Your mind is a vast field where all action - within and without you - takes place. Around 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts run in your mind every day. The mind still manages to carry out various tasks every moment for you. Your mind helps you to function smoothly.
Your life is based on your mind yet; there is not much that is done to harness the hidden power of your mind. Lest, no one told you before, if you wish to put your life together, then you will have to begin with your mind first. When the mind manages itself better, it can manage anything.
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A mind that is at ease is able to manage all activities with ease. A disturbed mind is caught in conflict, within and without. The moment one begins to invest time in mind management consciously, life starts to manage itself.
But what is the key to managing our mind?
There is a built-in mechanism to calm the mind in each person, but seldom one is taught how to use it. The key to managing the mind lies in meditation, breathing techniques, and contemplation. If we invest a few minutes of meditation and silence every day, a whole new dimension of life opens up.
Meditation
“Meditation is food for the soul; it nurtures the core of your existence.”
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
The mind tends to oscillate between the past and the future. It is either regretting or glorifying the past or planning for the future. However, we need to understand that the present moment is the field of all possibilities.
Can we act in the past or future? No. We can act only in the present moment, but with the mind swinging back and forth, we lose focus on the current activity. Our mind needs to settle down to make optimum use of present moment. Meditation can help to bring the mind to present moment. It gives us the ability to be in the now and act effectively.
"Twenty minutes of deep diving into myself gives me relief from the thoughts at that moment. With regular meditation, I now find it easy to bring my mind to the present when it’s swinging between the past and the future," shares Karishma Yadav, a meditator for seven years.
Benefits of meditation
- Physical fitness
- Increases focus
- Enhances clarity
- Sharpens attention, awareness
- Boosts awareness
- Improves observation skills
- Makes you lighter
- Creates positive vibrations
- Gives deep rest
Self-love is only possible if you're stress-free, confident, joyful, and dynamic. Make it happen with the Art of Living Meditation and Breath Workshop.
Pranayama for mind management
Pranayama is a technique to control breathing. The breath is said to be the link between the mind and the body. Pranayama means working in the dimension of prana (life force energy). Here are some pranayamas that can help you in mind management.
Kapalbhati pranayama
In this pranayama, the brain cells receive more oxygen which is good for the nervous system. It removes toxins from the body and cures obesity and diabetes.
Bhastrika pranayama
It helps remove excess wind, bile, and phlegm in the body and purifies the nervous system, preventing all kinds of diseases in the body.
Nadi shodhan pranayama
This pranayama helps to treat heart problems, asthma, and arthritis, depression, migraine, stress and eye as well as ear problems.
Yoga
Yoga and mind management are closely related to each other. Yoga is a form of healing for the body, mind, and soul. Here are a few Yoga asanas that are helpful for mind management.
Anjaneyasana (Crescent pose)
Helps build mental focus
Improves concentration, sense of balance
Improves concentration, relieves stress and calms the mind
However it is important to learn and practice yoga postures under the supervision of a trained Sri Sri Yoga teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga after consulting a doctor and a Sri Sri Yoga teacher.
Based on inputs from Amol Wagle, International Faculty, The Art of Living
