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In this video, we talk about the importance of achieving emotional balance. Write to us at mansikpramarsh@gmail.com

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Much has been written by thinkers, philosophers, scientists, sages and preachers on the subject of mind and heart. There has been  endless research on the issue of restless mind and spirit of human beings, yet the peace still eludes many of us. The world still suffers from many diseases of the mind and heart. Words like depression, anxiety, stress and phobic disorder, mental disorder, behavioral disorder are being used like the common place flu and colds happening to ordinary people. The medical world abounds by all kinds of medicines and treatments, offering little respite to those who suffer. People  continue to suffer .Their restless minds and souls are constantly being tormented. Through the columns of these pages we will try to understand how do we establish  better understanding  of these matters of mind and heart to reach emotional stability in our lives and keep our lives balanced.

We humans are connected with the organic world with the most developed brain and thinking powers. In the organic world three kinds of living beings exist i.e., those that have the instinctual survival bereft of any emotions, those that survive only on the basis of their physical strength and display only momentary emotional awareness .Humans have been bestowed with the powers that can generate emotions in our system involuntarily and activate our thinking system whether we like it or not.  We also have a fully developed mental perception, which can take cognizance of the matter and connect it to the events and consequences. We have a fully developed memory. We think, we imagine, we connect and we activate. Much as man would like to become thoughtless at times, sleep without any connection to the real world, the brain continues working either voluntarily but mostly involuntarily.

The involuntary emotional system activates our mind all the time. It forces the mind to imagine, to create and to dream. The dreams motivate us to plan which are executed by us to realize all those that we dreamt of. But in the law of our land where we have the thought, the power to dream and the power to reflect, we do have the situations that cause conflict and pain. For wherever there is a mind, the thought, the power to reflect, the analytical skill, there we have the conflict, the contradiction. No mental activity can ever be without the contradictory and opposite situation. Wherever we have the mind, we have the pain and we have the misery. Man however does not want to suffer. He wants to always be in comfort, in happiness and in the enjoyment of a happy life. This is a natural phenomenon .All living beings look for a life full of comforts. The inanimate only do not know the difference between   the comfort and discomfort. The living beings who do not have a mind suffer only for a short while. Their sense of discomfort is only short lived,  is unexpressed on account of lack of emotions . They do not consign their discomfort to their   memory bank. Nor do they draw upon their memory bank to reflect and compare their current and past discomfort. But man being a thinking organic sensitive emotional mind feels, expresses, analyses ,compares  and consigns  all comforts and discomforts to his   memory bank, thus in a way being always under the load of misery .

Can the mind be free from worries and miseries? 

We are all part of the larger organic world in which we are all living beings like millions of other kinds of living being inhabiting the solar system. Our world in fact as compared to the world of other living beings of the universe is too small. We are very miniscule in numbers, barely a few trillions all over the globe. The other planets must be peopled with many more living beings which the science is continuously researching into. Whether those living beings too have similar emotions, thoughts, mind and heart developed like us, only the research will find out.

But humans of our dear earth are endowed with a developed mental faculty. we all think .Thinking ,reflecting is an activity of the mind. We remember, we consign our thoughts to memory bank. We imagine. We create thoughts. Creation of thoughts and imagination is a mental exercise. We plan larger things for our life by the strength of our imagination .We dream of things that are larger than our life. We aspire for making these dreams come true. we do realize some of these dreams, imagination, and aspirations yet many other remain out of reach  . 

In order to understand the malady that has befallen the modern mind we will have to know the functioning of the mind in the modern age .the modern times are the reflectors of the cerebral psychological problems. Every individual is    involved fully into the mental day to day stresses of life. The involvement of the human mind into the cerebral problems becomes the major detriment to the peace and happiness of the human intellect.  Every human being wants to become free of the mental stress that he is suffering from.  We need to understand as to what mind is, in order to get liberated from the stresses and problems of the mind. Without really looking into the functioning of the mind it is simply irrelevant to solve the problems that exist in our psyche today.

What are the functions performed by Mind ?

Mind is the action centre of the conscious and subconscious both. Sometimes it acts  in full associations of the brain and the heart and other times it may wander into unknown realms of its own . Our central nervous system may have a role in controlling the mind and body both.  but mind does not remain restricted within the body hence it may be incorrect to say that mind is controlled by the brain and performs all those actions as are  demanded of it by the brain.

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Depression

Do you  feel sad stressed and down  sometimes,  it could be natural to have a low state of mind  for  day or two but if it  persists and  low mood lingers on for more than a week   or two it could be  depression. Major depression is an episode of sadness or apathy along with other symptoms that  stay with you  at least two weeks and  interrupt   your daily activities. Depression does not indicate weakness or   that you are a negative personality. all kinds of depression indicate some a major   health problem and needs to be treated medically .
Depression Symptoms: Emotional
The primary symptoms of depression are a  low and sad   and/or loss of interest in  day to day activities   of your  life. daily routine tasks  that were once pleasurable appear  much burdensome now .  a sense of guilt or worthlessness  prevails on the mind causing a  lack of hope, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide   can often trouble .
Depression Symptoms: Physical
Depression is sometimes linked to physical symptoms. These include:
•   tiredness, low  energy and fatigue .
•   sleeping very late in the night, early-morning waking and Insomnia.
• Excessive sleep  for long hours
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
Depression can make other health problems feel worse, particularly chronic pain. Key brain chemicals influence both mood and pain. Treating depression has been shown to improve co-existing illnesses.
Depression Symptom:  
Changes in appetite , sudden changes in the body  weight are symptoms  of depression. Increased appetite, or loss of appetite .sudden and  serious   unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

Serious effects on daily routine of life.
Depression can cause loss of  careers, and strain relationships . Nothing seems good.    there is a complete loss of interest in pleasure  activities, including sex. In severe cases, depression can become life-threatening.
Suicide ideation can be sign of warning
Suicide  ideation is common amongst the depressed.  they often indulge in   talking about death or suicide.  they can get aggressive and  threaten to hurt people. This can be serious . You can immediately call 09179383554 to speak to us If   you ever think of or idealise suicide . We will help you overcome  such negativity.
Doctors   link the cause  of depression  to  altered brain structure and chemical function.   they are of the opinion that ,”Brain circuits that regulate mood may work less efficiently during depression.although it has not been conclusively proven in any validated research.   yet the Medicines  that treat depression are  prescribed  with the belief  to improve communication between neurons , making them function  normally. Experts also think that while   traumas caused by the stress of life  can trigger depression if and when  one is biologically prone and vulnerable  to develop the disorder. depression can also be caused by long term chronic disease , lack of vitamins  ,some of the  medications, alcohol or substance abuse,   thyroid, PCOS, hormonal changes, or even the season.
Diagnosing Depression:There is no   established  lab test for depression. There are a few tests developed by psychologists , make an accurate diagnosis, where the psychologists/  doctors analyse  a patient’s description of the symptoms  over a period of past two to six months . These tests will refer to your medical history, your mood history,  and  discuss   behaviors, and daily activities  which will help reveal the severity and type of depression . The test can also reveal anxiety and stress to find out the most effective treatment for depression.
Therapy for Depression
It has been observed  that various kind of  talk therapy can fight mild to moderate depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps analyse and change   thoughts and behaviors that contribute to depression. Interpersonal therapy identifies how your relationships impact your mood. Psychodynamic psychotherapy helps people understand how their behavior and mood are affected by unresolved issues and unconscious feelings. Some patients find a few months of therapy are all they need, while others continue long term.
Medications for Depression
Good follow-up with your doctor is importance. If the first medication tried doesn’t help, there’s a good chance another will. The combination of talk therapy and medication appears particularly effective.

The Role of Social Support
Because loneliness goes hand-in-hand with depression, developing a social support network can be an important part of treatment. This may include joining a support group, finding an online support community, or making a genuine effort to see friends and family more often. Even joining a book club or taking classes at your gym can help you connect with people on a regular basis.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Another option for patients with treatment-resistant or severe melancholic depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment uses electric charges to create a controlled seizure. Patients are not conscious for the procedure. ECT helps 80% to 90% of patients who receive it, giving new hope to those who don’t improve with medication.

Preksha meditation :The Perceptive Breathing Technique Helps Fight Major Depression

preksha-meditation

Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing technique can   bring down  the stress hormones in the central nervous system.

Preksha meditation -The Perceptive  breathing  exercises help alleviate severe depression, as has been proved by the treatment of many patients by  us who have long been under the treatment  of  medication  administering  medicines .

Most of our  patients  , had depression that had not responded to medication  even after a long treatment .The beneficial treatment   under Preksha meditation -shwas preksha -The Perceptive Breathing Technique conducted on a large group of patients , by us in our clinic reveal that :“a large number of patients not responding to the treatment of antidepressants and SSRIs , find the new technique of controlled breathing – under Preksha Meditation  shwas preksha  much more helpful  -The Perceptive Breathing technique   had in reality worked  best for each person to treat their  severe and chronic depression. Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing Technique   comes out as the short term but long lasting promising, lower-cost therapy and a , non-drug approach for patients suffering from severe depression. .”

Preksha meditation  -The Perceptive Breathing Technique   can be learnt over a series of sitting sessions of Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing Technique  in our clinic over a period of two to three months and the disease can be eliminated  completely.

The technique involves a series of   perceptive rhythmic breathing exercises designed to put the mind and body of the affected  in a tranquil, calm , peaceful , purposeful  and meditative state.

How can we help you:  our regular daily  sessions of preksha meditation , Kayotsarga ,counseling sessions/mental exercises   at Mansik Pramarsh is a specialist conducted  program for managing to overcome depression   . Hundreds have benefited, it is your  turn now.   come and join .Call 09179383554 or email : mansikpramarsh@gmail.com.

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Continuing from my last post  about self acceptance ……  I have observed that many a times”WE All” surrender to the negativity in weaker moments of life and then allow the nihilistic attitude to overtake our body, mind and all faculties . The shadow of doubt arises from the fact that we do not want to face our own self in these weaker moments thus losing control and surrendering  with humble submission . We do not try to resurrect the position by reviving the natural powers that the nature has bestowed us with . These powers are the :

  • power of mind
  • power of brain
  • power of determination ( resolution )
  • power of  karma
  • power of positivity.

  In my article Accept Yourself…….. all we are doing is to enhance the self image and self esteem and  convert the negativity of life to living our life in positive emotions through daily  self acceptance  practices . By way of writing and stating   the obvious power we all possess  we shall be increasing our own acceptance from the inner strengths before we move to the external world.

Just remember that we are weakling physically as  compared  to  even a small ant that can carry a load of  12 times its own weight  while moving . obviously we cannot do that . Same way we can not bear and tolerate the   stringent weather and vagaries of nature like a small plant or a tree can do . The small plant  outside our window or a tree in the courtyard cam  stand through the storm,  heat, sunshine, rain,  or the cold and still give its best back to the nature. We can however win in all situation because we have the power of the mind ( the desire ) that made us look for the ways to control the nature . This strong mind enables us to find our way in the mountainous region by making tunnels, ropeways, circular roads and by even destroying the  mountain if it stood in the way. We by our power of mind have controlled all elements  of nature eg.   the sun,  the wind, the  sea and  below the surface element by making them useful to the mankind. our mind desired and the brain got busy  working full time to meet  and fulfill the desires   of the mind. Hence in the previous post I had asked you to begin accepting yourself by recognising and recalling the power of your own mind.

Let us once again do the same exercise once again in the manner we had done last week :  take a pen and paper  and start writing the following powerful positive statement  about yourself :

I am a powerful person I have the power of mind .  

Continue writing a full page .  Having completed writing  please place aside the pen and the paper.

We will now  meditate on this .

  • please sit in a comfortable  position wherever you are , keeping your   back straight but comfortable.
  • Place your right hand on your heart and the left hand four fingers below your navel in the middle of the stomach.
  • be at your ease.
  • close your eyes softly
  • and   start breathing.
  • let your mind  travel from the  lower left hand    to the top of your forehead  while  inhaling  and let the mind travel back to the bottom of the left hand on the stomach while exhaling . continue the process for five minutes.
  •   after five minutes are over just  relax  for a while.
  • open your eyes.
  • pick up the page on which we had done the  writing today.
  • Start reading loudly the  words and sentences written by you on the page like you are memorising every word written there. Do not let your eyes and mind wander from the written words even for a wink of a second . let the words  be imprinted on your mind   completely .
  • having finished , close the eyes again and reflect on the words spoken by you.

Get up after a while………, you will gradually start feeling good , about yourself  after a few days exercise  ?

We regularly conduct Preksha Meditation classes at Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation and our experiences reveals that  the meditation of  self-acceptance makes  people gain positivity and happy state of mind which can  not  be  compared to others because in this there is no , “other”. The learning    of the self can definitely be compared to the learning of the  new things and being part of something bigger, some sacred   and celestial    happiness and satisfaction.Come and learn with us the  daily  self acceptance practices that result into  psychological  and emotional healing.

Ramneek kapoor,Clinical Psychologist and family Therapist,Science of living ,Preksha Meditation expert.

 

 

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