{"id":30229,"date":"2020-10-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gurudev.artofliving.org\/work\/uncategorized\/covid-19-mental-health-challenges-insights-to-becoming-stronger-more-resilient\/"},"modified":"2020-10-10T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T18:30:00","slug":"covid-19-mental-health-challenges-insights-to-becoming-stronger-more-resilient","status":"publish","type":"work","link":"https:\/\/gurudev.artofliving.org\/de\/work\/spirituality-human-values\/covid-19-mental-health-challenges-insights-to-becoming-stronger-more-resilient\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 mental health challenges: insights to becoming stronger & more resilient"},"content":{"rendered":"
October 10, 2020<\/em>
\nBengaluru, India<\/em><\/h6>\n

One of the biggest challenges the world is currently facing is mental health. There is a sense of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty in society. Though we will inch closer to finding a solution for COVID-19, it will take longer for the fear to subside. On this World Mental Health Day, let\u2019s take a step back and shift our awareness on these six crucial aspects of mental well-being.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Wisdom:<\/strong> Begin with knowing the mind<\/h2>\n

    Gurudev calls this the \u2018art of living\u2019 where people are taught about the interlinking between life, breath, and emotions. It is important that we learn and teach our children, and families about consciousness, and the different tendencies of the mind. We need to educate our people to be happy with themselves and friendly with others and wean from the complex psychological gymnastics of the mind.<\/strong> If we are unhappy, we can never be friendly; and if we are unfriendly, we can never be happy.
    \n[bctt tweet=“If we are unhappy, we can never be friendly; and if we are unfriendly, we can never be happy.“ username=“SriSri“]<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Meditation:<\/strong> Giving the mind the deepest rest<\/h2>\n

    Do you know there is a state of the mind that gives us a deeper rest than even sleep? We are generally aware of the three states of consciousness – waking, dreaming, and sleeping.<\/p>\n

    There is some activity as our body recuperates and grows in sleep. It is the fourth state, which is devoid of activity which results in very low metabolism. Through meditation, it is possible to go deeper into this fourth state and get the deepest rest.<\/strong>
    \n[bctt tweet=“The fourth state of consciousness, where one is neither waking, nor dreaming, nor sleeping is responsible for giving rest deeper than sleep.“ username=“SriSri“]<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Breath:<\/strong> It improves mental well-being<\/h2>\n

    The mind is like a slate. When we keep writing on the slate, again and again, without erasing, nothing is legible. Our mind becomes like that when we are unable to let go and cleanse it. We all have memories but when we are stuck with one memory that is called trauma.
    \n[bctt tweet=“The mind is like a slate. When we keep writing on the slate, again and again, without erasing, nothing is legible.“ username=“SriSri“]<\/p>\n

    According to shastra<\/em> (ancient scriptures), pranayamas<\/em> (breathwork) greatly help. Prana<\/em> has a direct connection with the state of the mind. For every emotion, there is a definite rhythm in the breath. Unfortunately, people have ignored the dimension of breath.<\/strong> Breath is very vital for clarity in thinking, perception, behavior, attitude, as well as removing deep-seated impressions and misconceptions. It is a tangible instrument that helps move on.<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Yoga:<\/strong> Altering the mind\u2019s tendencies<\/h2>\n

    Yoga leads to a cessation of the modulations of the mind. „Drashtuh swarupe avasthanam“<\/em> – with the practice of yoga, one abides in one\u2019s true nature (consciousness), the seer. A person becomes miserable when the seer and scenery are confused. Yoga helps in developing discrimination (viveka<\/em>) – a much-needed tool in everyday living. Through a deeper and more holistic understanding of life, living becomes more effortless.<\/strong>
    \n[bctt tweet=“A person becomes miserable when the seer and scenery are confused. Yoga helps in developing discrimination (viveka).“ username=“SriSri“]<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    Awareness:<\/strong> A way to being steady<\/h2>\n

    We have four inner faculties of consciousness – mind, memory, intellect, ego, or the sense of awareness that \u2018I am\u2019. Being aware of these inner faculties makes an individual more mindful of his\/her actions.<\/p>\n

    <\/strong>[bctt tweet=“Being aware of the inner faculties of consciousness makes an individual more mindful of his\/her actions.“ username=“SriSri“]<\/p>\n

    Often people say something unknowingly and regret later. Awareness looks within. Is there an inferiority or superiority complex in my behavior? Am I in a victim or culprit consciousness? What is bothering me? Am I reacting or am I acting with consciousness? These are the things that create awareness.<\/li>\n

  6. \n

    Art:<\/strong> The artist in you can heal<\/h2>\n

    Consciousness is a bridge between the heart and the mind. While science is the matter of the head, art is the matter of the heart. Combining these two extremities of our consciousness – science, and art – helps us live a fuller and happier life.<\/strong> Art is an outlet for our emotions, even for those emotions which are stuck and not expressed properly. Art – be it painting or music or dance – all help to regain the natural balance in life.
    \n[bctt tweet=“Art is an outlet for our emotions, even for those emotions which are stuck and not expressed properly.“ username=“SriSri“]<\/p>\n

    These simple concepts offer therapeutic insights into our mind, and emotions. When understood and inculcated in our daily living, these insights have the power to bring subtle shifts in us. Resilience, courage, steadiness, optimism, and inner peace are some of the outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     
    \nThis article is an excerpt from Gurudev\u2019s address at a panel discussion on mental health. You can watch the full talk here, Transdisciplinary Paradigms – Conversation with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Though we will inch closer to finding a solution for COVID-19, it will take longer for the fear to subside. On this World Mental Health Day, let\u2019s take a step back and shift our awareness on the six crucial aspects of mental well-being.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":30230,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"work-categories":[237],"content-tags":[247],"class_list":["post-30229","work","type-work","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","work-categories-spirituality-human-values","content-tags-activities"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t