Stress impacts the way we think, feel and behave, thus affecting all aspects of our lives. The consequences of letting stress rule are nothing short of disastrous and tragic. Yet it seems so hard for people to let go of it. Intellectually, you know, “Oh, I shouldn’t be upset, I shouldn’t be annoyed. I shouldn’t lose my temper.” But in practical life, it doesn’t translate into reality. When that moment comes, when the negativity comes like a flood, it just overpowers you and throws you off balance.
Nobody – neither at home nor at school has taught us how to deal with it. This is where Sudarshan Kriya helps in a great way. It helps you overcome the flood of emotions. It is like a mechanism within you – automatically there is a wall within you that functions to help you overcome negative emotions much easier.
Hidden Truths About Stress
What is the secret to riding a bicycle? Balance! It is about staying at the center: not letting it fall to the right or left. When it’s falling on one side, you bring it to balance. When you go out of balance, you feel the pinch. Listen to that. Don’t just ignore it, acknowledge it and come to the center.
◉ Root of Negativity
Have you ever wondered how a negative thought arises? If you attend to the source of negative thoughts, you will realize that they come because of tension and stress. A relaxed, happy person will not get negative thoughts. The more miserable one is, the more negative thoughts come.
◉ Not Motivating
Tension or stress is not the main motivating factor for people to do more or to do anything creative. Usually, people say necessity is the mother of invention. But in the last 40 years, no major invention has come out of Afghanistan or Lebanon or Beirut, which have been under huge tension and stress.
◉ Hanging onto Small Things
Stress is when your mind is not open to the vastness, it is bent on small little things, insignificant things anyway, they all change and you hold on to those which are changing all the time and then get worked up.
How to Get Rid of Stress?
As you increase your energy levels, stress reduces automatically.
The right amount of food
Not too much and not too little. A balanced diet with enough carbohydrates and proteins.
The right amount of sleep
6 – 8 hours of sleep, not more, not less.
Breathwork
Practicing some deep breathing exercises raises your energy levels.
Meditation
A few minutes of meditation can relieve all types of stress. Meditation makes you efficient and energetic, stress-free and joyful.
Our experts will help you cope with this
Wisdom from Gurudev
What to do when someone else is angry?
When someone is upset you also don’t get upset at the same time. Let them have their time if someone is yelling and shouting. It is their time, give them their time. You be a spectator. Not one who is a participant in that show. Another time you lose your temper and you shout. You show your anger. So, the problem comes when everybody becomes an actor, there is no spectator. Take turns to get angry. Have fun. Humour is the antidote to anger. When you are centered, humour automatically will be there.
Also when someone is losing their temper without a reason, know that their pitta is high and help to calm them down. Give them some ice cream, milk, something that cools down the pitta is necessary.
Should I never get angry?
Anger is not bad. If it stays only for a few seconds, it is okay. It should stay, only as long as the line that stays when you draw it on the water. Once in a while, if anger comes up, don’t start blaming yourself. One thing that can be very detrimental on the spiritual path is self-blame. Showing anger itself is not wrong, but being unaware of your anger only hurts you. Sometimes you can show anger purposefully. For example, a mother gets angry at her children and can act tough or shout at them if they put themselves in danger.
Anger can also help in taking up challenges which otherwise you may not do. It can be a great motivational spirit here. But without the bitterness. If there is bitterness that anger has caused within you, it’s going to eat you up inside. Anger is like that fire which can give you warmth, and which can burn you too. Look at the consequences of getting angry. Are you happy with the decisions you have made or the words you have spoken in a state of anger? No, because you lose your total awareness. But if you are completely aware and are acting angry, that is fine.
It will take some time for you to get to that level, where anger does not even touch you. It will keep coming in different shades and intensities. Till that time, keep doing your practices – Sudarshan Kriya, pranayama, and meditation will help.
