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.

It is natural to be Unnatural

 Who says it is not proper to be unnatural. Often we come across such extra ordinary people with outstanding merits and contribution to the world but their personal life is little less than perfect yet in some extreme cases they are so called abnormal, far away from the normality of Society.

Master Artist Van Gogh's unnatural  trait is the first instance of genius coming to my mind with off track thought process such that he committed suicide out of frustration while the world treasures his invaluable creations for hundred years past his unfortunate unnatural death.  In fact, it is the special ability of such genius to look at things differently with unique feeling or intensity so that others who could not understand or relate to them labelled such rarity as abnormal. 

I could observe such an instance of unnatural trend in Nature. While taking a walk in nature, I witnessed all the twines of a creeper are falling naturally towards ground after reaching a certain height. That is the beauty of the creeper to be grounded. Well but not all are exhibiting the same trait. Here and there, I find few twines climbing upwards reaching for the sunlight. It triggerd a curiousity in me to instrospect if nature too defies natural law universally followed but in exceptional cases.  

I was astonished to watch a sapling growing into a plant but moving parallel to the ground after gaining a little height. It sparked a thought provoking question as to what dire situation made the plant grow horizontally against the norm of growing vertically. On close inspection, I found out that the plant is placed in a pot at a corner of a balcony which is hardly getting any direct sunlight. To beat the odds, the plant desperately wants to reach out to its source of life which is the sunlight here. The earnest desire to gain nourishment made the plant defy norms and it battles all lack with courage to take up an exceptional route to growth. To some it may strike abnormal growth while those who can value valour will be able to identify that so called abnormality is actually an extra ordinary trait to stand out from the rest. 

Same applies to us when we label abnormality to some traits in people who defy norms. It is the callous way of society to deal with exceptional traits with stamp of rejection whoever are not following the general masses. 

I could relate to rare few who are silently carrying on a mission but the world is oblivious of their progress and may target such genius with mockery of being invisible. When the right time comes, the world is stunned by their masterpieces. Such is the vigour of being an exception,  courage to be different and original. This is the origin of originality- to follow your instinct irrespective what sounds natural or normal. No matter what people say or how they treat you, maintain your originality not just to stand out of the crowd but to set an outstanding example.

Sacred space

 Amidst the chaos of life

there flows serene music 

 only if we can pay close attention

 

Amidst turmoil far & wide

there is unbound sanctity

 only if we can strike the right balance

 

Things unfold at their own pace

only if we can foster patience to see the magic!

The wheel of time waits for none

It has its own playful rhythm 

See if you can catch the tune

diving into divine melody

 to tap onto infinite possibilities

waiting to be manifested 

at your wishful thoughts

with a pure heart and a clear mind

There is poise, there is grace

in silence of wisdom

What thunderous debate fails to solve

can be resolved amicably by a tender heart

Every soul carries a beautiful sacred space

around its essence

A thousand Universes embedded within 

only to emerge with playful swing 

in dreams abundant of  hope and peace 

A light of  tender dreams can spark lofty ideas

to chase for a glorified world 

where there is only bliss 

seeping through every particle of existence. 

 

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.

Actively inactive while inactively active

Actively inactive while inactively active

Today morning as I was washing my face I realized in order to get right temperature of water, I need to adjust both hot and cold water taps to set it right. While I need to increase the hot water and some where to reduce cold water or vice versa. Suddenly it struck me though they are both opposites in nature but both are required to maintain the required result. I can resonate this principle to my understanding of Action and its opposite inaction. How sometimes inaction helps us to bring a balance and get optimum result rather that just by action alone. For example in some cases, reacting to certain action or remark, it is wise to keep quiet and let the situation under control rather than explode it with your heavy words. 

In event of some social activity which you don't believe or agree, it is wise to boycott such activity. Which is again opposite of action but not joining an event is also an action like boycott. Prohibiting someone to act in an evil manner is again an action in the form of not allowing to act. 

In nut shell to come to an equilibrium state there is always an ongoing adjustment between two extremes to maintain balance. With this knowledge there is clarity as to what level of adjustments are required to be made from both ends specially how much action and how much not to act is recommended.

Our Mother Earth

 For eons of ages

ever since our planet earth came into existence

it has been undergoing so many phases of evolution

to have become what it is in the present timeline

 

Human race from primitive times

has been honoring our home planet as Mother Earth

thriving life of all kinds brimming with vibrancy

Yet what a blunder we did!

We plundered of all its wealth-

including its various species 

We have been paying the price

Time and again mother nature has 

struck us with natural disasters

giving a message of  tolerance to a certain extent

beyond which it will repel with suitable action

It is time for us to act upon the lessons learnt

To conserve & correct our action of past misdeeds

by planting more trees, preserving endangered species

by altering our source of energy towards protection of Mother earth

by resorting to more organic ways shunning industrial waste or chemical hazards

It is time to wake up and live in an awakened state of moral responsibilities

of giving back to what we receive, 

It is time to shake off old radical patterns of exploitation and mishandling for capital gains

It is time to make up for all that we lost for our follies and greed

It is time to revive the ancient wisdom of  Oneness

and sanctify our living space that mother Earth nurtures us with!

 

 

Tip of the Iceberg

                            Just now, this thought pondered over me - "Am I sitting on tip of an iceberg?" 

In a way a little deeper introspection leads to revelation that in fact there are plethora of possibilities only waiting to happen. What we see is just a glimpse of the tip of the visible part of iceberg, while the whole portion is hidden underneath the ocean. Simply because it is not apparent does not mar the massive potential of probable possibilities. 

                        Had it eluded my mind, I would not have spared the time to introspect and have a new perspective to look at the same situation with a
fresh mind. I opens up wider prospects of winning the game. Things start working for you when lot more opportunities are ventured and one gets ample access to diverse fields one starts to experiment and explore. Once research is on the full swing, the whole gamut of possibilities opens up and eventually one taps on one's own extra ordinary skill sets leading to Self discovery. What an adventure worth going  for.

                    Time and time again, civilizations reflect this nature of exploring all possibilities humans can ever imagine. What works for the Universe at macro level stays true to us at micro level. New ideas bring about  transformational shift in an environment. It all begins from the mind level or to be precise at the soul level. The more we are awakened from the inside the more enlightened we are about ourselves and the surrounding. How does this awakening works? In simple words, awakening can be taken as how much connected we are to our selves. How much we know ourselves and really experience our being as a rare precious existence which has the quality of having best of possibilities to make it happen with our being human. 

                Starting to honor what we are and what potential we are capable of  can be a giant leap in the field of evolution. As an individual we do transcend our limits, the moment we recognize the immense wealth of gifts we are bestowed with gratitude and start practicing implementing those skills and toning our talents with acknowledgement and affirmations that it is for betterment of the whole Universe as a part of the cosmic existence.

 

Intensifying one's Intention

In order to achieve success in action, your intention behind the action is key factor. Clarity about the purpose of action should be established. Why the action is undertaken is to be reviewed to have clear intention.
Like some people do charity but not necessarily they achieve peace in their soul. Reason is the lack of purity in their intention. Some indulge in charity for the sake of recognition/ applause from the society, to be praised or status symbol of affluence. Basically having this intention of fame with sense of pride defeats the very purpose of charity and thereby dilutes the purity of mind even if the action is pious but if not done with pure intention may malign the practice itself.
Another example can be taken of a situation where a friend has to tell a lie to the teacher for not bringing a book to protect his friend whom he had lent his book for a day to copy unfinished work. His action may be wrong but his intention is pure for a noble cause in the interest of someone else. His reputation may get maligned for telling a lie or he may be rebuked or  given punishment for violating ethic. Yet he is doing right for the sake of friendship, he is ready to sacrifice his own image of  truthfulness.
In both the contrasting cases, we find success is not rated by real action but the intention behind is more relevant to define the action if justified or not.
Similarly, in carrying out a specific work one needs to be aware & clear about his purpose behind the action & not just the action. In modern days of competitiveness, students study for scoring marks more than actual learning. It is unfortunate, but the reality is bitter. Higher marks do land them in getting admissions or jobs to esteemed institutions but if you ask them about their knowledge in the subject, it will be limited to course material only. The students are not to be blamed, neither the teachers but the entire education system is designed that way only that there is not much scope of exploring ideas & experimentation within the limited span of school or college time period.
So since education has been reduced to a mere job seeking system marring its real purpose of imparting knowledge & intellectual growth, the purpose is left out in the race of competition. Can we count it as real success.
Intention speak louder than the real action. A crime committed by a thief for the sake of bringing food to his family is still an illegal act and punishable offense. However the intensity of his crime can be judged in view of his intention as compared to a crime committed by a mafia leader who is involved in embezzlement of money with greed of acquiring more. Crime is same but with very different intention. Like a murder committed to protect oneself as against murder for heinous purpose.

Coming back to the title message - "Intensifying one's intention"
it is meant how our action needs to be oriented. The objective of action decides the result of action rather than the result itself.
One should have clarity of the goal before action. In fact, action initiates from the stage of conceiving the idea of taking that action. One needs to work a bit more on the objective of action cause doing so  it enables to steer the mode of action towards that goal. Intention precedes an action and speaks volumes about the action.
Many global leaders go for peace talks but end up having war. Is it not the failure of keeping well researched objective to lay down before the talks. Negotiations can go smooth if both the parties want to have peace or else if any of them does not believe in peace process it is very difficult to avoid war. There should be clear cut policies beforehand on why there is a high stake of nations pro war and much more safer reasons to have peace accord.
As for individual level, having clear cut objective of any task at hand is a pre requisite before undertaking the task. It's is more important than what you do than to how you do it. A same work however menial or ordinary if done sincerely with great care & dedication, definitely stands out as remarkable. Like a cobler can have a very fulfilling life enjoying his work while a successful businessman may not have the same satisfaction & fulfillment from his thriving business. As a matter of fact, success has nothing to do with peace of mind or satisfaction. On the contrary it ignites the fury of egoistic desires of irresistible ceaseless desires.
The very reason one undertakes any action is to have immense satisfaction derived from happiness of completing the task. The ulterior motives of that action may turn out to be successful but if morals human values are compromised in the process of accomplishing the task, then the essence of peace i.e purity is at stake.
The benchmark of success can be reviewed in terms of intention behind the action.
It can be the other way. To have success in one's goal, one needs to direct all energy, efforts, time, resources towards honoring that intention. Then only the satisfaction will be experienced.
In any competition or sports, the noble idea is to participate or play with winning instinct irrespective of the result. Win or failure does not matter much but the intensity of giving the best while in action matters the most.
So it stands clear & loud that one's action whence undertaken with love, care, devotion & integrity is a sure success game.

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.

 

SPECTRUM OF KNOWLEDGE

SPECTRUM OF KNOWLEDGE

 In the initial stage of education, the content of study is just on INFORMATION level….. basic data or facts. The information when studied intently, understood and grasped to the extent of using in performing an act of purpose, then it becomes Knowledge. Education is often misunderstood and considered equivalent to Knowledge. It is no doubt co related to knowledge but simply receiving education does not guarantee acquiring knowledge. This is the reason why most of academically well students fail in real world as their knowledge is limited and restricted to academics only. Knowledge can be related to skill of adopting what one has learnt so that the quality of work performed speaks about it.

In India, many families living moderately with humble background specially in rural India, have rich heritage. They may not be having best education, but that does not deprive them of having basic ethics and virtues. Their cultural and religious background help them become better human being knowing the art of living with respect and love. That is the essence of knowledge. Education in recent times has been branded and restricted to high reputed institutions of schools and college which is very unfortunate. Education should not be scaled with your capacity to buy. The very reality of higher education becoming a farfetched idea for the poor is scary and disastrous for the nation as a whole.

 

In fact, education is just a means to spread knowledge but not an end itself. Knowledge is much higher and above basic course curriculum imparted by educational institutes. Many of the legends like Guru Nanak devji, Paramahamsa Sri Sri Ram Krishna dev, or Kabi guru Rabindranath Tagore, are without proper education but they have extra ordinary knowledge for essential existence. How could they access such treasure on their own.

It is their inner wisdom of Consciousness which blossomed to the fullest through the power of delving deep within & their Divine connection. If we observe deeply our own nature, our inner being through observation, meditation, introspection, it is possible to gain immense knowledge without books or academics. By tapping on this infinite source of wisdom, through discipline of Yoga, anyone can become Wise and self-sufficient.

The problem in today’s world with the advent of internet and flooding of too much information through various media, there is total chaos and authenticity of information is also jeopardized somewhere.

The spectrum of knowledge can be ranged from information to Wisdom. Knowledge when coupled with practically living it, transcends to Wisdom. It is often said, a person becomes wiser with age as experience adds wisdom. Knowledge can be acquired by reading, studying and learning while wisdom is to be soaked in to the extent that the person can be set as an example of  Living knowledge or Yogi. Intelligence is no substitute for a better human being whose existence is nothing but love. Selfless action can only be inspired from wisdom. Intelligence can be destructive if it ignites the fire of ego which thrives on selfish gains, cut throat competition, rage, jealousy, self-importance and all negative traits/ vices leading to destruction. Nuclear bombs or chemical war demonstrates how disastrous modern-day technology can be if exploited by nations for the sake of fake supremacy. Here the ancestral wisdom can be a blessing to safe the world. Not snatching what is not yours or not wanting to have more than one needs is something was basic ethic in our age old tradition. Contentment, respecting nature, keeping things organic, co-existence with nature without interference knowing that human is no superior than other living creatures and hence have no authority or right to rule the planet earth as its sole proprietor over other living beings. In today’s time, with high scientific discoveries and technological boom, there is a serious question if it is a boon or a curse to push us towards extinction. If you look at the critical issues of global warming, deforestation, pollution, pandemic, extinction of endangered species, it all symbolizes a big failure in our civilization trying to interfere with nature.  

Human evolution needs to be guarded with wisdom rather than artificial intelligence which has made humam more robotic devoid of essential part of being human, ie. Compassion and selfless love.

Wisdom not only helps us to be better person but it makes the world better.