A Mindful Step Towards Shared Mindfulness

 

Closing our eyes and taking a deep breath seems like a very simple activity to do, but it has a deeper connection to the mind and soul than we realise. You FEEL different. This new feeling is the energy that is rejuvenated in your body and brain by the courtesy of an ancient practice known as meditation. Once you regularly start meditating, you can sense your focus strengthening, your thoughts being more organised and anxiety unclenching its fists from your throat for once. In today's world of chaos, meditation acts as a tool for you to regulate yourself, your temper and understand your social surroundings without the fog of anger, jealousy and envy.

Anxiety finds its way in our minds due to our newly adopted fast-paced lifestyle. This lifestyle allows very short time to be ourselves, to have free thoughts and to rest, be it in the form of social media doom-scrolling or binge-watching endlessly. These sort of activities leave a feeling of void in our brains when paused, eventually causing us to fall right back into it. The solution? Reclaiming your lost focus! The sooner you realise this, the sooner you get to be your ideal self. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) finally realised the long lost importance of meditation in the current scenario and made an effort to promote shared mindfulness, positivity and mental and physical well-being in individuals all over the world. Thus, the 21st of December, which is also the Winter Solstice, was proclaimed as the 'World Meditation Day'.

Meditation has its origins deeply rooted in the ancient Indian culture. From the extensive religion of Buddhism, to the Vedas and the Vedanta, the importance of meditation or 'Dhyana' is discussed profoundly by ancient Indian scholars. It even traces as far back as the ancient period of the Indus Valley Civilization in the form of meditating figures in lotus postures. Though it has been an integral part of our culture as a form of Yoga, the modern generation has been ignoring it for many years now. It is only through shared realisation of mental well-being throughout the world that people have started reviving this technique and have started giving it a crucial slot of time in their 'busy' schedules. Meditation is the best practice to achieve improved focus, positivity and overall good mental health. That's why, when you sit down in the lotus position you realise that not only your body, but also your mind slows down to a speed where you are actually able to comprehend your own thoughts. Understanding one's own thoughts might sound absurd, but it is just as crucial as treating only the part of your body that hurts. That is the power mindfulness gives you. When you learn to isolate each strand of thought from the fibers of your mind, you get to know your thoughts better and eventually, you get to know yourself better. 

Meditation calms one's mind in mysterious ways a common man can't comprehend. Whether it be the stress of completing your assignments on time, handling projects in office or having FOMO due to your friends and colleagues, meditation acts like a sacred ritual in your daily life by offering you the mental clarity it takes to make these important decisions in a way that gives you an upper hand at excelling. One may not realise the importance of meditation in a few sittings, but once it is integrated in the daily routine, they can feel many positive implications on their life. Remaining calm can be a very helpful trait in today's world. When societal pressure, peer pressure, responsibilities, stress and impossible deadlines overwhelm an individual, being calm helps us focus and navigate through some of the most burdensome decisions life throws at us. In this world of getting lost in other's thoughts and conforming to the trending opinions, find time to meditate, and in the process, you'll find yourself.

-Krutika Mali 

Because Every Life Is Precious...

I still remember that day and it shakes me to my core till date. That evening felt heavier than usual. That day when nothing made sense. I hadn’t eaten, not even spoken to anyone. I had failed UPSC, the exam I had prepared for day and night, the exam that carried not just my dreams, but the expectations of my parents too, their disappointment cut deeper than any wound. I felt like a failure. A thought kept haunting me until it consumed me completely, "Am I not good enough?”. That evening, I went up to the terrace. I felt numb as I stood there, looking down, thinking to myself that ending it all would be easier than carrying this pain, the pain of expectations. All that was left was just one step further and it’ll all be over. 

But just as I was about to, I heard a voice. My friend had followed me upstairs, he looked at me with pure concern, pulled me back, and said, “You don’t have to do this. You’re not alone.” I started sobbing uncontrollably. Just hearing those words saved my life. My friend didn’t stop there, he recommended me a psychologist, and I began therapy. Slowly, I began to understand myself better. I realized that what I wanted wasn’t death, but an escape from the heavy burden I was carrying. Suicide was a mere step to run away from all my problems. I understood that failing an exam didn't mean life was over, rather it was an opening to a new way of how I looked at my own life. But sadly I chose the wrong path back then, but not anymore! With the right support, I began to heal.

This is where I understood something important: people who attempt suicide don’t always want to die. They are crushed by their pain, whether it’s academic failure like mine, family pressure, financial struggles, society's impossible expectations or their own. The mind gets so trapped in darkness that ending life feels like the only way out.

Today is 10th September, World Suicide Prevention Day, and it makes me remind that not everyone is as fortunate as I was. I had a friend who saved me, but many others stand on the same edge, and there is no one to stop them, no one to say “Everything will be alright”. Every person in this society, may it be a farmer or a student like me should know that failure is not the end of life. They should get proper assistance, from a psychologist, a friend or even a family member. 

It's not just about them, but also about us, just being there for someone who is screaming but no one can hear. Sometimes, a kind word, attentive listening, or reminding them that they matter can change everything for a person. So if you ever come across someone who looks disheartened, even if it's your enemy, don’t just pass by. A small 'Are you okay?' or just spending a little time with them can mean a lot more than we realize. As someone who has been on the other end, take it from me that the tiniest effort we show today could be the reason someone decides to hold on for tomorrow.

-Mrunmayee Pataskar