to 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
Dr Ketan Shan: An ace among healers powerfully influence our thoughts and actions,
but it is also a great gift. To befriend kindred
He also operates www.healingpressure.com to spirits is like finding water in a desert. It is
impart the knowledge of acupressure to all. reviving and nourishing.
Dr Shah will introduce us to the basics of We extend a warm invitation to every reader to
acupressure and guide us to use it as a tool for
wellness and emotional growth. 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
Join us!
The unique thing about workshops is that they events closer to their place of stay. And if you
quicken your growth. An insight uttered by the have not yet made your acquaintance with
facilitator, even a chance remark by another Chennai, here is your chance to experience this
participant may trigger you to find your next unique city and its wonderful ethos.
step. Moreover, you will have access to new tools
and techniques that may heal you physically Finally, do not miss this opportunity to avail of
and emotionally, help you create and achieve the services of the best facilitators in the land
new goals in your career or in your productivity, at affordable prices. Give yourself the gift of a
and offer new perspectives that will move you 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 at
[email protected].
Fest 51
JOURNEY
GROWTH Map
Shivi Verma comes to the realisation that, over the years, her life was gradually being shaped for the better
by the Divine, using the adversities in her life as His tools
ometimes I cannot help but progress in life and concluded had been too preoccupied with
be grateful to the Divine for that my efforts have not amounted work duties and day-to-day
Sgiving the gift of spirituality to much. However, what I did responsibilities to note that my
to me. not realise in all these years inner self had grown and expanded
was that the Divine was slowly through all the difficulties and
Mired in hardships, struggles, chiselling away my imperfections challenges that I had encountered.
and innumerable challenges, and making me deeper and more The best part was that I was able to
spirituality has helped me keep tolerant from within. accept myself too with all my flaws
my head above water and never and imperfections. I was trying to
lose faith, hope, and courage in Recently, I took a long break after impress no one, please no one, and
the positivity of life. It has helped years and went on a sabbatical. As I yet not be irreverential to anyone.
me push the boundaries and reach was relaxing in new surroundings, And this was having a positive
the farthest end of my capabilities I came across a few things that impact on my surroundings.
just because an unseen faith keeps would have deeply hurt me at any Even those who wanted to judge
telling me that there is light at the other time. But I was pleasantly me found it difficult to dislike
end of the tunnel. surprised to note that all that me. Truth be told, though I am
I felt was deep understanding enjoying this state, I can still not
Nevertheless, I have also felt and compassion for those who be sure that it is permanent or that
my anger or resentment will not
deeply hurt and demoralised, and had a bone to pick with me. No resurface at the next provocation.
have despaired, fought, cried, and anger or judgement crossed my I am just hoping that it would
raged against the injustices of mind, and I simply felt amused only be momentary, as a necessary
life to God. I have suffered from by the angry outbursts. My peace reaction to an extreme situation
guilt pangs after every emotional was undisturbed. As my new and not based on any dislike or
or temper outburst, wondering physical surroundings were more judgement against anyone. I am
why my spiritual sadhanas do not peaceful, I was happy to note that not sure where the spiritual path
yield long-lasting results. When thoughts were not bothering me. will eventually lead me, but as
faced with pressure and extreme No matter what the situation, I long as the Divine has my back,
stressors, I have asked myself had no internal dialogues running I can be certain that I am in safe
why I feel burdened and cannot about people and their behaviour, hands.
get over my sense of doership? whether they were good or bad,
Why can’t I let the Universe congenial or difficult, warm or
take over and enjoy the state of cold, interesting or boring. I Editor of Life Positive, Shivi
effortlessness? What good is my was simply acting through what Verma is a devotee who found
all her answers in loving God
spirituality if I cannot stay centred the present moment dictated or passionately.
during turbulent times? demanded.
I have even wondered if I have I also realised that this had been
made any significant spiritual my state previously too. Only I We welcome your comments and suggestions on
this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Journey 53
BEAUTY
Skincare: How Far
Should You
Stretch It?
While collagen supplements can be helpful
for the skin, don’t let them supersede the
importance of diet and lifestyle, cautions
Lata Agarwal
ge is inevitable, but ageing isn’t. For
centuries, the search for the elixir of
Ayouth has continued to obsess (and
elude) 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 and
stretches.
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, with
each passing day.
Blame it on collagen. Collagen is the main of protein in the skin.” The rope remains tight
structural protein in the body. Its fibrous when young, but as we grow older, the ends
structure is used to make connective tissue begin to fray. Unfortunately, our bodies are
and is a major component of bones, skin, unable to keep up with the speed of collagen
muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It is loss, and replacement happens slowly, leading
also the most abundant protein that our body to signs of ageing.
produces naturally. Our skin gets its structure,
suppleness, and stretch from collagen. There This explains why collagen is made out to
are several types of collagens, but our body be the Next Big Thing in modern skincare,
mainly consists of Type I, II, and III. Types I both offline and online. Be it a pharmacy,
and III are of greatest relevance when it comes skincare store, or your Instagram feed, collagen
to skincare. But as we age, collagen production supplements are the highlight, or more so, the
depletes, and our once tight, plump skin loses knight in shining armour, promising to rescue
its strength and elasticity, gradually giving way your maturing skin and reverse ageing. Who
to lines and wrinkles, leading to sags and folds. wouldn’t love that? But the question remains:
Are collagen supplements really worth it?
Collagen: the next big thing
A New York-based dermatologist, Dr Whitney Typically sold in the form of pills and powders,
Bowe, described our body’s collagen as “ropes oral collagen supplements are available widely
Can collagen restore what time steals away?
Beauty 55
as collagen hydrolysate, hydrolysed collagen, or those peptides actually end up. Whether they
collagen peptides. Claiming to restore what age find their way to the target organs to make
takes away from you, these supplements have more collagen is also debatable. But the human
now found a place in people’s morning coffees, body is intelligent and will prioritise areas that
teas, or smoothies in a bid to support the health are in dire need of the protein first, so one may
of their skin and hair, bones and joints. expect to feel better in some way or the other
while ingesting these dietary supplements.
The research
However, extensive research regarding the Oral collagen supplements do seem worth a
efficacy of these supplements is lacking, and try and are generally considered safe, but it is
whether ingested collagen does what it is important to read labels carefully before starting
purported to do is riddled with doubts. While to consume these products. Supplements are
long-term clinical trials are yet to establish usually combined with various other ingredients
collagen intake as an anti-ageing miracle, which might not be well-tolerated by everyone
controlled research and randomised trials and could pose potential health risks. For
of certain collagen products are showing instance, certain herbal extracts and high doses
possibilities for skin and joint health of vitamins included in supplements to improve
improvement. The consumption of hydrolysed skin, nails, and hair conditions might interact
collagen peptides, a smaller form of collagen, with commonly prescribed medications, cause
has reported positive results with effective allergies and could also prove unsafe for
absorption and benefits in ageing skin and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Although
bones. there are no high risks or serious side-effects
This is significant as these oral supplements are involved with collagen supplements, one must
hard to digest and absorb. A large molecule like exercise caution and consult a healthcare
collagen cannot be absorbed by the body while professional before popping that pricey pill.
it’s intact, in its whole form; so, it must be broken
down into smaller peptides or amino acids for The dietary way to boost collagen
absorption. Collagen supplements, therefore, “Diet plays a surprisingly large role in the
are already broken down into shorter chains of appearance and youthfulness of your skin,” says
peptides of two or three amino acids to assist in certified holistic nutritionist Krista Goncalves,
their digestion and absorption, increasing their a certified holistic nutritionist (CHN). “And
absorption into the bloodstream and thereby that all comes down to collagen.” Now that is
enhancing their bioavailability. good news, isn’t it!
Since collagen depletion also leads to a loss of Taking the food-first approach to combat
cartilage and joint problems as we age, trials collagen loss could be a more sustainable
show notable differences in joint mobility and and effective regimen for anti-ageing. We
decreased joint pain in cases of osteoarthritis must not be blinded by the flamboyance and
and in athletes with supplementation. glamour of the supplement fad, as a healthy
diet and lifestyle are the cornerstone for lasting
The grey area youth and vigour. There is no substitute for
Nevertheless, doctors remind us that we can eating, sleeping, and exercising right. Also,
never be sure how much of the supplement is supplements can add value only when essential
effectively absorbed by the body and where 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 down
What’s more, foods containing antioxidants
such as Vitamin C have a significant role to
play in reversing inflammation in the body and Fruits and vegetables are safe harbingers of good skin
slowing collagen loss. Citrus fruits like oranges,
lemons, grapefruit, and limes are full of this Things to avoid
nutrient, but berries too are an excellent source. To accellerate health and collagen synthesis
Raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries as we age, it is imperative to also address
provide huge amounts of Vitamin C to the unhealthy habits and lifestyle disorders that
body and reduce oxidation considerably, thus derail health, cause inflammation, and lead to
preventing collagen damage. Other nutrients early signs of ageing.
that bolster the process of collagen production To start with, excessive consumption of sugar
include zinc and copper. and refined carbohydrate foods should be
strictly avoided as they trigger inflammation
A 2012 review of nutrition and ageing stated and hasten collagen loss.
that fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins Other habits like cigarette smoking and
and minerals were the safest and healthiest drinking too much alcohol need to be avoided
harbingers of good skin health. Tropical or regulated to safeguard our body’s natural
fruits like guava, kiwi, pineapple, and mango collagen. One must also learn to manage
are reliable sources of Vitamin C, and zinc. stress and regulate cortisol levels that promote
Vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, leafy collagen loss, with the help of practices like
greens, garlic, beans, and nuts like cashew are yoga and meditation.
powerful collagen boosters and great additions
to a wholesome diet. So, get those tomatoes, Things to do
peppers, garlic, and beans out, and toss in a Wearing sunscreen daily is a must to shield
handful of nuts and a few tangy orange segments. the skin from undue exposure to the sun and
Voila! You’ve built yourself a formidable wall harmful UV rays to prevent photoaging, which
against ageing and collagen breakdown. is the leading cause of the early appearance of
Beauty 57
lines, pigmentation, and other skin woes. matter. While we seek more answers, there
are some pertinent questions we need to ask
Now, we come to the most ignored unhealthy ourselves: Does an anti-ageing pill or powder
habit—sleep. The relevance of adequate sleep get to decide how you age? Even if the sagging
cannot be reiterated enough when it comes to skin is restored and your face is taut and
anti-ageing. Quality sleep is the foundation for unlined, would you be able to recreate the
high immunity, strength, and vitality in our person you were in your 20s or 30s? And what
bodies, and it plays a crucial role in looking exactly would you call anti-ageing?
young and feeling energetic. So, pause before
you indulge in that late-night movie and save it Well, youth is more than just wrinkles and lines,
for another ‘day’; after all, youth is too heavy a hydration and elasticity. It is inimitable and
price to pay for it. original. The freshness, innocence, and rawness
A healthy lifestyle is a combination of a well- of youth cannot be matched; it is intangible.
balanced diet along with regular exercise, and
exercise is non-negotiable. Be it walking in your So is beauty. Beauty is a personal choice and
neighbourhood park every day, practising yoga cannot be boxed into a particular figure,
asanas at home, or hitting the gym for strength number, shape, or appearance. We must steer
training, exercise must become a coveted habit clear of all claims that create fear instead
as it slows down cell degeneration, releases of love and acceptance for who we are. Fear
happy hormones, and makes you glow. What internalises ageism which can mislead one
more can you ask for? into making poor choices like squandering
on Botox, fillers, or going under the knife in
Pearls of wisdom the chase for youthfulness. Anything that we
After all that has been said and done, we choose to incorporate into our beauty regimen
understand that the use of dietary collagen should be a welcome treat to ourselves: a gift
for anti-ageing is still nascent, and experts are to pamper the ‘beauty’ we already possess, a
wary of drawing conclusions or making blanket celebration of our best assets. Not something
statements. Although collagen supplements that stems from fear and fuels insecurity. Real
look promising and bring hope for the skin beauty lies in realising that no matter how fast
industry, one size doesn’t fit all, and there is we race to arrest ageing, time will catch up and
ample room for extensive research into the 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
SHARING
My
My MOTHERS
THERS
MO
My MOTHERS
A
nd Others
And Others
And Others
Though plagued by relatives out to dissect her motherless
existence, Jamuna Rangachari nevertheless found herself
nourished by a network of mothers.
hen I was just two, my mother
Lakshmi passed away due to
Wunknown 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 Jamuna’s mother Lakshmi: Beauty with brains
reason I always avoided family functions, for
while I was just Jamuna to most people, to my My mother was trained in classical music and
relatives at family functions, I was Jamuna, the was a gold medallist from Delhi University.
motherless girl. People I hardly knew wished Consequently, people would ask me to sing and
to take a picture with me, in a display of fake would feel I was not up to the mark, criticising
compassion. I would just run away whenever the raag (musical mode) and taal (rhythmic
some unknown aunty wanted to pose for a pattern). So, very soon, I would just say that I
picture with me. To this, again, there would be didn’t sing, when people asked me to do so at
tuts and whispers. family events.
60 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
is 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
Jamuna Rangachari: Blessed with many mothers
tell me to ask him to spend more time with the
children and help when he was at home, rare
I do like singing. though, so I did sing, though for a mother-in-law.
only in my friends circle and at home. In fact,
my nana, a renowned classical Carnatic music If there is one thing I have learnt from being
singer, even composed simple songs for children a motherless child, it is the difference between
to make the genre accessible to all, and I was real and fake concern. But perhaps what has held
very much a star singer with him. me in greatest stead has been the experience of
always being looked after by a higher power.
Meanwhile, I acquired a second mother when my It has filled me with hope and faith, and it
father married much later, and the next gossip helped me to forge a real connection with all
was about my poor stepmother, a nice lady who 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].
Sharing 61
MUDRAS
Mudras For
MEDIT A TION
Besides the Dhyaan Mudra, there are other mudras that serve as an aid
to the practice of dhyaan, says Abhay Kumar Shah
udras are like a mother. They feed • Aakaash Mudra
us, nurture us, guide us to the Aakaash Mudra connects inner space with outer
Mright path, and help us reach our space. This connection brings intuitive powers
goal. This nurturing happens on the level of to the mind. It increases
all three dimensions: body, mind, and soul. concentration, consciousness,
They strengthen our body, purify our mind, and awareness. The regular
and enrich our soul with spiritual upliftment. and sincere practice of this
Meditation is the best vehicle to reach this mudra facilitates the feeling
state, and mudras are the best possible fuel of divine white light on the
for this vehicle. Sahasrara Chakra.
There are many mudras which facilitate the Keep the remaining three Aakaash Mudra
process of meditation. Here are some of them. fingers comfortably straight.
Place your hands on your thighs.
• Jnaan Mudra
Jnaan Mudra is called the king • Dhyaan Mudra
of mudras. It calms down the Dhyaan Mudra reduces overthinking by
mind by reducing all negative controlling the heavy traffic
emotions like anger, jealousy, of thoughts and thus removes
lust, attachment, and hauteur. the hindrance to practising
It helps the mind to focus and dhyaan. It also alleviates
stress and anxiety, and eases
reduces stress and anxiety.
the mind, helping it function
more effectively.
Touch the tip of the index finger
to the tip of the thumb. Keep Jnaan Mudra Place one palm horizontally
the remaining three fingers comfortably straight. below the navel, and place the Dhyaan Mudra
Place your hands on your thighs.
other one on top of it. Do not join the tips of the
thumbs.
62 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
• Uttarbodhi Mudra
Uttarbodhi 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.
Uttarbodhi Mudra
• Kaaleshwar Mudra
Kaaleshwar 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.
Kaaleshwar Mudra
Abhay 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]
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Mudras 63
BANYAN TREE
BANYAN TREE
TEACHING STORY known by itself.
THE FRUIT OF HEAVEN • Give your attention to the experience of
seeing rather than to the object seen and you
Once there was a woman who had heard of the will find yourself everywhere.
Fruit of Heaven. She coveted it and asked a • The greatest discovery in life is to discover
certain dervish called Sabar: “How can I find that our essential nature does not share the
this fruit so that I may attain to immediate limits nor the destiny of the body and mind.
knowledge?”
• In ignorance, I am something; in
“You would best be advised to study with understanding, I am nothing; in love, I am
me,” said the dervish. “But if you will not do so, everything.
you will have to travel resolutely and, at times, • Your Self, Aware Presence, knows no
restlessly throughout the world.” resistance to any appearance and, as such,
is happiness itself; like the empty space of a
The woman left him and sought another, Arif room it cannot be disturbed and is, therefore,
the Wise One, and then found Hakim the Sage, peace itself; like this page, it is intimately
then Majzup the Mad, Alim the Scientist, and one with whatever appears on it and is thus
many more. She passed 30 years in her search. love itself; and like water that is not affected
Finally, she came to a garden. There stood the by the shape of a wave, it is pure freedom.
Tree of Heaven, and from its branches hung Causeless joy, imperturbable peace, love
the bright Fruit of Heaven. Standing beside the that knows no opposite and freedom at the
tree was Sabar, the first dervish. “Why did you heart of all experience. This is your ever-
not tell me when we first met that you were the present nature under all circumstances.
custodian of the Fruit of Heaven?” she asked • Many of our ideas and beliefs about
him.
ourselves and the world are so deeply
“Because you would not have believed me then. ingrained that we are unaware that they are
Besides, the tree produces fruit only once in 30 beliefs and take them, without question, for
years and 30 days.” the absolute truth.
• Love is the experience that others are not
THIS, I KNOW others. Beauty is the experience that objects
RUPERT SPIRA (a spiritual teacher and are not objects.
philosopher) • Looking for happiness in the body, mind,
or world is like looking for the screen in
• Happiness is simply to allow everything to
be exactly as it is from moment to moment. a movie. The screen doesn’t appear in the
movie, and yet, at the same time, all that is
• The world is known by the senses. The senses seen in the movie is the screen. In the same
are known by the mind. The mind is known way that the screen ‘hides’ in plain view, so
by Consciousness. And Consciousness is happiness ‘hides’ in all experience.
64 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023
INSPIRATION with no selfish interest purifies the mind and
THE GURU that duties are opportunities afforded to man
to sink his separate self and become one with
“I listened to Shri Ganesha when he chose the universal self. But it wasn’t his teaching that
to talk; he didn’t talk very much, but he was was so remarkable; it was the man himself, his
always willing to answer questions and it was benignity, his greatness of soul, his saintliness.
wonderfully inspiring to listen to him. It was His presence was a benediction.”
like music in your ears. Though in his youth he
had himself practised very severe austerities, he From The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham.
did not enjoin them on his disciples. He sought The evocation of Shri Ganesha, narrated by the
to wean them from the slavery of selfhood, central figure, Larry Darrel, is said to be based on
passion, and sense, and told them they could Ramana Maharshi, the great sage of Tiruvannamalai.
acquire liberation by tranquillity, restraint,
renunciation, resignation, by steadfastness
of mind, and by an ardent desire for freedom. ONE-MINUTE WISDOM
People used to come from the nearby town three THE JOURNEY OF LIFE
or four miles away, where there was a famous A group of tourists sits in a bus that is passing
temple to which great crowds flocked once a throughgorgeously beautiful country; lakes and
year for a festival; they came from Trivandrum mountains and green fields and rivers. But the
and from far-off places to tell him their troubles, shades of the bus are pulled down. They do
to ask his advice, to listen to his teaching; and not have the slightest idea of what lies beyond
all went away strengthened in soul and at
peace with themselves. What he taught was the windows of the bus. And all the time of
very simple. He taught that we are all greater their journey is spent squabbling over who will
than we know and that wisdom is the means have the seat of honour in the bus, who will be
to freedom. He taught that it is not essential applauded, who will be well considered. And so
to salvation to retire from the world. But only they remain till the journey’s end.
to renounce the self. He taught that work done —Anthony De Mello
JUST FOR LAUGHS
NOTHING 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 Tree 65
SPIRIT
Towards the SUN
Combat the default state of the mind that resists what does not work and ignores what works, by
turning your sights only to the positive, says Suma Varughese
am convinced that focussing on not easy to do. The mind is going world use a programme called
what works is one of the master to continue its perennial resistance Appreciative Inquiry when they
I keys to opening the doors to and protest. But persist, and you need to resolve flagging employee
happiness, self-transformation, will find yourself wonderfully morale or performance. Instead
success, and harmonious rewarded. Start with the practice of looking at what is wrong with
relationships. Helen Keller put it of writing a gratitude journal every the employees or at their failures,
more poetically when she advised, day. Appreciative Inquiry facilitators
“Keep your face to the sunshine As you focus on all the good things choose to highlight their strengths
and you cannot see the shadows. It’s the day has held for you, no matter and capabilities. Instead of being
what the sunflowers do.” In other how tiny, you will start noticing shamed or critiqued, employees are
words, count your blessings and them more, and to that extent, your encouraged to use their strengths
ignore the handicaps. Embrace negativity will seep out of you. to boost their performance.
the job you love, the happy family, Now cultivate the habit of looking Appreciative Inquiry validates
and your fully paid-up flat or at everything with this perspective. and empowers the employee and
house. And firmly turn your back Look for health, not illness in strengthens the employee-employer
to the depleted bank balance, the your body. Look for strengths, bond.
investment that turned turtle, and not weaknesses in your character. Focussing on what works is based
the lost friendship with your college Look at the successes and not the on the spiritual truth that, at our
friend. failures in your life. Acknowledge core, we are part of the Divine—
The reason why life is so hard is them wholeheartedly and express whole, perfect, and complete. It is
that the default state of the mind is gratitude towards your body, the conditioning that we undergo
to ignore all that works and to crib yourself, and God. over lifetimes that creates negative
mightily about all that does not. This Over time, this will recalibrate and limiting belief systems, a
ensures that we are perennially in a your relationship with yourself, spectrum of afflictive emotions (as
state of resistance, and our capacity and amp up your confidence and the Buddhists call it), and powerful
for happiness is shortchanged. A self-esteem. Do the same with desires and aversions that sabotage
promotion, getting great marks in others. Instead of focussing on their our happiness. By steadfastly
the Boards, or falling in love, may faults and shortcomings, practise looking at the positive, we amplify
give us a high, but like air out of a keeping your sights firmly on our true nature and dilute the
punctured tyre, the happiness leaks their strengths. Use the same logic conditioning. Ergo, more happiness
away by focussing on the barrage of when you need to correct someone. and freedom.
things that don’t work. For most of Instead of highlighting what they Suma Varughese is a teacher of words and wisdom.
us, life can seem like climbing up a have done wrong, can you point She broadcasts spiritual truths and a love for
writing in her various capacities as columnist,
writer, writing coach, and the founder-facilitator
slippery slope that sends you sliding towards areas of improvement? of the popular Zen of Good Writing Course. She
is the former editor of Life Positive and Society
back no matter how valiantly you Not only will their self-esteem magazines. She has authored Travelling Light,
Travelling Lighter, and 50 Life Lessons. She can be
strive. This is when we can benefit remain intact, but so too will your contacted at [email protected]
from the merit of focussing on what relationship with them. We welcome your comments and suggestions on
works. I frankly tell you that this is Some sections of the corporate this article. Mail us at [email protected]
66 LifePositive | AUGUST 2023