ALCOHOLICS Vs YOGAHOLICS

Addiction can be good or bad – depends on what you are addicted to. That is something, which drives one to pursue their chosen interests  with all the intensity, continuity and consistency. Here no conscious effort on the part of those addicted are needed – it has just become second nature.

Alcoholics and Yogaholics have something more in common, besides addiction.

One of the major social evils, seen all over the world is addiction to alcohol.   The success rate of the de addiction Programs of  Modern Medi care is far from satisfactory, which only goes to show that it has to cover a huge distance in ascertaining as to why people get addicted and how to de addict them.

In fact, some of the reasons for addiction, highlighted by the Modern Medical Science may not only be true – it may be exactly the opposite, at least in the context of India. I will mention just one of those. It is being reasoned out that addiction is in Genes and that children whose parents were alcoholics are 4 times more likely to be addicted than those of non alcoholic parents.

Most of  those, I know, who are fully against alcohol and never tried it even once  are so, because their fathers were alcoholics and unleashed violence at home in inebriated state. The children of  non alcoholic parents are not so vehement in opposing liquor and even don’t mind  filling up the Glasses, once in a while.

Getting introduced to alcohol is no big deal, because of its easy accessibility. The question to be asked is, why people are getting addicted to the fatal Alcohol, tasting awful and terrible, neglecting  fruit juices and hot beverages. It is in the after effect – a sense of relaxation and peace of mind, commonly referred to as “high”.  Alcohol goes inside the body and triggers the brain in a particular way, leading to “highs” for a few hours besides many fatal physical as well as psychic disorders, which will accompany till the end of a hugely truncated life, if excessively and regularly consumed.

A sense of relaxation and peace of mind – who will not want it? Everyone wants it. When the mind is at peace, it is always accompanied by a relaxed body.

When the mind is occupied by too many anxious, fearful thoughts, it loses its focus and balance. I would like to quote Sri Sri Ravi Shankar – If there is no focus, there will be no peace. A focused mind can guarantee peace and relaxation.  

Alcohol does that for a few hours at the cost of  one’s health and lifespan.  What, if we can make the mind, remain quiet and focused, without drinking Alcohol? Yoga seems to do the same, albeit with a difference- physical and psychic health will IMPROVE. Of course, Yoga, can’t do that in real time as alcohol does, but considering the host of  long term benefits on offer, its daily practice is really worthy. No wonder, more and more De addiction Programs had included Yoga in their schedules, in the recent times.

  

Though I was never addicted to alcohol, I used to enjoy a drink or two, in a month in my twenties and thirties. There was this excitement and enjoyment during and after drinking. As I moved into forties, I could feel the spontaneous aversion of the mind towards alcohol – I don’t have to enforce it, wilfully.  All,  I  have been doing over the years are a few Asanas and Meditation besides practicing observing the thoughts or breath, when the mind is agitated.

If it is ensured that children at schools are taught Yoga and Meditation, they will get addicted to a better choice.

             

Endaro Mahanubavulu by MS Subbulakshmi

Yet another magic of MS.  Sooooooooo blissful.

Must listen - Brahmamokate by Sudha Ragunathan

One of the best of Sudha Ragunathan. You can feel yourself dissolving into nowhere.

SACHIN TENDULKAR AND INDIAN CRICKET

Today, Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from ODI cricket. He wants to focus on Test Cricket, we are told. So, we can see Sachin playing for India in the forthcoming tests.

By any standards, Sachin has established himself as one of the best cricketers, world has ever seen. I will always remember Sachin’s performance in Sharjah against Steve Waugh’s Australia. It was a privilege to watch  Sachin assaulting Michael Kasprowicsz, the pacer for maximums and lofting Shane Warne repeatedly over the fence at will. Singlehandedly,  Sachin took India to the finals and played a crucial role in winning the Cup. It will not be a surprise, if Shane Warne is still getting nightmares of  the final match.

Having said that, it is high time, we look at the flip side. It is Sachin’s prerogative to decide whether to retire,  when to retire – on a high or low, and what to retire from – Test, ODI, T 20. This should not be a cause of concern for others. But what the selectors are supposed to do? 14 or 16 best players – decided only on the basis of current form and fitness - among the available lot,  have to be picked up and 11 of those, most suited to the playing conditions must play. After all, none is greater than the Nation or the Game.

What is the reality about which very few people seem to talk about.

 The rookies or not so famous players, selected for the Indian team, never get into playing XI and get axed after being made to warm the benches. Even those, fortunate enough to be a part of the X1, must prove themselves in the first or second match. If not, they will be shown the door.

 A completely different yardstick is used for  evaluating the  STARS, more so Sachin. However bad, the current form is, these fortunate few, sitting on past laurels and History, enjoy the luxury of  playing as long as they wish – even if it means the national team is defeated continuously for a year or two, not to mention the frustration and agony of the deserving youngsters, eager to play for the country.

When a STAR is not performing well, all that the selectors can do is to silently offer prayers to hear the announcement of retirement. I do agree that the contributions of  those like Sachin, who had done so well for so long must be acknowledged and they should not be treated at par with rookies. But what we see is atrocious to say the least.

In this country we have the culture of worshiping the celebrities like demi Gods. Professionalism is an unspeakable word for us. Unless better sense prevails, Indian cricket may hit new lows.

Winning at home and losing abroad – barring very few in recent times – is something, the Indian Cricket team managed to do perennially. We may not see a big difference in the results at home and abroad in the future – we will lose both. This is what one can learn from the just concluded Tests of England series. Don’t be surprised, if Richard Hadlee amends his famed statement – kings at home and paupers abroad – suitably.

      

INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC

M.S.Subbulakshmi, the undisputed Queen of South Indian classical music, has sung this song in 3rd speed, somagnificiently. I began to enjoy the carnatic music(South Indian classic) only after listening to this.

MIND MANAGEMENT

Volatility has been synonymous with me from my teenage. At the drop of a hat, my mood will swing from one extreme to another. Being totally ignorant of  my nature and what it takes to succeed, I started my career. The initial days couldn’t have been any worse and I was blaming the superiors and surroundings. In a year, with the help of senior colleagues, I could improve my performance to some extent.

 I was unaware of my chaotic inside, till the middle of my twenties, when anxiety and insomnia also added up. That is when I turned to Meditation, which helped in restoring sleep. Towards the late twenties, I got an idea about my inside and badly wanted to change it, but couldn’t. I tried too hard to remain cool and composed, but nothing changed.

I learnt the basic course of Art of Living in 2002 and started to read its Founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s  books. ‘Wisdom for the New Millennium’ was one among them, which was an eye opener in many ways. Ten years later, I can safely say that I evolved into a better human being and got empowered to successfully deal with myself, failures in Business  and improve my relationship with those around. This Post is not going to be an advertisement for the aforesaid book. I will elaborate on a few points, which really mattered to me.

Deep inside, I,  like many others firmly believed that all the emotions are always decided by one’s freewill. Sri Sri. Ravi Shankar  says that the kind of  negative emotions and thoughts, one gets is decided by the amount of stress and tension in him. The emotions are 20-30 times more powerful than the thoughts and promises, borne out of our free will. So one can’t willfully suppress the emotions.  This wisdom healed me like anything, as I was angry with myself for getting angry too frequently and other emotional disturbances. 

The most important part of  dealing with negative emotions is to  become aware of it. If awareness is not there, then he or she will get lost in the emotions. Next step is to observe the negative emotions without any expectations, opinions and examinations. Or we can focus on our breath. Now the negaivities will drop off on their own.   

We can also do Asanas, Pranayams(Breathing Exercises) and Meditation to eliminate stress and tension. But the most important thing is to be aware of oneself. Continuous practice over a period of time will yield very good results. It has helped me for sure and will help others too.

If only children are taught about this at schools or home, they can be saved from Bipolar disorder and  Schizophrenia.  Modern medicine gives highly toxic pills with terrible side effects for treating Psychic disorders. Still one can’t be sure about the recovery or whether it will relapse.

Yoga Vashishtam, the wisdom taught to Rama by Sage Vashishta talks only about awareness. It is being taught in some American Universities, but will never be a part of the curriculum in India, thanks to the so called secularists’ stubborn resistance.        

Nowadays, we hear a lot about intra personal skills. Cool and composed head is one of the most important aspect of intra personal skills. “Being aware” is a practical tool to realize this objective.

We can learn a lot, but it will be of no use, if awareness is not there.  

  

          

Why Yoga?

One very rarely comes across a fair and unbiased review of Yoga, at least in India. By Yoga, I mean  Asanas, Pranayams, meditation and some basic knowledge. Don’t worry- I will not bother you with enlightenment and mystical stuff. I am not going to write about something, I haven’t experienced.  

We see modern Gurus and their followers proclaiming Yoga, if practiced, will offer  health, piece of mind etc. Certainly, Yoga has a lot to offer for the mind and the body, more so in the fast paced modern world, if an individual can choose the right kind of  practices, suitable for him and do it.   Everybody is unique and what is good for one may not be so good for another. One should be aware that Yoga will backfire, if not done correctly.

By and large, the Indian masses are fairly ignorant and misinformed about Yoga. Things get worse, when yet another Godman’s  ventures are exposed. When the very same people,  seeming to represent and propagate Yoga don’t live up to what they preach, common man develops distrust towards not only them, but Yoga too.

Then, we have these self styled intellectuals who have to fight anything and everything Indian to confirm to their prejudiced definition of  rational thinking. It won’t be out of place to mention about the notion amongst many of us that Yoga is only for those who want to renounce everything. So, Yoga doesn’t get the acceptability, it very much deserves in the very land of its origin. Despite of all these odds, one must agree that Yoga is finding more and more followers with every passing day, thanks to the acknowledgement of the Western world of its efficacy and usefulness.

My date with Yoga was facilitated by Insomnia and anxiety in 1993.

I was in the middle of  twenties with big dreams of that age about life and career. My dear and near ones were going through difficult times, about which I wanted to do something, but couldn’t. Quality of sleep steadily suffered and soon I couldn’t sleep at all.

 There were many nights, when I wouldn’t have slept at all. My job demanded me to walk continuously around the workplace for 10 hours, which means I had been walking  at least 25 kms a day. That was not good enough to let my body sleep.

Head was exploding with too many disturbing thoughts about the worst consequences, we will have to endure, if  things don’t get better.

I had to wake up at 5.00 AM in order to catch the Bus an hour later to go to the Company, I worked for. Getting up from the bed was almost impossible. Only the fear of losing the job made me wake up. Stressed up and fatigued mind residing in a body, crying for rest  ensured that waking up and getting started for the day were always excruciatingly painful.

I met a leading Doctor and explained. He diagnosed that I am suffering from Anxit Neurosis and prescribed Anxit(pill). One of my friends was a Medical Representative. He cautioned me against consuming that pill at such a young age. I took the medication for just one day.

On the next evening, walking by the roadside, I saw a hoarding, about meditation being the medication for insomnia. I met the organizers of the meditation program  and got enrolled for the very next course, scheduled a week later.

We were taught some simple Asanas and  Pranayams (breathing exercises) on the first 3 days of the Program. On the third day, Mr.Guruva Reddy, a senior teacher initiated us into Transcendental Meditation. During meditation, I didn’t get any superhuman experiences. After a month or two of extreme sleep disorders,  I really slept well for the first time, that night and woke up with renewed energy, the next morning. That is when it dawned on me that in my case the reasons for the problem originated in the mind. So the solution must also be in the mind.

I regularly did my Asanas and Meditation. My problems vanished in thin air. Twenty years down the line, I believe that it was one of those few right decisions, I made in life.

P.S.  A situation may arise, wherein you will like Meditation, but not the Institution and the people over there. In that case, keep your distance with the Institutions and the guys over there. Keep meditating, if you find it useful.