Lockdown - The days to work on... to live on...

The Corona pandemic that’s gripping the world has created fear in people. Nations getting in a lockdown state with a high level of curfew imposed are adding meat to this fear. Apart from this, the consistent reports on the challenging task on hand, the medical research fraternity has and groping for a cure has further reinforced this fear with uncertainty, thus impairing the very psyche of the people. Well, the fear of not contracting the virus and falling prey to this unknown life threatening invisible enemy has become an even bigger problem on hand. Another major issue that strengthens this fear or rather creates a new mindset is TIME. People who earlier had scarcity of time always quoting “I don’t have time for that or I wish I had time for that etc” were now experiencing a sudden abundance of time. This sudden freedom from being occupied with all other Lockdown conditions has put their mind in a tizzy “what to do with time?”. It is also said “an idle mind is a devils workshop” could this pose a bigger challenge to people – May be….. May be Not…. But the possibility exists.

I found that this issue has never really been looked at by the leaders of the nation (as they are really battling with containing the spread of the virus and working towards making the essentials reach the common man). Neither the news media (though having a geographical presence have infact transformed themselves into a Corona Dashboard – how many infected Vs dead & spread?.... Fault finding with, what the people did/ didn’t do or the misses/ inefficiencies/ wrongs of the Government? Or how & where did the Lockdown fail – apart from this there is hardly any worthy material fed to the common man’s brain) nor the so acclaimed Gurus (– be it Management or Spiritual) have provided respite to the ailing minds of the people. Perhaps the minds of the leadership (national, management & Spiritual) are mummified with draperies of secular emotions that are self-limiting them. So where can we find respite to the inner turmoil then? Is there no one who can guide us through these times and tell us “this is the best for you to do”. Well at this stage it reminds me of one of the most radiant Guru of recent times belonging to Goud Saraswath Brahmin Kashi Mutt named Shri Sudindrateerth Swamy.  His role in uplifting the people intellectually, morally, spiritually, culturally and patriotically has been impeccably well designed and executed. Even during difficult times he proved that with 3 P’s – Patience, Prayer, Perseverance and positivity through group consciousness effort, success is inevitable. Being part of the GSB community I had been a witness to this visionary’s success story.  The entire community who believed in the Pontiff unquestioningly followed every single instruction given to them by him, and, over time they reaped & realized the benefits. The GSB community today is one of the richest in the world – Intellectually, Morally, Spiritually, Culturally and Patriotically; which happened due to each individual (irrespective of age or gender) accepting that it is his/ her individual responsibility to commit to one’s own evolution through DHARMA & KARMA (Duties and Performance).  When we view it from this perspective it becomes all the more relevant for us to adopt these such that individually we become better beings and collectively, we achieve such a rich status as a nation. So what should we do now…..??

The human body deteriorates more due to misuse and abuse than due to proper use. Yoga is not a demonstration kit to be opened and shown only on Yoga Day (21^st June every year), it should made our body’s best friend who stays with us and does good daily and with whom we wish to spend time daily. Ideally the air is most refreshing early morning – best to wake up before the sunrises drink 2-3 glass of hot/ warm water (this resolves acidity issues, gastric issues, indigestion & constipation, flushes toxins) and set about doing a bout of pranayama - begin with anulom vilom for about 5 minutes followed by Ujjaiyi for about 5 minutes (this will refresh the brain, calms & stimulates the vagus nerve and cranial muscles, enhances lung capacity. It also nourishes the throat, vocal cords, relieves thyroid problems, asthama, bronchitis, migraine, acidity, anxiety, depression, insomnia, sleep apnea snoring and  regulates Blood pressure too.). Once the body is refreshed its now best to do a set of Yoga Asanas that are strengthening, releasing, rejuvenating awakening and relaxing the muscles and the inner system. However, the best among all of the asana’s is the Surya Namaskaar (initially a set of about 12 should be sufficient that can set the tone and over time it can be witnessed that this improves self-awareness, flexibility, agility, relieves fatigue, lethargy, stiffness, tensions and pain. It also increases the stamina and positive energies required by the body while also flushing the toxins.). The body is now prepared for flight into the depths of silence. Meditate for 20 minutes – among most of the techniques available the simplest, easiest, effortless, following the nature’s way and very effective is Transcendental Meditation technique propounded by Shri Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (this allows the mind to experience unbounded awareness and achieve a state of inner serenity enabling the full functioning of the brain – the benefits of this is simply astounding. It is also a time to offer gratitude to the body that has so far been a good companion). It is best to eat freshly prepared food that is Satvik as our body needs revitalization and rejuvenation that can harbor a healthy mind. Prepared food stored over 3 to 4 hours becomes Tamasik, this when consumed, changes the constituents of the mind’s functioning in a not so beneficial manner. This attunes the physical segment of our being, building resistance to anomalies that can affect the body due to the misuse.

We often forget that when our focus shifts from “I” to “WE” a sea change of benefits come our way. When we are always self-centered or self-focused the mind revolves around “I”- we do everything to satisfy this “I” and end up having “ILLNESSES”. When this shifts to “WE” - we start recognizing, regarding & respecting others. We employ all our resources healthily and judiciously to serve others and this brings “WELLNESS”. It’s so simple to realize this – do we need “I for ILLNESS” or “WE for WELLNESS”. And what best than to begin from home environment. Here I recommend each one of us follow a E³ METHOD – ENGAGE ; EDUCATE ; ENERGIZE . The first step is to ENGAGE into healthy discussions with your family members. Have short intermittent breaks with small eats which allows you all to sit together, chat together and also eat together – there’s an old adage “a family that eats together stays together”. These breaks should be engaged in fun, laughter and enjoyable times (times of your younger days, the days of mischief, the days you enjoyed the most and what you did etc – these will allow your children and your other family members to not only re-live your younger days but also give room to understand you better). In these happy moments the hidden talents of your near dear ones also surface which can be encouraged or unleashed making a personality out of the person. Also engage in activities that allow you to complete some pending tasks at work. Connect up with your work team and certain heads of your business/ job with whom a future pathway can be envisioned. This will lay a strong foundation to the career as well as family ties. This now leads to the second step EDUCATE where you share about your family origins, your customs/ traditions, values, festivals, etc. and helping your children appreciate these, realize the importance of these and inspire them to become custodians of this culture. If we don’t culturize our children then ETHNOCIDE of our culture is evident. It is also time to educate them about the real history of Bharat (prior to this do a bit of studying – not reading; you could learn from researches by Raj Vedam or Stephen Knapp or from the Archeological Society of India etc. where the real history with concrete scientific evidence is available). Tell your children stories of valour, courage humanity, truthfulness and patriotism such that they imbibe these qualities that are essential to lead their lives in the future. This paves the way to the third step which is a duty to ENERGISE the entire environment around you. Every day at dusk its best to unite your family in group meditation of TM for about 20 minutes followed by serious prayer – offer thanks to your gods (if you don’t believe it then to a supreme energy that exists or to the unified field which science has proven as a field of existence of all energies), pray together and pray from everybody – yourself, your family, other people and of course for the entire nation Bharat. It is here I quote the 

prayer of Sudhindra Teerth Swamy Ji and the people following the order of Kashi Mutt as an excellent example – they have a short focused and holistic prayer. Scientifically it has been identified that chants of specific sounds (in mono syllables or poly-syllables) have a profound effect on all life forms. 

One such verse that energizes – heals and strengthens 72000 energy irrigation systems (nadis) and 11 important organ systems that are essential for our healthy body.  This verse is called the MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA. Enough scientific researches on the effect of this verse have concluded that it has a profound effect on any patient’s healing of ailments/ diseases. Chanting this together with your families at a sufficiently audible level 108 times at a stretch renders its health benefits and enhanced immune system in your family and also creates a strengthened environment benefiting other too. Research studies have also shown that singing bhajans in appropriate melodies increases the ability to focus and concentration in children thus benefiting them in their studies. The day can end with a couple of such vocal renderences that also keeps your mind and body healthy. Remember the formulae for better living is “a healthy Mind gives a healthy body” over 90% of the diseases/ ailments are psychosomatic (created by our own brain).

This is not too difficult to employ, it is neither counterproductive, nor is it depleting life energies nor is it in any way harmful. During this Lockdown period should any individual apply it in a focused manner for the 21 days minimum – it becomes a habit thereby making you and all members of your family better individuals who would become intellectually, morally, spiritually, culturally and patriotically mature and robust exhibiting patience, perseverance and positivity in all you do. The times are ripe for all to make ourselves worthy individuals who can be part of Bharat’s success story. So here’s the way may you all be illumined by this way forward of mine hopefully sensitizing on the real meaning & truth behind “STAY HOME & STAY SAFE at this hour of National Health Emergency.