सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः| सर्वे सन्तु निरामया:||
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु| मा कशचित् दुखभाव भवेत् ||
ॐ शान्ति: शान्तिः शान्तिः ||
May all be well; May all be free from illness
May all see the auspicious, May there be no any shadow of sorrow!
May there be peace all around!
That is my prayer for all of you as we celebrate
World Mental Health Day, aligning itself with the sustainable development goals
'Mental Health and Well Being for all' (Ref. SDG 3)
While there could be any number of tips for
mental health, the simple items of routine that come to my mind are:
FIVE COMMANDMENTS
1. Trust in God - rise up
entrusting oneself to the author of life/source of all being - whatever name
you call! And leave your worries into God's hands and heart.
As we retire for the night, again, leave our
life and worries into the hands of God: 'Thank you. Into your hand, I commit my
life'.
(I have no suggestion in this regard for those
who deny this principle or deny the knowledge of the same. May God save them!
They could start with No. 2)
2. I love the REIKI* pledges for the
morning to live in 'today':
Just for today, I shall show the attitude of gratitude
Just for today, I shall not worry
Just for today, I shall not anger
Just for today, I shall show respect to all beings
Just for today, I shall do my duties diligently
I add, I shall do at least one act of goodness today. (That I draw from
our blessed founder father, St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, who warned all of us
that a day without a good deed would not be counted in the last reckoning.)
3. Drink water: As my former
boss, and guide, Rev. Bp. Kariyil used to say humourously: I believe in the
Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (that is Christian faith); next, I
believe in drinking water.
Be not miserly in this matter. I had been
careless and have experienced its negative impacts - still in the process of
correcting it. A doctor’s tip in this regard was a healthy adult should be
able to pump out two and half litres of water from one’s body, to flush out the
waste generated by the body – so, adequate water to ensure that much of
flushing out.
4. 'What-Can-be-Done' instead of 'Oh-It's-Because...':
On issues that worry you, especially on things that have already happened, check
what can be done to make things better - first of all by oneself, next by
others. Blaming the situation or others, is in no way going to make things
better or solve the problems. If the issue worries you much, if you can
afford, write that down, describing the details and your worries. I have
found this a very useful practice to clear one’s mind.
5. Be FIT: शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्म साधनम् - Indeed, body is
the primary means to perform your dharma.
Take one step at least in the direction of
keeping yourself fit. Unless you are tuned to a routine of manual labour in
conversation with mother earth, or directly managing the household chores of home-maintenance
and cooking, Yoga asanas and Pranayama are the most handy one totally within
one's control; Zumba; Brisk walk or Jogging; Games; Swim; Gym etc. are the
alternatives - The most easily manageable item is walk - being under your control
and being the least expensive, and always upgradable. When one of my
colleagues became too busy with administrative tasks to find time for keeping
fit, he decided to walk 6 kilometers to his college and return in the evening
walking, saving on both pollution and his fitness front. Last week, in a
conversation, Rev. Bp Kariyil revealed, that he finds time for this daily,
which keeps your steps from faltering, and your head thinking!
May the author of life, keep us all well, guide our
paths and make us a cheerful presence radiating life and joy around! And may we
all have life, and life in all its abundance!
P.S. My elder sister, who is leading a retired
life, after more than 3 decades as an academic and administrator in higher
education, adds: "I would like to add my suggestion about keeping
fit, what I am practicing. Doing the usual domestic chores as far as possible
by oneself, starting with sweeping floor and compound, mopping, washing,
ironing, watering plants, cooking, washing the dishes, just the usual
works, providing ample exercise to individual organs . It keeps the mind and
body engaged and you can say your prayers too."
Another elder sister, retired from service as a
college professor after more than thirty years of service, has become quite
active with household farming - producing variety of vegetables, and also
finding a new avenue for fitness and self-expression in zumba dancing. And I
find her much healthier and relaxed than how she used to be 10 years ago.
* The Japanese non-invasive healing system that relies on the aura of
spiritual life-force energy enveloping each individual. It focuses on
activating the aura for healing and health.
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