PRACTISING MINDFULNESS, THIS SEASON

Delve deeper into your inner self, find an emotional equilibrium in order to cope with the current times

Mindfulness is being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it’ll always be this way (which it won’t),” believes James Baraz, American meditation teacher. And the relevance of meditation has once again taken centrestage in these turbulent times. Juggling work and studies from home with chores, the constant worry of developing symptoms of Covid-19 has kept us in an unnerved state.

Rajan Navani, founder of a meditation app, says, “Meditation allows you to calm your mind. It helps you to learn to stay with difficult feelings without analysing, suppressing, or encouraging them.” Vidisha Kaushal, certified life coach, adds, “We can’t control the outer reality, but meditation can make the mind stronger.”

Strong emotions such as fear, sadness, and anger — that we are all feeling right now — are perpetuated by ruminative thinking. Mindfulness can help us let things come and go without our attention getting stuck on it. “By meditating, you can get over the fear inside you. Chanting strengthens your brain as well as your lungs,” says Shiv Sadhika Ma Vishwaroopa, meditation expert.

Amid the pandemic, many are having trouble focusing on anything. “People have been severe impacted psychologically. Many are facing anxiety and confusion and meditation can help them stay neutral in such times,” says Vasi Siva Sitham, spiritual guru.

REGULAR MEDITATION CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS SAFELY EXPLORE THE CAUSES OF THEIR STRESS AND STAY NEUTRAL