When someone says “I don’t like him/her”. That disliked someone has more impact on our life compared to the person we like or love. Thing about it for a second. What does our mind think more of? the good things that happens to us all day long or one bad thing for that day. Bad things have far more influence on us. When you are told by someone or even by yourself to not think about something (example could be money, being fat, broken relationship, monkey etc..), our monkey mind can’t help but think of the unwanted things.
Next time, before categorizing something good or bad, think twice about the disproportional impact of bad.
Many people add the word “trying” to their sentences signaling a low confidence. There is no such thing as “trying”. You are either doing it or you are not.
Benefits of Meditation are quite apparent in COVID-19 days as people lacking internal calm and not in harmony with their mind and body are struggling with anxiety, loneliness and stress. Being a Vipassana practitioner, I am reaping the benefits of this wonderful meditation technique and recommend to people who are seriously thinking about getting into meditation. Currently, most Vipsassana centers around the world are closed, but below is quick summary on where to start.
Keep Calm and Meditate
First: What is Vipassana ?
Vipassana means to see things as they really are and is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation pioneered by Buddha and others.This is self observance technique focusing on breathing and body sensation.
As an adult, our mind don’t simply take in the world as it is so much as they make educated guess about it. Relying on the guesses, which are based on past experience, saves the mind time and energy.
For example, instead of trying to figure out what teh fractal pattern of green dots in its visual field might be, it just assumes leaves on the tree from past experiences.
On the other hand, kids’s perception are not mediated by expectations and conventions in the been-there, done-that way, they see world as it is.
Spirituality helps in restoring this childlike immediacy, sense of wonder and experience of unity with nature.
With COVID-19 locking us all down in our homes, it is essential to be socially connected. One recommendation that I am implementing after listening to Esther Perel is starting a weekly movie club .
How Does it work?
One person from the group selects a movie for the week (we might start with “The Marriage of Maria Braun”).
Watch the movie at your leisure before the scheduled discussion
Join the discussion, here are few points to get you started:
Who loved or hated the movie?
Who were your favorite characters?
Why was the movie chosen?
Decide on who will choose the next movie.
Tools: Zoom, Skype, Google Duo (up to 8 people), Messenger and some drinks 🙂
With government’s recommendation of Social distancing due to COVID, people are feeling isolated and lonely.
We should really understand the true meaning of the social distancing and not the literal meaning. What governments around the world really should say is “Please maintain Social distancing and work towards Social leaning”.
We should use infinite digital tools available today, to be even more connected virtually with friends and families; as there are no excuses anymore about traffic delays, staying late in office, and simply not having enough time.
In this world, where everyone is looking for identity and trying to find meaning of their life, we often forget that like all beings, humans are here to live.
We must accept our mortality and live an exuberant life.
Be joyful and share the joy with anyone and everyone.
i. Up-Down: Start with lowered chin touching chest -> Inhale, move head up and back -> Exhale, move head down (3 cycles)
ii. Right-Left Neck Twist Rotation: Start with head straight -> Inhale, move head towards right -> Exhale, bring it back to centre ->Inhale, move head toward left -> Exhale, bring it back to centre (3 cycles)
iii. Right-Left Neck Tilt: Start with head straight -> Exhale, move right ear towards right shoulder -> Inhale, move head to centre ->Exhale, move left ear towards left shoulder -> Inhale, move head to centre (3 cycles)
iv. Circular Rotation (clock and anti clockwise):Start with Chin down touching chest -> Inhale, rotate head towards right shoulder (head goes back) ->Exhale, head comes down -> Inhale, rotate head towards right shoulder (head goes back) ->Exhale, head comes down (3 cycles)
v. Forward-Backward Shoulder Rotation:
i. Forward Rotation: Start with relaxed shoulder -> Inhale, go up -> Exhale, Come Down (3 cycles)
ii. Backward Rotation: Start with relaxed shoulder -> Inhale go up -> Exhale Come Down (3 cycles)
i. Up-Down, Standing Position (3 steps): Start with namaskar in front of chest -> Inhale, move palms up towards sky -> Exhale with Sound, move palms down behind neck -> Inhale, move palms up towards sky -> Exhale with Sound, bring palms to the front of chest (3 Cycles)
ii. Up-Down, Squatting Position (3 steps): Start with namaskar in front of chest -> Inhale, move palms up towards sky -> Exhale with Sound, move palms down behind neck -> Inhale, move palms up towards sky -> Exhale with Sound, bring palms to the front of chest->Inhale, hand Straight out front ->Exhale with Sound with sound, hand to the chest
iii. Baalasana (7th step): Bring Knees to ground, lean forward and place head on ground, stretch forward, rest palms on the ground and make a triangle touching thumbs and index fingers (minimum 2 minutes or until breath stabilizes) and then come up and stand in the starting position
i. Sit comfortable in cross legged position, create a yogamudra using your fingers (thumb and index making a circle and other fingers straight, no gap between any finger
ii. Close eyes and sit with slightly upturn face, natural focus on eyebrows
Amit Roy 