Dr Ketan Shan: An ace among healersHe also operates www.healingpressure.com to impart the knowledge of acupressure to all.Dr Shah will introduce us to the basics of acupressure and guide us to use it as a tool for wellness and emotional growth.Join us!The unique thing about workshops is that they quicken your growth. An insight uttered by the facilitator, even a chance remark by another participant may trigger you to find your next step. Moreover, you will have access to new tools and techniques that may heal you physically and emotionally, help you create and achieve new goals in your career or in your productivity, and offer new perspectives that will move youto a higher domain. If reading can inspire and guide you, workshops can transform you. And let us never forget that we have been put here on Planet Earth for one and only one reason: To be the best that we can be. And to realise our true Self. As Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest achievement.”Moreover, you will be spending two days in the inspiring company of fellow seekers and workshop facilitators. Sangha can not only powerfully influence our thoughts and actions, but it is also a great gift. To befriend kindred spirits is like finding water in a desert. It is reviving and nourishing.We extend a warm invitation to every reader to join us at our festival in Chennai. We especially call out to our friends in the South who have been often asking us to hold workshops and events closer to their place of stay. And if you have not yet made your acquaintance with Chennai, here is your chance to experience this unique city and its wonderful ethos.Finally, do not miss this opportunity to avail of the services of the best facilitators in the land at affordable prices. Give yourself the gift of a better life.Vaango! (Come!)Jamuna Rangachari, the former assistant editor of Life Posi- tive, has authored two books for children, and compiled and inter- preted Teaching Stories-I and II for Life Positive. Write to her [email protected] 51
JOURNEYGROWTH Map Shivi Verma comes to the realisation that, over the years, her life wasby the Divine, using the adversities in her life as His toolsSometimes I cannot help but progress in life and concludedgradually being shaped for the betterhad been too preoccupied with work duties and day-to-day responsibilities to note that my inner self had grown and expanded through all the difficulties and challenges that I had encountered. The best part was that I was able to accept myself too with all my flaws and imperfections. I was trying to impress no one, please no one, and yet not be irreverential to anyone. And this was having a positive impact on my surroundings. Even those who wanted to judge me found it difficult to dislike me. Truth be told, though I am enjoying this state, I can still not be sure that it is permanent or that my anger or resentment will not resurface at the next provocation. I am just hoping that it would only be momentary, as a necessary reaction to an extreme situation and not based on any dislike or judgement against anyone. I am not sure where the spiritual path will eventually lead me, but as long as the Divine has my back, I can be certain that I am in safe hands.Editor of Life Positive, Shivi Verma is a devotee who found all her answers in loving God passionately.We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] grateful to the Divine forgiving the gift of spirituality to me.Mired in hardships, struggles, and innumerable challenges, spirituality has helped me keep my head above water and never lose faith, hope, and courage in the positivity of life. It has helped me push the boundaries and reach the farthest end of my capabilities just because an unseen faith keeps telling me that there is light at the end of the tunnel.Nevertheless, I have also felt deeply hurt and demoralised, and have despaired, fought, cried, and raged against the injustices of life to God. I have suffered from guilt pangs after every emotional or temper outburst, wondering why my spiritual sadhanas do not yield long-lasting results. When faced with pressure and extreme stressors, I have asked myself why I feel burdened and cannot get over my sense of doership? Why can’t I let the Universe take over and enjoy the state of effortlessness? What good is my spirituality if I cannot stay centred during turbulent times?I have even wondered if I have made any significant spiritualthat my efforts have not amounted to much. However, what I did not realise in all these years was that the Divine was slowly chiselling away my imperfections and making me deeper and more tolerant from within.Recently, I took a long break after years and went on a sabbatical. As I was relaxing in new surroundings, I came across a few things that would have deeply hurt me at any other time. But I was pleasantly surprised to note that all that I felt was deep understanding and compassion for those who had a bone to pick with me. No anger or judgement crossed my mind, and I simply felt amused by the angry outbursts. My peace was undisturbed. As my new physical surroundings were more peaceful, I was happy to note that thoughts were not bothering me. No matter what the situation, I had no internal dialogues running about people and their behaviour, whether they were good or bad, congenial or difficult, warm or cold, interesting or boring. I was simply acting through what the present moment dictated or demanded.I also realised that this had been my state previously too. Only IJourney 53
BEAUTYSkincare: How FarWhile collagen supplements can be helpful for the skin, don’t let them supersede the importance of diet and lifestyle, cautionsLata AgarwalAge is inevitable, but ageing isn’t. For centuries, the search for the elixir of youth has continued to obsess (andelude) mankind. Having embraced my 40s now, I get why people hesitate to look closely in the mirror, dreading those fine lines. I now understand the shock and disbelief that comes with discovering crow’s feet, or why people jump into the face yoga bandwagon, buy that oil, and start those lifts andstretches.Truth be told, age will catch up. Youth will have to step back, and the skin will begin to lose its freshness, elasticity, and plumpness, bit by bit, witheach passing day.Should YouStretch It?
Blame it on collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body. Its fibrous structure is used to make connective tissue and is a major component of bones, skin, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It is also the most abundant protein that our body produces naturally. Our skin gets its structure, suppleness, and stretch from collagen. There are several types of collagens, but our body mainly consists of Type I, II, and III. Types I and III are of greatest relevance when it comes to skincare. But as we age, collagen production depletes, and our once tight, plump skin loses its strength and elasticity, gradually giving way to lines and wrinkles, leading to sags and folds.Collagen: the next big thingA New York-based dermatologist, Dr Whitney Bowe, described our body’s collagen as “ropesof protein in the skin.” The rope remains tight when young, but as we grow older, the ends begin to fray. Unfortunately, our bodies are unable to keep up with the speed of collagen loss, and replacement happens slowly, leading to signs of ageing.This explains why collagen is made out to be the Next Big Thing in modern skincare, both offline and online. Be it a pharmacy, skincare store, or your Instagram feed, collagen supplements are the highlight, or more so, the knight in shining armour, promising to rescue your maturing skin and reverse ageing. Who wouldn’t love that? But the question remains: Are collagen supplements really worth it?Typically sold in the form of pills and powders, oral collagen supplements are available widelyCan collagen restore what time steals away?Beauty 55
as collagen hydrolysate, hydrolysed collagen, or collagen peptides. Claiming to restore what age takes away from you, these supplements have now found a place in people’s morning coffees, teas, or smoothies in a bid to support the health of their skin and hair, bones and joints.The researchHowever, extensive research regarding the efficacy of these supplements is lacking, and whether ingested collagen does what it is purported to do is riddled with doubts. While long-term clinical trials are yet to establish collagen intake as an anti-ageing miracle, controlled research and randomised trials of certain collagen products are showing possibilities for skin and joint health improvement. The consumption of hydrolysed collagen peptides, a smaller form of collagen, has reported positive results with effective absorption and benefits in ageing skin and bones.This is significant as these oral supplements are hard to digest and absorb. A large molecule like collagen cannot be absorbed by the body while it’s intact, in its whole form; so, it must be broken down into smaller peptides or amino acids for absorption. Collagen supplements, therefore, are already broken down into shorter chains of peptides of two or three amino acids to assist in their digestion and absorption, increasing their absorption into the bloodstream and thereby enhancing their bioavailability.Since collagen depletion also leads to a loss of cartilage and joint problems as we age, trials show notable differences in joint mobility and decreased joint pain in cases of osteoarthritis and in athletes with supplementation.The grey areaNevertheless, doctors remind us that we can never be sure how much of the supplement is effectively absorbed by the body and wherethose peptides actually end up. Whether they find their way to the target organs to make more collagen is also debatable. But the human body is intelligent and will prioritise areas that are in dire need of the protein first, so one may expect to feel better in some way or the other while ingesting these dietary supplements.Oral collagen supplements do seem worth a try and are generally considered safe, but it is important to read labels carefully before starting to consume these products. Supplements are usually combined with various other ingredients which might not be well-tolerated by everyone and could pose potential health risks. For instance, certain herbal extracts and high doses of vitamins included in supplements to improve skin, nails, and hair conditions might interact with commonly prescribed medications, cause allergies and could also prove unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Although there are no high risks or serious side-effects involved with collagen supplements, one must exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before popping that pricey pill.The dietary way to boost collagen“Diet plays a surprisingly large role in the appearance and youthfulness of your skin,” says certified holistic nutritionist Krista Goncalves, a certified holistic nutritionist (CHN). “And that all comes down to collagen.” Now that is good news, isn’t it!Taking the food-first approach to combat collagen loss could be a more sustainable and effective regimen for anti-ageing. We must not be blinded by the flamboyance and glamour of the supplement fad, as a healthy diet and lifestyle are the cornerstone for lasting youth and vigour. There is no substitute for eating, sleeping, and exercising right. Also, supplements can add value only when essential lifestyle factors are in order.56 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
Protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, soy, legumes, and whole grains boost collagen production as they contain the amino acids that make collagen. In addition, natural collagen is found abundantly in animal flesh like meat and fish that contain connective tissue. Bone broth is recognised as one of the most potent sources of collagen, prepared by simmering animal bones for long hours. Bone broth made of bones and connective tissue, contains a host of vital nutrients like calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, and amino acids, hence offering hefty doses of anti-ageing collagen.Fruits and veggies win hands downWhat’s more, foods containing antioxidants such as Vitamin C have a significant role to play in reversing inflammation in the body and slowing collagen loss. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and limes are full of this nutrient, but berries too are an excellent source. Raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries provide huge amounts of Vitamin C to the body and reduce oxidation considerably, thus preventing collagen damage. Other nutrients that bolster the process of collagen production include zinc and copper.A 2012 review of nutrition and ageing stated that fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals were the safest and healthiest harbingers of good skin health. Tropical fruits like guava, kiwi, pineapple, and mango are reliable sources of Vitamin C, and zinc. Vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, leafy greens, garlic, beans, and nuts like cashew are powerful collagen boosters and great additions to a wholesome diet. So, get those tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and beans out, and toss in a handful of nuts and a few tangy orange segments. Voila! You’ve built yourself a formidable wall against ageing and collagen breakdown.Fruits and vegetables are safe harbingers of good skinThings to avoidTo accellerate health and collagen synthesis as we age, it is imperative to also address unhealthy habits and lifestyle disorders that derail health, cause inflammation, and lead to early signs of ageing.To start with, excessive consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrate foods should be strictly avoided as they trigger inflammation and hasten collagen loss.Other habits like cigarette smoking and drinking too much alcohol need to be avoided or regulated to safeguard our body’s natural collagen. One must also learn to manage stress and regulate cortisol levels that promote collagen loss, with the help of practices like yoga and meditation.Things to doWearing sunscreen daily is a must to shield the skin from undue exposure to the sun and harmful UV rays to prevent photoaging, which is the leading cause of the early appearance ofBeauty 57
lines, pigmentation, and other skin woes.Now, we come to the most ignored unhealthy habit—sleep. The relevance of adequate sleep cannot be reiterated enough when it comes to anti-ageing. Quality sleep is the foundation for high immunity, strength, and vitality in our bodies, and it plays a crucial role in looking young and feeling energetic. So, pause before you indulge in that late-night movie and save it for another ‘day’; after all, youth is too heavy a price to pay for it.A healthy lifestyle is a combination of a well- balanced diet along with regular exercise, and exercise is non-negotiable. Be it walking in your neighbourhood park every day, practising yoga asanas at home, or hitting the gym for strength training, exercise must become a coveted habit as it slows down cell degeneration, releases happy hormones, and makes you glow. What more can you ask for?Pearls of wisdomAfter all that has been said and done, we understand that the use of dietary collagen for anti-ageing is still nascent, and experts are wary of drawing conclusions or making blanket statements. Although collagen supplements look promising and bring hope for the skin industry, one size doesn’t fit all, and there is ample room for extensive research into thematter. While we seek more answers, there are some pertinent questions we need to ask ourselves: Does an anti-ageing pill or powder get to decide how you age? Even if the sagging skin is restored and your face is taut and unlined, would you be able to recreate the person you were in your 20s or 30s? And what exactly would you call anti-ageing?Well, youth is more than just wrinkles and lines, hydration and elasticity. It is inimitable and original. The freshness, innocence, and rawness of youth cannot be matched; it is intangible.So is beauty. Beauty is a personal choice and cannot be boxed into a particular figure, number, shape, or appearance. We must steer clear of all claims that create fear instead of love and acceptance for who we are. Fear internalises ageism which can mislead one into making poor choices like squandering on Botox, fillers, or going under the knife in the chase for youthfulness. Anything that we choose to incorporate into our beauty regimen should be a welcome treat to ourselves: a gift to pamper the ‘beauty’ we already possess, a celebration of our best assets. Not something that stems from fear and fuels insecurity. Real beauty lies in realising that no matter how fast we race to arrest ageing, time will catch up and we must know when to rein in and stop.Lata Agrawal, born and brought up in the plains of Siliguri, West Bengal, is a passionate writer and poet at heart. She has worked as a content writer and editor for various companies and websites, and is now an active blogger and freelancer.58 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
SHARINGMy MOTHERS My MOTHERSAnd Others And OthersThough plagued by relatives out to dissect her motherless existence, Jamuna Rangachari nevertheless found herself nourished by a network of mothers.When I was just two, my mother Lakshmi passed away due to unknown reasons. I was brought up by my nani-nana (maternal grandparents), aunts, and uncles. I must say I had a wonderful childhood as everyone played a role in bringing me up, and in teaching me many things. The problem was ‘the others.’“Lakshmi’s daughter?” was the first question people used to ask me whenever they met me anywhere in our family circle. Some would insensitively add, “She does not have her beauty and colour, poor girl.” My mother was a classic beauty in her youth. It is true that I looked more like my father. Even so, there is nothing wrong with my features, but having a dusky complexion is inexcusable in South India. Even more than my looks, people dissected me and my life. Some showed compassion, but most were unabashedly curious, surveying me as if I were a character in a movie. This was the reason I always avoided family functions, for while I was just Jamuna to most people, to my relatives at family functions, I was Jamuna, the motherless girl. People I hardly knew wished to take a picture with me, in a display of fake compassion. I would just run away whenever some unknown aunty wanted to pose for a picture with me. To this, again, there would be tuts and whispers.60 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023Jamuna’s mother Lakshmi: Beauty with brainsMy mother was trained in classical music and was a gold medallist from Delhi University. Consequently, people would ask me to sing and would feel I was not up to the mark, criticising the raag (musical mode) and taal (rhythmic pattern). So, very soon, I would just say that I didn’t sing, when people asked me to do so at family events.
Jamuna Rangachari: Blessed with many mothersI do like singing. though, so I did sing, though only in my friends circle and at home. In fact, my nana, a renowned classical Carnatic music singer, even composed simple songs for children to make the genre accessible to all, and I was very much a star singer with him.Meanwhile, I acquired a second mother when my father married much later, and the next gossip was about my poor stepmother, a nice lady whois a great friend of mine. She treated me just like any other young girl, without fake sympathy or drama. There were no issues there, much to the disappointment of people who expected us to be at loggerheads with each other.Another mother whom I had for a long time was my late mother-in-law. She and I bonded very well from day one, and as I had an early marriage, she taught me many things about life and about managing the house and children too.My mother-in-law was a truly compassionate human being who often asked me to take a break from house work, especially when I was working in the software field when my children were young. My husband was often away on sailing as he was in the Indian Navy. She would tell me to ask him to spend more time with the children and help when he was at home, rare for a mother-in-law.If there is one thing I have learnt from being a motherless child, it is the difference between real and fake concern. But perhaps what has held me in greatest stead has been the experience of always being looked after by a higher power. It has filled me with hope and faith, and it helped me to forge a real connection with all my mothers, whether on earth or in heaven.Jamuna Rangachari, the former assistant editor of Life Positive, has authored two books for children, and compiled and interpreted Teaching Stories-I and II for Life Positive. Write to her at [email protected] 61
MUDRASMudras ForMEDITATIONBesides the Dhyaan Mudra, there are other mudras that serve as an aid to the practice of dhyaan, says Abhay Kumar ShahMudras are like a mother. They feed us, nurture us, guide us to the right path, and help us reach our goal. This nurturing happens on the level of all three dimensions: body, mind, and soul. They strengthen our body, purify our mind, and enrich our soul with spiritual upliftment. Meditation is the best vehicle to reach this state, and mudras are the best possible fuel for this vehicle.There are many mudras which facilitate the process of meditation. Here are some of them.• Jnaan MudraJnaan Mudra is called the king of mudras. It calms down the mind by reducing all negative emotions like anger, jealousy, lust, attachment, and hauteur. It helps the mind to focus and reduces stress and anxiety.Touch the tip of the index finger Jnaan Mudra to the tip of the thumb. Keepthe remaining three fingers comfortably straight. Place your hands on your thighs.• Aakaash MudraAakaash Mudra connects inner space with outer space. This connection brings intuitive powers to the mind. It increasesconcentration, consciousness,and awareness. The regular and sincere practice of this mudra facilitates the feeling of divine white light on the Sahasrara Chakra.Keep the remaining three fingers comfortably straight. Place your hands on your thighs.• Dhyaan MudraAakaash Mudra62LifePositive | AUGUST 2023Dhyaan Mudra reduces overthinking by controlling the heavy trafficof thoughts and thus removesthe hindrance to practisingdhyaan. It also alleviates stress and anxiety, and eases the mind, helping it function more effectively.Place one palm horizontallybelow the navel, and place theother one on top of it. Do not join the tips of the thumbs.Dhyaan Mudra
• Uttarbodhi MudraUttarbodhi Mudra is one of the 10 mudras which were usually practised by Bhagwan Buddha. This mudra fills us with courage, removes stress, and helps us focus.Interlace the fingers of both hands except the index fingers and thumbs. Stretch the index fingers out, with the tips touching each other and pointing upward. Connect both thumbs in the same way and point them downward. Keep your hands near the heart.Kaaleshwar Mudra• Kaaleshwar MudraKaaleshwar Mudra is practised for gaining control over the mind. It helps increase concentration and decrease negative thoughts, and eliminates addictive habits. It also improves memory and enhances the quality of dhyaan.Bend the fingers of both hands except the middle fingers and thumbs. Touch the backs of the distal phalanges (the part which has the nails) of the bent fingers. Stretch the middle fingers out and upward, touching the tips to each other. Likewise, connect the thumbs and point them downwards. Keep some distance between the palms.Uttarbodhi MudraAbhay Kumar Shah is a mechanical engineer, who has learnt Mudra Shastra from experts and established his own method of using this science correctly, and in the modern context. He can be reached at: [email protected] welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] 63
64LifePositive | AUGUST 2023BANYAN TREETEACHING STORYTHE FRUIT OF HEAVENOnce there was a woman who had heard of the Fruit of Heaven. She coveted it and asked a certain dervish called Sabar: “How can I find this fruit so that I may attain to immediate knowledge?”“You would best be advised to study with me,” said the dervish. “But if you will not do so, you will have to travel resolutely and, at times, restlessly throughout the world.”The woman left him and sought another, Arif the Wise One, and then found Hakim the Sage, then Majzup the Mad, Alim the Scientist, and many more. She passed 30 years in her search. Finally, she came to a garden. There stood the Tree of Heaven, and from its branches hung the bright Fruit of Heaven. Standing beside the tree was Sabar, the first dervish. “Why did you not tell me when we first met that you were the custodian of the Fruit of Heaven?” she asked him.“Because you would not have believed me then. Besides, the tree produces fruit only once in 30 years and 30 days.”THIS, I KNOWRUPERT SPIRA (a spiritual teacher and philosopher)known by itself.• Give your attention to the experience of seeing rather than to the object seen and you will find yourself everywhere.• The greatest discovery in life is to discover that our essential nature does not share the limits nor the destiny of the body and mind.• In ignorance, I am something; in understanding, I am nothing; in love, I am everything.• Your Self, Aware Presence, knows no resistance to any appearance and, as such, is happiness itself; like the empty space of a room it cannot be disturbed and is, therefore, peace itself; like this page, it is intimately one with whatever appears on it and is thus love itself; and like water that is not affected by the shape of a wave, it is pure freedom. Causeless joy, imperturbable peace, love that knows no opposite and freedom at the heart of all experience. This is your ever- present nature under all circumstances.• Many of our ideas and beliefs about ourselves and the world are so deeply ingrained that we are unaware that they are beliefs and take them, without question, for the absolute truth.• Love is the experience that others are not others. Beauty is the experience that objects are not objects.• Looking for happiness in the body, mind, or world is like looking for the screen in a movie. The screen doesn’t appear in the movie, and yet, at the same time, all that is seen in the movie is the screen. In the same way that the screen ‘hides’ in plain view, so happiness ‘hides’ in all experience.• •Happiness is simply to allow everything to be exactly as it is from moment to moment.The world is known by the senses. The senses are known by the mind. The mind is known by Consciousness. And Consciousness isBANYAN TREE
INSPIRATIONTHE GURU“I listened to Shri Ganesha when he chose to talk; he didn’t talk very much, but he was always willing to answer questions and it was wonderfully inspiring to listen to him. It was like music in your ears. Though in his youth he had himself practised very severe austerities, he did not enjoin them on his disciples. He sought to wean them from the slavery of selfhood, passion, and sense, and told them they could acquire liberation by tranquillity, restraint, renunciation, resignation, by steadfastness of mind, and by an ardent desire for freedom. People used to come from the nearby town three or four miles away, where there was a famous temple to which great crowds flocked once a year for a festival; they came from Trivandrum and from far-off places to tell him their troubles, to ask his advice, to listen to his teaching; and all went away strengthened in soul and at peace with themselves. What he taught was very simple. He taught that we are all greater than we know and that wisdom is the means to freedom. He taught that it is not essential to salvation to retire from the world. But only to renounce the self. He taught that work donewith no selfish interest purifies the mind and that duties are opportunities afforded to man to sink his separate self and become one with the universal self. But it wasn’t his teaching that was so remarkable; it was the man himself, his benignity, his greatness of soul, his saintliness. His presence was a benediction.”From The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham. The evocation of Shri Ganesha, narrated by the central figure, Larry Darrel, is said to be based on Ramana Maharshi, the great sage of Tiruvannamalai.ONE-MINUTE WISDOMTHE JOURNEY OF LIFEA group of tourists sits in a bus that is passing throughgorgeously beautiful country; lakes and mountains and green fields and rivers. But the shades of the bus are pulled down. They do not have the slightest idea of what lies beyond the windows of the bus. And all the time of their journey is spent squabbling over who will have the seat of honour in the bus, who will be applauded, who will be well considered. And so they remain till the journey’s end.—Anthony De MelloJUST FOR LAUGHSNOTHING DOING!Two monks were discussing humility. "I have been praying and fasting, meditating and studying religion for 20 years. I have finally reached the level of humility. I am truly a nothing,” said one monk.The other monk nodded gravely. "I too have spent my life devoted to serving God. I am also a nothing."At that moment a janitor passed, holding his mop. Overhearing the conversation, he responded humbly. "I also feel I am a nothing."The monks looked away in disgust. "Who the hell does he think he is to be a nothing???"Banyan Tree65
SPIRITTowards the SUNCombat the default state of the mind that resists what does not work and ignores what works, byturning your sights only to the positive, says Suma Varughese Iam convinced that focussing on not easy to do. The mind is going world use a programme calledwhat works is one of the masterkeys to opening the doors to happiness, self-transformation, success, and harmonious relationships. Helen Keller put it more poetically when she advised, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It’s what the sunflowers do.” In other words, count your blessings and ignore the handicaps. Embrace the job you love, the happy family, and your fully paid-up flat or house. And firmly turn your back to the depleted bank balance, the investment that turned turtle, and the lost friendship with your college friend.to continue its perennial resistance and protest. But persist, and you will find yourself wonderfully rewarded. Start with the practice of writing a gratitude journal every day.As you focus on all the good things the day has held for you, no matter how tiny, you will start noticing them more, and to that extent, your negativity will seep out of you. Now cultivate the habit of looking at everything with this perspective. Look for health, not illness in your body. Look for strengths, not weaknesses in your character. Look at the successes and not the failures in your life. Acknowledge them wholeheartedly and express gratitude towards your body, yourself, and God.Over time, this will recalibrate your relationship with yourself, and amp up your confidence and self-esteem. Do the same with others. Instead of focussing on their faults and shortcomings, practise keeping your sights firmly on their strengths. Use the same logic when you need to correct someone. Instead of highlighting what they have done wrong, can you point towards areas of improvement? Not only will their self-esteem remain intact, but so too will your relationship with them.Appreciative Inquiry when they need to resolve flagging employee morale or performance. Instead of looking at what is wrong with the employees or at their failures, Appreciative Inquiry facilitators choose to highlight their strengths and capabilities. Instead of being shamed or critiqued, employees are encouraged to use their strengths to boost their performance. Appreciative Inquiry validates and empowers the employee and strengthens the employee-employer bond.Focussing on what works is based on the spiritual truth that, at our core, we are part of the Divine— whole, perfect, and complete. It is the conditioning that we undergo over lifetimes that creates negative and limiting belief systems, a spectrum of afflictive emotions (as the Buddhists call it), and powerful desires and aversions that sabotage our happiness. By steadfastly looking at the positive, we amplify our true nature and dilute the conditioning. Ergo, more happiness and freedom.Suma Varughese is a teacher of words and wisdom. She broadcasts spiritual truths and a love for writing in her various capacities as columnist, writer, writing coach, and the founder-facilitator of the popular Zen of Good Writing Course. She is the former editor of Life Positive and Society magazines. She has authored Travelling Light, Travelling Lighter, and 50 Life Lessons. She can be contacted at [email protected] welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] reason why life is so hard isthat the default state of the mind isto ignore all that works and to cribmightily about all that does not. Thisensures that we are perennially in astate of resistance, and our capacityfor happiness is shortchanged. Apromotion, getting great marks inthe Boards, or falling in love, maygive us a high, but like air out of apunctured tyre, the happiness leaksaway by focussing on the barrage ofthings that don’t work. For most ofus, life can seem like climbing up aslippery slope that sends you slidingback no matter how valiantly youstrive. This is when we can benefitfrom the merit of focussing on whatworks. I frankly tell you that this is Some sections of the corporate66 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023