal with people, situations, or tasks that fall outside our comfort zone. We can get over this phobia or myth that comfort keeps us safe, once we know how many opportunities we are missing out on by not stepping out of our comfort zone. What is comfort… that which we are used to or we think it will provide pleasure and safety. But the fact is in long term, comfort only limits us and if we prepare ourself for discomfort we can face anything and everything. If we can embrace embarrassment, we conquer half the battle with our readiness, “Be it, so what!’’ Here also breathwork releases the tension and with new found relaxed rested mode, with upgraded energy levels, we move on to next level of growth crossing our comfort zone barriers. We learn new things, ready to bear more risk for a brighter future. We move on from no mind to YES mind.

 

6.    UNDERSTANDING NATURE OF MIND – One of the major reasons of stress is that we cannot let go of past pain, loss or regrets or anything negative. The nature of our mind is such that it clings on to negativity and doubts only positive thoughts. For instance, if we are praised by 10 people, we will be overwhelmed and can’t take the appreciation in full spirit, we shy away thinking that they are only praising us out of courtesy, we doubt good things. But when 1 person insults us, we are not able to dismiss it the same way we dismiss the praise. We will believe and react immediately.  The other propensity of our mind is to oscillate between past and future and hence we fail to focus on the present moment. Our mind is scattered all over and to bring it back to a one pointedness, breath can be instrumental.

   Once we are aware of the tendencies of our mind, we watch out not to fall in its trap. The mind plays tricky games and lures us into more easy tasks and instant results but with breathing techniques, our awareness improves. With breathwork we are in witness mode, separating ourselves from our mind. Our mind automatically gets quietened like a good obedient child as we are directing our mind as a master to follow a particular technique. When the chattering mind is silenced, it is automatically rested. It returns to a stable position, in the present moment. FLUSHING OUT TOXIC THOUGHTS – The last but not the least is mental hygiene. If we don’t know how to dispose of our toxic thougts, we are going to fall sick both mentally and physically. Breathwork helps us to flush out these negative emotions and thoughts through proper exhalation. Kapalbhati is such powerful breath technique of forceful exhalations from the naval area. Bhanwari is another way to clear the cobwebs of brain through nozzle of one pointed forceful hmming sound of a bee keeping all windows of your senses closed. The blocked up areas will open up with jerks from forceful breaths at every level of our body be in naval area, heart region or top of the head.  

 

We can bridge the gap between a stressed chaotic mind and a stable stress-free mind with mindfulness, following these breathing techniques.

Pathway to Subconscious mind and beyond

In today's world every body is aware of everything thanks to technological boom the way information flows beyond borders and time horizon. Still there are aspects which today's advancement have a little effect. Those are subtler aspects like mind, emotions, feelings. 

On the first instance it may appear of course, we can adhere to our feeling and emotion by various entertaining gadgets which caters to soothe our mind be it fun games or relaxing music or social media insta reels. What is concerning here, is when our mind patterns are getting deeper and deeper embedded in our  system without our knowledge to an extent that when it starts showing signs of distress or fails to function well, we are alarmed beyond imagination. Here comes the role of subconsious level where these patterns are placed and starts interrupting in our life. 

While staying mindful is quite challenging in this maddening world, being watchful about these patterns can be overwhelming to even think of. However, there is a respite though, once we know the power of our subconsious mind. The good news is that we can access it. 

 Our subconscious mind can be accessed through meditation - bringing the mind to rest. The various impressions our mind gets while going through difficult times especially have a deeper impact on our personality, the way we perceive or react or adopt may vary. Just like a wrinkled mind it ceases to perform effectively with so many creases and to smooth en it one can take the help of meditation as a tool to get rid of these impressions and help the mind get rid of conditioning. Just like aging process can be reversed with healthy lifestyle, likewise the conditioning can be reversed with breathing techiniques & meditation. The instant relief through releasing toxic thoughts is clear, calmer mind- more present and yes mind. Clarity happens with more decisive power and intuitiveness. Things get sorted out easier with a relaxed mind. 

Right from priority list to do's and don't will entirely be changed with new found peace of mind which is always in state of equilibrium, in the present moment. The present is a gift to us  as it opens up avenues to make our future. Past can be life learning lesson but the inclination of our mind is getting stuck in the past be it good or bad, both stops us being fully in the present moment. When we lack our full attention in the present moment, we loose our 100% capability to perform or deal with the situation. Rather than in response mode we rush to react and give the remote control of our emotions to outside factors which can trigger our emotions any time without our knowledge or preparation. It sounds dangerous being into victimhood mode rather in defence mode, right action at right time. Sometimes it is wiser not to act in some cases to save our own mind from draining our energy into unnecessary issues which can be avoided by simple act of no action. 

As we mentioned about subtler aspects, lets move on from reaching subconscious to where it leads further after reaching there. It opens up new dimension to our existence. By practice of meditation and breathing techniques, we witness real Self in its purest form far away from what we have been knowing ourselves till now. Right from our birth, conditioning of the mind gets started which is basic for survival. Like recognising, associating, learning..... in nutshell all what we hear, see and perceive from senses make us believe what we are. Eventually we get so attached to the image so built that we start believing that as our true identity leaving behind what we originally are. The quest to learn about Self only starts from a time either some crisis might have hit you which have shaken up your identity of what you believed yourself to be or at a time when you are fed up with the stagnation point where you have reached a saturation of everything perfect still you are striving for happiness. The awakening moment happens with overwhelming experience which can be painful and miserable only to be soaked in complete bliss. It is eminent- birth is painful like an egg breaks to give a life or seed germitates with breaking of outer shell. Likewise shedding off outer ego centric identity can be overbearing but once it is shaken off one can experience deep relief and real joy to find one's true Self beyond past  impressions and conditioning as true freedom is experienced in form of bliss. To be happy or find happiness one may need to do something or achieve but bliss is just being. It is as simple to being .... yet unattainable for those who may not even feel the need to be in bliss, oblivious of such a possiblity of ultimate peace while lost in their material world.

The very purpose of writing this is to refresh our belief system of what we think as correct can be verified from level of our core level where we rise up from our conditioned mind and start seeing things as it it without ulterior motives of hyped up dream goals set by the society or idealim. Instead if we are familiar with our Self in  purest form of what is our inner call or wisdom we can start living a life in our best version. 

 

আলো

 আলো 

প্রচন্ড তেজ সেই অগ্নিশিখার 

যেটা বিষ্ফোরিত হয়েছে বালুচর হতে 

আচ্ছাদিত পড়েছিল নিরালায় বঞ্চিত 

অবহেলায় অনর্থ নিরাশায় 

জীবন যাত্রার গোধূলিতে 

যখন অনুভূতির চরম সীমার আবির্ভাব 

উৎকৃষ্ট চমৎকার জীবন রেখায় 

প্রকাশ পেলো সুদীপ্ত আলো 

Metamorphic vision

                                It is human nature to comprehend things as it appears, while to get to its essence, it needs more attention in depth. Though our five senses are the means to experience this world or life, sometimes one has to go beyond these aspects to live life completely as these sensory objects or feelings are not fulfilling or full-proof. 

                                I had such a learning in recent times. One morning, while doing puja, I just observed that the flame of the oil lamp was shining so brightly as if twinkling like a star with its radiance so bright and intense. In fact moments ago, I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that my eyes were brimming with tears of intense love and grace. So with my vision already blurred being flooded with teardrops in my eyes, I could have that twinkling effect of flame spreading its rays in all directions. It was outstanding spectacle of  Divine Light!

                                I was wondering if I could have ever witnessed this spectacle of  Bliss, had it not been my blurred vision. I got a revelation of Universal Truth that the purest form of bliss can be experienced beyond our limited five senses. 

                                In a recent conversation with my friend, I gave the analogy of fever or an unpleasant event can serve as warning signal to prepare us for the forthcoming danger threatening us. It saves us bringing our attentionl to realise something is wrong and we need to set into action to correct or prevent further damage. So what appears with our logical brain as a threat or unpleasant can be a reason to be thankful for because it helps you to avert further unpleasantness with its knocking at your door to be aware. Like a fuse working as a safeguard for overflow of electricity protecting other equipments from damage as its snaps electricity with incoming excess flow. 

                                  It is not in the nature of events that unpleasantness resides but how we can percieve it makes a complete different scenario to be happy about even in case of worst situation. Like the example i mentioned above can be a saviour acting as a warning signal. So it is naive to blame fever rather to appreciate it as initiative part of taking corrective action.

Learning to know how to help a person suffering from mental illness

 Once suffering at the brunt of chronic depression, I took a pledge to combat the battle and overcome it with grit and conviction regaining self worth and dignity to live. 

 I can say I am very fortunate to figure out a solution which worked for me along with blessings, love and support of dear ones to get out of the vicious circle of depression or constant self doubt and denial. 

My today's topic is to talk about the dynamics of depression, how a well wisher can approach a person suffering from it to help come out of it keeping in mind what the depressed person may be going through and why it is not easy to follow instructions or advise of their loved ones. 

Depression begins to set in when a person is not able to feel happiness for a considerable long period of time, such that at times it becomes a distant reality. Depression thrives on lack of self esteem and trust on World.  More or less, we all face this constant battle of ups and down in life. No days are the same specially regarding mood swings, that too in female. Reason being the influence of emotions are more predominant in females in general. That does not mean men are able to escape the roller coaster ride of moods which can throw you out completely from  quite a "all go well" kind of situation. 

It becomes a matter of concern, when the person stops responding to happy moments, Somehow over a prolonged episode of pain, sadness or gloom they become numb towards happiness. Nothing could make them happy. Their hormones stop secreting happy feelings. The constant gloominess worsens their day to day living. It even becomes a burden to exist, This is case of extreme which can be suicidal. 

Before any case aggravates to such extent, it is important for the caregivers to take charge of the situation of patient getting worse. The very first step is to bring this conviction that they are not lacking anything in their ability but its a matter of time that the imbalance causing it can be fixed. There should be clarity about why this imbalance set in on first hand and how it can be aligned. 

Diverting one's attention from over obsessive thinking about me and mine by investing on creative instincts in form of hobbies or sports/art/music/dance. Likewise engaging oneself in some kind of voluntary service for the society or keeping oneself engaged in activities which boost self worth by being useful and productive.  If the patient is not prudent enough to act sanely or function at that phase of suffering, it is wise enough to talk to the person or just keep a watch on the person from distance even without the knowledge of patient if  needed. Giving some personal space is sometimes the hour of need rather than flooding the patients with instructions of what to do and what not to. On the contrary, it may offset the patient's response and the patient may shut down completely from the world. Interference of any kind in their thinking process can be threatening to them and accelerate their doom. This is when a professional counselor becomes a necessity as the conditioning of mind plays trick to trust near ones. An expert or specialist is equipped with techniques to handle the patient's anxiety as well as knows how to gain confidence of trust. 

It is pertinent to understand two things here :

(1) Stop expecting normal behavior of understanding or ability to follow advice

(2) The patient is more likely having lesser control on focus, trust and self confidence. The will power is also on the weaker side.

  Don't leave any scope for the patient to feel guilty about themselves. Failure of following what they are advised to do/ not to do is not to be treated at par with disobedience. In fact, the patient is suffering to the extent of bearing more guilt of not able to follow. It is not negligence but a part of the disease, like conspiracy of depression. Since hurt or mental injury or abuse can't be seen or gauged, it is often misjudged or underestimated.  

As caregivers we need to re educate ourselves of how to help the ones who need help and actually reduce their suffering, I could do this while attending to my ailing mother in law from Dementia which is again a chronic  mental disease.

It took me no time to realize what she needs is not my instruction to follow what is good or bad for her. She is past that stage of understanding. Now the care is completely based on unconditional love and compassion of wider acceptance of what condition she is in. Instead of becoming judgemental, I need to seek the help of professionals and my care and presence is required to the extent of not harming her further by my interference, May be I just need to be there to listen and give her a comfort zone to relax and feel relieved. Peace can be the center point of wellness. Being centered is essential part of healing and anything that can agitate the mind should be avoided. Keep in mind,,,,, the process of keeping the patient calm should be well researched and indirect so that the patient does not react negatively. The medications are mostly to let the mind rest with more sleep and pacify with soothing calmness. At no point medicines should be altered or stopped without medical advice. It can be very harmful cause the dosages do have consequent effect if halted. With this I conclude my call to help caregivers an insight of wellbeing of their loved ones to help them heal.

There is entirely a new set of approach counseling the person suffering. My therapy involves having a fun filled activity based on the interest of patient helping to guide throughout with providence.