Mental Feelings and its Influence

How to control the mind?

When we try to lose weight or try to discipline ourselves, we always get into cravings/habits. Cravings are nothing but a mental state, have nothing to do with our physical body requirements.

Let’s take an example to understand this. I was a coffee addict several years ago. I used to have coffee six times a day! Sometimes even more! I used to suffer from insomnia (main culprit was a over active mind and coffee helped this considerably). Due to insomnia I used to suffer depression. All beautifully linked to each other. So one night in desperation, I prayed feverishly that let my sleep become regular I will give up on something that is my favourite… Coffee!!! But was it easy? No! That started a big war between my mind and coffee… Cravings in my mind worsened. Because I cannot drink when I wanted to. So to cut the temptation down I started with substitutes, mild tea, herbal tea, light drinks… slowly the cravings went away.  Now I am out on a war with sweets. I have substituted the cravings with dates, figs, raisins… My mind now LISTENS TO LOGIC, not like before.

But the question arises is how to control the mind. When the cravings are in its highest form, do the best thing. Subsitute it. There is a substitute for everything. If TV is your addiction, substitute it. The cravings will go.

But most importantly, is to tell the mind to get lost. That’s where the mind should be viewed as a separate entity. So the mind should be told to quieten. TO LISTEN. TO BEHAVE. And who is going to tell the mind? OUR OWN INTELLECT.

But how to keep the intellect working? And active? That’s another topic.

For now, we will look at the Mind. So when you want to get rid of habits, cravings and silence the mind.

Follow these steps: 1. Don’t listen to the mind. Silence it. 2. If that doesn’t work, then give up on someone’s name. For example, if you are firm believer in God, just tell yourself that I pray to God and give up, Look at options where your mind will have no choice but to listen. And then you are in business. Start with small things, food is the best… Gandhiji wrote in his autobiography that the best way to discipline one’s self is to start with food. Then slowly take it bigger tasks. You will realize that your way of doing things, your focus, everything changes. And its reflective. Others change when you change…

How to Deal with Phobia

A phobia is an excessive and irrational fear reaction. If you have a phobia, you may experience a deep sense of dread or panic when you encounter the source of your fear. The fear can be of a certain place, situation, or object. Unlike general anxiety disorders, a phobia is usually connected to something specific.

The impact of a phobia can range from annoying to severely disabling. People with phobias often realize their fear is irrational, but they’re unable to do anything about it. Such fears can interfere with work and personal relationships.

Let’s take an example to understand this. Several years ago, I used to suffer from a phobia of insomnia. This phobia used to be so strong that when I used to put my head on the pillow, my whole chest used to pound in anxiety that come what may I will not be able to sleep tonight. This fear used to keep me awake for almost all night and the next morning used to be a depressed day due to lack of sleep and most importantly, due to lack of controlling the phobia.

I rarely get phobia-panic-anxiety attacks now. But even when I do, I manage it very easily. I used to always think why I get these kind of attacks when everyone around me used to sleep peacefully. Now, I understand that probably in future when I write articles or do webinars these experiences will help me to tell others how to cope and come out of this man-made stress.

So first thing about phobia one needs to know that it is not a big problem and is easily solvable. And coming out of phobia needs a workable solution at several levels.

The easiest and fastest route is to divert the mind. When the phobia attack starts, just shift focus of the mind. Shift it to any selfless thought. Or force think something which is more positive in nature. Thinking for others’ welfare is a very strong positive thought. Particularly for others who are not in your immediate family/circle.

The second aspect is to build self confidence. There are many techniques to do this. Yoga postures (asanas) help a lot. A long walk helps. Stand in front of the mirror and grit yourself in determination, “I CAN, I WILL, I MUST”.

Third, induce positive energy … try to sit and meditate for example. Even if focused meditation does not happen, it is fine. Just sit in a corner, and keep telling yourself, I am Strong, I am powerful, I am fearless, I have abundant energy. I will use my life to help others…

Fourth, try to do a positive karma once in a week or atleast a month. Do anything, do some charity, go to an orphanage. If you cannot do any activity, then atleast make a phone call. A phone call where you have no objective for yourself. Call someone in distress, or someone who is a far distant relative or some elderly person…

Fifth, try to induce positivity. Study and observe your daily routine. What kind of TV stuff you watch? How much time you spend in social media? What kind of activity you do on social media? Spreading negativity, gossip, unverified facts and fear, hatred are worst possible things to do on social media....

Weight Loss Program

When considering a weight loss program, most people want something concrete that they can manage like opting for healthy foods or by way of starvation. Less consideration is given to the intellectual part of doing weight loss. A simple and easy weight loss program has been around for some time --- Mind Control.

Controlling the mind to lose weight without actually dieting is a viable option for those who otherwise cannot stick to regular weight loss programs. Our minds tell our bodies that we are hungry signalling cravings, the same mind can tell the body to lose weight. Because our minds are so powerful.

Once the mind is overpowered, then the course of habit which reaches out for that extra helping, or some heavy calorie based food will vanish making it easier for the body to lose weight naturally.

Losing weight is not only about eating right food, but also about controlling the mind. Once controlled, the mind can be a safe weapon for several achievements including weight loss...
Alongside everything else, one needs to practice the art of mind control...

Anger: A Positive or Negative

Is Anger justified? Is it right to be angry? Is there anything known as Positive Anger? If yes, then what is it?

Is anger an expression of our feeling, our ego being hurt, non tolerance towards others' bad behaviour? Is anger due to our own exaggerated expectations from others? Health experts warn that this kind of anger that can cause blood pressure and other health issues. But can this be called positive anger? If not, then what can be positive anger?

Is it justified to be positively angry? On ills of society? On spreading false claims on social media? On section of society who hold powerful posts like the media blatantly lie in public? On people who spread rumours, lies and hatred? On people who politicize and create a mess of hard work that goes into social movements for genuine causes?

Positive Anger shapes the society, creates a robust, free minded society that questions, not blindly accepts, that creates a more holistic environment for everyone to feel safe and wanted.