‘The Art of Doing Nothing’

Most of us are currently worried about the circumstances that we’ve been put into. The situation at present is building more pressure on our lives. The ongoing pandemic, lockdown, risk of infection, financial insecurity, fear of losing jobs… the list is never ending. And these new problems have added more strain to the already existing situation.

Every time something drastic happens or there is the fear of the unknown then mental wellbeing becomes very important which we all probably learnt during the previous lockdown when we had to stay confined at our homes. To cope with all the stress that has started brewing due to these uncertain times, Sanjay Maharjan (Perbeteshor), who is a teacher at Art of Living, shares that meditation is a very good way to overcome stress and anxiety.

When inevitable changes occur we all go through the various emotions of anger, frustration, irritation and hopelessness. Stress and anxiety are triggered by any unexpected change or demand that requires an adjustment. Many of us are under the psychological threat of stress and anxiety which can cause significant changes in our health.

“The art of doing nothing is a simpler way to define meditation,” says Maharjan. Meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation and peaceful mind. Through meditation, we can literally feel our mind and body filtering away negative thoughts and emotions. However, one needs to know the importance of meditation before practicing it.

“Meditation can be used as a technique to reduce your stress and anxiety. There is no particular time and day for meditating,” mentions Maharjan. But for the beginners 10-15 minutes a day either in the morning or evening is a great way to start, he adds. People have different reasons for meditating like reducing job stress, seeking life’s direction, making good career choices and for creativity and innovation. He states that meditation has over the centuries been used as a medium to clear away our overwhelming emotions.

According to Maharjan, meditation is mental hygiene. It is a stress buster and a holistic approach for the human body and mind. He adds that mediation helps align human behaviour in the correct order. “It has different benefits which include better food eating habits, reduces physical discomfort, helps in coping with various types of situations, and improves sleeping habits,” he says. Moreover, in this age of technology and social media when our minds are constantly flooded with information and thoughts, meditation is a good way to clear all the mental clutter.

Meditation is also a great technique to help learn to accept certain changes that one goes through. “Spending even a few minutes can have a greater impact on our decision making capability and concentration process,” mentions Maharjan. He further adds that there are different techniques of meditation which work accordingly to the requirements of different people. “One can simply follow the breathing techniques but some need professional help from qualified instructors.”

What one also has to realise is that to learn the proper method of meditation it takes a lot of constant practice. “So one shouldn’t go looking for immediate solutions,” says Maharjan. Initially, it will be challenging to sit in silence, but continuous practice will help calm one’s mind. Maharjan advises to start with a few minutes and then increase the duration of the meditation gradually. It is also important to meditate in areas with no distractions. “Once you develop the habit and find a proper location to meditate you can start your meditation exercise and as time passes by you will feel its calming influence on you,” he adds.