Boredom

What does the word ‘boredom’ mean to you? A colleague once described it as a positive state as it is relatively free of adrenalin. I look upon it as a state in which I would not want to do anything, yet I would be restless. You can be indifferent to such a state, but I am a constant ‘doer’, and being in such a state, I would think that something is definitely wrong.

Learning to cope with boredom is not easy. Also, people who are habitual doers will rarely find themselves in such a state. I recall the conversation I had with a renowned Ayurvedacharya who is busy round the clock and said that boredom to him would be a new state and it would be interesting to experience and accept it.

During this past one year during lockdowns or reduced activity, plenty of people have been at a loss at what to do. So how does one pass time especially during a lockdown? Should one talk to friends on the phone, play a game, write a blog like I am doing now, or create something new? It’s about transferring what I see as a negative state into a creative state. On the other head, if your mind is on overload, then boredom is a way of getting it to switch off and tone down the adrenaline. I may be no expert, but I speak from my own thoughts and experience.

Boredom is described as a negative state in Yogic texts. It’s a state of mental lethargy associated with tamas, and is the energy of darkness and dullness. It is a state where there is no inspiration to act. Some people go to sleep. But whenever I have tried this on a rare occasion, I have woken up feeling a whole lot worse, with even more dullness and lethargy. It is for this reason that I keep going with some activity or another.

Or you may just need fresh air or a change of scenery or need some stimulating company. There could be many causes, but boredom is not an uncommon state and has been becoming increasingly common during these days of lockdowns. Yet some have used the same time to take up something new, something they could never have imagined even in their wildest dreams, be it art, writing, cooking, gardening or tracing old friends. So, as they say, necessity is the mother of invention and indeed we have living proof of that in this lockdown.

In India, lockdowns are even more stringent, one because exercise outdoors is not considered an essential activity and two, because it’s too hot in most parts of the country to venture out.

So the key is something I have already outlined above – to attempt to turn negativity into positivity and transform an otherwise destructive situation into a creative one.

Religion of love

Do monks really have to wear robes? Does religion really have to be institutionalised? Do mantras or chants really have to be chanted? I often wonder what religion is all about. Surely it is about finding truth? The Truth of who we really are, whatever that might be. For me it is ahimsa or nonviolence to all that exists. Of course, I acknowledge the fact that sages gave us methods or practices to catalyse this process of Self-realisation, but in the process, one can get fixated or even institutionalised by these very practices.

Is not religion about finding the truth about non-attachment, love and freedom? When subjected to close scrutiny, these words are actually loaded with meaning and each of us may interpret it differently. It is said that in the ancient Indian Knowledge systems, the basic purpose of life is non-violence and this can only happen In a state of nonattachment and nonexpectation. In the words of Swami Sivananda, who gives us the mantra, ‘Be good and do good,’ what could be more simpler, yet so hard to follow.

The everyday man has more humanity in the main than the religious practitioner who obsesses with practices such as mantra chanting and rituals and states of consciousness. When I think of human evolution, I think it is about being a conscious and better version of yourself each day. I think that discussions such as those about religious practices and which method is better than the other are completely unnecessary. From this we create divisiveness instead of forging unity and goodness, the very opposite of the purpose of all world religions.

What went wrong, I keep wondering. Life has now become complicated by us seeking a sense of identity by attempting to belong to a particular path or religion and justifying its righteousness over other paths. This was less common in times and decades that have gone by when people in post-Independence India lived harmoniously together with each other, and it was not unusual for people to be good friends with people across communities such as Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. If we were less attached to the externals of religion and more interested in the inner and the real essence, we would all stand on the same platform and the world would be more at peace.

I feel immense gratitude towards those who live the true essence of spirituality as this is what the real purpose of religion is – to stress on brotherhood, unity of man and love.

We Need to Follow the Religion of Love

What is more important, rituals and practises of a religion or ahimsa, love and nonviolence that true spirituality implies? Renu Gulati analyses.

Do monks really have to wear robes? Does religion really have to be institutionalised? Do mantras or chants really have to be chanted? I often wonder what religion is all about. Surely it is about finding truth? The Truth of who we really are, whatever that might be. For me it is ahimsa or nonviolence to all that exists. Of course, I acknowledge the fact that sages gave us methods or practices to catalyse this process of Self-realisation, but in the process, one can get fixated or even institutionalised by these very practices. 

Is not religion about finding the truth about non-attachment, love and freedom? When subjected to close scrutiny, these words are actually loaded with meaning and each of us may interpret it differently. It is said that in the ancient Indian Knowledge systems, the basic purpose of life is non-violence and this can only happen In a state of nonattachment and nonexpectation. In the words of Swami Sivananda, who gives us the mantra, ‘Be good and do good,’ what could be more simpler, yet so hard to follow. 

The everyday man has more humanity in the main than the religious practitioner who obsesses with practices such as mantra chanting and rituals and states of consciousness. When I think of human evolution, I think it is about being a conscious and better version of yourself each day. I think that discussions such as those about religious practices and which method is better than the other are completely unnecessary. From this we create divisiveness instead of forging unity and goodness, the very opposite of the purpose of all world religions. 

What went wrong, I keep wondering. Life has now become complicated by us seeking a sense of identity by attempting to belong to a particular path or religion and justifying its righteousness over other paths. This was less common in times and decades that have gone by when people in post-Independence India lived harmoniously together with each other, and it was not unusual for people to be good friends with people across communities such as Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. If we were less attached to the externals of religion and more interested in the inner and the real essence, we would all stand on the same platform and the world would be more at peace. 

I feel immense gratitude towards those who live the true essence of spirituality as this is what the real purpose of religion is – to stress on brotherhood, unity of man and love.

Lockdowns Needn’t Be Boring

What does the word ‘boredom’ mean to you? A colleague once described it as a positive state as it is relatively free of adrenalin. I look upon it as a state in which I would not want to do anything, yet I would be restless. You can be indifferent to such a state, but I am a constant ‘doer’, and being in such a state, I would think that something is definitely wrong.

Learning to cope with boredom is not easy. Also, people who are habitual doers will rarely find themselves in such a state. I recall the conversation I had with a renowned Ayurvedacharya who is busy round the clock and said that boredom to him would be a new state and it would be interesting to experience and accept it.

During this past one year during lockdowns or reduced activity, plenty of people have been at a loss at what to do. So how does one pass time especially during a lockdown? Should one talk to friends on the phone, play a game, write a blog like I am doing now, or create something new? It’s about transferring what I see as a negative state into a creative state. On the other head, if your mind is on overload, then boredom is a way of getting it to switch off and tone down the adrenaline. I may be no expert, but I speak from my own thoughts and experience.

Boredom is described as a negative state in Yogic texts. It’s a state of mental lethargy associated with tamas, and is the energy of darkness and dullness. It is a state where there is no inspiration to act. Some people go to sleep. But whenever I have tried this on a rare occasion, I have woken up feeling a whole lot worse, with even more dullness and lethargy. It is for this reason that I keep going with some activity or another. 

Or you may just need fresh air or a change of scenery or need some stimulating company. There could be many causes, but boredom is not an uncommon state and has been becoming increasingly common during these days of lockdowns. Yet some have used the same time to take up something new, something they could never have imagined even in their wildest dreams, be it art, writing, cooking, gardening or tracing old friends. So, as they say, necessity is the mother of invention and indeed we have living proof of that in this lockdown.

In India, lockdowns are even more stringent, one because exercise outdoors is not considered an essential activity and two, because it’s too hot in most parts of the country to venture out. 

So the key is something I have already outlined above – to attempt to turn negativity into positivity and transform an otherwise destructive situation into a creative one. 

Strengthen your Immune System

Dietary Advice

1. Drink warm water throughout the day in small sips. 
2. 1 litre of hot water can be infused with 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds or a 3 cm stick of mulethi (liquorice bark) and sipped throughout the day,
3. Spices like Haldi (Turmeric), Jeera (Cumin), Dhaniya (Coriander) and Lahsun (Garlic) are recommended in cooking.
4. Take Chyavanprash 10gm (1tbsp) in the morning with half of a glass of boiled warm milk. Diabetics should take sugar-free Chyavanprash.
5. Drink herbal tea/decoction (Kadha) made from Tulsi (Basil), Dalchini (Cinnamon), Kalimirch (Black pepper), Shunthi (Dry Ginger) and Munakka (Raisin) – once or twice a day. Add jaggery (natural sugar) and/or fresh lemon juice to your taste, if needed.
6. Drink Golden Milk- Half teaspoon Haldi (turmeric) powder in 150 ml hot milk – once or twice a day. If you have a weak digestion, please avoid. Also do not take the milk with meals.
7. Avoid Salads and cold foods.
8. Eat your breakfast at 8 am lunch at 12.30 and dinner around 7 pm.

Simple Ayurveda Daily Routine Procedures

1. Nasal application – Apply 2 drops of sesame oil/coconut oil or Ghee in both the nostrils (Pratimarsh Nasya) in the morning and evening after the bath.
2. Oil holding therapy– Take 1 tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil in the mouth. Do not drink but hold in the mouth for 2 to 3 minutes and spit it out. Do this after brushing your teeth and scraping your tongue.
3. Take a daily bath with 10 drops of tea tree oil in your bucket. Or u can make a decoction of neem by boiling 2 handfuls of neem leaves in 1.5 litres of water
4. Daily practice of Yogasana, Pranayama and Meditation for at least 30 minutes as advised by Ministry of AYUSH.
5. Other exercises can be performed in the morning to half one’s capacity.
6. Infuse your home with samrani (loban) or guggul or an essential oil diffuser of lemongrass/ eucalyptus/ tea tree
7. Use neem or turmeric soap if available.
8. Avoid sleeping in the daytime.
9. Sleep by 10 pm and wake up by 6 am.
10. Ensure you get sufficient exposure to the sun – at least 20 mins per day.

Some of these measures have been recommended by eminent Vaidyas from across the country as they may boost an individual’s immunity. Courtesy of Ayush.

Should you develop symptoms of cold, cough, fever or difficulty in breathing,  please consult your doctor immediately.

Stay Happy, Healthy & Safe

East Vs West

At one time, the East was pure, although chaotic. But over the years, things have changed, says Renu Gulati as she traces the gradual decline in human values.

I have travelled across much of south east Asia and the middle East as well as Europe. All people are different, but as a collective trait, I find the East to be much more generous and open in spirit. On the other hand, the West is more organised and efficient. The downside of the east is chaos and petty corruption whereas the west is more mechanised and while there is less corruption among the common people, it is a different story among the higher-ups.

I realised that the petty day-to-day corruption in the east comes from the survival instinct and the greed that goes with it in a relatively feudal and financially underdeveloped region. On the other hand, the high-level insidious corruption in the western world comes from people for whom control and greed make them reach out to attain unfathomable heights.

Greed is a human condition born of the desire to survive and gain name and power. It is neither an eastern or western trait. On the contrary, it is innate.

But the western model of greed is subtle and highly dangerous as it corrupts the human mind through brainwashing and hypnotism. Most humans don’t even have the faculty to fathom it. It creates unsurpassable greed, mechanised humans and undermines the innate quality of love within the heart.

I do not condone corruption, in whatever form it presents itself. However, corruption destroys values and it is sad to see even easterners succumb to it. Lies, cheating, hypocrisy, back-stabbing and such immoral practises are by products of this greed.

But this decline in values in the east is more recent. Earlier, a couple of decades ago, I found an openness of the heart along with chaos. In the west, where I grew up and studied, I found a superficial politeness and an organised society which was also very appealing.

I kept on coming back to India and travelling to eastern countries to enrich my heart, but was often confused with the chaos. I loved the organisation and predictability of the west too. I longed for a culture wherein the heart and organisation would work together, hand in hand.

In the east, I was touched to be offered food and friendship from strangers. However now, I am often warned to be cautious as people can poison you with food and run off with your belongings. In the West, this was rare, and we were taught from childhood to be careful if it did happen.

The Bhagavad Gita says that where there is no trust, there is destruction. So, in my worldview, this is a very sad state of affairs as it is trust that nourishes the soul.

You might find my views negative, but it represents my true experiences while living in India for the past two decades. I perceive the solution is to be surrounded by people whom I can trust. I can also try to counteract corruption but for successful results, this needs to be done collectively.

Ayurveda and Yoga describe the three basic characteristics of the mind, sattva, rajas and tamas.

Sattva is a state of clarity and harmony.

Rajas is the state of passion, lust, greed and anger.

Tamas is the state of dullness, ignorance and inertia.

Ayurveda and Yoga encourage increasing the level of sattva through a prescribed diet and lifestyle routines. In ancient India, and probably in most ancient cultures, the quality of sattva was greater than it is now.

Sattva is created, first and foremost through the mind. Cultivate non-violent and virtuous thinking at all times and by cultivating positivity through the intellect and by exercising discrimination and by keeping wholesome company.

I end with Gandhi’s quotes:

‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’

‘There is enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed.