www.lifepositive.com₹ 200YOUR PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH COMPANIONAUGUST 2023Embrace Body DiversityPAGE 26The Adinarayans:Reviving India’s gloryPAGE 18Collagen: The elixir of youth?PAGE 54PAGE 40The dos and don’tsof intermittent fastingThe LP ChennaiSpiritual FestPAGE 46
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Celebrate the unlimited spiritDear Reader,It isn’t often that after five years of retirement, one gets an opportunity to hold the reins, albeit for a short month. But Shivi Verma needed time out—all harried editors do! So I could not help but consent to her request that I guest-edit the August issue.It has been a stimulating experience to once again pore over the thought-provoking and inspiring contents of the magazine, and to engage with subjects and issues of concern to you. Our cover story on the subject of body image, Own Your Body, is a case in point.We live in times when dissatisfaction with our body is extreme. Appearance is all, in our increasingly sensory times, aided and abetted by our obsession with social media. Nothing short of perfection will do. Thanks to the plethora of apps and filters available, perfection is achievable on our media posts, but not so in real life. As the importance of looking good spirals, our self-esteem takes a hit and we descend into emotional and mental distress. Children and adolescents are the most affected. Our cover story looks at this troubling issue and offers perspectives as well as psychological and spiritual solutions to overcome it.Another article that reflects our desperate need to look good is the rise of collagen as the superhero to combat our battle against ageing. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body, which is responsible for the structure and suppleness of our skin. With the onset of age, the body’s production of this protein dwindles, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. With the discovery of its role in sustaining youthfulness, the world is racing towards collagen supplements in the form of pills and powders.It is time to pause and ask ourselves some questions: Where is this quest for eternal youth and beauty taking us? How long should we combat the body’s natural and inevitable mortality? And is this the best use we can put our lives to?Maya’s veils of illusion are numberless, but if we want to lead sane, happy, and balanced lives, we must come to terms with the limitations of the body and turn our attention, instead, to the unlimited potential of our spirit. In that only lie our peace, purpose, and happiness.Have a wonderful August.LP mascot: Laughing BuddhaAUGUST 2023Vol. 27Issue 05Chairman: Aditya Ahluwalia President: D R Kaarthikeyan Director: V VenkatEditor-in chief: Shivi VermaEDITORIALGraphic Designer: Yoshita Monga WEBSITEContent curator: Jamuna RangachariPRODUCT MARKETINGVice President, Sales & Subscription:Dharamveer SinghSUBSCRIPTIONShweta Naithani: Senior Executive Shalini Dwivedi: ExecutiveFINANCE & ADMINISTRATIONDeputy General Manager: Ambika SharmaAdvisorsParveen Chopra, Suma Varughese,Kiran Bedi, M Madhavan Nambiar, SD Saxena, Ameeta Mehra, Manisha Verma, Shruti Nada Poddar, Hamid Ahmed, Shovana Narayan, Ritika GoyalEditorial & Advertising OfficeDelhi: F1/9, First floor, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase - I, New Delhi-110 020Ph: (011) 49563777 | Fax: (011) 49563773 E-mails: [email protected] are requested to make appropriate enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement in this publication.Life Positive or Life Positive Pvt Ltd do not vouch for any claims made by the advertisers of products and services. The printer, publisher or editorof Life Positive or any employee of Life Positive Pvt Ltd shall not be held liable for any consequences in the event of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers.All rights reserved. © Life Positive Pvt. Ltd.losZ HkoUrq lqf[ku~%] losZlUrq fujke;k%losZ Hknzkf.k i’;Urq] ekdf’pn~nq%[kHkkd~Hkosr!May all beings be happy, May all be healthy, May people have the well-being of all in mind, May nobody suffer in any way. — Vedic prayerEdited by Shivi Verma. Printed and published byAditya Ahluwalia on behalf of Life Positive Pvt. Ltd. from F1/9, First floor, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase - I,New Delhi-110020Printed at M.P. Printers, B-220, Phase 2 Noida, 201305 Member, Indian Newspaper Society4 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
The Wisdom Bridge by Daaji (Kamlesh D. Patel)A Treatise on Wholesome ParentingThere is no doubt that parents, grandparents and caregivers today are bringing up children in a fast-paced world that is vastly different from the one in which they grew up. With the pressures of modern life, parenting has become more a source of anxiety than joy.The Wisdom Bridge by Daaji provides a heart- centred approach to nurture well-rounded, happy, resilient children in today’s world. To do this, elders must first work on themselves and be living examples. The book offers nine practical principles as guiding lights for parents and caregivers on this journey. Each principle is illuminated by Daaji’s personal experiences, questions for introspection and ‘daily dilemma’ queries from real parents seeking advice.“The elders are the living wisdom bridge in society,” says the author. Central to this book are valuable insights for building and maintaining a wide support- system for both parents and children that fosters intergenerational communication and exchange. So without any further ado, get your own copy of this much needed book.About the AuthorDaaji, also known as Kamlesh D. Patel, is the fourth and current spiritual guide of the global Heartfulness movement. He has spent the past four decades training people across the world in Heartfulness meditation. Daaji is the author of the bestsellers The Heartfulness Way (with Joshua Pollock) and Designing Destiny.His work has appeared in the Times of India, Economic Times, Hindustan Times and on leading television networks. Daaji gives keynote addresses at conferences and conducts workshops around the world. His passion lies in grassroots efforts, especially in taking meditation to the villages of India. Daaji enjoys going on nature walks with his grandchildren in Kanha Shanti Vanam, India, where he lives with his family.AdvertisementAuthor: Daaji (Kamlesh D. patel) Publisher: India Penguin Ananda SBN: 9780143459064Pages: 288Paperback: ₹399.00
CONTENTS26Own Your BodyThe burgeoning of social media has underscored the importance of appearance and set into motion an explosion of dissatisfaction with the body. Although the malaise affects all age groups, children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to it. Navni Chawla explores this phenomenon and offers sound solutions18CLOSE ENCOUNTERA Spiritual ResurgenceMeet the Adinarayans, whose commitment to disseminating the great spiritual values of India has led them to create unique initiatives that include self-reliant agriculture, natural buildings, alternative energy, waste management, and chemical-free living. By Pradeep Krishnan15HEARTSPEAKFierce GraceA gruelling pilgrimage to the Chhota Char Dham sites affords K Geethanjali the insight that its purpose was not to gain anything but, rather, to let go06 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023LEAD STORY
40FOODWellness via Intermittent FastingNaini Setalvad examines the advantages of intermittent fasting and outlines the steps needed to ensure that we attain our objectives of health and weight loss safely and soundly46FESTSpirit of the SouthLife Positive celebrates its 25th anniversary with a visit to Chennai where it will hold a Spiritual Healing Festival on Sept 1–2, 2023. You are invited, says Jamuna Rangachari54BEAUTYSkincare: How Far Should You Stretch It?Ever since the discovery that the protein collagen is the secret behind youthful skin, the world has been stampeding to drug stores in pursuit of this miracle compound. But can it really turn back the clock? Lata Agarwal takes a balanced look at the evidenceREGULAR COLUMNSResponse 08 Mandala 10 Yoga Column 14Aha Moments Journey Sharing44 Mudra 62 53 Banyan Tree 64 60 Spirit 66Cover photo: Adobe Stock, Photo credit: Adobe Stock, Cover design: Yoshita MongaTotal pages 68, including the cover page and the back coverContents 07
RESPONSEDivine guidanceI have always been curious about tantriks and the curses that they, sometimes, are said to remove. My friend’s life changed after going to a tantrik-cum-astrologer. She was not getting any job though she was a good student. He said she had a karmic curse as she had been an unfair teacher in her last birth, and she could resolve it only by feeding the poor every Saturday for as long as possible. She did do so, and after two months, job offers started pouring in. Hence, I related to the cover story, Messages from the Beyond, in the July issue of Life Positive and feel that connecting to people who guide you properly to remove your curses is something we all can do.– Chitra Srinivasan, BangaloreI loved the lead story, Messages from the Beyond, in the July issue of Life Positive. I resonated with it as my mother’s friend was in the doldrums after she lost her young grandson in an accident in her own house when he touched a live wire. She went into depression, until a kind friend took her to a spiritual guide who asked her to teach in a school and connect with other children to alleviate her depression and guilt.He told her to give not just money but time too. And yes, that did make a difference in her life. People often discredit such guides, but the fact is that while some are commercial, many are well-meaning, like the one mentioned here, and these are the ones whom we should listen to.– Sharanya Sridhar, MumbaiKundalini Yoga within easy reachKundalini Yoga is something I have always been interested in. I did not know how to further my knowledge about it though I did make a lot of enquiries. Most people who responded to my queries made it sound very complicated. I felt I would just have to forget about it as I did not know how to pursue it further. Hence, it was wonderful to read about a couple who teaches it in a simplified way in the article Reaching for the SKY, in the July issue of Life Positive. As I live in Bangalore, I will definitely try to visit them as soon as possible.Thank you, Life Positive, for bringing such wonderful souls to our attention.–Prasanna Gowda, Bangalore08 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023Mail From Our Readers, Online Fans and Subscribers
LP shows family the way to happiness Being a happy family sounds simple, but it is very complicated in modern times. The article How to Be a Happy Family, in the July issue, shows how we could prioritise family time to eliminate stress. It helped me make an action plan to ensure that family time is fun time and not stress time. I feel I need to do this for my children, who want some succour and support from their parents. As is often said, it is what we do that is more important than what we say. Thanks for your guidance, Life Positive.-Ramya Parthasarathy, ChennaiDefending yourself in the digital ageWith so many scams becoming the talk of the town, Building Digital Immunity was a wonderful article in the July issue that showed us how to lead our lives safely while making use of digital platforms. I have often been a victim of these scams but did not know what to do about it. This article was an eye-opener. I shared it with all my friends, young and old, so that they don’t get exploited by online fraudsters. This is practical education for modern times.Thanks, Life Positive, for this article that is very much needed in the digital world.– Sunanda Raman, ChennaiStar valueI loved the article The Star Who Reads Your Stars in the July issue of Life Positive. I agree with the star astrologer who candidly tells us the purpose of astrology and how and when to use it to capitalise on one’s strengths andminimise weaknesses. Indeed, it is very much like psychology as it shows what the person is from within. When used well, it can be a good guide for us to work on ourselves. Luck does not happen; we need to make it happen. And here, astrology is one of the tools we can use.–Shankar Hegde, BangaloreTime to celebrateCouldn’t wait to receive the print copy of Life Positive again. Just received the July copy, and it’s a great feeling holding the hard copy in my hands. While I haven’t read it yet, I couldn’t wait to share my happiness with you. The print and paper qualities are great.–Muralidharan M. via emailSKY — The way to vairagyaI refer to the excellent interview titled Reaching for the SKY in the July 2023 issue of Life Positive. It gives valuable information and guidance for those of us who are on the path and who practise meditation, and pranayama, regularly.Our bondage is indeed due to our various karmas, and the article points to agami karma which may bind us. I suggest that to avoid this, let us treat ourselves as actors acting in the drama of life. People coming into our life are actors, good as well as bad, acting out their parts. This attitude helps us give our best without any attachment. We can follow the advice of Sri Krishna given in the Gita to work without expecting a reward (karmaphal). Thanks to Rishi Rathod for this interview.–A S Dandekar, MumbaiResponse 09
MANDALAEducating theWe often lament seeing children loitering around without any education but do nothing about it. But some like Rohit Kumar from Delhi are concerned and strive to make a difference to the lives of such children.family, friends, and some organisations which are also working in this area, such as Pravah and Wipro Foundation, held his hand during challenging times.Support from donors and friends from all over India, coupled with Rohit’s passion for bringing a change in society made him enter the development sector, and now the same passion keeps fuelling his desire to make the lives of others better. There are many moments that make him feel it is all worth it. In May 2016, he completed one year, and he celebrated it on a grand scale by booking an auditorium to celebrate the first annual cultural festival of LECIN,Rohit’s journey beganwhen he first startedteaching 25-odd childrenfrom the slums of AnnaNagar near Indraprastha,Delhi. In 2015, heestablished Let’s EducateChildren In Need(LECIN), a non-profitorganisation workingin the education sector.Initially, he did face somechallenges like convincinghis family about the meritof making a career inthe development field,raising funds, making adonor base, and learninghow to give his best tothe children. Subsequentyears saw the expansionphase when the organisation’s dedicated volunteers started impacting the lives of over 1,000 children across the Okhla and Mansarovar Park areas of the city. The team organised regular remedial classes for children between the ages of 4 and 15.“The more I witness the change happening, the more I am inspired,” says Rohit with pride. Hisunderprivileged10 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023Rohit Kumar: Making lives betterUnnati, with the children.Rohit is confident that he and his team will be able to bring about a positive change in the lives of these children. With his zeal and passion, we are certain that many children will get educated and empowered.Kudos, Rohit, for all that you are doing to make the lives of others better.- By Jamuna Rangachari
Spreading the fragrance of his forefthersPranav Kapoor: Curating fragrance tourismIt is very rare to see young people inspired by their ancestors. One such person is Pranav Kapoor from Kannauj, who became aperfumer due to his lineage. His inspirations are his grandfather and his ancestors before him, who have carved a niche not just for themselves but Kannauj as well.Being an eighth-generation perfumer, Pranav was always surrounded by fragrance while growing up. It’s literally part of his DNA. With his family history in the fragrance industry spanning 200 years, it was natural for him to take this forward and to the next level. He always had a strong nose and an affiliation with flavour. We all know that smell and taste are related (COVID has taught everyone that). So he pursued culinary arts, graduated, and set up his own firm which delved in both, fragrance and flavour.The idea of creating tourism around perfume came to Pranav on a holiday in Jaisalmer. With Kannauj’s rich historic background in perfumery, it only made sense to turn it into a tourist destination through the medium of fragrance. With this thought, he founded Perfume Tourism, which promotes the fragrance of his region. This was conceptualised in 2017 and launched in 2023. His late grandfather is his hero. Even though it’s been a decade since his passing, Pranav remembers him always as he supported him at every step and helped his dream take shape. Today, he feels his grandfather’s presence more than ever and is sure he would be proud of the path he has chosen.The initial challenges were to make people, including the government, understand that Kannauj has the potential to be a tourist destination. He hopes to change the face of Kannauj by giving it back its once-shining glory. He wishes to uplift the livelihoods of the people of the city and make it an example for the world to see how things can turn around for the best. Putting Kannauj on the global map as a preferred destination for experience-based travel is his next wish. “It’s highly ambitious, but not impossible,” he says, and we are sure he will succeed.- By Jamuna RangachariMandala 11
TEACHINGThe story of Veeranna Madiwalar, who hails from Kaliwal village in Belgaum, Karnataka, is truly remarkable. His father was a daily wager, who worked hard but earned just enough for basic sustenance. His uncle looked after his schooling. At all stages, despite the formidable adversities, Veeranna never stopped dreaming of providing a good education for all. On completing his schooling, he worked as a daily wage earner at a construction site for many months.As his dream was teaching, Veeranna funded his studies and took a diploma in education. He went back to his district and joined an NGO that worked for the rejuvenation of lakes and wildlife. He worked hard and saved as much as he could. He did a master’s in English and Kannada as learning languages had always been his passion. At last, his dream to become a government school teacher came true in 2007. Subsequently, he was made the headmaster ofVeeranna Madiwallar: A dream teacherNidagundi Ambedkar School in 2016. As the school was in a rundown building and the lack of infrastructure was reminiscent of his own childhood, he wished to work towards changing the situation.Veeranna started small using his own money. Realising that funding was necessary, he posted details about his dream online on various platforms. “I was thrilled that many people came forward to help,” he says. There were donors from many regions of Karnataka and from abroad also.Veeranna left no stone unturned to make the school better in all ways. The challenges that he faced as a child motivated him a lot to work hard for his school. He still remembers his primary school teacher, Shri P M Kyatannanavar, who motivated him to have big aspirations in life and showed him the way to achieve them.Veeranna wanted to become a software engineer but could not fulfil his ambition because of his economic condition. Nevertheless, he is proud to have supported his student, Vidhyashree, in all ways with the help of donors and enabled her to become a software engineer who is currently working for Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T).Veeranna is still striving to make his school better and hopes to get more support from education lovers for his kids and school. He loves to read and write, and hence, expresses his concerns in his poems and writings. His commitment to the education of the marginalised is laudable, and one can only hope he inspired scores to follow in his footsteps.the world how to live12 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023- By Jamuna Rangachari
Attention All Readers! The Wait Is OverWe are thrilled to announce the comeback of our print edition! Get ready to dive into a world of inspiration and spirituality with our revamped print magazine. Packed with insightful articles, delightful and inspiring stories and stunning artwork, we’ve got everything you need to enhance your spiritual journey.It is being re-launched on the 3rd of July 2023 on the auspicious day of Guru Purnima. Book your subcription now and join us on this journey of growth and self-discovery.A Valuable Resource For• Mind-body Wellness • Accelarated Self-growth • Amazing Insights • Living AbundantlyYear(s)issuesCover Pricesave (rs)You Pay (rs)112240040021006 Months0612001001100Name______________________________Address_________________________________________________________ _____________________Phone No.___________________E-mail____________________________________________You may send the photocopy of this form “Offer Valid Till June 31sT, 2023”Yes! I would like to subscribe/gift Life Positive for ...............................Year(s) All the fields are mandatory to fill in CAPITAL LETTERSRecipient Name (Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms)__________________________________________ Age__________ Occupation_____________________________________ Address ________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ City____________________________Pin__________________ State____________________ Tel(R)_____________________________________________ (O)________________________ Mobile__________________________________E-mail_________________________________TerMs & COndiTiOns fOr dOMesTiC suBsCriPTiOnsRenewaloFresho Payment Details:CH/MO/DD No.___________________ for Rs_________________________ Dated_________________________ Bank__________________________ 8527290282 9971088870Payment by DEMAND DRAFT, MONEY ORDER & CHEQUES only Favouring “LIFE POSITIVE PVT. LTD.”• Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing your subscription request. • Life Positive Pvt. Ltd. reserves all rights to terminate or extend this offer or any part thereof at any time or to accept or reject any or all forms received at their absolute discretion without assigning any reason. • All disputes will be subject to New Delhi jurisdiction only.Offer vaild for Digital Subscription Only.f-1/9, 1st floor, Okhla industrial (011) 49563777, 49563713 [email protected] area Phase 1, new delhi – 110020 08527290282, 09971088870 www.lifepositive.comPre-Order fOr SPecial diScOunt!!GIfT 1
YOGAThe SittingSirsasanaHopefully, with Kamala Venkat’s help, you won’t have to bend over backwards to do the forward bendJanu Sirsasana, also known as Head-to-Knee Pose, is a full forward bend that offers a stretch from the hips to the ankles, along with the back and both sides of the body. In Sanskrit, ‘janu’ means ‘knee,’ and ‘sirsa’ means ‘head.’Method• Start by sitting on the mat with your legs stretched in front of you. Keep your legs straight, and do not lift your knees from the mat.• Slowly fold your right leg and place the sole of your right foot against the inner part of your left thigh. Try to keep your left leg and spine straight.• Inhale deeply, lift both arms, and stretch the upper body while trying to touch your arms to your ears and keeping your spine erect and straight.• Slightly rotate your upper body towards your left leg.• Slowly exhale and bend forward towards your left leg from the hips, and hold your left toes with both hands. (If that is not possible, you can hold your toes or ankles or your shin bones, depending on your flexibility). Keep your neck facing down.• Stay in this pose for 5 to 10 breaths.• Slowly inhale and lift your upper body along with your arms, keeping it straight. Exhale and bring your arms down, stretching your right leg straight. Relax in this pose.• Repeat the same steps with the other leg also.Benefits• Stretches and strengthens the leg muscles and spine, and improves flexibility• Aids digestion.Contraindications• Injury to the ankle, knee, or spine.Mrs. Kamala Venkat is a homemaker with a great passion for YOGA. Inspired by Shri Swami Ramdev of Patanjali, she has been an ardent yoga lover and has been practising it with complete dedication for the last 20 years. She has done a Yoga Instructors’ course from VYSA(Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana)14 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
HEARTSPEAKFierce GraceThe purpose of a pilgrimage, just as of life, discovered K Geethanjali, is not so much what you can gain but what you can let go of.Why do we do this to ourselves? I asked myself as the pony I was holding on to for dear life made its descent down the Yamunotri Mountain. As it teetered to the edge, I held my breath. One wrong move, and I could hurtle down the cliff and be a goner! Why, God, why? Do we really have to go through so many sacrifices and so many trials to have a darshan of the deities? Why are they placed in such difficult-to-access places? I was on my Chhota Char Dham pilgrimage and was visiting Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. I now looked at the hordes of ponies carrying their burdens up and down the yatra trail. They had no choice but to follow the urgings of their masters, making the same back-breaking trip again and again. Trekkers braved the rain and jostled with the pituwallas (frail young mountain folk who carried pilgrims in baskets) and the doli bear- ers. It all looked so scary and chaotic.Heartspeak 15
As the pony boys reached a treacherous trail, without warning, they asked us to get down and walk a few kilometres up the trail as it was too dangerous for the ponies to do so car- rying us. This was an experiment in living in the moment. There was no time to complain or grumble. The trail was slushy as it had been drizzling throughout the trip. Each step had to be taken in awareness lest one slipped and fell. Our joy when our ponies met us ahead of the trail was short-lived as we found we could not mount our ponies yet as there was a jam ahead since pilgrims made their way single file to the goal—the Bluewater goddess, Yamunotri.“Are we mad to have embarked on this trip, when Ramana and other Advaita masters point out that we carry the very one and same God within us?” we asked ourselves throughout. I did not receive any answers to my questions though I went through the other Dhams. Maybe that was because I was so busy hurtling from oneend of the Himalayas to another in our hired car, drinking in the beauty of the landscape—the snow-capped mountains; the Mandakini, Alak- nanda, Bhagirathi, and Ganga rivers; the ash- rams and sanyasis; the beautiful remote villag- es; and the pure fresh air—absorbing the lives of the mountain folk, and realising what a priv- ileged life we city folk lead. Surrounded by such awesome beauty, the mountain folk, neverthe- less, lead tough lives trying to make ends meet, deprived of educational and job opportunities.It was only when I came home and rested af- ter the trip that the answers kept coming. It’s not about gaining anything, a voice inside me reminded me. You have nothing to gain. You are the Divine Essence. It’s about letting go.” Letting go of likes and dislikes and adapting to the sit- uations. Accepting the same type of food con- tinuously: roti, sabji and dal when my palate longed for the familiar idli and sambar; being fair and taking turns to sit at the back of the16 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023Narrow and treacherous mountain paths: A lesson in surrender.
Bolero we had hired; willing to be bumped and thrown about as the car swung round hairpin bends; looking out for each other in the group; giving up the comforts of a warm home; and tolerating the terrible chill we South Indi- ans were not used to. It was about accepting life in all its hues with grace and openness.I found it very difficult to accept the dark face of life when I came upon a dying horse which had collapsed due to exhaustion, with no one to care for it. The other horses trampled on it as they kept trotting on, along the trail. I felt my heart break when I saw this. There was noth- ing we pilgrims could do for it in the middle of nowhere but pray for it to have an easy pass- ing. For many days, I could not get the scene off my mind. Accept the unacceptable,” came the voice again. “Life is fierce and raw sometimes. Accept that too! And so the next time I resist- ed the thought of the dying horse and the tired plodding horses carrying their burden, I didn’t shrink away. Was there a reason for all this dark- ness? I really couldn’t tell. All I could do was to send up a prayer for them. I didn’t understand why it was happening, but God must have His reason and I knew that I had to trust that He would look out for His creatures while I did whatever was within my capacity to ease their pain, even if it meant making a decision to stop using these ponies for my spiritual upliftment.I learnt to accept that people have their quirks and patterns, and feel compassion for them and myself. I learnt to let go of expectations. I learnt to trust the higher power when I tum-bled from my pitu and found myself sitting on a mound of snow in the middle of the Ke- dar trail, with none of my family members in sight. I knew I would be taken care of through the toughest of times, and sure enough, I was. Each time I found myself in a tight spot, some kind hand would help me. It could be that of family members or total strangers. I realised that didn’t matter. It was the Divine looking out for me through different guises.A strange calm began to take hold of me, and I began to accept and even enjoy the tough parts of the pilgrimage almost as much as I enjoyed the happier parts, like sitting by the banks of the Ganges in Gangotri. The mountaintop tem- ples like Kedar and Yamunotri were tough, but there was a fierce grace in them which was balanced by the serene beauty of Badrinath and Gangotri, which were easier to access.I came back from my Chhota Char Dham, worn out but exhilarated. I had really stretched myself physically, mentally, and emotionally to my max- imum. I expected to come back home and have a long rest but, instead, found myself thrust into the capacity of a caregiver for an elderly relative.That I realised was the litmus test. It was about applying what I had learnt on my pilgrimage to real life. For, ultimately, Life is the greatest pilgrimage, and if I can accept the tough times in Life with as much grace as I could during the pilgrimage, I would be empowered. Like the Chhota Char Dham yatra, it is not about what I gain but how much of my false self I can let go of.K.Geethanjali is a mother, writer and Senior and Secondary English teacher. She has published two books of short stories for children entitled The Enchanted Land and Who am 1? She is also an ardent seeker and meditator.Heartspeak 17
CLOSE-ENCOUNTERA spiritualRESURGENCE18LifePositive | AUGUST 2023Charged with the mission of reviving and propagating the great spiritual values of India, Adinarayan and his wife Smriti set up the Anaadi Foundation and ashram, near Palani, Tamil Nadu. Pradeep Krishnan interviews this dynamic duo.
When a story begins with a young Situated in the picturesque foothills betweenprofessional couple renouncingtheir lucrative careers in 2015 to spread awareness of our country’s spiritual wealth, you know that you are dealing with an unusual duo. That would be an understatement in the case of Adinarayanan and Smrithi Adinarayanan, founders of the Anaadi Foundation Ashram, located about 18 km away from the famous temple town of Palani, Tamil Nadu.In the eight years of its existence, the Anaadi Foundation and ashram has produced a network of activities for children, youth, and families, which are both online and in-person. There are programmes on yoga, Itihasa-Purana, and Vedanta, blended with unique insights from modern science. Since its inception, the foundation has been actively involved in conducting classes for school children, as well as pursuing research on Indian sciences, astronomy, ayurveda, yoga, and ecology.two holy rocks, Periya and Chinna Iyvar Malai (respectively, the big and small hills), the nine- acre ashram is intended as a place for seekers to practise sadhana, yoga, and ayurveda.After their marriage in 2004, Adinarayanan and Smrithi worked in the software industry for a couple of years, before functioning for a decade as teachers in the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetam (part of Mata Amritanandamayi’s initiatives) in Coimbatore. Adinarayanan is a native of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, a graduate in electrical engineering, with an MS in computer science from the USA. It was during this latter phase that he underwent a deep spiritual experience (which he later recognised as samadhi) and it ignited a strong desire to return to India to dedicate himself to spirituality and service to society.Occasionally, the couple still teach at various premier educational institutions, includingTeam Anaadi, grouped in the background of one of the Holy Rocks that ring the ashram.Close Encounter 19
IIT-Delhi. Adinarayanan is an adjunct professor of practice at NRCVEE, IIT Delhi, And Smrithi was formerly an EdTech and cognitive science researcher teaching computer science and engineering. Both are core group members of the Value Education panel at NCERT- MHRD and fellows of Europe Spirituality in Economics and Society (SPES). The ashram runs a residential gurukulam titled Dharma School, for boys and girls in the age group of 8–11, with a curriculum designed to promote the physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual development of students.The day of our visit to the ashram coincided with an exhibition on Indian knowledge systems featuring 16 stalls, each devoted to individual subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, Vaastu, ecology, and agriculture. The students, dressed in traditional attire, explained the concept and achievements to visitors, which included over 600 students from various schools.Excerpts from a freewheeling conversation with Adinarayanan in his modest kutir.Let us begin with your spiritual journey.As I grew up in a family that blended traditional and modern thought processes and values, the spiritual path was not alien to me. Our entire family was deeply interested in the Hindu and Indian way of life, and self-reliance was always emphasised. My father introduced me to yogic practices and they became a daily abhyasa since childhood. After my marriage with Smrithi, we became followers of Mahavatar Kriya Babaji, who has inspired several traditions and schools of thought.What was the turning point in your life?After completing my Master’s in the US, one day, spontaneously, I had a deep relaxing experience which I later identified as samadhi.I was at a juncture where student life was over, and I had no specific plans. This experience led me to delve deep into yoga and meditation, and prompted me to return to India to dedicate my life to making this inner experience available to as many young people as possible.What made you leave the corporate world and pursue a spiritual path?The corporate world is very rewarding in many ways as it gives you global exposure and enough means to have all the comforts. Given our multidimensional interests, we felt that academia would be better suited to us. After a decade of working at the college in Coimbatore, during which some of our students dedicated their lives to the spiritual journey, we left academia and started the Anaadi Foundation. Our former students are currently at Anaadi taking care of various youth-led initiatives.What are the activities of the Anaadi Foundation?Anaadi Foundation is a creative expression of the diverse interests of its members. Through our various programmes, we share the depth of Indian culture, sciences, and values with young people. In 2018, we moved full-time into our ashram, situated in a spiritually significant region near Palani. The local legends say that Iyvar Malai had been visited by the Pandavas and has a Draupadi Amman temple and Jain caves. It is visited by hundreds of people every year.We have several programmes for all age groups: English education for rural school children, annual science fairs, technology certification programmes for rural youth to enhance their livelihood skills, and free ayurveda camps. The Mouna Sadhana programme is a blend of asana, pranayama, dharana, and dhyana for physical stability. In addition to the Bhagavad Gita20 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
sessions, we are also engaged in the scientific exploration of interdisciplinary domains of ayurveda, yoga, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence.Our annual youth leadership retreat at Rishikesh is quite popular among the youth. We also have Mahabharata sessions, which explore the various dimensions of governance, education, Indian sciences, gender issues, justice, and dharma narrated in the grand Itihasa. Some of us also travel to various places sharing insights from our shastras, blending ancient and modern wisdom. Our monthly magazine, Parnika, released every Pournami, has subscribers from all over the globe.How does the Mahabharata programme benefit corporates, families, and students?It is famously said that everything is found in the Mahabharata. What is not found here, cannot be found anywhere else. The Mahabharata provides us with a powerful narrative exploring the complexities of life and a framework of dharma, among other concepts,that helps resolve the apparent conflicts and contradictions of modern-day existence. With better understanding and insights, we would become better equipped to face the challenges of life and be successful. Our success will impact the success of our immediate community, nation, and the world at large.In our lives, we are constantly making decisions, and these decisions involve not only outer conflicts but strong inner conflicts too. Listening to the story and philosophy of the Mahabharata brings clarity to the mind, thereby enabling people to make the right decisions. The Mahabharata is replete with anecdotes and instances that emphasise the need and means to make optimal decisions, keeping in mind personal well-being and the larger good of society. Young leaders have the energy and power to execute things but need proper guidance. The Mahabharata Leadership programme is designed to enhance the action orientation of participants. We now offer Mahabharata programmes online after the COVID lockdown.Close Encounter 21
According to you, what ought to be the aim and purpose of human life? How can one move towards that?In the Indian tradition, the purpose of human life is guided by the purusharthas [objects of human pursuit]: dharma, artha [prosperity, economic values], kama [pleasure, love, psychological values] and moksha [liberation, spiritual values]. Focussing on pleasure and material wealth looks exciting for some time, but when one starts feeling empty, one must turn to dharma and moksha. When all our actions are guided by dharma, we feel more fulfilled, and society prospers. At one level, moksha could mean a complete dissolution of our identity, but at a simpler level, moksha is freedom from limited identity. We feel caged in this identity, and when we break free, our identity expands and there is a sense of fulfilment. That is the purpose.What do you mean by the self-unfoldment of individuals? How can this be achieved? Many of us do not realise that the body is covering the atman [soul] or enshrining the atman. This inside-out perspective is key to understanding the fundamental aspects of life. We are so focussed on the body and mind that we believe that we are the body and mind. When we take up jnana [the path of knowledge] or dhyana, these layers slowly fade away from our mind, bringing in an awareness of the deeper layers. This can be achieved through multiple ways such as karma [service], bhakti [devotion], jnana, and raja yoga.Please throw light on the Indian sciences seminar organised for school and college students, highlighting the achievements and depth of Indic sciences.India has been a cradle not only of refined civilisational best practices but also of multitudinous scientific developments.The cow as the centre of sustainable agriculture in rural IndiaEvidence and knowledge of voluminous literature produced in Indian scientific pursuits have been well established by serious researchers. In contrast, there is ignorance about the facts and feats that we have inherited. Awakening Indians to Indian sciences is important to build a better perspective about this land and its people, to own up to what is truly ours and align our actions in coherence with the vision and momentum set forth by the great jnanis [realised ones] of our civilisation. Just as we protect, preserve, and celebrate various temples, monuments, artefacts, and places of historic eminence, so too, must we preserve and protect intellectual breakthroughs in our Indian traditions through awareness, assimilation, and dissemination.22 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
The Sustainability Immersion programme integrates various aspects of sustainability including sustainable health, self-reliant agriculture, natural buildings, alternative energy, waste management, and chemical-free living.Introducing Indian sciences to the youth and children can help create a young generation that has a better connect with our land, has enhanced multiple intelligences, is value- oriented, and is socially and environmentally conscious.We have created online modules that schools can use to teach the Indian sciences of ayurveda, yoga, ganitha, and jyotisha [the last two are astronomy related] as club activities. Our current online summer camps for children too focus on this.Critics are of the view that our scriptures are outdated and primitive. How can the study of the scriptures help modern man?In every culture and civilisation, the past has always been important, and history has played a major role in shaping the present and the future. It is for no trivial reason that we call our scriptures Santana Dharma. The principles enshrined in them are eternal. Many get lost in the specifics and hence find them outdated. Take modern science, for example. To understand modern man, we need to delve intoevolutionary biology, cosmology, genealogy, and archaeology. Aren’t these, in a way, ‘digging into the past?.’ Similarly, our Puranas had the Pancha Lakshana [five characteristics] that precisely talk about these aspects. The shastras provide guidelines for human aspirations and endeavour. With adaptable architecture, they become relevant in every era.In the past, the people of Bharat revered and worshipped the rivers, mountains, plants, animals, and Bhumidevi as expressions of the Mother Divine, and they consciously maintained the balance of Life. However, nowadays, even while we worship the rivers, mountains, and trees, we indiscriminately act against Mother Nature. Why this paradox? What is the solution?This is something called ‘distancing.’ We are typically distanced from the source and destination. We do not know where things come from and where they go. This is true of our consumption as well as our spiritual path. While we are totally dedicated to our devatas [gods] and respect various life forms, we are disconnected from the consequences ofClose Encounter 23
our actions. There could be multiple reasons. It could be happening because of modern education or a disconnect with traditional knowledge systems or because of the yuga [the time we live in]. But a great transformation is happening. People are recognising the impact of human actions on the planet. They now feel more connected to nature. There is a big movement happening. For instance, so many young people come to the Anaadi Foundation’s Center for Research in Ecology and Sustainable Technologies [anaadicrest.org], to learn and experience a connect with Mother Nature. They work on self-reliant and sustainable models built with ecological principles coming from the Indian tradition. They also learn about how cows play a central role in Indic sustainability.How so?Since the Vedic period, cows have been central to the life of Indians and there is a deep spiritual connection between man and cows. Going beyond milk or just utility, cows wereconsidered a measure of wealth and prosperity of any kingdom and even determined the social status of individuals. There are numerous references in the Vedas, Puranas, and Itihasa about the significance of cows.Though the 20th cattle count report shows an increase in the cattle population in India by 14.51 crores, it indicates a decline in native breeds of cows, urging the need for the preservation and breeding of indigenous varieties. Farmers, by and large, prefer high-yield milch cows to the desi varieties. Scientific studies prove that cow dung and cow urine from indigenous varieties are superior to foreign breeds in terms of their microbial diversity and contain higher amounts of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper than the cross-bred ones.Today, land degradation and desertification, fuelled by the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, are posing a serious threat to food security. The need to revive cow-based24 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023Drawing inspiration from traditional Indian architechture
agriculture that can regenerate the soil on a large scale is evident.Cows offer the possibility to achieve environmental, social, and economic sustainability in the rural Indian context by drawing upon ancient references to the role of cows in social and religious systems and relating them to modern science and sustainability frameworks. With the world moving away from exploitative and linear systems to circular and regenerative systems, India can recreate and remodel self-reliant villages as thriving ecosystems with the cow at its core.Please tell us about the unique Sustainability Immersion programme offered by the Anaadi Foundation.Given the economic, social, and environmental crisis the world is facing today, creating sustainable solutions has become imminent. The more self-reliant we become, the more we would be contributing to the sustenance of the planetary resources. In tune with the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals, Anaadi’s Center for Research in Ecology and Sustainable Technologies which offersthe Sustainability Immersion programme integrates various aspects of sustainability including sustainable health, self-reliant agriculture, natural buildings, alternative energy, waste management, and chemical-free living. Through this programme, participants get hands-on exposure, knowledge through field visits, and expert interaction and the opportunity to take up sustainability as a career path.Your message to the readers?Self-reliance was at the core of Bharata since time immemorial. We may have lost it briefly for whatever reason. Now is the time to rediscover this. This comes through exposure to various dimensions of Bharatiya knowledge. Invest in them, and a great future is waiting to unravel. In fact, to enable this, we have launched a monthly series called the Essence of Dharma, which is a free 10-hour programme every month focussing on Itihasa-Purana, Vedanta, and yoga. We would like to spread the message of Sanatana Dharma to as many people as possible in the most simple and affordable manner. Please visit www.anaadi.org/dharmaPradeep Krishnan is a student of consciousness, based in Kerala. A seeker by nature, he is deeply attracted to the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.Close Encounter 25
LEAD STORYOWN YOUR BODYThe proliferation of social media and the homogenisation of beauty have given rise to a global epidemic of dissatisfaction with the body, with grave consequences, particu- larly for youngsters. How can we overcome this universal malaise and develop a healthy body image? Navni Chawla explores.26 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
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“I have struggled with my body. Sometimes, I feel insecure in my own skin. There is no gap between my thighs, which is somethingthe media keeps harping on. That makes me feel like I am not normal or beautiful,” shares Shubha Sharma, a Delhi-based 16-year-old school student. Sara Jain, 20, a college student from Delhi, shared that her weight fluctuated so much that stretch marks developed on different parts of her body, namely, the legs, hips, and waist, making her diffident about wearing shorts and skirts. Rohan Gambhir, 23, a software engineer at Infosys, Bangalore, shares, “I have become an angry person because of my baldness. I started losing hair very early in life, and my parents did not pay attention to it. Now, I need to go through painful hair transplant treatments. Else, I will have to live looking like this, which is also painful.”Do you have a habit of obsessively checking your body by looking into the mirror frequently or weighing yourself constantly?you struggle with how you perceive your body. How you see your body and the feelings you associate with that perception forms your body image. According to a survey conducted by the Be Real Campaign, about one in three young people are reported to have serious concerns about their appearance. A positive body image establishes a healthy relationship with one’s body. Poor body image or body dissatisfaction leads to a higher rate of eating and mood disorders in individuals. Research shows that women experience more body dissatisfaction than men.Body image issues are spread across a wide spectrum of age groups; they are not limited to just adolescence or teenage. They are also not limited to women. Ekta Baxi, 40, a Mumbai- based psychotherapist having a private practice, shares, “A six-year-old kid was brought in for therapy (on his paediatrician’s advice) because he would just refuse to eat. Progressive sessions revealed that his father had a pot belly, and his mother taunted him for it. This conflict between the parents, and the atmosphere at home, impacted his psyche, and he developed a fear of looking like his father. On digging deeper, it was a fear of not being accepted.” She added that sometimes body image issues revolving around hair, height, skin colour, and ethnicity germinate very early on. Teasing is common amongst children, and it leaves an indelible mark on the young and malleable minds of those subjected to it. Those who are teased or bullied often experience a lack of belonging or a fear of being ridiculed.Why do we develop an unhealthy body image, what are its consequences, and how can we resolve it? Let’s inquire.Behind a negative body imageOur body image starts developing at a very tender age, although it reaches its peak at puberty. A variety of internal and external factorsDoes thinking exercise mood? Doo rcamouflage Do you often your body with othersand feelunhappy? When youlook in the mirror, doyou always see flaws that need fixing? If the answer to all these questions is yes, thenyourbody? compare28 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023about food and worsen your you wear loose oversized clothes to
influence our perception of our body. Internal factors like self-esteem play a powerful role. With low self-esteem, one is already inclined towards self-criticism. Negative thoughts and feelings like sadness, guilt, shame, anxiety, and anger assail one and influence the way one feels about the body. It becomes a vicious cycle. Low self-esteem fuels a poor body image and that, in turn, reduces self-esteem even further.Puberty marks a major transition from one phase of life to another. It is also the time when an adolescent starts becoming very conscious of their body as it goes through so much transformation during this time. “I have seen that girls in their pre-teens feel very uncomfortable when they start getting their periods. This is when other physical changes such as the development of breasts and hips occur, often leading to fear of and shame about the body,” shares Ekta Baxi. “Similarly, shortPoor body image leads to magnifying physical flawsstature or delayed facial hair amongst boys become points of contention. Jokes and leg- pulling by friends or peers impact the way they feel about their bodies,” adds Ms Baxi. Because of a strong need to belong to their peer group during puberty, the entire focus is mostly on the body and how one looks and dresses.In today’s digital age, youngsters also have a vanity life to maintain on their social media handles. The social media epidemic has led us to believe that the only goals worth achieving in life are Korean glass skin and six-pack abs. It has increasingly led to equating one’s self- worth with one’s looks and the number of likes on Instagram pictures. Unrealistic beauty standards drive a need to look perfect.“I began editing my pictures 10 years back. I did not think that I was beautiful, and I needed to go the extra mile to look good,” says Karishma Saini, 25, a Delhi-based freelance content manager. She adds, “I found this app called Beauty Plus. I used it to put filters on my face that would make my skin look flawless and radiant. I would also use the slimming tool on this app to alter the shape of my face, nose, and stomach. After spending hours on it, I would get a dopamine kick even though I would be exhausted. I would feel so satisfied looking at my edited pictures that I would not like what I saw in the mirror. I wished I could edit my face and body in real life too. But I was finally able to break this cycle very recently. I realised that I was wasting so much time on it that I had no time to live. To lead a meaningful life, I had to free myself of this obsessive-compulsive behaviour.”Managing body weight is probably the most common struggle people face, especially as they grow older. At a time when we are expected to be impossibly thin no matter what our age, most people, particularly women, set themselves up for a losing battle and the experience of muchLead story 29
angst.Aparna Dedhia, 49, a Mumbai-based writer and meditation teacher, shares her struggle of trying to lose weight from the age of 19. It has been a journey marked by changing diets and exercise routines, some of which would help her shed considerable weight, while others would only shed her confidence.Aparna shares, “Someone would mention ‘keto,’ and I would jump on the bandwagon of this low-carb, high-protein diet. Being a vegetarian, I tried various paneer dishes and adding flax seeds and isabgol (psyllium husk) instead of eggs to patties and flatbreads. But no amount of paneer, cheese stuffed in capsicums, or cabbage rolls could replace a bowl of khichdi or dal chawal. I was back to square one with my sky-high weight.”It was the same story when it came to exercise routines. Aparna tried spinning (cardio workout on a stationary bike), aerobics, Zumba, andpower yoga, to give it all up, either out of sheer boredom or after reaching a plateau.Aparna adds, “Then came the messiah of obesity and diabetes, Dr Jagannath Dikshit, who advocated intermittent fasting, recommending 16 hours of fasting between the last meal of the previous day and the first meal of the next day, and allowance for two meals within a 55-minute window each. As an Indian, I loved this form of restrictive eating as I was used to fasting for Ekadashi and other forms of vrats (fasts), and it worked wonders for me. I followed it for the longest period of time until I realised that it was responsible for my IBS. I had not taken into account my menopause and thyroid issues. The last few months of my life have been plagued with severe gut issues: acidity and indigestion. The long hours of fasting increased my acid levels, corroding the lining of my intestine and leaving me with a bowel disorder.”For Aparna, all this yo-yo dieting in pursuit of30 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023Appreciate your body’s health, strength and flexibility regardless of size
“I jumped on the low-carb high-protein keto diet. But no amount of paneer, cheese stuffed in capsicums, or cabbage rolls could replace a bowl of khichdi or dal chawal. I was back to square one with my sky-high weight.”Aparna Dedhiaa fab figure to flaunt those little black dresses (LBDs), monochrome jumpsuits, and latest co- ord sets, and fit into a size 8 or 10 instead of a comfortable 12 or 14 came to nought when she realised that it had messed up her metabolism and digestion.Truly, the amount of damage poor body image can do to a person’s well-being is immeasurable. Body image issues can lead to various complex behaviours and coping mechanisms in individuals. Below are some examples:• Excessive dieting or restrictive eating:Developing strict diets or engaging in extreme calorie-counting in an attempt to achieve a specific body shape or size.• Obsessive exercise: Feeling compelled to exercise excessively as a way to control one’s weight or change one’s physical appearance.• Body checking: Constantly examining and scrutinising one’s body in mirrors or reflective surfaces and frequently measuring body parts to assess perceived flaws or changes.• Avoidance of social activity: Avoidingsocialising or attending events that require one to wear certain clothing or expose one’s body, leading to isolation and withdrawal.• Comparison and self-judgement:Constantly comparing one’s body with others’ and engaging in negative self-talk about perceived flaws and shortcomings.• Seeking reassurance: Frequently seeking validation and reassurance from others about one’s appearance or seeking constant compliments to alleviate anxiety related to body image.• Compulsive behaviours: Engaging in repetitive behaviours such as excessive grooming, skin picking, or seeking cosmetic procedures to correct perceived flaws that may not be noticeable to others.• Emotional distress: Developing feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem affecting overall emotional well-being and quality of life.• Emotional eating: Creating a vicious cycle where negative emotions trigger food cravings, leading to overeating, guilt, and further negative emotions. Emotional eating is not a healthy or sustainable way to address emotional distress or body imageLead story 31
32LifePositive | AUGUST 2023issues. Neetu Parag, 26, a salon owner from Noida, shares, “Whenever I feel empty within, I eat. When I am under stress, I overeat. I feel food is filling up that void inside me and will probably make me feel better. Over the years, this habit has doomed both my mental and physical health. Now, I am working with a therapist to help me through this challenge so that I can live a healthy and full life.”The ideal body that is painted by the media, cinema, and the fashion world has a leading role to play in making people feel inadequate about their appearance. The homogenisation of beauty is the key culprit here in a world full of wildly diverse body shapes, facial features, complexions, and hair. How many in the world can possibly be tall, slim, white, and blonde? “A kid in the fourth grade was undergoing counselling because his grades had dropped. He was very aggressive and would often beat up other children. It turned out that theunderlying cause was he being teased for his dark skin. I have also seen some kids withdraw completely and confine themselves to their homes. They were unwilling to step out. This becomes a huge point of worry for the parents. Lack of social interaction makes them prone to anxiety and other personality problems,” says Ekta Baxi.Another consequence of poor body image is the proliferation of cosmetic or surgical procedures to revamp one’s appearance. American beauty idols like the Kardashians sensationalise cosmetic procedures like nose jobs, butt injections, bloodied vampire facials, skin- lightening procedures, and Botox injections. They convey the impression that altering one’s appearance through surgery can make one look like a goddess. Some film stars and celebrities get plastic surgery done early on in their careers to look more desirable on screen.According to a study conducted by theDiversity is the hallmark of life and a cause for celebration
“A kid in the fourth grade was undergoing counselling because his grades had dropped. He was very aggressive and would often beat up other children. It turned out that the underlying cause was his being teased for his dark skin.”Ekta BaxiInternational Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) in 2019, approximately 11 million surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures were performed globally. This study included both invasive procedures like breast augmentation, liposuction, and rhinoplasty as well as non-invasive treatments such as Botox injections and dermal fillers.Dr Jayesh Joshi, 48, a plastic cosmetic surgeon, who operates from his clinic, Relive, in New Delhi, shares, “Cosmetic surgery can build self-confidence by enhancing a person’s physical features and attractiveness. It provides several benefits to people who suffer from body dissatisfaction. I have found in my long career that people are so obsessed with altering their looks that they rarely focus on healing their poor body image. Many of those most anxious to undergo cosmetic surgery also demonstrated significant improvements in depression and anxiety. They felt relieved that surgical treatment could magically remove their flaws and create their desired bodies.”While cosmetic surgery can be a personal choice for some individuals, it’s essentialto carefully consider the potential risks, benefits, and reasons behind undergoing such procedures. It is always recommended that one consults qualified medical professionals and makes informed decisions based on individual circumstances and needs.Although more and more women today consider going under the knife, it is still considered an extreme step in coping with body dissatisfaction.How to healPsychotherapists recommend strengthening one’s self-esteem, practising positive body talk, journalling all the fears and complaints about one’s body, and talking about one’s body image issues with an expert. These tools help tremendously to get over body image issues.As we heal, we will gradually recognise how misplaced our obsession with the body has been. Moreover, we will realise that beauty is not just based on one’s features, hair, height, or complexion but also on other far deeper parameters such as charisma, character, vitality, and goodness. We have all encountered peopleLead story 33
who have riveted us with the energy, liveliness, joy, love, and peace radiating from them. When ordinary faces and bodies are lit up from within, they emanate a transcendental beauty. Real beauty is not skin deep. It is as enduring as the person itself.For Aparna Dedhia, her seesaw of weight gain, weight loss, and chasing various fitness trends has made her realise that it is vital to adopt a balanced approach when it comes to one’s food habits and exercise routines. She says, “I strive to cultivate a positive mindset, foster self-love, and develop sustainable habits that support overall well-being. I am learning to listen to my body’s needs and honouring its signals for nourishment, movement, rest, and self-Aparna Dedhia: A return to balancecare. By finding joy in physical activities that I genuinely enjoy, and adopting a flexible and balanced approach to eating, I hope to break free from the oscillations between fat and fit, and, instead, embrace a lifelong journey of self- improvement and self-acceptance.” She sums it up: “Fitness is not about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you used to be.”Let me share my own struggles with my body. Not only did I develop a binge eating disorder that made me gain weight, but I had several issues with the way I looked. I would feel that I was ugly and dark. I loathed the shape of my ears which I considered too pointed and made it a point to hide them behind my hair. I also thought that I was too short. I would run constant comparisons in my head with some other prettier or taller girl, feeling even worse. This went on for a long time until I realised that I needed to change.I began looking at the beautiful features God had blessed me with, such as my eyes. I started to see beauty in my golden-wheatish colour. I love my skin colour now. I started loving my wavy and riotous hair, instead of pining for shiny and straight hair. My kind of hair is so desirable today, and girls go to salons to get what I have been naturally endowed with. My journey of developing a positive body image may not be over, but it is well begun.Correcting and improving one’s body image is a personal and complex journey, but here are some expert solutions that can be helpful.• Seek professional help: Consult a therapist or counsellor who specialises in body image and self-esteem. They can provide valuable guidance and support.• Practise self-compassion: Cultivate self- compassion, which entails being kind and34 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
Shift your perspective by focussing on the things your body allows you to do rather than solely on its appearance. Engage in activities that make you feel good, and appreciate your body for its strength and functionality.understanding toward yourself. Embrace your unique qualities and focus on self- acceptance rather than comparison with others.• Surround yourself with positive influences: Spend time with people who uplift and support you. Engage in activities and communities that promote body positivity and inclusivity.• Challenge negative thoughts: Learn to recognise and challenge negative thoughts or beliefs about your body. Practise reframing negative self-talk and replacing it with positive and realistic affirmations.• Focus on holistic well-being: Shift your focus from appearance-based goals to overall well-being. Prioritise self-care, healthy habits, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfilment.• Practise body appreciation: Shift your perspective by focussing on the things your body allows you to do rather than solely on its appearance. Engage in activities that make you feel good, and appreciate your body for its strength and functionality.Remember, improving body image is a journey that takes time and effort. It’s important to be patient and kind to yourself as you work towards a more positive and healthy relationship with your body.Sometimes, all you need to get your struggles with your body into perspective is to meet those whose body issues are vital, immediate, and immense. Both the children of my 50-year-old paternal uncle, Sushil Chawla, a Ludhiana- based businessman, are differently abled. His elder daughter, Sara, 22, lost her eyesight during a medical emergency. His younger son, Sahir, 19, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative condition that led to progressive weakness in his muscles. But I have never seen a glimpse of self-pity on the faces of these children. I cannot fathom the amount of strength the whole family drew from within to continue life with positivity and enthusiasm. They have built an invulnerable family environment, helping and uplifting each other. Both children have immense willpower to do something in life and not let their physical challenges comeLead story 35
in their way. Sara is in the final year of studying law and is preparing for the IAS exams. Sahir is studying BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) and is already building websites for clients from home. What an inspiring duo! They make me realise the insignificance of my small problems and fill me with motivation.Beyond the body“Only the material body is perishable; the embodied soul within is indestructible, immeasurable, and eternal. Therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharat.”—Bhagavad Gita 2:18Another insight that will help us see our body issues in perspective is the spiritual understanding that we are not our body. At our core, we are the soul, or the spirit. We are not the body. We have a body. We are immortal. The body is mortal. The death of a dear one can awaken us to this truth. But in day-to-day life, we forget it and spend an inordinate number of hours dressing and decorating the body, preparing and partaking of food for the body, and buying and looking after a house to host the body. When the time comes to bid farewell to this body, everything will be left behind. The accumulated wealth, assets, reputation, name,Make a song and dance out of life!and approval of our parents and others will perish along with the body.Working on this insight will help us gradually pay attention to what really matters. Building our character and making ourselves better human beings every day is priority number one because our psyche will accompany us beyond the grave. Our relationships could be another area of focus because others too, like us, are immortal; and most of us take birth only to work our way through the karma that binds us to others. This is the real work we are here to do, and the body is a fascinating distraction that comes in the way.Develop a friendship (maitri) with your body “Love your body, every curve, every edge, for it is a vessel that carries the essence of your being. Celebrate its uniqueness, honour its strength, and let self-acceptance guide your journey to true beauty.”—AnonymousLosing attachment to the body does not mean that we stop caring for it. Rather, it should be looked at as a temple in which God resides. We must do everything in our capacity to keep it healthy and clean. It is important to respect the human body as it is nothing short of a gift. Even if you see certain flaws in it, love and accept them. Only from a loving space can change germinate. Louise Hay, the renowned motivational author of Heal Your Life has influenced and transformed thousands with her message of healing oneself with love. She cured her own cancer by sending love and positive vibrations to her cancer cells. Not just Louise but many others too have found their illnesses receding or have even lost excessive weight once they learnt to love and accept their body. Here are some scientific and psychological ways to develop a sense of maitri, or friendship, with your body:• Write love notes: Treat your body like a dear36 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
friend and write love notes or affirmations on sticky notes. Place them on your mirror or other areas where you’ll see them daily to remind yourself of your body’s beauty and worth.• Dress up for yourself: Embrace your personal style and dress up in outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable. Experiment with different colours, patterns, and accessories to celebrate your unique expression.• Have a dance party: Put on your favourite music and have a spontaneous dance party in your living room. Move your body freely and joyfully, focussing on the pure enjoyment of movement rather than how you look.• Create a body gratitude jar: Get a jar and some colourful paper. Each day, write down one thing you appreciate about your body and place it in the jar. Over time, you’ll have a collection of positive affirmations to reflect upon when you need a boost.• Practise mirror self-love exercises: Stand in front of a mirror, look into your eyes, and say kind and loving words to yourself. Compliment different parts of your body and acknowledge the amazing things it can do.• Engage in body-positive activities:Surround yourself with body-positive content, such as books, podcasts, or social media accounts that promote self- acceptance and body diversity. Engage in activities that celebrate and honour all bodies, such as attending body-positive events or participating in body-positive art projects.Remember, developing a friendship with your body is a personal journey, and it’s important to find solutions that resonate with you. Experiment with different strategies, be patient with yourself, and always approach your body with kindness, compassion, and lots of love. .Your body is the crown of creation. Love it. It deserves it.Reclaim your wholenessDr Bijal Maroo, homeopath and writer, offers guidelines to heal a poor body image based on her professional and personal experienceI struggled with a negative body image when I was sidelined for being dark-skinned. The label weighed on my mind for many years. My initial reaction was to hide from the world. I hid behind boring brown and grey-coloured clothes. I also over-compensated by studying very hard. The improved grades helped my esteem. Then I discovered sunscreen, and it became my best friend.As Wayne Dyer, the American self-help author, wisely said, “Friends are God’s way of apologising for your family.” My friendsmade me realise my strengths, and my confidence soared. I began experimenting with my wardrobe. A pastel palette seemed to suit mydusky skin. When I unearthed my talents as a speaker and writer, Ifinally came into my own. Finally, exercises in self-love and gratitude trulyDr Bijal MarooLead story 37
helped me to accept myself completely.I have listed a few ways to develop a positive body image based on my personal and professional experience.1. Be realistic: Take images of perfect bodiesseen on celluloid with a pinch of salt. These images are distorted using photo filters to create magic on the silver screen. Cameramen also use a few tricks such as low-angle shots to get actors to look slimmer and taller. For models and actors, looking good is a professional mandate. They spend 3–5 hours exercising and have dieticians monitor every morsel they eat. But if we did the same, we wouldn’t get anything else done.2. Accept, appreciate, and give gratitude for your body: “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet,” is a quote attributed to Helen Keller amongst others. Instead of focussing on our physical shortcomings, we can focus on the boon of a healthy and intact body. The Gratitude practices from the book The Magic by Rhonda Byrne helped me in my journey.3. Impart mindfulness training: Mrs Geeta Dalal, a clinical psychologist and Arts-based Therapy Practitioner, suggests sensitising and educating children and parents about ‘body shaming.’ Thus, students will be mindful of what they say to their peers and avoid inadvertently hurting another child’s4.5.feelings. Mindfulness will build awareness of the role played by the media in building body image.Celebrate individuality: Besides grooming, we can focus on building a well-rounded personality through developing our skills, talents, knowledge, and character. As Dr Meenakshi Jain, a cosmetologist, observed, “How long can you impress people with just a pretty face?”Develop self-esteem: Make a list of at least 100 of your positive qualities. Yes! Each one of us has at least 100, which we could refer to whenever we need to feel good about ourselves.6. Avoid comparisons: The message we imbibe today is that if we don’t sport a chiselled body and an hourglass figure, we are lesser mortals. Our youth feels this pressure very acutely. We need to adopt a zero-comparison approach to help children breathe easy.7. Build a support network: In case the pressure gets out of hand, counsellors, parents, and teachers need to work in tandem to help pull children out of the abyss of a negative body image.Dr Seuss says it best: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”Navni Chawla, a Delhi-based writer has a heart brimming with passion for life and loves capturing the beauty of the world through words.38 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
FOODWELLNESSviaNaini Setalvad delineates the ben- efits and method of intermittent fasting for leading a healthier and more spiritually enriching life40 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023INTERMITTENT FASTING
It’s a dirty world out there—and inside our in the body and brings diabetes under control. bodies too! We accumulate toxins from ourBenefits of intermittent fasting• Aids the body’s elimination system in effec- tively getting rid of waste• May help shed significant amount of weight• Leads to improved wellness, concentration,and disease-prevention• Increases vitality• Boosts the immune systemAssess your toxic load: one point for every yes and zero for every no. If you score more than five, you need to fast.• Do you feel tired when you wake up?• Do you suffer from skin problems?• Do you suffer from bloating after meals?• Do you have an alcoholic drink most days?The more the fruits and vegetables, the less the toxinsenvironment by breathing, through the food we eat, and by physical contact. We are exposed to air pollution, water pollution, radiation, and lack of sleep, all of which cause stress. We consume sugar and refined foods in excess and abuse our bodies with various stimulants and sedatives.Stress triggers our body’s fight-or-flight re- sponse, a primitive biochemical reaction that puts our body on red alert. If stress continues, our body reaches the ‘alarm stage,’ disrupting the functioning of the immune and circulato- ry systems. Our body becomes less efficient at eliminating toxins, thereby increasing our tox- ic overload. This can give rise to depression, irritability, poor performance, anxiety, mood swings, acidity, constipation, cardiovascular problems, and degenerative diseases, including cancer.The best way to strengthen our body’s natural defences is to pay attention to our diet and its effect on our body. Here is where fasting comes into play.According to the Indian tradition, one should stop eating by sunset and ‘break fast’ three hours post sunrise. This automatically means 12–15 hours of fasting. This norm gave the body rest and detoxified toxic materials and waste products, thus opening the pathway to natural self-healing and spiritual progress. Recently, this practice has gained tremendous popularity under the name of intermittent fasting. Here, an eating window of eight hours in 24 hours is provided during which two meals are allowed. No other consumption of food is allowed in- between, except for an occasional tomato or a glass of buttermilk, This strict regulation of meal times helps balance the blood sugar levelsFood 41
e a t• Do you smoke or livewith smokers?• Do you rarely fresh fruit or vegeta-find there. Then restock your kitchen with nu- tritionally sound food, using a shopping list for guidance.Preparing to fast• Eat as much locally grown produce as pos- sible since it lessens the chemical load and retains more nutrition because it does not have to be preserved or flown across the world to you.• Consume plenty of fruits, seasonal greens, and vegetables.• Opt for whole grains (whole wheat, basmati rice, bajra, jowar, nachni, and brown rice), dals, cow’s ghee, and rock salt.• Drink more water• Avoid milk, curd, eggs, cheese, paneer, andnon-vegetarian food• Cut off alcohol• Cut down on caffeinePrecautions• Monitor your blood sugar, blood pressure, and sodium levels. One must always fast under supervision and constantly keep a check on the above-mentioned parameters.• Avoid acidity by not staying hungry be- yond your body’s capacity.• Avoid eating overly processed foods as it will lead to indigestion and defeat the whole purpose of detoxifying your body.Try to maintain a 12-hour gap between din- ner and breakfast. If you can’t start the fast by sunset then at least start three hours before midnight and break your fast three hours after sunrise. This will be a 12-hour fasting window. Once you are comfortable with this routine, you can increase it gradually to 16 hours. And stay with that.This way you can comfortably fast your way to a healthy body and a sound mind.bles?• Do you eat red meat more than twice aweek?• Do you eat fried food and junk food?• Do you suffer from constant colds, hay, fe-ver, or allergies?• Do you have mood swings?• Do you crave certain foods such as candyor bread?• Do you put on weight easily?• Do you find it difficult to concentrate?• Do you often have irregular bowel move-ments?Detoxify your kitchenClear your kitchen of all the fatty, sugar-lad- en comfort foods that you reach for in times of emotional crises so that if you do go through a stressful time, there won’t be anything in the pantry that you should not eat. Throw out all the white flour, white sugar, and all the oth- er packaged, processed, and refined foods you42 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
RecipeMOONG SOUPIngredients1⁄2 cup moong1⁄4 tsp hing1⁄4 tsp haldi powder 1⁄2 tsp jeera seeds Salt to tasteMethod1.Wash and soak the moong for 3–4 hours in water.2.Drain the water and cook the moong with water on a medium flame3.Cook in pressure cooker till the moong dal is soft and mushy.4.Allow the pressure cooker to cool and open the lid.5.Blend the cooked dal in the blender until smooth.6.Strain using a strainer and set aside.7.Heat the ghee in a small pan. Add hing and jeera seeds. Sauté for a minute. Add haldi pow- der to it.8. Add the tempering to the blended dal with salt and boil for 3–4 minutes on medium flame. 9.Serve hot.Naini Setalvad is a nutritionist, specialising in lifestyle and immunity disorders. Her foundation, Health For You, throws light on healthy food habits. Contact her at healthforyou@nainisetalvad. comFood 43
AHA-MOMENTSThe five faces of freedom With the 15th of August round the corner, Megha Bajaj celebrates by sharing what freedom means to herCome August, my mind tunes Sometimes, it did cause me worry. Freedom in relationships, to me,in to Independence Day. Ikeep wondering what it took our countrymen to claim freedom. I am taken back to times of revolts, revolutions, and yes, Mahatma Gandhi. As August approaches, I can’t help but wonder what freedom means to me. I realise it has a different connotation in each aspect of my life.• Freedom of HealthTrue freedom in any form can be experienced with a healthy body. Unless the body is free of aches, pains, and diseases, at some point or the other, it will enslave us. I’ve found that eating consciously and getting enough physical activity as well as deep sleep is not a luxury but a necessity. Strangely, giving some time, energy, and love to the body frees me of it because, consequently, it does not remind me of its niggling presence the whole day long. This August, I determine to treat my body with even greater respect, so that, in turn, it can gift me true freedom. From itself.• Financial freedomFinancial security offers financial freedom. What gives you this feeling of security is extremely subjective: for some, even a little may be enough, and for others, even having a lot may not. I was someone who never consciously thought of money. It was something that came and went, and something that I used.However, about five years ago, I met a mentor who started guiding me about financial freedom and made me understand my assets, my liabilities, my expenses, and my income, and made me come up with a proper plan that tracks how I’m doing month on month. Somehow, the kind of security that this has given me has been so immense, that for once, I feel that money is no longer an anxiety in my mind. Rather, it’s a kind of freedom, and I have this sense that I have more than enough at all times. It feels good. Very good. • Freedom to do what you love What you do from the time you wake up to the time you sleep defines your life. Each one of us is on a journey of our own, and the soul finds its succour in different ways. For me, I realised early enough that writing is something that gives me the deepest happiness. Despite being told by everyone that writers don’t earn money and being guided to make it a hobby, I chose it as a purpose. Today (as I touch eight- figure turnovers and have found a voice through it), I can happily say that when you follow your passion, other things automatically follow; when you take up a job only because it gives you money, you feel incomplete.Freedom in relationshipsis being able to sustain myself as I am while allowing the other to remain their authentic self. Freedom is when there’s room for disagreement without disrespect. In a relationship marked by freedom love keeps growing, and enables me to become a better me. While this area is constantly in progress, I’m happy to say that a few little shifts— like becoming a lot more accepting towards myself and the other, and cherishing differences—have brought about much peace.• Spiritual FreedomThe true meaning of life is to discover who I am. Who is Megha Bajaj and what is she here to do? Each day that I live, filled with purpose and peace, I feel a sense of deeper and growing freedom. Meditation has been an integral part of my life, and those few minutes of connecting to the Higher has kept me anchored through life and all its vagaries.This August, I urge each one of you to ask as our country walks into the 77th year of freedom: What does freedom mean to me? Happy Independence Day to you and to me.Megha Bajaj is a bestselling author, film script writer and poet.An ardent seeker at heart, she also runs her online writing and healing workshops called WoW. You can read more about her on www.MeghaBajajWoW.com.We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K` 325/-Each of us embodies an emotional baggage of sanskars (personality traits) and karmic accounts not only of this lifetime, but of many births. These are deep rooted rejections, doubts, low self-esteem, insecurities, which we will carry forward with us into our next birth, unless we let go now. Suma’s wisdom and personal experiences touch the soul and help us to start unpacking. She inspires us to start loving ourselves and then letting go becomes easy. Travelling Lighter, in our hands as a book today, will very soon become our natural way of being and living.sister bk shivani RajyogaMeditationteacherandpresenter of the television programme, Awakening with BrahmakumarisSuma’s columns are a seeker’s personal diary. The lofty becomes routine. The universal becomes particular. The in nite comes home. Jargon dissolves and a very lived wisdom emerges.devdutt pattanaik ChiefBeliefO cerofFutureGroupand bestselling author of several booksYour Daily Dose of Divine LoveRoshani(Shenazz Nadirshah)The irst Indian Book of Divine Oracle Messages and AfirmationsForeword by Ruzbeh Bharucha, Author of ‘The Fakir’ Trilogy and many other bestsellers` 195/-Code: C01` 195/-Code: C04` 275/-Code: D05` 250/-Code: D02` 295/- Code` 295/-Name.................................................................................................................... Mailing Address....................................................................................................................................................................................................................City..................................................................................State........................................................................ 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(011) 49563777, Dharamveer: 09312191587Angels_Speak_CoverV02.pdf 1 17/04/17 10:16 AM7KarmaCodes_FinalCover.pdf1 31/07/174:07 PMAngels Speak is the irst Indian Oracle book of divine messages, A afirmations and ifteen Archangels channeled illustrations, all infusedwith potent divine energy to bring extraordinary transformations. Before the change is an a rmation. Before the a rmationWisdom, knowledge and above all - love, pour out of this book and is ready to low into the lives of all who read and experience it. This book is a powerful source of daily divine guidance, as well as an oracle book of guidance for speciic situations of life that may need to be transcended. Angels Speak will help you heal and ind joy, peace and love within and with everyone and everything around you. It awakens you to not just stay positive, but attract positive energies into your life, just as Roshani's channelled prayers, messages and afirmations have done to all who bear testimony in the book."Being a great follower of Roshani's accurate Angel Messages, when I heard she was writing a book I could not wait to pick it up as I knew it would be a treasure trove. If you are reading these words, then you must pick up this book too as I truly believe the Universe brings treasures into your hands. Simply recognise them."- Raageshwari Loomba Swaroop Singer, Actor & Motivational Speaker, London - UK/India"This is the irst book on Oracles that I have seen from India and each word resonates with a sense of strength and divinity. Treat it as good as divine guidance on a daily basis. A must read for every person who is desirous of positive transformations in their life and making it your permanent partner."- Abha Maryada Banerjee India's 1st internationally acclaimed Woman Motivational Speaker and Leadership Author`450 Code: A03ngelsThis book is a dialogue every man’s soul wants to have with himFor the Body, Mind & Spirit www.lifepositive.com` 225Author photo by experience in multidi2scip2lin5ary/-approaches tovibrational healing and energy medicine. Her work has helped innumerable people across the globe experienceShipping ` 40 Per book TotalFor the Body, Mind & SpiritNew Books full advt.indd 117/01/187:35 PMQty.Code: D03AmountCode: C03` 225/-Order Form` 195/-Code: D01` 195/-Code: A02is an insight. Before the insight is a seeking. Beyond the seeking is a struggle. But in the deep dark origins of human pain, perhaps an illness, a helplessness, a self-destructivedespondency, is the singularly unique path forgown original compassionate energies to help us transcend our most debilitating weaknesses. Further down this path of letting go of our fundamental darkness, we become the lighter beings of light we were always meant to be.SpeakSuma Varughese’s long awaited second volume of life’s insights chronicles a universally human journey into the light. In a world of spiritual hares and tortoises, no one is left behind and the nishing line is an ever-shifting beckoning to riseHave you ever wondered why your life has turned out the way it has? Is there a reason you keep attracting the same patterns repeatedly? Are you struggling with challenges at work and in your relationships? Do negative emotions, stress, exhaustion and loneliness plague you?to our own incredible potential.The 7 karma codes give you startling insights to why things happen and what you can do to transform your relationship with yourself and others. Replete with thought provoking insights, easy to-do techniques, diagrams and real life examples, this book shall guide you through the turbulent sea of distressing emotions and complex questions. Be it your career, personal relationships, the search for self-esteem or the relationship with God; the 7 Karma Codes embraces the unending quest for purpose, love, balance, peace, joy and contentment.The 7 Karma Codes contains secrets every man must know. As you embrace the wisdom of these codes, you will move from confusion to clarity, victimhood to power, and darkness to light. Not only do the 7 Karma Codes teach you how to heal your wounds and reduce your karmic burden, they also show you how to unfold your most powerful destiny. They guide you to think, feel and act in ways that will fulfil your soul’s deepest yearning.This book is a dialogue every man’s soul wants to have with him.Eighteen years into an adrenaline-filled career in advertising, Suzy quit her job to focus on her passion and spiritual calling to help heal the personal and collective consciousness. Soon after, she encountered a terrible car crash that caused her near death experience, further accelerating this deep desire. As a therapist and healer, Suzy has extensive clinical` 450/-Deepak Rai`ed by ourAngels SpeakHeal the Storm WithinSUMA VARUGHESE TRAVELLING LIGHTERRoshani (Shenazz Nadirshah)theCode: C0overcome depression and rebuild relationships. She also has manypersonal transformations, improvehealth, find clarity,Code: C06` 390/-published articles to her credit.Heal the Storm Within7For the Body, Mind & Spirit www.lifepositive.comCode: C05ir` 390Code: A05
FESTSpiritof theSOUTHLife Positive celebrates 25 years of helping seekers walk the spiritual path by inviting you to the Spiritual Healing Festival in Chennai at Hotel Savera, on the 1st and 2nd of September, 2023. Jamuna Rangachari raises the curtain.46 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
For 25 years, Life Positive has been abiding The Chennaiite mayby its mission to help its readers becomephysically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy, find their life’s purpose, walk the path of personal growth, and, eventually, arrive at perfect peace and happiness. As part of this quest, Life Positive has been holding body-mind-spirit festivals in many parts of the country where participants have access to transformative workshops and to meet like- minded people. It is now the turn of Chennai to be at the receiving end of our offering. We are delighted to be in partnership with this great city, one so unlike any other place in the world.Chennai emanates a unique ethos of cultural and spiritual devotion. Even as its people step smartly into the 21st century with their expertise in engineering and computers, the city’s deep and enduring grounding in the eternal values of India is palpable. This is a city that will not give up its essential core, even as it expands capaciously to accommodate modern times and needs.occasionally visit Starbucks, but his morning fix will remain the filter coffee, whose flavour, like the fragrant mallipoo (jasmine), trailsyou whereveryou go. And nobreakfast fad like Belgian waffles or overnight oats can ever hope to topple the Tamilian’s penchant for idli-sambar and medu vada.The city is rooted in tradition—its innumerable temples draw its denizens to its altars every day. And even though shorts and little black dresses may rule society soirees, they do not supersede the gorgeous multi-hued Kanjeevaram cotton and silk sari that is the pride of Tamil Nadu. One will still see the portly mami, hair neatly coiled in a bun, diamond nose rings sparkling, wearing a nine-yard Kanjeevaram sari, hagglingIdli-vada-sambar: The perennial favouriteJohnny-come-latelyFest 47
with the vegetable vendor for kathirikai (brinjal) and muringakka (drumsticks) for her daily sambar.Likewise, you will still see menfolk wearing white, starched bush shirts and flowing white dhotis, with an angavastram folded over their shoulder. And woe betide anyone who attempts to budge the city’s allegiance to its native classical art forms such as Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. Come mid-November and all of Chennai is held in thrall by the Chennai Music Season, where amateurs and great artistes of Carnatic music hold sway for nine weeks.Chennai is like a seasoned matron, comfortable in her skin, sure of who she is and what she stands for. It is that which enables her to embrace diversity without losing her foothold, or her grip on her centre. Tolerantly, she allows the world to be as it is and accommodates herself to its whims and fancies.At weddings or otherwise, traditional wear rulesand natural. This is true of most of the South, but even in this megapolis, the average citizen is still simply themself. The need to project an image, to outshine others, to impress, is missing. And, therefore, they naturally draw others to them.We at Life Positive are immensely glad to come to this haven of tradition and culture. We are happy to offer this city our Spiritual Healing Festival—consider it our prasad—through the agency of four outstanding workshops. We are sure that the city and its denizens will find in it a blend of the modern and the age-old values of holistic healing so native to this land. Here below is the programme and an introduction to each workshop and its facilitator. Please note that on both days, you will be offered the choice of two workshops that will run concurrently. Take your pick.Day 1: September 1 (Friday), 2023 11.15 a.m.–5.00 p.m.That allowance has rise to an ethos which is simpleg i v e nBharatanatyam: Pride of Chennai48 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
Nayana Gopinath: Healing traumaEmotional Reset by Nayana GopinathNayana was inclined towards spirituality and healing from a very young age, and her curiosity in these subjects encouraged her to explore more in the field of soul science and healing. She started exploring different modalities of healing such as Theta healing, EFT, and Reiki, and later got trained as a practitioner in them. The first part of her workshop will facilitate emotional healing by working one’s way through trauma. When we undergo intense emotion in various situations, our body may not be able to process it fully; it remains a trauma that fractures our spirit.The second part will focus on a systematic approach to healing oneself by exploring the role of intergenerational traumas in our life. People carry the unprocessed emotional loads (called entanglements) of their ancestors and manifest them in their lives in subconscious ways. These entanglements can sabotage our lives, giving rise to relationship issues, financial debacles, health issues, career challenges, and so on. Becoming aware of these ancestral loyalties and their repercussions can certainly help one move forward in their life.11.15 a.m.–5.00 p.m.Alpha Mind by Sri Matha Vijayalakshmi PanthaiyanSri Matha Vijayalakshmi Panthaiyan, a spiritual guru and founder of Alpha Mind Power, will help us enhance the power of our mind, which, as we all know, is tremendous to begin with. She started this workshop in May 2000, and in these 23 years, she has conducted thousands of classes in various cities in India and abroad as well.Alpha Meditation helps a person experience the power of the subconscious mind, and the techniques help them meditate and achieve what they want in life. Sri Matha’s meticulous training empowers one to face any situation in life with confidence and ease, making them a master of their mind.The workshop, which is experiential in nature, will deal with the theory behind the concept of Alpha Meditation, pranayama, and the practiceSri Matha Vijayalakshmi Panthaiyan: Maxing the mindFest 49
of Alpha Meditation. The participant will then be guided towards visualising a goal, talking to the subconscious mind, and, finally, healing themselves—all at the Alpha level.Day 2: September 2 (Saturday), 202311.15 a.m.–5.00 p.m.Ikigai by Rama Ravee TittiRama Ravee Titti, the founder of Thee Skisksha Academics Private Limited, is a seasoned facilitator and an international certified corporate trainer as well as a Master NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) practitioner. She has conducted more than 2,150 workshops, trainings, seminars, and guest lectures. At her Chennai workshop, Rama will be enlighteningan avenue to re-evaluate your personal and professional life and figure out new ways to balance your goals. People who are able to achieve this balance are more likely to run a successful life. The core elements of ikigai are passion, profession, mission, and vocation. Ultimately, ikigai serves as a compass to guide us towards a more purposeful and fulfilling life. By aligning our passions, skills, values, and the needs of the world, we can create a meaningful and rewarding existence, both personally and professionally.The key takeaways from the workshop include the following:• Finding your ikigai• Appreciating your life with acceptance• Self-awareness• Creating a purposeful and fulfilling life11.15 a.m.–5.00 p.m.Acupressure by Ketan V ShahDestiny brought Dr Shah to acupressure when he himself underwent some health problems, causing him serious emotional and financial stress. When almost everything else failed, it was acupressure that cured him, and he became its lifelong votary. Dr Shah also learnt how energy balance through Vaastu is imperative for a healthy life. His workshops and healing sessions—comprising a combination of acupressure, Reiki, and Vaastu—have been powerful aids in creating balance, reducing stress, and uprooting disease.Dr Shah has healed cases of asthma, trigeminal neuralgia, cerebral palsy, physical and mental growth retardation, attention deficit syndrome, autism, arthritis, PCOD, gynaecological problems, vitiligo, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, joint pains, and many more chronic problems. He is the author of two acupressure books: Acupressure for Total Wellness (in English and Hindi) and Spinal Acupressure for Total Wellness.Rama Ravee Titti: The power of purposethe participants about the concept of ikigai. Why is it that the Japanese are so efficient in almost all areas of life? This is surely because they have mastered how to live life with the right principles. One of them is finding their ikigai.‘Ikigai’ is a Japanese word which refers to life purpose. Finding it helps to build self- confidence and make you aware of both your strengths and weaknesses. Ikigai creates50 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023