How To Overcome Anger

Anger (krodh), is one of the six deadly enemies which lurks in the shadows of the mind, awaiting an opportune moment to spring up and raise its ugly head from the dark waters. It is a fearsome beast that can wreak untold damage, unless checked and tamed. It creeps up on us when we are least aware and takes possession like a demon. It is then already too late! We lose control of our words and actions and live to regret it and to pay the price. People have even killed those they loved in a state of fury. Such is the power and potential malefic nature of anger.

The six passions or deadly enemies of mankind, include anger, attachment, jealousy, greed, lust and pride. Considered impurities of the mind, these evil enemies are the gateway to misery. Anger veils the mind and clouds it so that we can no longer distinguish between right and wrong. Anger is Tamas in its nature, dark and clouding and causing confusion. It is born of ego and desire; when desire is frustrated or thwarted, anger rises and swells. The Gita states that attachment is the root of desire, which is the cause of anger and that anger leads to confusion, loss of memory and the loss of the discriminating power of the intellect. Only the self-controlled man, free from attraction and repulsion, can be peaceful.

Anger is experienced by everyone to varying degrees except for the saints and sages, who remain calm and equanimous, even when abused. It often has its root in pain caused by attachments. Anger is a poison that spreads in the body and mind and affects the angry one, more than the abused. It raises the pulse and blood pressure and can cause headaches, heart disease and even strokes.

The victim is injured by the harshness of sharp and angry words and the scars remain, but when we become angry and lose control, we inevitably feel the destructive effect of the anger on ourselves. It is like sending out an arrow which returns like a boomerang with even greater intensity to pierce the heart.  The mind becomes restless and the conscience impure. It leaves a feeling of terrible guilt, which weighs heavily on the conscience.

The heart is unsettled when it does something that is not right or causes pain to others even if the mind tries to justify it. Once the fury is unleashed, we cannot withdraw it. It will remain engraved in the heart as a painful memory. Therefore, it is so important to control this beast rather than let it control us.

High Pitta either in the constitution (prakriti) or as part of an imbalance (vikruti) may make someone more prone to experiencing anger, especially if Tamas is predominant. If Pitta is high, then a cooling Pitta-pacifying diet, avoiding hot spicy food and minimising sour, salty and fermented foods, as well as external cooling measures in the environment can be helpful. Certain types of pranayama such as shitali and sheetkari are cooling and certain relaxing yoga asanas may also be helpful in lowering the arousal and tension. Pranayama in general can be helpful as mind and breath are intimately linked and controlling breath will help to control and calm the mind. Taking regular exercise and spending time in nature is also a good way to destress. Withdrawing from a situation, which may escalate, and going out for a long walk may also be helpful.

We must at all costs protect ourselves from anger. But how to do this? There are many strategies given that are helpful. In modern psychology there are therapies aiming at anger management using a cognitive behavioural approach, which help us to identify the thoughts that gave rise to the anger. We become more aware of the connection between our thoughts and emotional reactions. It therefore helps us to restructure our thinking process. Role-play also helps to improve communication skills and interpersonal skills.

Mindfulness, which has its origin in Eastern meditation practices, is also being increasingly used as a technique to witness, self-regulate and decrease the level of arousal. It helps us to enhance our awareness, which is a key to controlling our anger.

We need to try to understand why we feel angry and if we can analyse the root, we can then try to correct it. With the light of awareness, we can start to change our way of reacting when things don’t go our way. When we see that it is attachment and desire for something that creates the tension, we can try to let go of this desire and accept things as they are and people as they are, imperfect as situations may be. It is the ego that demands everything must go our way. If we can accept that things will not always go our way, people will oppose us, and we must expect to be frustrated from time to time, this can help to reduce our expectations. Cultivation of dispassion helps us to loosen the strong bonds of attachment, which are at the root of the problem.

Ayurveda guides us in the right use of speech and action. Our speech must be gentle and pleasing and never harsh. We must contain the urge for anger or harsh words. Similarly, our actions should not cause pain or injury. Anger is considered a psychological disorder caused by an error of the intellect and a psychic urge that must be restrained. Ahimsa (non-violence) is also one of the Yamas which are the foundation of Yoga applying not only to speech and conduct but also to thought. That is, even angry and hateful thoughts must not be entertained. Non-violence is important for peace of mind and without peace of mind, all is lost. 

We should not suppress anger but with the light of awareness nip it in the bud before it unfolds, and see its root. By maintaining a practice, we can try to keep a level of awareness and mindfulness. Suppression only leaves it undigested and unprocessed. Awareness allows us to see it, understand it and manage it.

How can we overcome an enemy? We cannot overcome him if we are unaware of him and he takes us by surprise. We must be always vigilant and witnessing, aware of the enemy and not allow him to stealthily creep up on us, but with awareness see him even in his initial moves so that on being witnessed he retreats and dissolves. Awareness certainly seems to be the key in most practices and any practice that helps to maintain a level of awareness will help in this regard.

But there is yet another way which I discovered. It is not so easy but appears also very effective. I asked my mother, who was of a passionate and fiery temperament and would become angry over the injustices in the world, why she no longer gets angry. She had a stroke four years ago and I have not seen a hint of anger since. She replied that taking the name of the Lord is probably the most powerful way of overcoming this. And sincere prayer for the Lord’s help in what to do, always helps in anything that feels unsurmountable. Clearly it had worked a miracle in her case.

Keeping the Lord in your heart keeps the heart pure and clean. As my Guru ji once said to me, that if you are always connected to God you would not do what you should not do, and you would do what you should do. How true that is, but the difficulty and challenge is to remain always connected in the heart!

The God of Light

God is Light, within and without. When there’s a synergy between the two, we have peace and happiness. Then denomination and nomenclature don’t really matter. What really matters is oneness and the fact that the Light is above all divisions, ego, religion, class, and culture, says OSWALD PEREIRA

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, brings with it the hope of an end to the darkness of the virus that has caused unprecedented deaths and suffering, across all social strata, wrecking livelihoods and the world’s economy.

The human race is fighting the coronavirus’ trail of destruction, with the help of the Divine Light that is deep within each one of us. It’s an eternal Light that is indestructible and will never die as long as we keep our faith.

During Diwali, we celebrate the victory of good over evil, the triumph of light over darkness and the emergence of knowledge as our guiding force against ignorance. We also regard Diwali as the harbinger of prosperity.

To many of us, Diwali commemorates or celebrates Lord Ram’s return to his legendary kingdom of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after defeating the demon king Ravan and serving 14 years in exile.

In parts of India, especially in the South, Diwali is celebrated to mark the victory of Krishna over the demon Narakasura, who is considered the embodiment of evil and ego. Krishna killed Narakasura, the evil king of Pragjyotishapura, near present-day Assam, and released 16,000 girls held captive by him. The festival is also associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.

While it is true that Diwali has its origins in India, over time it has come to be regarded and accepted as a universal festival celebrated the world over. Light that Diwali is all about has no allegiance to region and religion. Light belongs to God. And God, in return, has bestowed us humans with the gift of Light.

In dark times, in times of trials and tribulations, and in the present context, in these Covid times, it is God’s light that is manifesting itself, so clearly and visibly. This light shines without blinking. It is a beacon of optimism, of a future beyond the darkness.

Paramhansa Yogananda had a profound experience as a child one day when he was meditating. “What is behind the darkness of closed eyes?” he asked inwardly.

An immense flash of light appeared before his inner gaze, and took on the form of saints meditating in caves. The forms dissolved, but the silvery beams expanded outward to infinity.

“What is this wondrous glow?” he asked. A voice answered, “I am Iswara. I am Light.” Yoganandaji goes on to write: “Out of the slow dwindling of my divine ecstasy, I salvaged a permanent legacy of inspiration to seek God.”

And God. Who is He/She? According to me, forgive my impertinence, he is neither Hindu, nor Christian or Muslim. She or He is Light and Love. As simple as that.

And Ram or Krishna? Are they Hindu? Did they ever say so? An emphatic No, according to me.

Indisputably, Diwali is the inner transformation of all of our darkness into divine consciousness. It is a reminder to us to continue to seek God always.

God is Light, within and without. When there’s a synergy between the two, we have peace and happiness. Then denomination and nomenclature don’t really matter. What really matters is oneness and the fact that the Light is above all divisions, ego, religion, class, and culture.

So, Diwali, quite simply, is a reminder of our oneness, accentuated and perpetuated by the Light, which is God manifesting Himself.

Patience: Pathway to Peace

Patience shows us the way to peace and boundless joy, says DR ANITA DUGGAL

Patience (dhairya) is a rare virtue. It is now becoming rarer, as the virtue is being rapidly lost in our modern world. We live in a fast world ― fast food, fast communication, fast travel, fast relationships. All this has led to diminishing patience.

Patience was, in times of old, an extolled virtue. There are a multitude of sayings, ‘Patience of a saint,’ ‘Patient like the earth,’ or ‘Everything comes to those who wait,’ all of which reflect the value given to patience. But we have long forgotten what this word means, let alone trying to cultivate this great virtue.

A fast pace of life affects our mind and increases the waves in the mind which makes us feel more restless and unsettled. It sets a certain momentum and it is more difficult to wind down and be quiet and still. With a fast pace, Vata dosha is excited and this in turn also increases our pace, but with the disturbance of any dosha comes the risk of ill health. If the pace is unnatural for us, either too fast or too slow, it creates a disturbance for the mind and body which can result in imbalance and sickness.

It is ironic that the current Covid-19 pandemic is forcing us to slow down, to reflect and change our ways. Even to face such a situation as the pandemic, we must exercise patience as very little is in our control. It must ultimately pass, as all things do. So, with this, in mind, we soldier on and do the best we can in a very challenging situation. If it teaches us nothing else, it will teach us patience!

Patience has a central place in Ayurveda as one of the aspects of its psycho-spiritual therapy known as sattwavajaya. The cultivation of dhairya, is part of the therapy of psychological disorders. Dhairya encompasses patience, forbearance, fortitude and durability; the capacity to stay firm, calm and constant in the face of challenges and difficulties.

Not only is this concept of patience and forbearance used in therapy but also in preventative strategies. Ayurveda teaches us under sadvritta, the attitudes and behaviour which are wholesome and conducive to health. The attitudes include forbearance, patience and tolerance which keep us steady in the winds of adversity, help us ride the storms that come and negotiate the challenges of life, without over-reacting and losing our centre and balance.

This attitude increases our mental strength and power of endurance to deal with any given event or situation. We know that life-events are destabilising and often trigger illness and if we are better able to face these events, it may be to some extent a protective factor. It gives us staying power and detachment from the changing worldly phenomena, allowing events to come and pass and not to be destabilised. It allows us to accept everything that comes and to do our best in a given situation.

Patience is also needed in relationships which become challenging and difficult at times when egos clash. It is not that people should not separate because clearly when there is severe disharmony or abuse and the relationship has irretrievably broken down, it is better to separate. But it is good to remember that impatience leads to frustration, annoyance, irritability and intolerance. It does not make for a peaceful existence or co-existence with others. The best relationships that I have observed are where this quality of patience is exceptionally strong in one of the partners. Patience helps to overcome many hurdles and gives staying power.

How does one teach patience, forbearance, fortitude and endurance which are key to managing the challenges of life and not allowing them to overwhelm you? Patience may come naturally more easily to one of predominant earth/water constitution as in Kapha predominant individuals and less easily to the air/ether (Vata) who are quick by nature and do not have the same staying power or fire/water (Pitta) predominant individuals who by nature can be more impatient and intolerant when others do not meet their expectations.

Patience can be cultivated as a habit by increasing conscious awareness of our actions and reactions. It requires reflection. Any meditative practice that enhances our awareness will help us to cultivate this noble virtue as it helps us to stand back and observe.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a relatively newer psychological therapy in the West which is gaining ground. It draws on the principles of mindfulness and witnessing and the acceptance of situations, rather than struggling against a given situation. It is often the struggle and refusal to accept something that creates the greatest stress for us. To accept what is, implies to be patient.

Cultivating patience means to try to accept whatever comes and whatever goes, with the understanding that whatever takes place is destined to take place, determined by our previous karma. Accepting everything that comes, over which we have no control, as destiny or the will of God, helps us to cultivate patience and surrender. If we can learn to accept that our desires will not always be fulfilled and that we may sometimes receive something undesired, it can help to reduce the resistance, struggle and distress.

We cannot always change given circumstances and sometimes have to just bear them patiently until they pass. What we can change is our actions and reactions, knowing that whatever we do and however we act will bear its own fruit and will determine our future circumstances. This means to reflect and accept that there is something to learn through every difficult situation, and that each challenge is a potential for growth.

When we accept that everything is a passing phenomenon through which we can learn something, we cultivate patience. When we accept others as they are without reacting to them and expecting them to be more like us, we are developing patience. When we are not disturbed by every insult or criticism, loss or failure but can stay quiet and calm, we are becoming patient.

Patience is a lifelong process but as with any habit, anything that is practised repeatedly eventually becomes part of our nature. Only a patient man can be truly at peace and without peace there can be no deep joy! As St Francis of Assisi once told his disciples that to bear hardship and suffering patiently in the love of the Christ was the way to ‘the perfect joy’!

Love is by its very nature patient and patience shows us the way to peace and boundless joy.

Sleep Like A Baby

Those with great faith, who are able to accept whatever comes and whatever goes and surrender everything into the hands of God, are usually able to sleep peacefully, like babies in the lap of the Mother, says DR ANITA DUGGAL

The entire globe is enveloped in a cloud of fear due to the pandemic and its effects on our lives and livelihoods. There is an inevitable impact of this stress on mental health and one of the earliest symptoms is sleep disturbance. Disturbed sleep can cause our mental health to deteriorate and spiral down, precipitating a mental disorder.

Sound sleep is essential for our wellbeing and  to function properly. When we sleep badly with interruptions we feel tired, groggy and grouchy the next day. In Ayurveda, sleep is considered one of the tristhamba, that is one of the three pillars of life and therefore essential for life.

Why is sleep so important? It allows the body and mind to rest and recharge which is essential for their proper functioning. It is restorative in that it allows the body to heal and repair itself and is essential for the normal functioning of the immune system. The brain restores its energy supply system and many hormones are secreted in accordance with the sleep wake cycle; for example growth hormone which is essential for metabolism is secreted more during sleep.

Sleep is important in maintaining mood and good memory function. We know how sleep deprivation affects our mood. We become irritable and anxious and it affects our attention, concentration, memory and performance. Disturbed sleep in the long term can affect not only our mental health but also our cardiovascular health. Therefore ensuring sound sleep is vital to health, both mental and physical.

What are the common causes of sleep disturbance? Very commonly worries and anxiety but other causes include hunger, thirst, overeating, heat or cold, overstimulation and excitement, alcohol and illicit drugs and some prescribed drugs. Sleep disturbance is often a symptom of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, psychosis.

Physical pain and discomfort or other physical health conditions can also disturb sleep. Another important cause is irregular sleep habits and cat-napping in the day. Suppressing the natural urge for sleep when we stay up late to go out or watch something interesting disturbs the sleep pattern. The internal circadian clock can be disrupted by bright lighting in the evening as well as by working night shifts.

Our sleep requirements change with age. A newborn can sleep up to 18 hours, a school age child 9 to 11, and adult 7 to 9 and in older age slightly less.

What can we do to improve sleep? Well there are many things we can do but most importantly we must address the underlying cause. Night sedation is generally best avoided but if it cannot be avoided in severe cases, use it as a short term measure only. It has addictive potential and carries the risks of sedation, dizziness, falls and confusion.

Sleep tips

Try to gradually establish a regular sleep-wake routine and stick to this. That means going to bed and waking at a fixed time every day, to set a healthy routine. The body and mind need regularity to prepare for meals, sleep and so on. One then normally starts to feel hungry or sleepy at the scheduled time. A balanced daily routine is important for the optimal functioning of the cyclical biological systems.

Ayurveda promotes going to bed early and waking before 6am as the ideal in terms of synchronising with the natural time cycles. Waking before sunrise between 3 and 6 am during Brahma Murta, is highly recommended as this gives freshness and clarity to the mind. It is also the ideal time for meditation. Waking after 6am means that one wakes during the Kapha time period and one may feel sluggish, heavy and drowsy at this time.

Cat-napping in the day is generally best avoided or kept to a minimum as it affects the quality of the night sleep and makes one feel lethargic and heavy during the day. According to Ayurveda it is best avoided except in childhood, old age, in certain health conditions and in the summer season when it is recommended as it has a cooling effect.

A wholesome diet is important for sound sleep. If one skips meals or the diet is too light and erratic, Vata increases and can disturb sleep. It is best to avoid stimulant food and drinks at night such as meat, very spicy food, coffee, coke or other caffeinated drinks, citrus and sugars. Caffeine intake during the day should also be limited. Salads are generally too light and Vata aggravating to be taken in the evening.

A carbohydrate meal in the evening is more soothing and conducive to sleep. The evening meal should not be too heavy with articles such as meat or fried foods which are difficult to digest and the meal should be taken two to three hours before sleeping, allowing time for it to be digested. It is difficult to sleep if the body is digesting a heavy meal.

At bedtime a milky drink or light snack can be taken. Warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg or a herbal tea such as Chamomile can be calming. Alcohol is best avoided at night as it can disturb the quality of the sleep.

It is important to avoid over-stimulating the nervous system in the evening by too much time in front of computer screens and the television, listening to loud exciting music, watching thrillers and so on. These excite Vata and will disturb the sleep.

The bedroom environment should be restful, quiet and comfortable with no bright lights which can disrupt the normal secretion of Melatonin, the hormone which induces sleep.

Regular exercise done outside in green space as part of the daily routine is helpful in relieving tension that builds up. In the evening, however, only mild exercise in the form of gentle stretches can be done. Vigorous exercise before sleeping is too alerting.

One of the hardest things but most important is to keep oneself from trying to solve problems at night and ruminating. One has to try to restrain the mind and reserve the night for sleep, not problem solving. Sometimes it can be helpful to write down what needs to be dealt with next day and then leave this for the next day.  

Vata induced sleep problems are associated with restlessness, very light sleep and difficulty getting off to sleep. The individual may feel light, ungrounded with cool hands and feet. Massage of the soles of the feet with warm pale Sesame oil can be helpful to pacify Vata. Simple head massage without oil can also be very calming.

If one is overheating as often happens in the summer season, then cooling the feet in cool water before retiring to sleep can help. For Pitta induced sleep problems, Coconut oil can be used for massage. A couple of Lavender oil drops can be placed near the pillow for a calming effect.

Sleep promoting Western herbals include Chamomile and Valerian and Ayurvedic herbals such as Ashwaganda and Brahmi, but any herbal medicine should be taken only after consultation with a qualified practitioner. Herbal medicines can also interact with Allopathic drugs, hence the need to exercise caution.

Progressive relaxation techniques are helpful in preparing the body and mind for sleep. Breathing exercises, progressive relaxation of the body, mindfulness and visualisation techniques can be used. Yoga nidra is a special guided meditation practice that allows the body and mind to enter a deeply relaxed sleep-like state which is conducive to sleep.

Dealing with the plague of worries when they arise is often the difficulty. For this a spiritual perspective is also necessary. Cultivating an attitude of acceptance of whatever comes, in the understanding that it will teach us something and will ultimately bring something positive to our lives, can help us to let go of the tension and fear of difficult circumstances to some extent.

I have observed that those with great faith, who are able to accept whatever comes and whatever goes and surrender everything into the hands of God, are usually able to sleep peacefully, like babies in the lap of the Mother! We cannot develop this kind of faith overnight, but whatever helps to strengthen faith will inevitably give us more strength and peace of mind.

Foods that Never Agree With the Body

Ayurveda outlines which foods are to be eaten together and which ones cause trouble for your digestive system, says RENU GULATI 

Many stomach-related ailments begin with combining the wrong foods that were never meant to be eaten together. Ayurveda believes that proper digestion is closely connected to the strength of the agni or the digestive fire in your body. 

According to Ayurveda, every food has its own taste or rasa, a heating or cooling energy (virya), and a post-digestive effect (vipaka). Some also possess prabhava, an unexplained unique effect in the food.

While it is a fact that the individual’s agni largely determines how well or poorly food is digested, food combinations are of great importance, nonetheless. 

When two or more foods having different tastes, energy and post-digestive effects are combined, the agni can become overloaded and result in the formation of improperly digested food or ama. 

Consequences of Wrong Food Combinations

Poor combining of incompatible foods can produce indigestion, fermentation, putrefaction and gas formation.

On a prolonged basis, it can lead to toxemia, blood poisoning by a local bacterial infection and disease. The above symptoms are common all through the middle-aged population of most countries. It would seem that a lifetime of eating the wrong foods eventually leads to these problems after some years. 

For example, the ever-popular banana milkshake or the practice of eating bananas with milk can diminish the agni, and eventually change the intestinal flora, produce toxins and cause sinus congestion, cold, cough and allergies. Although both these foods have a sweet taste and a cooling energy, their post-digestive effect is different. This is so because bananas are sour, while milk is sweet.

Some factors can lessen the effect of improper food combinations. 

A strong digestive fire can be the most powerful tool of all to deal with bad food combinations. Use of spices and herbs are added to food in the Ayurveda style of cooking to help make foods compatible or to ease a powerful effect of a certain kind of food. For instance, cooling coriander is usually added to very spicy food to neutralise its harmful effects. 

Here are some examples of wrong food combinations. 

Avoid eggs with fruits or for that matter even with cheese, fish, milk, meat and yoghurt. 

Fruits must be eaten alone, and the usual recommendation is that you eat your fruits half an hour before your meals or by itself long after breakfast and much before lunch. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as certain cooked combinations or dates and milk. Another example is melons, which should never be eaten with any other food. 

Neither should you be eating lemons with cucumbers, milk, tomatoes or yoghurt. 

There is even a ban on eating potato, tomato or brinjals with cucumbers and dairy products. It is also not a good idea to eat fruit yoghurts, or combine yoghurt with fish or meat. 

Satmya (Accustomisation) and antidotes

If our bodies have become accustomed to a certain food combination through many years of use, such as eating cheese and apples together, then it is likely that our body has made some adaptations or become accustomed to this. This is not to say that we should continue this practice – it is being used here as an example of why some people can digest some kind of food with relative ease, while others react differently. 

There are some established antidotes like cardamom in coffee or ghee and black pepper or even rosemary with potatoes that can help relieve some of the negative effects of wrong food combinations. If foods with different and possibly aggravating qualities such as a mixture of vegetables are cooked together in the same pot, the foods tend to learn how to get along. Using appropriate spices and herbs help as outlined earlier in this article. 

The best, however, is to limit eating such known bad combinations. That usually does not upset the digestion too much and you will be able to take it in your stride. 

Present the Best Version of Yourself

Maintain positivity in front of others, while working out your negative issues in the background, because it is important to work for the greater good of the whole, which is a belief supported by Ayurveda as well, says RENU GULATI

If one were to wear one’s self on one’s sleeve, what would happen? We would be judged, subconsciously or consciously by others. Ayurveda advises us to maintain a happy exterior, no matter what. Does this mean that we should consciously create a false image of oneself in public. I now experientially understand the benefits of this — one is protected from negative judgement in the main. One also does not create suffering for others. 

Now, in the world of digital media, one can maintain a happy self-image and get the adoration we all seek. We are flattered by ‘likes’ and positive comments and derive a momentary happiness from this. There are beauty filters and one can edit images so that you look like a movie star. That’s the one reason many people come off social media. These images of people having a great time have caused a feeling of insecurity and inferiority among others.

When Ayurveda says that you must maintain a happy and positive image, it is for society. Perhaps it is because people who are not our well-wishers are happy knowing that we are unhappy. This is not always a conscious reaction. It gives others a sense of oneupmanship over others, something to gossip about and ruin your social image.

So then how does one deal with feelings of sadness and negativity if that is how one feels? This is a type of affirmation. Here in India, when one is asked ‘how are you?’ the reply is usually, ‘first class, very good, all good with the blessings of god’, etc. 

This may seem like one is suppressing ones feelings. But suppression of negativity is considered a good thing as it means that one is not dwelling on such things. If you use up your energy by talking about your negativity repeatedly, it grows. However, on the other hand, one must he self-analytical with oneself and try to understand the root cause of the negativity. If you can’t do this by yourself, try to seek the help of a close one or a counsellor, where one is not going to be judged. If the root cause of your negativity or sadness is not tackled, you could end up in huge emotional turmoil which could lead to a mind or body disease. 

One must always cultivate a few trusted people who are not judgemental if one cannot self-navigate out of negativity and sadness. Don’t get fixated on your condition or think of yourself as a  victim. Each of us are responsible for our own actions and if one believes in the karma theory, we can also go one step further and say we are fully responsible for all the things happening in our life. We ourselves bring about our circumstances including the responses of others.

So the initial question raised about how to be authentic implies that one must maintain positivity in front of others while you sort out your negative issues in the background. Be genuine, and speak the truth at all times without disturbing another’s peace or by creating a negative self-image. Also remember that a negative self-image in society is difficult to erase, whereas a positive one is inspirational. In the philosophy of John Stuart Mill, it is said that one must work for the greater good of the whole, and this is what Ayurveda believes in. 

There is another common trend that we veer towards today, which is to air ones dirty laundry in public on chat shows and certain other reality shows. 

Finally I would like to end with the famous Biblical statement:

‘To thine own self be true’. This means not creating a false image of yourself, especially to your own self as this can lead to disorders of the mind and body.

In Ayurveda, something similar is said: ‘Those who self-introspect regularly will not become a victim of disease.’