FOR THAT STATE OF ZEN
Just as the body needs to be strengthened to overcome a possible attack by the Novel Coronavirus, the mind needs to be fortified to withstand the relentless battering by disheartening news and negativity which is a characteristic of the times we’re living
It has been described as a state of ‘sleepless sleep’. In the worst of the situations, it helps you remain calm and focused, aloof from all the negativity around. The executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, Bill
Ford, said in an article published in
Harvard Business Review, “The practice of mindfulness kept me going during the darkest days.” All that you need to do is shut yourself down — mentally we mean — close your eyes and focus, just for a few minutes every day.
The magical power of meditation has been known and acknowledged for ages by a select few. But perhaps it required a pandemic to make people in general realise it’s benefits. Do we hear you say you “just cannot focus”? Well, it’s about time you gave meditation a try. Ever since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Dalai Lama, senior monks and Buddhist organisations worldwide have been saying that the situation calls for meditation, compassion, generosity and gratitude.
● SUPER POWER MEDITATION:
It influences the rate at which your body can heal itself. “To practice this, seat yourself in Sukhasana or any other comfortable pose in a spot that lets you achieve the shape of a triangle atop a mountain. In this position, you need to visualize a reverse triangular shield in your chest and then meditate. During the meditative process, with every inhalation, this shield allows you to welcome all the positive energies of the world into you. And, as you exhale you release unwanted toxins, miseries, and negativity from within you,” explains Grandmaster Akshar, an internationally acclaimed yoga master, philanthropist, spiritual guru and lifestyle coach.
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION:
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This form of silent mantra meditation involves the use of a mantra and is practised for 20 minutes, twice a day, while sitting with one’s eyes closed.
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MANTRA MEDITATION:
You silently repeat a calming word, thought or phrase to prevent distracting thoughts.
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MINDFULNESS MEDITATION:
This is based on being mindful, or having an increased awareness and acceptance of living in the present moment.
YOGA:
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You perform a series of postures and controlled breathing exercises to promote a more flexible body and a calm mind.
Actor Manisha Koirala says she is calm and at ease as she has been practising meditation to avoid the negativity created by the pandemic. Malaika Arora believes that it was meditation which helped stay calm during the isolation period for the disease. “The Covid-19 isolation is not just physically draining, it is also a mental strain. When you’re cooped up in a room, feeling unwell, it can really take a toll on your body. But, during Covid-19 I think meditation really helped me. It was very important for me to keep my mind calm and stress at bay. I kept telling myself “This too shall pass” and affirming to myself that I need to be strong,” posted Malaika.
We are too much in our minds and not as much in our bodies, leave alone the heart, so it is important to get ‘embodied’ first in order to transcend the body and feel the subtler bodies around us
- Neha Lohia C, transformation nutrition coach, yoga expert, organic
farmer
WHAT IS MEDITATION?
According to motivational and spiritual speaker Brahma Kumari Shivani, the mind should not be dependent on what is happening outside but should deal with what is happening inside. If a person is able to control his mind, he can fight any battle. Meditation helps achieve that control.
Oprah Winfrey, in one of her shows, explained that “Meditation is about getting still enough to know the difference between the voice and you. It's a heightened state of being that lets whatever you're doing be your best life, from moment to astonishing moment.”
WHY MEDITATION?
The pandemic is a stressful and overwhelming time. “We are confined to our homes, limited in our interaction with others, likely have increased workloads, and maybe dealing with different degrees of anxiety related to the health of our loved ones. It can result in anger, irritability, lethargy, or physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues. Meditation is a great way to cope with stress and improve the quality of life in these challenging times,” says Namita Piparaiya, yoga, and Ayurveda lifestyle specialist, and Founder, Yoganama. “It’s a daily act of self-care that helps reverse the ravages of stress on our bodies and minds. Since we can’t always change our environment, meditation can help us become more resilient for whatever life brings our way,” says Namita.
TYPES OF MEDITATION
Meditation comes in many shapes and forms. “There are several types of meditation. The best
meditation is the one that works for you and your lifestyle. Just like physical exercise, the key to reaping the benefits of meditation is consistency,” says Sonal Singh, Co-founder and Director, Fittr.
From Transcendental Meditation to Moving Meditation, there are countless ways to achieve Zen.
“We modern people are too much in our minds and not as much in our bodies, leave alone the heart, so it is important to get ‘embodied’ first in order to transcend the body and feel the subtler bodies around us,” says Neha Lohia C, transformation nutrition coach, yoga expert, organic farmer.
“There are several active meditations from masters like Osho, the most important and significant being Osho Dynamic Meditation and Osho Kundalini Meditation. Passive ones include Buddhist meditations, Metta or Loving Kindness, and the Ho’o pono pono from Hawaiian traditions, Chanting Zen, Chinese Tchi, Vipassana, Meditative art, silent contemplation, Shamanic practices, Kirtan or devotional singing, meditative dance forms, colour therapy and Aurasoma. Everything can be a meditation if done consciously, every act can lead to that state of inner tranquillity,” says Neha.