Self Questioning for End of Year Review
by Dr L.S. Spedding
A few pertinent questions:
Then please remember some of the stated effects of an unbalanced life:
- What aspects of my life am I most passionate about?
- What are my unique talents and my strengths?
- Have I recognized what motivates me?
- What does success mean to me?
- What purpose would I like to give my life?
- How can I prioritise my time more effectively?
- How can I improve my life every day?
- Do I live by the values I believe in?
- Do I listen to my intuition when I make a decision?
- Are my actions in tune with my values?
- Do I show respect to myself and others?
- How important is my family life?
- Am I willing and able to take responsibility for my self?
- Can I laugh at myself?
- Have my values and priorities remained the same or are they changing?
- Do I regularly read inspirational books?
- Who can give me valuable feedback or be a mentor?
- What is balance to me?
Then please remember some of the stated effects of an unbalanced life:
- Finding life a struggle, feeling of general fatigue;
- Signs of physical wear and tear;
- Neglecting basic health needs, sleep, nutrition, fitness;
- Signs of unhealthy or excessive stress; and
- Strain on personal relationships
Coping with - Enduring and Overcoming - the Ongoing Uncertainty in the World and Finding Balance
by Dr L.S. Spedding (c)
There are so many techniques available to deal with anxiety and fear - yet coping is often an individual matter that many cannot achieve. As an individual living in a very - overly - hectic world where success and achievement are not always assured or often not commensurate with endeavours there is an atmosphere of uncertainty- exacerbated by the Pandemic - in which many question their fundamental principles, goals and way of life.
This uncertainty in the world may seem rather risky - but it is also an opportunity! There is a real opportunity to take a pause and reflect upon the meaning and objectives of our lives so that we can live a balanced life. Since Covid 19 affected their usual way of life many have considered, or reconsidered, priorities, both micro and macro. The fact that a virus could create so much turbulence to plans, policies, projects and livelihoods on various levels has been a trigger for a major review of the past, present and future by many. Legally, the principle of contributory negligence comes to mind when considering the ongoing impacts for the world. Issues of risk management and risk mitigation have been debated in an attempt to decipher what has happened and what can be done. Such questions have created nervous anxiety as people grapple with the contradictions that have been presented on a daily basis for months. Learning from past human behaviour during previous pandemics and applying current state of health and technology knowledge have been issues debated in numerous fora. So much uncertainty for personal and professional lives, so many repercussions for Individual and National and International health- massive implications for trade and business as a whole. One thing is clear - life is uncertain and, in order to achieve optimum health and happiness in this world, self responsibility for health is a must. In this context, while outer events may be seemingly beyond our control, we can look after and manage internal awareness and understanding to become resilient in the face of external uncertainty. Through this approach we can be much more effective, efficient and capable as a whole.
There is a real opportunity in today’s uncertain world to review our approach to our individual life, how we spend our time, our relationships with ourselves and others, our priorities and our goals. Usually people consider an “unexpected” illness to be a trigger for change. This global experience can alert us to take seriously the understanding that our life is a gift to take care of and honour - what can be termed life management. Each of us is born with our individual strengths and weaknesses. We can look at life as if it were an ongoing educational process that can bring out and enhance our talents - and turn our weaknesses into strengths. This serves to realise our potential and become complete, or whole, so that we understand the meaning of our life and purpose. The task of becoming whole is one in which we must face our weaknesses and consciously work to improve ourselves, bearing in mind our core values. Core values help determine what we truly want out of life, while acting as the measure to check whether we are satisfied with our current circumstances and we are living meaningfully. In families it is helpful to support one another and to become compassionate flexible since the real test of our patience and maturity is found in close relationships.
There are, according to traditional health management methods (see further information and guidance at www.Adhyatmik.org) generally four key challenges to be faced during our lives that enable the understanding of - and improvement - to our core character. For many of us, the same challenge is repeated, while others have four distinctly different lessons to learn. The life challenges provide specific lessons to overcome for a balanced life, including:
In order to inspire and help our development, life will often place you in situations that require specific characteristics or circumstances you need to overcome during the course of this lifetime. These will emerge during different periods of your life - except for a main life challenge, which continues throughout the life. As with the four defined traditional stages of life (in essence studenthood, householder with material responsibilities, semi-retired and retired) these challenges may cover rather fluid, general periods of your life rather than specific years. When you review, you can see a pattern of behaviour, such as reactivity, that can help you to work on yourself to achieve a happy and more healthy life, with self responsibility and self empowerment. Life challenges that pertain to one’s core character are present at birth and are generally dealt with using your free will and choices. Certain questions can assist with understanding your core character.
Do you tend toward:
Self questioning at different times in your life can be very valuable and productive. It can provide a review of where you are in comparison with where you may want to be and can allow an opportunity to take steps as needed. In order to find meaning and fulfillment, it is helpful to develop the positive approach to always look forward. Listening to your inner Self from time to time is also very important. Most people have the habit of keeping the mind engaged and busy with outer things and activities. However it is when you are in silence that you can calm your mind, reflect on concerns more meaningfully and attune to lessons from nature all around you.When you have nothing else to do externally, then you may feel that you are “bored” - there is nothing to keep your mind occupied with outer activities.
Whenever there is inactivity of body you get concerned about keeping the mind busy. Yet the mind is always busy, even during sleep and when dreaming; mind is always working, never rests, always doing something. That is its function.Actually it is a cultural habit to think that you are not doing anything, although a lot is going on within you.
When you are not busy with externals why not try to attune to your inner world, your inner aspects? You can listen to your mind, to your emotions and even your body’s organs, to your chakras and of course to yourSelf. These things never rest. That is why people find it difficult to be in silence. More than that-silence is often perceived as punishment. Silence is actually the state where you can gather energy - where you recharge your battery!. In fact when you are talking, you lose energy - especially when you talk nonsense. When you go into silence during such practices as meditation- listening to yourself as you are - you connect to your true Self. In silence everything is transparent, in silence you have no fear and your mind settles. Almost all health therapies focus on the significance of silence.
In order to cope in an uncertain world and to rise above the external uncertainty it is also vital to have a sense of self worth and esteem, a feeling of true Self confidence. Having a positive and optimistic approach with the understanding that everything is in constant motion and that any difficulties will pass. This can be developed through such simple methods as:
~ a 30 minute walk in nature;
~ practicing deep breaths in a mindful manner;
~ recalling happy and beautiful memories; and
~ reading an uplifting passage or contemplation.
Such methods ensure that negative habits are not promoted. Indeed, taking your life in your hands in this way can be effective throughout one’s life.
By connecting with who you are and relaxing in a mature way you can live life as a whole individual who others naturally are inspired by. It is true that if your words and actions are motivated by the need for approval by others, you will not be able to make the real contribution that you are fully capable of. You may become a watered down - rather than distilled -version of you. In order to cope in an uncertain world it is so important to value each day - each moment. In this context one technique to to work on is appreciating and valuing yourself more so you are not in need of others validation and approval. This is a self worth issue that can be developed throughout life and can reap huge dividends in both one’s personal and professional life so that one’s mental wellbeing thrives and one can cope whatever challenges one encounters (for more information see the Balanced Series at www.Adhyatmik.org).
Waiver: Please note that this article is for educational and information purposes only.The author cannot take responsibility for medical concerns.
For any individual medical concerns or guidance please contact your medical adviser or practitioner as the writer cannot be responsible in this respect.
If there is any question relating to the information in this article please contact the author at [email protected]
This uncertainty in the world may seem rather risky - but it is also an opportunity! There is a real opportunity to take a pause and reflect upon the meaning and objectives of our lives so that we can live a balanced life. Since Covid 19 affected their usual way of life many have considered, or reconsidered, priorities, both micro and macro. The fact that a virus could create so much turbulence to plans, policies, projects and livelihoods on various levels has been a trigger for a major review of the past, present and future by many. Legally, the principle of contributory negligence comes to mind when considering the ongoing impacts for the world. Issues of risk management and risk mitigation have been debated in an attempt to decipher what has happened and what can be done. Such questions have created nervous anxiety as people grapple with the contradictions that have been presented on a daily basis for months. Learning from past human behaviour during previous pandemics and applying current state of health and technology knowledge have been issues debated in numerous fora. So much uncertainty for personal and professional lives, so many repercussions for Individual and National and International health- massive implications for trade and business as a whole. One thing is clear - life is uncertain and, in order to achieve optimum health and happiness in this world, self responsibility for health is a must. In this context, while outer events may be seemingly beyond our control, we can look after and manage internal awareness and understanding to become resilient in the face of external uncertainty. Through this approach we can be much more effective, efficient and capable as a whole.
There is a real opportunity in today’s uncertain world to review our approach to our individual life, how we spend our time, our relationships with ourselves and others, our priorities and our goals. Usually people consider an “unexpected” illness to be a trigger for change. This global experience can alert us to take seriously the understanding that our life is a gift to take care of and honour - what can be termed life management. Each of us is born with our individual strengths and weaknesses. We can look at life as if it were an ongoing educational process that can bring out and enhance our talents - and turn our weaknesses into strengths. This serves to realise our potential and become complete, or whole, so that we understand the meaning of our life and purpose. The task of becoming whole is one in which we must face our weaknesses and consciously work to improve ourselves, bearing in mind our core values. Core values help determine what we truly want out of life, while acting as the measure to check whether we are satisfied with our current circumstances and we are living meaningfully. In families it is helpful to support one another and to become compassionate flexible since the real test of our patience and maturity is found in close relationships.
There are, according to traditional health management methods (see further information and guidance at www.Adhyatmik.org) generally four key challenges to be faced during our lives that enable the understanding of - and improvement - to our core character. For many of us, the same challenge is repeated, while others have four distinctly different lessons to learn. The life challenges provide specific lessons to overcome for a balanced life, including:
- materialism;
- lack of independence or self empowerment;
- skepticism versus faith or trust; and
- resilience and flexibility.
In order to inspire and help our development, life will often place you in situations that require specific characteristics or circumstances you need to overcome during the course of this lifetime. These will emerge during different periods of your life - except for a main life challenge, which continues throughout the life. As with the four defined traditional stages of life (in essence studenthood, householder with material responsibilities, semi-retired and retired) these challenges may cover rather fluid, general periods of your life rather than specific years. When you review, you can see a pattern of behaviour, such as reactivity, that can help you to work on yourself to achieve a happy and more healthy life, with self responsibility and self empowerment. Life challenges that pertain to one’s core character are present at birth and are generally dealt with using your free will and choices. Certain questions can assist with understanding your core character.
Do you tend toward:
- insecurity or arrogance?
- overbearingly persevering or giving up and conceding?
- blaming others or blaming yourself?
- cup half full or empty?
- being the victim or controller?
Self questioning at different times in your life can be very valuable and productive. It can provide a review of where you are in comparison with where you may want to be and can allow an opportunity to take steps as needed. In order to find meaning and fulfillment, it is helpful to develop the positive approach to always look forward. Listening to your inner Self from time to time is also very important. Most people have the habit of keeping the mind engaged and busy with outer things and activities. However it is when you are in silence that you can calm your mind, reflect on concerns more meaningfully and attune to lessons from nature all around you.When you have nothing else to do externally, then you may feel that you are “bored” - there is nothing to keep your mind occupied with outer activities.
Whenever there is inactivity of body you get concerned about keeping the mind busy. Yet the mind is always busy, even during sleep and when dreaming; mind is always working, never rests, always doing something. That is its function.Actually it is a cultural habit to think that you are not doing anything, although a lot is going on within you.
When you are not busy with externals why not try to attune to your inner world, your inner aspects? You can listen to your mind, to your emotions and even your body’s organs, to your chakras and of course to yourSelf. These things never rest. That is why people find it difficult to be in silence. More than that-silence is often perceived as punishment. Silence is actually the state where you can gather energy - where you recharge your battery!. In fact when you are talking, you lose energy - especially when you talk nonsense. When you go into silence during such practices as meditation- listening to yourself as you are - you connect to your true Self. In silence everything is transparent, in silence you have no fear and your mind settles. Almost all health therapies focus on the significance of silence.
In order to cope in an uncertain world and to rise above the external uncertainty it is also vital to have a sense of self worth and esteem, a feeling of true Self confidence. Having a positive and optimistic approach with the understanding that everything is in constant motion and that any difficulties will pass. This can be developed through such simple methods as:
~ a 30 minute walk in nature;
~ practicing deep breaths in a mindful manner;
~ recalling happy and beautiful memories; and
~ reading an uplifting passage or contemplation.
Such methods ensure that negative habits are not promoted. Indeed, taking your life in your hands in this way can be effective throughout one’s life.
By connecting with who you are and relaxing in a mature way you can live life as a whole individual who others naturally are inspired by. It is true that if your words and actions are motivated by the need for approval by others, you will not be able to make the real contribution that you are fully capable of. You may become a watered down - rather than distilled -version of you. In order to cope in an uncertain world it is so important to value each day - each moment. In this context one technique to to work on is appreciating and valuing yourself more so you are not in need of others validation and approval. This is a self worth issue that can be developed throughout life and can reap huge dividends in both one’s personal and professional life so that one’s mental wellbeing thrives and one can cope whatever challenges one encounters (for more information see the Balanced Series at www.Adhyatmik.org).
Waiver: Please note that this article is for educational and information purposes only.The author cannot take responsibility for medical concerns.
For any individual medical concerns or guidance please contact your medical adviser or practitioner as the writer cannot be responsible in this respect.
If there is any question relating to the information in this article please contact the author at [email protected]
International Women’s Day (IWD) 8 March 2021: Balancing Resources and Tools through Traditional Vedic Understanding to Be Aware and Alert in a Challenging World
by Dr L S Spedding
Opening Remarks
Most of us nowadays are trying constantly to juggle the priorities in life: career, work, family, and self-care. We believe that in order to be our best selves, we should “get the most out of it”, and be on top of everything - in all fields of our lives. Yet the optimum goal is to find real balance. To have a balanced life the suggestion here is to excel in those fields where you can make a difference, so that when you pass on, you shall have left behind a better world for those who follow. This reflects well the IWD theme of choosing to challenge in the quest for gender equality in all respects.
As women we are encouraged to understand our talents more deeply than before and become more fulfilled, radiating confidence and positive energy. It is time to live our life purpose with gratitude and share our unique, beautiful gifts with all other beings. At Women in Law International and Balanced Lives we believe in positive collaboration, which can be most effective by connecting also with other positive endeavours. By way of example, the annual celebration of the contribution of women in the world is significant. As stated on the website, International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March each year is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.
The theme of this year’s IWD is choose to challenge. As IWD emphasises, a challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change; celebrate women's achievement; raise awareness against bias; and take action for gender and individual equality. Similarly, striving for excellence means becoming the center of our own universe, and from that grounded, centered position, shining our individual light into the world. As is explored further below, our health is vital to this striving. On the IWD website it is emphasised as follows:
“IWD sees a number of MISSIONS to help forge a gender equal world. Celebrating women's achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality, is key.”
Realising our Potential
At Women in Law International - and at Balanced Lives - a key objective is to realise our potential as an individual. This includes striving for excellence. To be able to strive for excellence as a women and to contribute towards such objectives and mission collectively and individually we should take time to consider who we are - our core character. We can then develop our individual strategy for self so that we can realise our true potential, especially in hectic and challenging times. To do this there are various key tips, some of which are referred to below:
Inner Peace
Inner peace is vital to achieve one’s potential in life, dealing with the challenges and making positive change as women. When considering strategies to maintain peace and harmony within - and when dealing with others - self review is most important. We should bear in mind that Feminine and masculine qualities exist in all of us. This recognition enables us to deal with others in a fair and balanced,manner. As Plato guides and perceives in the maxim referred to in several of his texts: “Know Thyself”. Plato also indicated that understanding thyself would have a greater yield of understanding the nature of the human being - therefore others. Below is an interesting exercise to demonstrate where you find yourself according to the categories and approaches that emerge according to the following:
Agency
Strives to achieve independence and succeed
Dislikes failure
“ I think, and I did"
Interrupts, wants control
Comfortable Excluding others
Help and comraderie refused - “no I’m fine”
No hard feelings over winning or losing
Problems fixed alone
Likes to be brought solutions not problems
Comfortable with hierarchy of job title/position/power even if they are not at the top
Moves easily from leadership role to non leadership role or vice versa
Enjoys challenge
Communion
Strives to create teams and avoid independence
Dislikes isolation
We approach - “we” think and “we” did
Does not interrupt, listens,
Uncomfortable excluding others
Help and camaraderie accepted and offered
Many hard feelings over winning or losing
For problems invites others to work as a team
Fine to bring problems without solutions
Not as comfortable with the hierarchy of job/title/position/power wherever they are in the pecking order
Does not move easily from leadership to non leadership or vice versa.
Enjoys consensus
Such exercises can be useful as a means to deal with challenges in the best possible way one can - and to remain calm and balanced in the face of difficulties, whether anticipated or not.
Traditional Tools
According to the Balanced Series published under the Purna Health Management System (PHMS) there are very helpful tools that can be supportive for life management as women: further information can be found in the publications at Adhyatmik Foundation www.Adhyatmik.org
Mudras
Mudras -hand gestures - are very powerful tools to support us and offer effective ways to achieve inner peace in ways that overcome the nervous habits seen so often. This is a vast subject and it is intended to provide only a few examples here
Most of us nowadays are trying constantly to juggle the priorities in life: career, work, family, and self-care. We believe that in order to be our best selves, we should “get the most out of it”, and be on top of everything - in all fields of our lives. Yet the optimum goal is to find real balance. To have a balanced life the suggestion here is to excel in those fields where you can make a difference, so that when you pass on, you shall have left behind a better world for those who follow. This reflects well the IWD theme of choosing to challenge in the quest for gender equality in all respects.
As women we are encouraged to understand our talents more deeply than before and become more fulfilled, radiating confidence and positive energy. It is time to live our life purpose with gratitude and share our unique, beautiful gifts with all other beings. At Women in Law International and Balanced Lives we believe in positive collaboration, which can be most effective by connecting also with other positive endeavours. By way of example, the annual celebration of the contribution of women in the world is significant. As stated on the website, International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March each year is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.
The theme of this year’s IWD is choose to challenge. As IWD emphasises, a challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change; celebrate women's achievement; raise awareness against bias; and take action for gender and individual equality. Similarly, striving for excellence means becoming the center of our own universe, and from that grounded, centered position, shining our individual light into the world. As is explored further below, our health is vital to this striving. On the IWD website it is emphasised as follows:
“IWD sees a number of MISSIONS to help forge a gender equal world. Celebrating women's achievements and increasing visibility, while calling out inequality, is key.”
Realising our Potential
At Women in Law International - and at Balanced Lives - a key objective is to realise our potential as an individual. This includes striving for excellence. To be able to strive for excellence as a women and to contribute towards such objectives and mission collectively and individually we should take time to consider who we are - our core character. We can then develop our individual strategy for self so that we can realise our true potential, especially in hectic and challenging times. To do this there are various key tips, some of which are referred to below:
- Review, contemplate and meditate
- Connect to others by listening more
- Express oneself honestly
- Face your own challenges and move on
- Stretch yourself and do something difficult!
- Set an example - teach by example
- Forgive more easily- oneself and others
- Keep a journal
- Identity values and define limiting beliefs
- Stand up for a cause
- Understand body language
- Love your mind and body
- Flow with nature’s cycles and interact with the moon and seasons
- Practice gratitude
- Smile
Inner Peace
Inner peace is vital to achieve one’s potential in life, dealing with the challenges and making positive change as women. When considering strategies to maintain peace and harmony within - and when dealing with others - self review is most important. We should bear in mind that Feminine and masculine qualities exist in all of us. This recognition enables us to deal with others in a fair and balanced,manner. As Plato guides and perceives in the maxim referred to in several of his texts: “Know Thyself”. Plato also indicated that understanding thyself would have a greater yield of understanding the nature of the human being - therefore others. Below is an interesting exercise to demonstrate where you find yourself according to the categories and approaches that emerge according to the following:
Agency
Strives to achieve independence and succeed
Dislikes failure
“ I think, and I did"
Interrupts, wants control
Comfortable Excluding others
Help and comraderie refused - “no I’m fine”
No hard feelings over winning or losing
Problems fixed alone
Likes to be brought solutions not problems
Comfortable with hierarchy of job title/position/power even if they are not at the top
Moves easily from leadership role to non leadership role or vice versa
Enjoys challenge
Communion
Strives to create teams and avoid independence
Dislikes isolation
We approach - “we” think and “we” did
Does not interrupt, listens,
Uncomfortable excluding others
Help and camaraderie accepted and offered
Many hard feelings over winning or losing
For problems invites others to work as a team
Fine to bring problems without solutions
Not as comfortable with the hierarchy of job/title/position/power wherever they are in the pecking order
Does not move easily from leadership to non leadership or vice versa.
Enjoys consensus
Such exercises can be useful as a means to deal with challenges in the best possible way one can - and to remain calm and balanced in the face of difficulties, whether anticipated or not.
Traditional Tools
According to the Balanced Series published under the Purna Health Management System (PHMS) there are very helpful tools that can be supportive for life management as women: further information can be found in the publications at Adhyatmik Foundation www.Adhyatmik.org
Mudras
Mudras -hand gestures - are very powerful tools to support us and offer effective ways to achieve inner peace in ways that overcome the nervous habits seen so often. This is a vast subject and it is intended to provide only a few examples here
Padme (lotus).
Receiving (cupped hands). Then cover/protect/preserve
Kubara – mudra for wealth
To be fearless and to protect
Achieving One’s Potential: Balanced Resources and Traditional Approach
The Sages and Seers have delved for centuries into the mystery of life and its meaning. Moreover the Vedas have provided perennial wisdom that can give direction in the quest for living a happy, healthy and meaningful life. This continues to ring true today as we witness the strife and unsettled circumstances that persist in many parts of the world. One of the main concerns, of course, relates to resources. What do we mean by resources? Who do they belong to? How do they relate to possessions? How do we find fairness and balance? How can we make our existence beneficial for others and not just ourselves? How can we find harmony and peace within and without? There is no doubt that for the inhabitants of this planet to have a sustainable time and future in accordance with traditional Vedic Tenets and Guidance we should review how we are dealing with our resources, individually and collectively, throughout our lives in the best way we can. We should find contentment and inner peace through practices, applying these to our day to day lives, dealings and activities so that a smooth framework for life manifests. Moreover in the context of the IWD theme Balanced resources are very important.
Balanced Resources across the Phases of Life: Self Empowerment
In the Vedas, there is a clear-cut direction and understanding of the structure of society and life. This is so helpful to understand as women in today’s world. If one looks carefully at health systems, one will find no better system has developed since Vedic times originating thousands of years ago. As explained in the PHMS, the Vedas command: “You shall live one hundred or more” – “shatamjivet” – and first developed Ayurveda, the science of life. We can define each stage in great detail scientifically according to the system, which requires extensive application and understanding. Moreover, in conjunction with the four stages of life, four objectives are set:
Mantras for Cultivating Resources
In order to achieve our potential according to the Vedic tradition Mantras are recognised as being extremely helpful to focus and achieve objectives in life. Mantras are powerful syllables that convey concentrated energy and vibration which modern science has confirmed to be extremely effective. Through repetition and sound one can create the positive vibration for one’s life. In other words, the sound of the syllables themselves attracts the vibration of the meaning of the word. Mantras can also be used to remove blocks to resources or further cultivate resources.it has been established that one can repeat a mantra and focus on the energy it imparts to reveal a higher and fuller expression of available resources and bring greater wisdom and understanding to tasks and projects.
Traditional Wisdom and Concepts
According to the Vedic tradition there are many ways to understand perennial challenges and solution through key concepts that are often explained in the tradition of divine or higher beings or deities. Many have become familiar to people who were not raised in this tradition and it is interesting that the women were often the holders of this tradition through different generations. For instance Ganesh, the remover of obstacles is a powerful symbol often used alone or in combination with other mantras to accentuate their power by removing resistance to the mantras. Like an elephant, Ganesh removes anything in its path.
Om Ganeshaya Namaha
Meanwhile the principle of the Divine Mother, a concept representing many vital female qualities, is a very positive inspiration for self empowerment regardless of where we are and our individual background. While Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty is often called upon to help with matters around abundance, it would be a mistake to equate resources totally with the material. This energy helps with the manifestation of abundance, prosperity and sustainability in our lives regarding all resources. Cultivating further understanding of the abundance principle can help clear blocks to abundance, issues around deserving, or negative thoughts toward money which can create blocks. We can be our own obstacle to manifesting prosperity and sustainability in our lives. One can further their relationship with the Lakshmi principle by using sanskrit mantras to evoke that energy.
Narayana, Narayana, Narayana
Devi Narayan Narayan Narayan
Mata Narayan Narayan Narayan
Meditation
In the modern world among the tools to create calm and clarity of thoughts meditation has been acknowledged as being very effective. Dr Purna has explained this in the context of a beautiful meditation - that includes mudra and Mantra - in connection with the Divine Mother Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu or Narayan as follows:
“Now we will invoke the Divine Mother in our heart so that we can attune and offer ourselves, starting with the mudra: fold both hands and open them as if you are receiving the energy onto your folded palms, joined together. Repeat the mantra to invoke the Divine Mother Goddess Lakshmi, who is ever an eternal companion of Narayan, the Ultimate Reality, Ultimate Supreme, who is the beginning, middle and end, the source of all creation, of all in the Universe. With hands joined together like a pot, ask for Grace, energy wisdom, prosperity and all good things which make life happier and much more wholesome.
Visualize Lakshmi sitting on the white lotus. She is placed on a beautiful lotus, surrounded by the beautiful elephants and carrying a golden pot. The golden pot is spilling out all the prosperity and worldly goods, as well as the spiritual and divine wealth. The pot is the symbol of ever lasting wealth: wealth in all aspects, the mundane and the divine. In one hand She holds the pot, and in the other hand, wisdom or Divine Knowledge. Visualize Lakshmi, the Divine Mother on the beautiful lotus holding the golden pot, and continue this in your heart as you repeat the mantra, asking Lakshmi to grant you all prosperity, both material and spiritual, so that your life becomes the embodiment of knowledge and spiritual pursuit, so that you never worry, you never to need and you are full of prosperity, confidence, strength, energy, security forever, free from all anxiety and fear, pursuing the Path of Narayan. Repeat as many times as you wish:
Lakshmi Mata Namo Mata
Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu, Lakshmi Rupen Sansthita,
Namastasya, Namastasya, Namastasya, Namo Nama.”
Concluding Thoughts
On the occasion of International Women’s Day this year it is wonderful and thought provoking to consider how we - as women and individuals - can not only challenge but also create solutions to issues that affect the World. When we integrate our knowledge and understanding, and apply this in the way we live and be, we can make a positive contribution and difference through the achievement of greater inner peace and balance in who we are and what we do. Our good wishes for this special celebration of the gift of life as women.
The Sages and Seers have delved for centuries into the mystery of life and its meaning. Moreover the Vedas have provided perennial wisdom that can give direction in the quest for living a happy, healthy and meaningful life. This continues to ring true today as we witness the strife and unsettled circumstances that persist in many parts of the world. One of the main concerns, of course, relates to resources. What do we mean by resources? Who do they belong to? How do they relate to possessions? How do we find fairness and balance? How can we make our existence beneficial for others and not just ourselves? How can we find harmony and peace within and without? There is no doubt that for the inhabitants of this planet to have a sustainable time and future in accordance with traditional Vedic Tenets and Guidance we should review how we are dealing with our resources, individually and collectively, throughout our lives in the best way we can. We should find contentment and inner peace through practices, applying these to our day to day lives, dealings and activities so that a smooth framework for life manifests. Moreover in the context of the IWD theme Balanced resources are very important.
Balanced Resources across the Phases of Life: Self Empowerment
In the Vedas, there is a clear-cut direction and understanding of the structure of society and life. This is so helpful to understand as women in today’s world. If one looks carefully at health systems, one will find no better system has developed since Vedic times originating thousands of years ago. As explained in the PHMS, the Vedas command: “You shall live one hundred or more” – “shatamjivet” – and first developed Ayurveda, the science of life. We can define each stage in great detail scientifically according to the system, which requires extensive application and understanding. Moreover, in conjunction with the four stages of life, four objectives are set:
- Artha: resources or wealth;
- Dharma: duty, responsibility and obligation;
- Kama: fulfillment of positive ambitions and desires; and
- Moksha: liberation or enlightenment.
- Brahmacharya: 25 years to build the body and mind and study;
- Grihstha: 25 years as a householder with accompanying duties and responsibilities;
- Vanaprastha: 25 years of semi-retirement and dedication to more scholarly and social work; and
- Sanyasa: 25 years of total spiritual life and dedication to spirituality.
Mantras for Cultivating Resources
In order to achieve our potential according to the Vedic tradition Mantras are recognised as being extremely helpful to focus and achieve objectives in life. Mantras are powerful syllables that convey concentrated energy and vibration which modern science has confirmed to be extremely effective. Through repetition and sound one can create the positive vibration for one’s life. In other words, the sound of the syllables themselves attracts the vibration of the meaning of the word. Mantras can also be used to remove blocks to resources or further cultivate resources.it has been established that one can repeat a mantra and focus on the energy it imparts to reveal a higher and fuller expression of available resources and bring greater wisdom and understanding to tasks and projects.
Traditional Wisdom and Concepts
According to the Vedic tradition there are many ways to understand perennial challenges and solution through key concepts that are often explained in the tradition of divine or higher beings or deities. Many have become familiar to people who were not raised in this tradition and it is interesting that the women were often the holders of this tradition through different generations. For instance Ganesh, the remover of obstacles is a powerful symbol often used alone or in combination with other mantras to accentuate their power by removing resistance to the mantras. Like an elephant, Ganesh removes anything in its path.
Om Ganeshaya Namaha
Meanwhile the principle of the Divine Mother, a concept representing many vital female qualities, is a very positive inspiration for self empowerment regardless of where we are and our individual background. While Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty is often called upon to help with matters around abundance, it would be a mistake to equate resources totally with the material. This energy helps with the manifestation of abundance, prosperity and sustainability in our lives regarding all resources. Cultivating further understanding of the abundance principle can help clear blocks to abundance, issues around deserving, or negative thoughts toward money which can create blocks. We can be our own obstacle to manifesting prosperity and sustainability in our lives. One can further their relationship with the Lakshmi principle by using sanskrit mantras to evoke that energy.
Narayana, Narayana, Narayana
Devi Narayan Narayan Narayan
Mata Narayan Narayan Narayan
Meditation
In the modern world among the tools to create calm and clarity of thoughts meditation has been acknowledged as being very effective. Dr Purna has explained this in the context of a beautiful meditation - that includes mudra and Mantra - in connection with the Divine Mother Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu or Narayan as follows:
“Now we will invoke the Divine Mother in our heart so that we can attune and offer ourselves, starting with the mudra: fold both hands and open them as if you are receiving the energy onto your folded palms, joined together. Repeat the mantra to invoke the Divine Mother Goddess Lakshmi, who is ever an eternal companion of Narayan, the Ultimate Reality, Ultimate Supreme, who is the beginning, middle and end, the source of all creation, of all in the Universe. With hands joined together like a pot, ask for Grace, energy wisdom, prosperity and all good things which make life happier and much more wholesome.
Visualize Lakshmi sitting on the white lotus. She is placed on a beautiful lotus, surrounded by the beautiful elephants and carrying a golden pot. The golden pot is spilling out all the prosperity and worldly goods, as well as the spiritual and divine wealth. The pot is the symbol of ever lasting wealth: wealth in all aspects, the mundane and the divine. In one hand She holds the pot, and in the other hand, wisdom or Divine Knowledge. Visualize Lakshmi, the Divine Mother on the beautiful lotus holding the golden pot, and continue this in your heart as you repeat the mantra, asking Lakshmi to grant you all prosperity, both material and spiritual, so that your life becomes the embodiment of knowledge and spiritual pursuit, so that you never worry, you never to need and you are full of prosperity, confidence, strength, energy, security forever, free from all anxiety and fear, pursuing the Path of Narayan. Repeat as many times as you wish:
Lakshmi Mata Namo Mata
Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu, Lakshmi Rupen Sansthita,
Namastasya, Namastasya, Namastasya, Namo Nama.”
Concluding Thoughts
On the occasion of International Women’s Day this year it is wonderful and thought provoking to consider how we - as women and individuals - can not only challenge but also create solutions to issues that affect the World. When we integrate our knowledge and understanding, and apply this in the way we live and be, we can make a positive contribution and difference through the achievement of greater inner peace and balance in who we are and what we do. Our good wishes for this special celebration of the gift of life as women.
An Integrated Approach to Treat Depression
By Prof.(Dr) Diwakar Sukul, PhD, CPsychol, HCPC Chartered Clinical Psychologist Founder- The Kamkus Clinic, London www.kamkushealthcare.com
Depression, anxiety, phobias and mental health feature almost daily in the media, and it appears that depression is fast becoming one of the biggest problems experienced within society. These conditions increasingly affect people living in the modern world and research has led to estimates that at least 17% of the adult population have had or will have, an episode of depression of sufficient clinical severity to warrant treatment. A special national Institute of Mental Health report on Depressive Disorders in 1973 stated that depression accounts for 75% of all psychiatric hospitalisations. During any given year, 15% of all adults between 18 and 74 may suffer significant depressive symptoms. Current studies indicate that the lifetime risk of depression in an adult population could be as high as 30%.
Along with the increased incidence of depression has been an explosion in prescription drugs to treat the condition. Still, recent reports have questioned whether these are effective or indeed create more problems for the patient. Accordingly, there is a growing interest in finding a fresh approach to the treatment of these conditions. Having trained in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, I can incorporate a lot of the accepted practices. However, the more I worked with individuals and groups, I found that by integrating the eastern-inspired approaches that I learnt in India, I achieved far more effective and lasting results within a shorter period.
Understanding Depression
In Psychiatry, depression is referred to as a mood disorder. Since antiquity, mood disorders have been known to man; the old Testament describes King Saul as suffering from severe depressive episodes. However, the term encompasses a broad spectrum of emotions ranging from deep depression to unbounded elation and mania. Understanding the behaviour of individuals suffering from depression can be very challenging.
All people experience a range of emotions, and in general, they are a healthy part of life and feeling appropriate emotions contributes positively to our well being. However, emotions are of two main types; firstly, effective feelings, short-lived emotional response to an event, and second mood, which is a lasting and dominant emotional response that colours the whole psychic life.
More than 90% of depressed people experience prolonged moods of sadness, discouragement or a sense of not caring any more. However, to classify someone with major depressive episode clinicians look for five or more of the following symptoms present during the preceding two weeks. There should also be a noticeable change in the previous functioning with at least one of the symptoms being either a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.
Symptoms:
1. Depressed mood most of the day.
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day.
3. Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain, eg. A change of more than 5% of body weight in a month. Or a decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
4. Insomnia (sleeplessness) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep) nearly every day.
5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. Feeling of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness
9. Recurrent thoughts of death
No single casual factor as to why people get depressed has been identified. Research points to many factors that seem to contribute to its development, including genetics, biochemical changes and personality theories. Several research papers have reported findings which suggest that relatives of patients with major depressive disorders have a higher prevalence of depression than people in the general population. Other research has focussed on biochemical correlates of depression and studied the role of chemicals that transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to another in the brain. Whilst several theories related to depression have been developed regarding personality types.
My experience as a Doctor has led me to view each client as an individual whose requirements need personalised attention. Human beings are a complex creation whose health and wellbeing depends on a balance in all dimensions of their lives, from physical health to behavioural, energy and even environmental aspects.
Treating Depression
Conventional western medicine generally treats depression using a medication, e.g. Tricyclic, heterocyclic anti-depressants and the new SSRT drugs. The commonly used psychological therapies for the treatment of depression are individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Eastern Psychotherapy integrates eastern methods, such as meditation, yoga, pranic, or energy, healing, mantra and sound healing, with elements of the traditional psychotherapy developed in the West. When treating depression and other mental health conditions, it is vital to look for the causative factors and explore the issues using ayurvedic principles and acknowledge the spiritual component. It may sometimes also be appropriate to study the astrological chart of the person being treated to seek a better understanding of the influences affecting the individual and gem therapy, which is a commonly accepted practice in many parts of Asia, may be recommended.
The treatment of conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety is undoubtedly enhanced by using complementary techniques. The value of seeking help from professionals who have worked with both approaches is selecting the right choice of treatment for each individual. Orthodox techniques often deal effectively with the symptoms; however, eastern practices can help the underlying causes. A therapist who understands each individual's personal needs is more able to provide them with an empowering approach to their illness. For some, the focus may be on the traditional Western methods. Still, for others, accelerated and positive results can be achieved by blending the best of East and West in an integrated treatment programme.
With an integrated approach to depression, most individuals can benefit within 10 to 12 sessions, sometimes even less, depending on the nature of their condition. It is crucial with any therapeutic approach to ensure clients do not develop a dependency on the treatment or only enjoy a temporary respite because the underlying causes have not been addressed.
Dr Sukul and Dr Spedding are collaborating on the Purna Health Management System under the Guidance of Prof Dr Swami Purna and Adhyatmik Foundation with the following mission:
Mission
Adhyatmik Foundation, inspired by Dr Svami Purna, is dedicated to providing access to ancient wisdom and Teachings that have practical application in the stressful, hectic world in which we live today. The objective is to open the doors of that knowledge to enable people of all traditions and beliefs, ages, origin or gender, to develop and enhance their understanding of the meaning of life. In turn, their greater understanding can assist them in finding true happiness and fulfillment. By bringing balance and harmony to people’s work and personal experiences, Adhyatmik Foundation offers a firm basis upon which people can build happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. Of great importance as well is offering up our growth for the benefit of others.
Along with the increased incidence of depression has been an explosion in prescription drugs to treat the condition. Still, recent reports have questioned whether these are effective or indeed create more problems for the patient. Accordingly, there is a growing interest in finding a fresh approach to the treatment of these conditions. Having trained in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, I can incorporate a lot of the accepted practices. However, the more I worked with individuals and groups, I found that by integrating the eastern-inspired approaches that I learnt in India, I achieved far more effective and lasting results within a shorter period.
Understanding Depression
In Psychiatry, depression is referred to as a mood disorder. Since antiquity, mood disorders have been known to man; the old Testament describes King Saul as suffering from severe depressive episodes. However, the term encompasses a broad spectrum of emotions ranging from deep depression to unbounded elation and mania. Understanding the behaviour of individuals suffering from depression can be very challenging.
All people experience a range of emotions, and in general, they are a healthy part of life and feeling appropriate emotions contributes positively to our well being. However, emotions are of two main types; firstly, effective feelings, short-lived emotional response to an event, and second mood, which is a lasting and dominant emotional response that colours the whole psychic life.
More than 90% of depressed people experience prolonged moods of sadness, discouragement or a sense of not caring any more. However, to classify someone with major depressive episode clinicians look for five or more of the following symptoms present during the preceding two weeks. There should also be a noticeable change in the previous functioning with at least one of the symptoms being either a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.
Symptoms:
1. Depressed mood most of the day.
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day.
3. Significant weight loss when not dieting, or weight gain, eg. A change of more than 5% of body weight in a month. Or a decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
4. Insomnia (sleeplessness) or hypersomnia (excessive sleep) nearly every day.
5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. Feeling of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness
9. Recurrent thoughts of death
No single casual factor as to why people get depressed has been identified. Research points to many factors that seem to contribute to its development, including genetics, biochemical changes and personality theories. Several research papers have reported findings which suggest that relatives of patients with major depressive disorders have a higher prevalence of depression than people in the general population. Other research has focussed on biochemical correlates of depression and studied the role of chemicals that transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to another in the brain. Whilst several theories related to depression have been developed regarding personality types.
My experience as a Doctor has led me to view each client as an individual whose requirements need personalised attention. Human beings are a complex creation whose health and wellbeing depends on a balance in all dimensions of their lives, from physical health to behavioural, energy and even environmental aspects.
Treating Depression
Conventional western medicine generally treats depression using a medication, e.g. Tricyclic, heterocyclic anti-depressants and the new SSRT drugs. The commonly used psychological therapies for the treatment of depression are individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Eastern Psychotherapy integrates eastern methods, such as meditation, yoga, pranic, or energy, healing, mantra and sound healing, with elements of the traditional psychotherapy developed in the West. When treating depression and other mental health conditions, it is vital to look for the causative factors and explore the issues using ayurvedic principles and acknowledge the spiritual component. It may sometimes also be appropriate to study the astrological chart of the person being treated to seek a better understanding of the influences affecting the individual and gem therapy, which is a commonly accepted practice in many parts of Asia, may be recommended.
The treatment of conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety is undoubtedly enhanced by using complementary techniques. The value of seeking help from professionals who have worked with both approaches is selecting the right choice of treatment for each individual. Orthodox techniques often deal effectively with the symptoms; however, eastern practices can help the underlying causes. A therapist who understands each individual's personal needs is more able to provide them with an empowering approach to their illness. For some, the focus may be on the traditional Western methods. Still, for others, accelerated and positive results can be achieved by blending the best of East and West in an integrated treatment programme.
With an integrated approach to depression, most individuals can benefit within 10 to 12 sessions, sometimes even less, depending on the nature of their condition. It is crucial with any therapeutic approach to ensure clients do not develop a dependency on the treatment or only enjoy a temporary respite because the underlying causes have not been addressed.
Dr Sukul and Dr Spedding are collaborating on the Purna Health Management System under the Guidance of Prof Dr Swami Purna and Adhyatmik Foundation with the following mission:
Mission
Adhyatmik Foundation, inspired by Dr Svami Purna, is dedicated to providing access to ancient wisdom and Teachings that have practical application in the stressful, hectic world in which we live today. The objective is to open the doors of that knowledge to enable people of all traditions and beliefs, ages, origin or gender, to develop and enhance their understanding of the meaning of life. In turn, their greater understanding can assist them in finding true happiness and fulfillment. By bringing balance and harmony to people’s work and personal experiences, Adhyatmik Foundation offers a firm basis upon which people can build happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. Of great importance as well is offering up our growth for the benefit of others.
Equilibrium in a time of Turbulence:
A different perspective to health and happiness
By: Dr. Linda Spedding
Spring 2020
In this world, which has been described traditionally in India since the Vedic times as the world of Maya - a Sanskrit word meaning here looking or appearing real but in fact not real, transitory - research is constantly evolving and being disseminated relating to the source and meaning of life. Indeed, very small steps have been taken - with equally small results from the universal perspective – regarding Life on the planet and its meaning.
It is quite mystical and wonderful that any manmade solution or answer can also be so limited. Life is all around that indeed demonstrates a different perspective from that found in the usual human understanding. Take the finding that some sharks live around 500 years and become pregnant around age 150 years or that birds on their transatlantic journeys sleep as they fly! They may survive so many evident life crises and changes with equilibrium. Such findings challenge the usual human understanding. If we are to find the equilibrium we seek to live a happy and healthy life evidence is available in so many different forms of life. Prof Dr Svami Purna (Dr Purna) has explained this in His Vedic discourses and clarified that we can find guidance, inner peace, teaching and direction everywhere in Nature, the five elements and on Mother Earth (see www.adhyatmik.org for further details).
The Sages and Seers have delved for centuries into the mystery of life and its meaning. Moreover the Vedas have provided perennial wisdom that can give direction in the quest for living a happy, healthy and meaningful life. Such direction enables resilience to deal with the ups and downs of life. This continues to ring true today as we witness the strife and unsettled vibration that persists in many parts of the world, especially as we go through the crisis manifested through the Coronavirus. We are able to apply such Teaching and philosophy to today’s world. We can reflect on what is right living, what are real priorities at the end of the day and apply these to our business, professional and personal lives.
We can explore vital questions for life in today’s world. One of the key concerns, of course, relates to resources. What do we mean by resources? Who do they belong to? How do they relate to possessions? How do we find fairness and balance? How can we make our existence beneficial for others and not just ourselves? How can we find harmony and peace within and without? There is no doubt that for the inhabitants of this planet to have a sustainable time and future in accordance with the most ethical tenets and guidance, as well as the scientific research to date, we should review how we are dealing with our resources, individually and collectively, throughout our lives in the best way we can. We should find love, contentment and inner peace through self care practices, implementing these in our day to day lives and dealings and activities so that a smooth framework for our life is feasible.
When considering the five basic needs that Dr Purna explains – food, health, education, clothing and shelter (also see illustration on www.Adhyatmik.org) – we should strive for what can be achieved in our individual circumstances and let the outcome flow. We should endeavor to make a very light footprint on the planet in terms of sustainability, the environment and energy usage and be responsible, while being free from guilt or self-disturbance, letting go of and releasing any anxiety, anger or frustration. We explore and delve into ways to deal with some of the challenges of living life and handling resources in a balanced life under the Guidance of the Teachings set out so beautifully in the Purna Health Management System published by Adhyatmik Foundation.
One of our main resources as human beings is our time. As Dr Purna emphasises – it is generally in our hands how we manage this – so that we balance our priorities, such as work and relaxation. Also our pleasures and what we may consider to be chores, as well as our attitude toward how we appreciate each new day, even moment. By analogy we can design the interior of our property as we wish even if the exterior is not completely within our discretion. That has such symbolic meaning. We should try to be positive – without blame or complaint – so that we develop a positive attitude in the face of all challenges. This becomes an ongoing habit and character trait so that we have the resilience to continue life with more understanding - true equilibrium - in a time of turbulence. We manage our time attentively.
In order to be effective and realise out potential it is clear that we have our health – in mind, body and our whole being – to look after, preserve and let flourish. We also have our financial resources to attain, preserve and share responsibly. Integral to this we have our education and intellectual pursuits to take care of. Then we have our relationships, family, friends and others, including strangers. All of this requires a balanced approach as well as some understanding of how far we actually own anything but are rather temporary stewards learning from the experience of our life. In order to take life management steps we offer a tested individual approach known as the Purna Health Management System that embraces tools for the whole of life to achieve a happy healthy life and immunity and resilience in challenging times.
It is quite mystical and wonderful that any manmade solution or answer can also be so limited. Life is all around that indeed demonstrates a different perspective from that found in the usual human understanding. Take the finding that some sharks live around 500 years and become pregnant around age 150 years or that birds on their transatlantic journeys sleep as they fly! They may survive so many evident life crises and changes with equilibrium. Such findings challenge the usual human understanding. If we are to find the equilibrium we seek to live a happy and healthy life evidence is available in so many different forms of life. Prof Dr Svami Purna (Dr Purna) has explained this in His Vedic discourses and clarified that we can find guidance, inner peace, teaching and direction everywhere in Nature, the five elements and on Mother Earth (see www.adhyatmik.org for further details).
The Sages and Seers have delved for centuries into the mystery of life and its meaning. Moreover the Vedas have provided perennial wisdom that can give direction in the quest for living a happy, healthy and meaningful life. Such direction enables resilience to deal with the ups and downs of life. This continues to ring true today as we witness the strife and unsettled vibration that persists in many parts of the world, especially as we go through the crisis manifested through the Coronavirus. We are able to apply such Teaching and philosophy to today’s world. We can reflect on what is right living, what are real priorities at the end of the day and apply these to our business, professional and personal lives.
We can explore vital questions for life in today’s world. One of the key concerns, of course, relates to resources. What do we mean by resources? Who do they belong to? How do they relate to possessions? How do we find fairness and balance? How can we make our existence beneficial for others and not just ourselves? How can we find harmony and peace within and without? There is no doubt that for the inhabitants of this planet to have a sustainable time and future in accordance with the most ethical tenets and guidance, as well as the scientific research to date, we should review how we are dealing with our resources, individually and collectively, throughout our lives in the best way we can. We should find love, contentment and inner peace through self care practices, implementing these in our day to day lives and dealings and activities so that a smooth framework for our life is feasible.
When considering the five basic needs that Dr Purna explains – food, health, education, clothing and shelter (also see illustration on www.Adhyatmik.org) – we should strive for what can be achieved in our individual circumstances and let the outcome flow. We should endeavor to make a very light footprint on the planet in terms of sustainability, the environment and energy usage and be responsible, while being free from guilt or self-disturbance, letting go of and releasing any anxiety, anger or frustration. We explore and delve into ways to deal with some of the challenges of living life and handling resources in a balanced life under the Guidance of the Teachings set out so beautifully in the Purna Health Management System published by Adhyatmik Foundation.
One of our main resources as human beings is our time. As Dr Purna emphasises – it is generally in our hands how we manage this – so that we balance our priorities, such as work and relaxation. Also our pleasures and what we may consider to be chores, as well as our attitude toward how we appreciate each new day, even moment. By analogy we can design the interior of our property as we wish even if the exterior is not completely within our discretion. That has such symbolic meaning. We should try to be positive – without blame or complaint – so that we develop a positive attitude in the face of all challenges. This becomes an ongoing habit and character trait so that we have the resilience to continue life with more understanding - true equilibrium - in a time of turbulence. We manage our time attentively.
In order to be effective and realise out potential it is clear that we have our health – in mind, body and our whole being – to look after, preserve and let flourish. We also have our financial resources to attain, preserve and share responsibly. Integral to this we have our education and intellectual pursuits to take care of. Then we have our relationships, family, friends and others, including strangers. All of this requires a balanced approach as well as some understanding of how far we actually own anything but are rather temporary stewards learning from the experience of our life. In order to take life management steps we offer a tested individual approach known as the Purna Health Management System that embraces tools for the whole of life to achieve a happy healthy life and immunity and resilience in challenging times.
Turnaround - A personal, holistic view for consideration today
By: Dr. Linda Spedding , International Lawyer and Adviser (www.lindaspedding.org)
In many respects the world - from individuals to Planet Earth as a whole - is now undergoing a complete turnaround. Turnarounds are important and the word may have various definitions in different contexts. By way of example:
Turnaround is defined generally as a change in direction, for instance it can mean the financial recovery of a poorly performing company, economy, or individual - demonstrating an important change in a situation that causes them to improve.
Turnaround Strategy in the corporate world is usually referred to as a retrenchment strategy that is followed by an organisation when it is felt that the decision or policy made earlier is wrong and needs to be undone or corrected before it damages the profitability of the company. It can also refer to the process of completing or the time needed to complete a task or project, especially one involving receiving something, processing it, and sending it out again.
There are several signs that the management of the world and its key stakeholders requires a turnaround. Global preparedness for major crises - despite the many institutions that exist - is not coordinated, transparent or effective and public health throughout the world is extremely vulnerable. Whatever and wherever the origin of this global virus - a severe acute respiratory syndrome or coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or Covid 19 - its manifestation and transmission have demonstrated a major shift in recognising what may be possible in terms of threats to the lives of many in different places - and the world as a whole. It is interesting that the human respiratory system is the main target. This has been placed at risk generally for our global population, especially over the last 30 years since key international environmental legal conventions were agreed in Rio de Janeiro. Then Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, a doctor and politician who is former director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the former prime minister of Norway— became known also as the mother of sustainability. She headed the Commission for Sustainable Development and coined the definition of sustainable development as follows:
“Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
According to Dr Brundtland, sustainability can change the patterns of development that have threatened the environment. Sadly there has been the devastating decline in air quality in most jurisdictions worldwide due to ongoing environmental and climate change disregard, despite the wise voices of science as medicine, as well as philosophy and spiritual values or tenets. The pandemic has exposed - and continues to expose - so many weaknesses in the global human system and the unhealthy, flagrant lack of concern for the planet as a whole. It has exposed the critical danger of the growing social and economic inequalities, and has raised questions about the quality of the world’s leaders or leadership. There must be a rethink, a real turnaround.
Nowadays, several months into the Covid-19 pandemic, the disruption of our lives might still seem to be no more than a pause — global in scale and unprecedented but nonetheless a one off and temporary. Yet even now so many sectors are facing critical change. In a matter of months, the coronavirus has reset the clock on a long term aviation boom that has been one of the major cultural and economic phenomena of the postwar world. The explosion in air travel shrunk the planet, created jobs and hundreds of millions of first-time fliers. It dispersed families - rich and poor - over the world’s continents. Now all air travel is on hold and it is reported that airlines are slashing seat capacity by 70%. What will happen if, as indicated by some scientists, this pause lasts years and the impact changes the way of life in an ongoing manner? It has been suggested that even in the event of apparent elimination, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance should be maintained since a resurgence in contagion could be possible as late as 2024. What if there is no return to what people have considered to be normal life even when the pandemic is over? Normal is probably not the right word: what can we call normal? We will certainly return to certain aspects of a way of life that we are more familiar with - there may be some fundamental changes, or more nuanced ones. The use of technology and digital solutions will accelerate and the reliance on traditional physical resources will change. This pandemic is likely to be more than just an interlude - it should herald a reset or turnaround, especially as more comparisons are made with the lack of preparedness for climate emergencies on a global scale.
A new era - post the pandemic - has been postulated regarding the human way of life generally. Greater transparency, fairness and simplification of our societies have been referred to. Indeed one of the side effects of Covid-19 is to expose human accumulation and wasteful lifestyle over decades, as well unsustainable complexity in the individual, political and economic spheres of life. Hectic, fast, busy - a cluttered schedule, home, calendar and living space in the so called developed world. Excessive purchases, wasteful approaches which do not pay attention to the hierarchy of waste - reduce, reuse and recycle - without care or respect for the planet, lands or oceans. Over anxiety to fulfil perceived obligations without careful balance and prioritisation - with hard to manage calendars and often unnecessary travel for social or business commitments despite the digital age - whether for local, domestic or international trips.
Meanwhile increasing layers of complication: new bureaucracies, legislation, divisions of labor, tax loopholes have been creating even more opaque complexity and future problems in terms of governance and responsible risk management. Unnecessarily complex systems of health care, education and taxation have created and not solved problems. As we know the most simple designs are often the best in life: a turnaround is needed urgently. Excessive conduct, complexity and an inability to simplify is recorded to have brought down several civilisations, from the Mycenaean and Minoan to the Hittite and Mayan, including some Chinese dynasties and the Roman Empire. Such falls lead to rapid simplification, which in the ancient Vedic times had created a sustainable society and perennial way of life.
To embrace simplification and develop innovation - with fair and equitable solutions - can enable the turnaround that this world needs and the planet is demanding. Perception - fear, fatalism or hopelessness, negativity, blame and self pity - in the face of crises and unexpected mishaps must change. Self empowerment and responsibility for self - balance - are vital. There is an opportunity to re start the economy with a fresh eye that takes account of mistakes and learns from life lessons. The systems must be fit for purpose. Simplification may cause upheaval to some in our health care, tax and welfare systems; yet evidently those who rely most on medical or financial assistance cannot even navigate the complexities of getting it. Fairness and the ability to realise individual potential, with appropriate access to education, training and vocational instruction must be available in the Twenty First Century: this is overdue. In some countries, the reforms may come about through civil unrest; the better way is to do it inclusively, deliberately and mindfully.
The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown has caused immense disruption to many’s usual social and working lives. As individuals we can also simplify and prune our priorities while we deal with these challenging times. We can use the time to delve into our selves and our approach to our life, time and resources. We are being confronted with increasing questions and views as to how this pandemic will impact the sustainability of human priorities. Further, the impact of Covid-19 on business, including the impact on: nature-based solutions and the biodiversity agenda, energy transition, environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives, and on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) goals, as well as water supply risk - to mention a few examples.
Clearly, individual awareness and self responsibility improvement can create a turnaround on many levels. As Mahatma Gandhi indicated, change begins with you - you cannot change the world, only yourself. Moreover, when uncertainty is the only constant, moving forward in business in the current economy can be a challenge. Many aspects may seem beyond one’s control. Yet risk also creates opportunity. For example, society may well increasingly demand that companies, both public and private, serve a clear social purpose. Beyond such concepts and policies as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and any ‘greenwash’, concrete adaptability and implementation will be most important.
At a time of crisis there can be the opportunity for more flexible approaches such as: adapting operations and supply chains as they shift to creating products that help communities; protecting public health and saving jobs; relying on collaboration and resilience to expand the clean energy market; and committing to create a more equitable world - a more inclusive and regenerative economy. Impact investing can be another priority. This is responsible investment which intentionally produces direct benefits for people and the planet. Institutions are now making investments that directly produce social and environmental impacts to go beyond ESG integration by rating companies for ESG compliance. Impact investing looks to anticipate the planet’s future needs and how to meet them. There is a growing demand for more ethical investments and investments that produce measurable results in addressing ESG criteria and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs include microfinance, education, healthcare, community as well as Sustainability. Moreover, on the individual level, everything from nutrition or diet to healthcare and medicine more simplicity may be the trend as many will consider needs mo than wants. Such a turnaround may mean that one day humanity may look back at the Covid-19 pause - when the usual pace of economic “development “ with so many negative repercussions was stopped - with gratitude. Perhaps once again there will be reconsideration of gross domestic product (GDP) to extend to green accounting to place value on the world’s resources.
Another major turnaround can be in our leadership. People will view leaders from a different perspective having witnessed the chaos in trying to find suitable strategies throughout the world. As regards real leadership qualities in the face of such life and death crises, the qualities of leaders will be more and more under scrutiny by more and more people in another form of turnaround. Less ego and more humility would be welcome, more consultation and engagement with the people, the stakeholders. It is often useful to consider and learn from the past. In terms of saving lives Sir Ernest Shackleton has been called ‘The greatest leader that ever came on God's earth, bar none' for saving the lives of the twenty-seven men crew stranded with him on an Antarctic ice floe for almost two years. That was over 100 years ago. His extremely practical and simple guidelines have been cited as being relevant now as we face an unprecedented public health life and death crisis, ongoing lockdown and a highly unpredictable future for all of our key stakeholders. Three of Shackleton’s core leadership principles are outlined below.
1. Close crew interaction with regular informal sessions for the group to bond more closely while ensuring that he spent private time with each member of the crew. Nipping problems in the bud before escalation and recognising the importance of the crew staying united, in order to survive these months of uncertainly. Morale had to be high - that was his responsibility.
2. Balanced optimism throughout the crisis. Focus on short term objectives-often through intimate interaction to understand the crew’s wishes - was one of his greatest leadership attributes. He knew that he had to maintain optimism and would plan small rewards to anticipate their emotional needs, concentrating only on actions achieving short term successes, thereby building confidence and commitment.
3. Structure and the ability to anticipate and plan, so that the creation of an able and disciplined crew could be prepared for any outcome.
Shackleton was known to maintain a balance between these principles: that was the essence of his success. Once his goal and personal focus became clear, he had the foundations in place to surmount also impossible odds with a crew that was close, optimistic and structured. This unique success is an excellent inspiration for today: there is no doubt that the world requires inspirational leadership today to achieve the turnaround that will also prepare humanity for any future crisis.
It is timely- even overdue - to consider a global debate upon a positive turnaround that can be embarked upon. This can include appropriate values, standards and laws that are fit for purpose in a post pandemic era that reflect a more sustainable approach, turning the crisis into an opportunity to become more resilient. This turnaround can ensure positive change that can be a win win for humanity and the planet as a whole. As an international environmental and risk management lawyer and adviser and as part of our activities at Adhyatmik Foundation (where I am Vice President - www.adhatmik.org) we are offering courses, sessions and tools for life and health management to enable a more sustainable future for individuals and organisations.
Turnaround is defined generally as a change in direction, for instance it can mean the financial recovery of a poorly performing company, economy, or individual - demonstrating an important change in a situation that causes them to improve.
Turnaround Strategy in the corporate world is usually referred to as a retrenchment strategy that is followed by an organisation when it is felt that the decision or policy made earlier is wrong and needs to be undone or corrected before it damages the profitability of the company. It can also refer to the process of completing or the time needed to complete a task or project, especially one involving receiving something, processing it, and sending it out again.
There are several signs that the management of the world and its key stakeholders requires a turnaround. Global preparedness for major crises - despite the many institutions that exist - is not coordinated, transparent or effective and public health throughout the world is extremely vulnerable. Whatever and wherever the origin of this global virus - a severe acute respiratory syndrome or coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or Covid 19 - its manifestation and transmission have demonstrated a major shift in recognising what may be possible in terms of threats to the lives of many in different places - and the world as a whole. It is interesting that the human respiratory system is the main target. This has been placed at risk generally for our global population, especially over the last 30 years since key international environmental legal conventions were agreed in Rio de Janeiro. Then Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, a doctor and politician who is former director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the former prime minister of Norway— became known also as the mother of sustainability. She headed the Commission for Sustainable Development and coined the definition of sustainable development as follows:
“Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
According to Dr Brundtland, sustainability can change the patterns of development that have threatened the environment. Sadly there has been the devastating decline in air quality in most jurisdictions worldwide due to ongoing environmental and climate change disregard, despite the wise voices of science as medicine, as well as philosophy and spiritual values or tenets. The pandemic has exposed - and continues to expose - so many weaknesses in the global human system and the unhealthy, flagrant lack of concern for the planet as a whole. It has exposed the critical danger of the growing social and economic inequalities, and has raised questions about the quality of the world’s leaders or leadership. There must be a rethink, a real turnaround.
Nowadays, several months into the Covid-19 pandemic, the disruption of our lives might still seem to be no more than a pause — global in scale and unprecedented but nonetheless a one off and temporary. Yet even now so many sectors are facing critical change. In a matter of months, the coronavirus has reset the clock on a long term aviation boom that has been one of the major cultural and economic phenomena of the postwar world. The explosion in air travel shrunk the planet, created jobs and hundreds of millions of first-time fliers. It dispersed families - rich and poor - over the world’s continents. Now all air travel is on hold and it is reported that airlines are slashing seat capacity by 70%. What will happen if, as indicated by some scientists, this pause lasts years and the impact changes the way of life in an ongoing manner? It has been suggested that even in the event of apparent elimination, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance should be maintained since a resurgence in contagion could be possible as late as 2024. What if there is no return to what people have considered to be normal life even when the pandemic is over? Normal is probably not the right word: what can we call normal? We will certainly return to certain aspects of a way of life that we are more familiar with - there may be some fundamental changes, or more nuanced ones. The use of technology and digital solutions will accelerate and the reliance on traditional physical resources will change. This pandemic is likely to be more than just an interlude - it should herald a reset or turnaround, especially as more comparisons are made with the lack of preparedness for climate emergencies on a global scale.
A new era - post the pandemic - has been postulated regarding the human way of life generally. Greater transparency, fairness and simplification of our societies have been referred to. Indeed one of the side effects of Covid-19 is to expose human accumulation and wasteful lifestyle over decades, as well unsustainable complexity in the individual, political and economic spheres of life. Hectic, fast, busy - a cluttered schedule, home, calendar and living space in the so called developed world. Excessive purchases, wasteful approaches which do not pay attention to the hierarchy of waste - reduce, reuse and recycle - without care or respect for the planet, lands or oceans. Over anxiety to fulfil perceived obligations without careful balance and prioritisation - with hard to manage calendars and often unnecessary travel for social or business commitments despite the digital age - whether for local, domestic or international trips.
Meanwhile increasing layers of complication: new bureaucracies, legislation, divisions of labor, tax loopholes have been creating even more opaque complexity and future problems in terms of governance and responsible risk management. Unnecessarily complex systems of health care, education and taxation have created and not solved problems. As we know the most simple designs are often the best in life: a turnaround is needed urgently. Excessive conduct, complexity and an inability to simplify is recorded to have brought down several civilisations, from the Mycenaean and Minoan to the Hittite and Mayan, including some Chinese dynasties and the Roman Empire. Such falls lead to rapid simplification, which in the ancient Vedic times had created a sustainable society and perennial way of life.
To embrace simplification and develop innovation - with fair and equitable solutions - can enable the turnaround that this world needs and the planet is demanding. Perception - fear, fatalism or hopelessness, negativity, blame and self pity - in the face of crises and unexpected mishaps must change. Self empowerment and responsibility for self - balance - are vital. There is an opportunity to re start the economy with a fresh eye that takes account of mistakes and learns from life lessons. The systems must be fit for purpose. Simplification may cause upheaval to some in our health care, tax and welfare systems; yet evidently those who rely most on medical or financial assistance cannot even navigate the complexities of getting it. Fairness and the ability to realise individual potential, with appropriate access to education, training and vocational instruction must be available in the Twenty First Century: this is overdue. In some countries, the reforms may come about through civil unrest; the better way is to do it inclusively, deliberately and mindfully.
The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown has caused immense disruption to many’s usual social and working lives. As individuals we can also simplify and prune our priorities while we deal with these challenging times. We can use the time to delve into our selves and our approach to our life, time and resources. We are being confronted with increasing questions and views as to how this pandemic will impact the sustainability of human priorities. Further, the impact of Covid-19 on business, including the impact on: nature-based solutions and the biodiversity agenda, energy transition, environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives, and on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) goals, as well as water supply risk - to mention a few examples.
Clearly, individual awareness and self responsibility improvement can create a turnaround on many levels. As Mahatma Gandhi indicated, change begins with you - you cannot change the world, only yourself. Moreover, when uncertainty is the only constant, moving forward in business in the current economy can be a challenge. Many aspects may seem beyond one’s control. Yet risk also creates opportunity. For example, society may well increasingly demand that companies, both public and private, serve a clear social purpose. Beyond such concepts and policies as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and any ‘greenwash’, concrete adaptability and implementation will be most important.
At a time of crisis there can be the opportunity for more flexible approaches such as: adapting operations and supply chains as they shift to creating products that help communities; protecting public health and saving jobs; relying on collaboration and resilience to expand the clean energy market; and committing to create a more equitable world - a more inclusive and regenerative economy. Impact investing can be another priority. This is responsible investment which intentionally produces direct benefits for people and the planet. Institutions are now making investments that directly produce social and environmental impacts to go beyond ESG integration by rating companies for ESG compliance. Impact investing looks to anticipate the planet’s future needs and how to meet them. There is a growing demand for more ethical investments and investments that produce measurable results in addressing ESG criteria and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs include microfinance, education, healthcare, community as well as Sustainability. Moreover, on the individual level, everything from nutrition or diet to healthcare and medicine more simplicity may be the trend as many will consider needs mo than wants. Such a turnaround may mean that one day humanity may look back at the Covid-19 pause - when the usual pace of economic “development “ with so many negative repercussions was stopped - with gratitude. Perhaps once again there will be reconsideration of gross domestic product (GDP) to extend to green accounting to place value on the world’s resources.
Another major turnaround can be in our leadership. People will view leaders from a different perspective having witnessed the chaos in trying to find suitable strategies throughout the world. As regards real leadership qualities in the face of such life and death crises, the qualities of leaders will be more and more under scrutiny by more and more people in another form of turnaround. Less ego and more humility would be welcome, more consultation and engagement with the people, the stakeholders. It is often useful to consider and learn from the past. In terms of saving lives Sir Ernest Shackleton has been called ‘The greatest leader that ever came on God's earth, bar none' for saving the lives of the twenty-seven men crew stranded with him on an Antarctic ice floe for almost two years. That was over 100 years ago. His extremely practical and simple guidelines have been cited as being relevant now as we face an unprecedented public health life and death crisis, ongoing lockdown and a highly unpredictable future for all of our key stakeholders. Three of Shackleton’s core leadership principles are outlined below.
1. Close crew interaction with regular informal sessions for the group to bond more closely while ensuring that he spent private time with each member of the crew. Nipping problems in the bud before escalation and recognising the importance of the crew staying united, in order to survive these months of uncertainly. Morale had to be high - that was his responsibility.
2. Balanced optimism throughout the crisis. Focus on short term objectives-often through intimate interaction to understand the crew’s wishes - was one of his greatest leadership attributes. He knew that he had to maintain optimism and would plan small rewards to anticipate their emotional needs, concentrating only on actions achieving short term successes, thereby building confidence and commitment.
3. Structure and the ability to anticipate and plan, so that the creation of an able and disciplined crew could be prepared for any outcome.
Shackleton was known to maintain a balance between these principles: that was the essence of his success. Once his goal and personal focus became clear, he had the foundations in place to surmount also impossible odds with a crew that was close, optimistic and structured. This unique success is an excellent inspiration for today: there is no doubt that the world requires inspirational leadership today to achieve the turnaround that will also prepare humanity for any future crisis.
It is timely- even overdue - to consider a global debate upon a positive turnaround that can be embarked upon. This can include appropriate values, standards and laws that are fit for purpose in a post pandemic era that reflect a more sustainable approach, turning the crisis into an opportunity to become more resilient. This turnaround can ensure positive change that can be a win win for humanity and the planet as a whole. As an international environmental and risk management lawyer and adviser and as part of our activities at Adhyatmik Foundation (where I am Vice President - www.adhatmik.org) we are offering courses, sessions and tools for life and health management to enable a more sustainable future for individuals and organisations.
There's Something Soft in Me
By: Dr. Linda Spedding
There's something soft in me,
I weep, to see a creature harmed,
I sigh, to see nature plundered,
I wince, to watch the planet being tailored
To suit human convenience,
There's something soft in me.
There's something soft in me,
I chuckle, to see a creature happy,
I smile, to see nature blossom,
I glow, to watch the planet flourish
For the benefit of all,
There is something soft in me.
I weep, to see a creature harmed,
I sigh, to see nature plundered,
I wince, to watch the planet being tailored
To suit human convenience,
There's something soft in me.
There's something soft in me,
I chuckle, to see a creature happy,
I smile, to see nature blossom,
I glow, to watch the planet flourish
For the benefit of all,
There is something soft in me.
“A Question of Balance”
By: Dr. Linda Spedding
My qualifications have granted me passport to a way of life that enables self-sufficiency, flexibility and fun; but the real basis for my life has been my interest in ‘practical spirituality.’ According to the dictionary, balance is stability of mind and body. I propose a definition based upon the acronym:
Be always loving and naturally calm everywhere.
We all need inspiration for a happy healthy life. For every individual the inspiration can be different. In my life, this has largely come through my interest in the power of the mind and thought that has developed with Adhyatmik Foundation, Inc and associated organizations. “Adhyatmik” is a Sanskrit word meaning “enhancement and advancement of body, mind and self.” The rich culture, philosophy and way of life demonstrated by the Sanskrit Vedic texts are exemplary, enabling profound understanding of the meaning of life: their relevance is profound and practical for all in this hectic changing society.
Maintaining a Balanced Approach in Life:
Maintaining balance is the key to professional and personal success. The human being has devised many and varied approaches to satisfy herself physically, mentally and psychologically. Passing fads abound in terms of diets, forms of exercise and hobbies. Then, a time comes when all these methods become exposed as charades. You can feel empty—a failure. A much greater need is experienced, and that need, the demand for spiritual fulfillment, will always be there. It can be compared to a continuous pain. My experience is that the more you grow in spiritual understanding, the more you will be able to receive and to reflect true happiness. It is something that once attained becomes inexhaustible. This happiness cannot be bought, it cannot be found—it must be earned, earned by pure thought and action: it may be earned through selflessness, devotion, dedication, faith, service, sacrifice and humility. It will involve your heart and soul.
I believe that the mind is the only instrument given to the human being to triumph over worldly materialism—described in Sanskrit as the play of the world, maya, illusion. According to this philosophy, the mind can be purified by positive of contemplative thoughts. Negative thoughts can—literally—poison your mind. My approach in the spirit of practical spirituality is to try to avoid expectations, to embrace change, to live in the present and to be flexible in all things as far as possible. The Vedic philosophy or way of life emphasizes the importance of change and a positive attitude.
The mind is also influenced by everything that enters your body: food, drink, the air you breathe, skin cosmetics, etc. . . . You must develop a keen sense of awareness of what is healthful and pure versus those things that have been contaminated with chemicals, dyes and preservatives. In all of this, the key is to take responsibility for yourself, your happiness, your health and your prosperity. It is my view that there is no doubt that eventually you will achieve total happiness in this way. If you make complete faith and patience your companions on the journey, any unhappiness, doubt or confusion will vanish like a cloud. Life is meant to be a happy experience—whatever you age—that you can share with your loved ones.
Be always loving and naturally calm everywhere.
We all need inspiration for a happy healthy life. For every individual the inspiration can be different. In my life, this has largely come through my interest in the power of the mind and thought that has developed with Adhyatmik Foundation, Inc and associated organizations. “Adhyatmik” is a Sanskrit word meaning “enhancement and advancement of body, mind and self.” The rich culture, philosophy and way of life demonstrated by the Sanskrit Vedic texts are exemplary, enabling profound understanding of the meaning of life: their relevance is profound and practical for all in this hectic changing society.
Maintaining a Balanced Approach in Life:
Maintaining balance is the key to professional and personal success. The human being has devised many and varied approaches to satisfy herself physically, mentally and psychologically. Passing fads abound in terms of diets, forms of exercise and hobbies. Then, a time comes when all these methods become exposed as charades. You can feel empty—a failure. A much greater need is experienced, and that need, the demand for spiritual fulfillment, will always be there. It can be compared to a continuous pain. My experience is that the more you grow in spiritual understanding, the more you will be able to receive and to reflect true happiness. It is something that once attained becomes inexhaustible. This happiness cannot be bought, it cannot be found—it must be earned, earned by pure thought and action: it may be earned through selflessness, devotion, dedication, faith, service, sacrifice and humility. It will involve your heart and soul.
I believe that the mind is the only instrument given to the human being to triumph over worldly materialism—described in Sanskrit as the play of the world, maya, illusion. According to this philosophy, the mind can be purified by positive of contemplative thoughts. Negative thoughts can—literally—poison your mind. My approach in the spirit of practical spirituality is to try to avoid expectations, to embrace change, to live in the present and to be flexible in all things as far as possible. The Vedic philosophy or way of life emphasizes the importance of change and a positive attitude.
The mind is also influenced by everything that enters your body: food, drink, the air you breathe, skin cosmetics, etc. . . . You must develop a keen sense of awareness of what is healthful and pure versus those things that have been contaminated with chemicals, dyes and preservatives. In all of this, the key is to take responsibility for yourself, your happiness, your health and your prosperity. It is my view that there is no doubt that eventually you will achieve total happiness in this way. If you make complete faith and patience your companions on the journey, any unhappiness, doubt or confusion will vanish like a cloud. Life is meant to be a happy experience—whatever you age—that you can share with your loved ones.
At Balanced Lives, we have developed some modern day tips for life that may seem simplistic and yet are effective:
Successful Communication
Assertiveness
Positive Thinking
Listening
Cultural Awareness
Contemplative Practices for Effectiveness/Creativity
Stress/Time Management
Building and Retaining Sustainable Relationships
Positive Interaction
Personal and Professional Happiness
So smile and begin to Be always loving and naturally calm everywhere.
Successful Communication
Assertiveness
Positive Thinking
Listening
Cultural Awareness
Contemplative Practices for Effectiveness/Creativity
Stress/Time Management
Building and Retaining Sustainable Relationships
Positive Interaction
Personal and Professional Happiness
So smile and begin to Be always loving and naturally calm everywhere.
Insights and Mindsets: Achieving Insight through Relaxation
Time is a gift that offers many opportunities -
How to use one’s time in a flow of grace and joy?
Whether working, relaxing, thinking, reading, walking, talking, sleeping, dreaming
All can lead to insights and mindsets
How better to achieve insight than through meditation, contemplation and conduct review and getting to know oneself -
How better to shift mindsets
How better to transform one’s energy to service of the highest?
Relaxation opens up opportunities
Each moment is now and living in the now allows the flow of the Ultimate fulfilment
Remaining calm, detached and now reactive can become a positive habit to change one’s life and its direction and inspire the best use of one’s time and energy. Remaining open in heart and mind - always bringing light to the darkness not darkness to the light
How to use one’s time in a flow of grace and joy?
Whether working, relaxing, thinking, reading, walking, talking, sleeping, dreaming
All can lead to insights and mindsets
How better to achieve insight than through meditation, contemplation and conduct review and getting to know oneself -
How better to shift mindsets
How better to transform one’s energy to service of the highest?
Relaxation opens up opportunities
Each moment is now and living in the now allows the flow of the Ultimate fulfilment
Remaining calm, detached and now reactive can become a positive habit to change one’s life and its direction and inspire the best use of one’s time and energy. Remaining open in heart and mind - always bringing light to the darkness not darkness to the light
Integrating the PHMS:
Balancing Personal and Professional Priorities
by Dr L S Spedding, International Lawyer and Vice President Adhyatmik Foundation
In my view maintaining balance is the key to professional and personal success. There is an approach that is so helpful which is explained in the Purna Health Management System (PHMS) by Professor Dr Svami Purna (Svamiji) based upon perennial wisdom of the Vedic knowledge found in the authentic texts such as the Gita and the Vedanta.
For many people this means maintaining:
The human being has devised varied approaches to satisfy themselves physically, mentally and psychologically. Passing fads abound in terms of diets, forms of exercise and hobbies. Then a time comes when all these methods become exposed and recognized as charades. and superficial You can feel empty – a failure. A much greater need is experienced, and that need, the demand for a deeper understanding of life and fulfilment, will always be there. It can often be compared to a continuous pain. No matter how one tries to divert the mind, from time to time the pain will be there. My experience is that the more you grow in philosophical and spiritual understanding, the more you will be able to receive and to reflect true happiness. You can accept the ups and dons and reconcile yourself as you have your own individual purpose that does not entertain comparison with the lives of others. It enables inner peace and is something that, once attained, becomes inexhaustible. Then you will have found the Source and that never runs dry, like a river going to the ocean, on and on. This happiness cannot be bought, it cannot be found – it must be earned, earned by pure thought and action: it may be earned through responsibility for self, selflessness, devotion, dedication, faith, service, sacrifice, gratitude and humility. It will involve your whole being, your heart and your soul. The PHMS integrates this appreciation for life and allows individual empowerment to have a happy and healthy life and assist those who follow the practices to realise their potential from day to day over the course of their life.
Svamiji has said so often that without health it is so much more difficult to realize our individual potential as we travel through our life and carry out our dharma. The key has been mentioned very often: find balance and - in the quest for balance – to be proactive and not react whenever possible.
If I were to give you one tip from the PHMS that I have found to be a priority in my personal dealings and as a professional it is to not react. This tip assists us in our mental, physical and spiritual or whole wellbeing. As Svamiji teaches we can indeed create our own world through our choices and lifestyle. Our way of life can also have a positive benefit on those in our contact. I have found that by aspiring to being balanced in every way I have made better decisions in the context of both my personal and professional priorities and have found an increasing integration in a manner that I refer to as practical spirituality.
According to the dictionary balance is usually defined as stability of mind and body. Balance has recently come to mean part of life/work balance according to which certain modern approaches are recommended. For the purpose of this piece I would like to encourage achieving the right balance through the traditional and profound methodology set out in the PHMS. Also as regards the meaning of balance I would like to propose a definition based upon the BALANCE acronym that I coined some time ago: Be Always Loving and Naturally Calm Everywhere.
As a woman in this life, coupled with the fact that the professional and personal choices can often appear to compete or conflict as we try to balance our personal and professional responsibilities, in my view it is particularly vital for women to contemplate, review and integrate the PHMS on a daily basis and to understand that the soul or spirit has no gender. Of course this understanding also enables us to empathise with the position of others,. We come to realize that all of us have both female and male qualities and to do our utmost to integrate this intuitive understanding in an ongoing manner, strengthening our key goal to achieve contentment and peace of mind. We are all aware of the attributes repeated in so many places about the meaning of success and see that many so called successful people in the world are often unhappy or depressed. I would propose that the tools of the PHMS - and the Balanced series referred to in the Publications here, - the exercises, practices and the Wisdom, are especially helpful and important to achieve a happy, healthy and balanced life. In turn this enables us to learn and develop in a selfless manner which can come naturally as a result of nurturing the higher ethical qualities, whether men or women, particularly in understanding the issue of ego.
Moreover, as individuals we are so often torn between coming to terms with ourselves and our individual duty – dharma - and the ingrained programming that many of us experience in our families or communities or cultures such as pleasing others, from childhood through the career cycle and when looking after or caring for those close to us. Women unfortunately may tend to make choices for the sake of others or peace – one could call it seva in its purest form – but later regret or blame others as they reflect over “lost” time, or, indeed, opportunities. They can become emotionally swayed and dwell in self-pity – they can become down as they age over their appearance and lose self-esteem, possibly more than the men around us. This is where an understanding of the four stages of life found in the Vedic approach and explained in the PHMS.
There is so much wisdom in the PHMS and in Svamiji’s Teachings (see further information in www.adhyatmik.org), that it is difficult to select those aspects that are more relevant to me than others. Perhaps the advice most dear to my heart that I have integrated in my profession as an international lawyer is the following regarding interaction with nature. I would like to close by emphasizing that communion with nature is without doubt a force for good and well-being such as a visit to the forest, the ocean, or the mountains will demonstrate. As Svamiji teaches:
Lessons are learned from many sources,
Including the elements of Nature;
Mountains represent firmness and stability;
In Rivers we find fluidity and flexibility;
Trees illustrate the ability of forbearance;
And the Sun teaches us to shine without expectation or discrimination.
The clarity of the Sky and the patience of the Earth can serve as constant reminders and examples to us.
Dr Svami Purna: Balanced Yoga (Element Books1997 p.10)
- Be clear about your objectives and priorities,;
- live a healthy and fulfilled life;
- stay motivated; and
- always celebrate successes.
For many people this means maintaining:
- Happiness
- Health; and
- Wealth
The human being has devised varied approaches to satisfy themselves physically, mentally and psychologically. Passing fads abound in terms of diets, forms of exercise and hobbies. Then a time comes when all these methods become exposed and recognized as charades. and superficial You can feel empty – a failure. A much greater need is experienced, and that need, the demand for a deeper understanding of life and fulfilment, will always be there. It can often be compared to a continuous pain. No matter how one tries to divert the mind, from time to time the pain will be there. My experience is that the more you grow in philosophical and spiritual understanding, the more you will be able to receive and to reflect true happiness. You can accept the ups and dons and reconcile yourself as you have your own individual purpose that does not entertain comparison with the lives of others. It enables inner peace and is something that, once attained, becomes inexhaustible. Then you will have found the Source and that never runs dry, like a river going to the ocean, on and on. This happiness cannot be bought, it cannot be found – it must be earned, earned by pure thought and action: it may be earned through responsibility for self, selflessness, devotion, dedication, faith, service, sacrifice, gratitude and humility. It will involve your whole being, your heart and your soul. The PHMS integrates this appreciation for life and allows individual empowerment to have a happy and healthy life and assist those who follow the practices to realise their potential from day to day over the course of their life.
Svamiji has said so often that without health it is so much more difficult to realize our individual potential as we travel through our life and carry out our dharma. The key has been mentioned very often: find balance and - in the quest for balance – to be proactive and not react whenever possible.
If I were to give you one tip from the PHMS that I have found to be a priority in my personal dealings and as a professional it is to not react. This tip assists us in our mental, physical and spiritual or whole wellbeing. As Svamiji teaches we can indeed create our own world through our choices and lifestyle. Our way of life can also have a positive benefit on those in our contact. I have found that by aspiring to being balanced in every way I have made better decisions in the context of both my personal and professional priorities and have found an increasing integration in a manner that I refer to as practical spirituality.
According to the dictionary balance is usually defined as stability of mind and body. Balance has recently come to mean part of life/work balance according to which certain modern approaches are recommended. For the purpose of this piece I would like to encourage achieving the right balance through the traditional and profound methodology set out in the PHMS. Also as regards the meaning of balance I would like to propose a definition based upon the BALANCE acronym that I coined some time ago: Be Always Loving and Naturally Calm Everywhere.
As a woman in this life, coupled with the fact that the professional and personal choices can often appear to compete or conflict as we try to balance our personal and professional responsibilities, in my view it is particularly vital for women to contemplate, review and integrate the PHMS on a daily basis and to understand that the soul or spirit has no gender. Of course this understanding also enables us to empathise with the position of others,. We come to realize that all of us have both female and male qualities and to do our utmost to integrate this intuitive understanding in an ongoing manner, strengthening our key goal to achieve contentment and peace of mind. We are all aware of the attributes repeated in so many places about the meaning of success and see that many so called successful people in the world are often unhappy or depressed. I would propose that the tools of the PHMS - and the Balanced series referred to in the Publications here, - the exercises, practices and the Wisdom, are especially helpful and important to achieve a happy, healthy and balanced life. In turn this enables us to learn and develop in a selfless manner which can come naturally as a result of nurturing the higher ethical qualities, whether men or women, particularly in understanding the issue of ego.
Moreover, as individuals we are so often torn between coming to terms with ourselves and our individual duty – dharma - and the ingrained programming that many of us experience in our families or communities or cultures such as pleasing others, from childhood through the career cycle and when looking after or caring for those close to us. Women unfortunately may tend to make choices for the sake of others or peace – one could call it seva in its purest form – but later regret or blame others as they reflect over “lost” time, or, indeed, opportunities. They can become emotionally swayed and dwell in self-pity – they can become down as they age over their appearance and lose self-esteem, possibly more than the men around us. This is where an understanding of the four stages of life found in the Vedic approach and explained in the PHMS.
There is so much wisdom in the PHMS and in Svamiji’s Teachings (see further information in www.adhyatmik.org), that it is difficult to select those aspects that are more relevant to me than others. Perhaps the advice most dear to my heart that I have integrated in my profession as an international lawyer is the following regarding interaction with nature. I would like to close by emphasizing that communion with nature is without doubt a force for good and well-being such as a visit to the forest, the ocean, or the mountains will demonstrate. As Svamiji teaches:
Lessons are learned from many sources,
Including the elements of Nature;
Mountains represent firmness and stability;
In Rivers we find fluidity and flexibility;
Trees illustrate the ability of forbearance;
And the Sun teaches us to shine without expectation or discrimination.
The clarity of the Sky and the patience of the Earth can serve as constant reminders and examples to us.
Dr Svami Purna: Balanced Yoga (Element Books1997 p.10)
The Healthy Back: Reducing Sedentary Patterns
by Dr Linda S Spedding
The modern lifestyle does not lend itself to having a healthy back yet a strong back can improve your quality of life in many ways, hence the meaning of the well known phrase to encourage developing a strong backbone as a way of life. Long hours spent sitting all day at a desk or on the road can take its toll as one goes through life.
Add to this a whole host of other sedentary behaviours such as watching screens, sitting at a computer, and game console use – and it is not surprising that we feel strain. One can witness the outcome in the many supporting gadgets available for the aging community. Yet we can prevent such repercussions through simple yogic endeavours that we explain in more detail in the Purna Health Management System (PHMS.) (see www.adhyatmik.org). In this article some practical suggestions are given to enable you to take responsibility for your health and prioritise the healthy back.
Many doctors are now realizing the benefits and advantages that the practice of yoga has to offer and are in fact referring their patients to this practice. The extreme gentleness of the positions set out here makes these movements an ideal practical demonstration of Dr Svami Purna’s system of yoga movements for those who may not usually undertake strenuous exercise.
Posture
Good posture can offer many benefits, both physical and mental. Too much sedentary conduct encourages bad posture and can weaken muscles that are crucial for supporting your spine. Pain develops and can be crippling and begins a vicious circle. If we are aware of our posture and keep our backs straight we can, instead, strengthen the muscles and reduce the need for pain management.
Staying Active
Sedentary lifestyles not only affect musculoskeletal health but also increase the risk of heart attacks and other health problems. Healthcare professionals recommend short bouts of activity for 1 to 2 minutes – as often as every 30 minutes – in order to break up long periods of sitting. Some useful tips to help you break up the amount of time you spend sitting each day include:
Managing muscle, bone and joint pain or concerns
Various exercises can be done in the comfort of your home and integrated into an individual soothing framework that includes meditation or contemplation. They are especially useful if you sit for long periods – as they help to encourage good posture and strengthen key muscles. (see further the Balanced Yoga Publication at www.Adhyatmik.org)
The Standing Stretch Movement with Meditation
Yoga implies unity, integrity, balance and attunement to nature.
It is a method of growth based on physical fitness, mental profoundness and self-realisation.
Yoga is not a religion, a political movement, or a dogma;
It is a way of bringing harmony within diversity.
The Standing Stretch is a continuous movement that gently warms the body up. Your body is stretched forwards, backwards and from side to side. When you begin bend the body only to the most moderate positions illustrated. This is a totally comprehensive stretch, taking in your arms, legs, sides, shoulders and neck. This movement strengthens these areas as well as stretching them.
The Benefits:
The Movement:
Your Breathing:
The Swaying Tree Movement with Meditation
Mother Nature has lent us the five elements –
Earth, fire, water, air and space –
Entrusting us with the responsibility to use them wisely.
This movement is a very simple and effective movement that wards off stiffness of your body. The movement can also be helpful to relieve any tendency to constipation.
The Benefits:
The Movement:
Your Breathing:
Breathe normally and slowly through your nose while executing this movement.
Other Stretching Techniques
Tips: The movement into sitting on your heels should be smooth and controlled. Do not hold your breath as you perform the exercise.
Tip: Do this lower back exercise slowly and with control.
Closing Meditations
As a fitting close to this short practice you may consider the following positive meditations:
Truth is One –
Revealing Itself countlessly
As the Thousand-petalled Lotus of Understanding.
Love is the life of the soul
Creating peace and happiness.
The problem you consider external
The problem you consider internal
Is neither.
You are the problem and you are the solution.
Guidance:
Empty your mind of thoughts
Let all your organs and senses be relaxed
Add to this a whole host of other sedentary behaviours such as watching screens, sitting at a computer, and game console use – and it is not surprising that we feel strain. One can witness the outcome in the many supporting gadgets available for the aging community. Yet we can prevent such repercussions through simple yogic endeavours that we explain in more detail in the Purna Health Management System (PHMS.) (see www.adhyatmik.org). In this article some practical suggestions are given to enable you to take responsibility for your health and prioritise the healthy back.
- Medical Caution
Many doctors are now realizing the benefits and advantages that the practice of yoga has to offer and are in fact referring their patients to this practice. The extreme gentleness of the positions set out here makes these movements an ideal practical demonstration of Dr Svami Purna’s system of yoga movements for those who may not usually undertake strenuous exercise.
- Disclaimer
Posture
Good posture can offer many benefits, both physical and mental. Too much sedentary conduct encourages bad posture and can weaken muscles that are crucial for supporting your spine. Pain develops and can be crippling and begins a vicious circle. If we are aware of our posture and keep our backs straight we can, instead, strengthen the muscles and reduce the need for pain management.
Staying Active
Sedentary lifestyles not only affect musculoskeletal health but also increase the risk of heart attacks and other health problems. Healthcare professionals recommend short bouts of activity for 1 to 2 minutes – as often as every 30 minutes – in order to break up long periods of sitting. Some useful tips to help you break up the amount of time you spend sitting each day include:
- standing if you take a train or bus when travelling on short trips
- taking the stairs and walking up escalators
- swapping some screen time for more active past times.
- setting a reminder to get up every 30 minutes
- height adjustable desks that allow you to stand can help
- standing or walking around while on the telephone
- taking a walk break every time you have a coffee or tea break
- walking to a co-worker's desk instead of emailing or calling them
Managing muscle, bone and joint pain or concerns
Various exercises can be done in the comfort of your home and integrated into an individual soothing framework that includes meditation or contemplation. They are especially useful if you sit for long periods – as they help to encourage good posture and strengthen key muscles. (see further the Balanced Yoga Publication at www.Adhyatmik.org)
The Standing Stretch Movement with Meditation
Yoga implies unity, integrity, balance and attunement to nature.
It is a method of growth based on physical fitness, mental profoundness and self-realisation.
Yoga is not a religion, a political movement, or a dogma;
It is a way of bringing harmony within diversity.
The Standing Stretch is a continuous movement that gently warms the body up. Your body is stretched forwards, backwards and from side to side. When you begin bend the body only to the most moderate positions illustrated. This is a totally comprehensive stretch, taking in your arms, legs, sides, shoulders and neck. This movement strengthens these areas as well as stretching them.
The Benefits:
- Stretches and strengthens the entire body;
- Improves the balance and stability of the body;
- Slims the torso; and
- Increases the suppleness of the spine.
The Movement:
- Interlock your fingers and push your hands up.
- Bend forward slowly and then back from your hips;
- Let your hips sway over to your left and bend your body to the right, but only to a moderate angle at first.
- Straighten up smoothly.
- Repeat to your other side as often as is comfortable.
Your Breathing:
- Inhale when upright in starting position;
- Exhale as you bend forwards;
- Inhale as you straighten up again; and
- Exhale when upright and ready to repeat for the back and side bends.
The Swaying Tree Movement with Meditation
Mother Nature has lent us the five elements –
Earth, fire, water, air and space –
Entrusting us with the responsibility to use them wisely.
This movement is a very simple and effective movement that wards off stiffness of your body. The movement can also be helpful to relieve any tendency to constipation.
The Benefits:
- Slims your waistline;
- Eliminates stiffness from your body;
- Promotes flexibility of your spine; and
- Improves your sense of balance and posture greatly.
The Movement:
- Stand straight with your legs and feet slightly apart and your head erect;
- Raise your arms so that they are above your head, with your palms outstretched;
- Bend from your waist to the right;
- Bend from your waist to the left;
- Sway gently to and fro;
- Repeat five times or as you are comfortable.
Your Breathing:
Breathe normally and slowly through your nose while executing this movement.
Other Stretching Techniques
- Cat Stretch
Tips: The movement into sitting on your heels should be smooth and controlled. Do not hold your breath as you perform the exercise.
- Knee to Chest
Tip: Do this lower back exercise slowly and with control.
Closing Meditations
As a fitting close to this short practice you may consider the following positive meditations:
Truth is One –
Revealing Itself countlessly
As the Thousand-petalled Lotus of Understanding.
Love is the life of the soul
Creating peace and happiness.
The problem you consider external
The problem you consider internal
Is neither.
You are the problem and you are the solution.
Guidance:
Empty your mind of thoughts
Let all your organs and senses be relaxed
A Call to Re-Balance: Women in Law Case Study
(www.womeninlawinternational.com)
by Dr L S Spedding
Opening Remarks
Law touches the lives of all women, not only those who work within the justice system. Knowledge of the law is a valuable asset that allows women lawyers to assist and to inform fellow women as well as to support female colleagues. In 2003, Women in Law Ltd and the Women in Law Newsletter were launched with the aim of assisting women lawyers to achieve these goals. It is a constant challenge for lawyers to find balance. They face competing demands from clients, colleagues and of course their families. In pursuing an active professional life, they often lose sight of health and happiness. Yet when they do achieve balance, they succeed not just professionally but in all areas of their lives.
For many years Women in Law International (with Women in Law) has offered a reliable global network for women lawyers and an opportunity for communication and dialogue between women practitioners on key issues. The newsletter formed a focus and provided an ongoing resource for up-to-date information on relevant areas of general practice, including comparative and international matters. It also:
A Time to Re-Balance
Now that we are in the early stages of the new decade it is timely to reflect and review and re balance priorities for Women in Law and achieve our fulfillment and true happiness. According to Professor Martin Seligman, a leading and renowned world figure in the field of what makes people happy: first, there is the pleasant life; second, there is the good life; and third, there is the meaningful life. We hope to see positive change to ensure the achievement of real happiness – professionally and personally - through the contribution of Women in Law to this vital debate.
Key Issues and Trends
It is clear that since the downturn in particular the overall trend has been a re appraisal of what matters in the context of leading a happy healthy life to achieve fulfilment. Scientists have also suggested that certain key factors influence our ongoing mood:
Clearly, the fact that it is often cited that US and UK lawyers suffer from depression and substance abuse at rates that are among the highest in the western world, suggests that the occupational stressors they endure are at least partly responsible. While it is beyond the scope of this piece to provide detailed analysis, several environmental stressors in conjunction with a number of predisposing individual characteristics have been identified by researchers and set out in this overview. Moreover some of the environmental stressors are generic and apply to a number of occupations besides law, whereas others are specifically indigenous to law. Generic factors include: time pressures, work overload, competition, difficult people; environmental stressors that are specific to law include: legal role conflicts, adversary system, practice area.
In addition, there are personality traits and demographic characteristics that make some lawyers more susceptible to stress. Individual characteristics include: perfectionism, emotional awareness, values. There are also demographic factors, including: age, gender, race. It has been found that while these factors do not act independently, they often combine or interact. Depending on your analytical starting point, each of them is sometimes the cause and sometimes the effect.
According to various published research sources, among the prime complaints that lawyers cite as contributing to their stress are time pressures, work overload, and inadequate time for themselves and their families. Available statistics - as well as descriptive accounts - suggest that many legal workplaces are like working class - or blue collar - sweat shops. According to various sources, evidently the typical City/Wall Street lawyer has been expected to log a minimum of 1800 billable hours per year; many lawyers are expected to far exceed this figure. An 1800 hour minimum translates into almost 7 hours per day, 5 days per week, 52 weeks a year. Since this does not include other activities such as eating, socialising, attending meetings, reading mail, new client development, it has been estimated that to bill 7 hours one must work 9-12 hours. Therefore it is common and accepted for lawyers to take work home, to work on weekends and to not take their allotted vacation or holiday time.
Of course, not all areas of law or types of practice are equally stressful. It has been observed that in general the private practice environment tends to be more stressful than the corporate or government setting. Certain areas of practice, such as family and criminal law also tend to be particularly stressful. Three underlying factors appear to make a difference: workload, time pressures, and amount of conflict.
As the number of entrants to the profession grows, some blame their pressures on competition – there are many more lawyers now than even 20 years ago and many seem to be competing for the same jobs. Other factors that have contributed to greater competition include: slower economic growth in the general economy, as well as;
These and other developments have caused lower morale, job insecurity and less loyalty as a general trend. This has become a particular concern for law firms as the issue of female lawyer retention has become increasingly challenging. This timely debate has been covered extensively by the legal media and the statistics set out in published articles: see the discussion further in later paragraphs below and http://www.legalnewscentral.co.uk/2010/02/11/women-in-law-that-dull-glass-ceiling/
There is no doubt that there are also concerns relating to law firm culture and management that could benefit from the progress made through the technological advances all around. For example, in various research and discussion fora lawyers have attributed their stress to less than ideal office atmospheres. Complaints about office behaviour have been made for some time and researchers have cited negative conduct such as political intrigue and backbiting, disrespect and incivility from superiors and adversaries, poor clerical and paralegal assistance, and unfair promotion procedures. Other complaints noted by researchers include the fact that many law firms have such a dominating profit motive that they lack many human values.
Another set of concerns that have evolved deals with professional status: several lawyers experience conflict and ambiguity about their roles in society. It has been reported that some lawyers feel a tremendous burden that comes with feeling responsible for solving other people’s problems within a context where mistakes are very expensive. Indeed the cost of Professional Indemnity cover alone has led to enormous and profound repercussions in terms of stress and lifestyle, both professional and personal. Moreover, some litigants have been reported to feel guilty about the fact that they are often forced to hurt people, some of whom have already undergone tragic ordeals. These issues also underlie the antipathy that the general public regularly expresses for lawyers, which is itself another source of stress. In addition, it has been reported that lawyers often lack a feeling of making a real contribution to society. Indeed various legal scholars and practitioners nostalgically recall a time when law was more of a profession and less of a business. Their view is that not so long ago lawyers were:
More recently the initiatives at both firm and individual levels relating to pro bono work and CSR activities have been seen to progress well to counter such experiences.
There has also been a debate in various jurisdictions that what we are doing in our legal system – and how we are handling the legal framework - is not working. Various reported issues can be mentioned briefly, several of which are connected:
As a result, in many jurisdictions it can be concluded that society in general is suffering from the effects of law's overly adversarial, negatively strategic, other-blaming, position-taking, and hostile approach to conflict resolution.
In response to these developments, several alternative approaches to legal dispute resolution and practice are emerging to replace the current rather monolithic system, including mediation and arbitration. Such approaches attempt to optimize the wellbeing of the people involved in each legal matter and acknowledge the importance of concerns beyond simply strict legal rights. It is a well documented fact that the adversarial legal system stimulates feelings of hostility, cynicism, aggression, fear and low self-esteem. Moreover it has been found that lawyers who are not adept at handling such emotions or who have a predisposition for experiencing them will be more likely to feel stress. Similarly, since legal outcomes are not always "just" lawyers who are not skilled at handling their emotions may feel either too disappointed or too detached. Research has found that either extreme reduces job or professional satisfaction and personal fulfilment.
Personality Traits
In addition to the external stressors, there are individual traits or characteristics that must be borne in mind and that have again been documented in research regarding the profession. For example, perfectionism is a common personality trait among lawyers, making them more susceptible to stress. While some perfectionism is necessary in the practice of law, when taken too far it creates an enormous amount of distress. Since the true probability of everything going according to plan is almost nil, perfectionists tend to be perpetually disappointed, even depressed.
While the single most frequent complaint about the practice of law is the hours many practitioners are by nature workaholic. Again research has confirmed that many lawyers, as well as others in our society, become workaholics because they are driven by an insatiable desire to achieve an ever increasing level of professional and financial success. Such individuals make the mistake of believing that success has a satiation point, and that it is possible to get there more quickly by "temporarily" sacrificing one’s personal life. One well known cited example is the aspiration: "As soon as I make partner, I’ll pay attention to my other needs." Since past professional goals are constantly replaced by new ones, other needs are in fact permanently deferred. According to research, the vast majority of lawyers work more than the national standard of 40 hours per week. For some lawyers, work pervades everything. Even what seems to be personal time such as watching a film is often secretly spent thinking about work. They often:
Whereas workaholism does have obvious benefits these are well known to come at a major cost. It has been reported and documented that workaholics tend to develop symptoms such as headaches, disturbed sleep, restlessness, high blood pressure, and other more serious illnesses. Evidently, they are prone to various food and substance abuse. They also face more difficulty establishing or maintaining close personal relationships, suffering higher divorce and failed parenting rates. Finally, it is not unusual for them to experience depression, anxiety, and even more serious emotional illnesses --- and eventually to burn out. Moreover they rarely enjoy their professional and financial success as they live in the future, rather than the present or now. Usually, happiness is foreseen, but seldom felt. No achievement is enjoyed for long before it is impacted by new ambitions or targets. Success is elusive in that it is perpetually anticipated rather than experienced. In addition to a mistaken belief that professional or financial success has a satiation point, these lawyers have been found to be out of touch with the psychological needs they are really trying to satisfy.
Another common trait among lawyers that causes stress is that they tend to be exceedingly analytical "thinkers." In fact, a reported national study of over 1200 lawyers demonstrated that 77% of them prefer to make decisions on the basis of emotionally detached logical analysis. These data suggest that a significant number of lawyers do not fully appreciate the positive role that emotions can play in human cognition. As a result, they tend to lack the ability to deal with their own emotions in the healthiest of ways, and tend to be insensitive to the feelings of others.
Finally, such demographic characteristics as race, age and gender also have been shown to be risk factors for stress among lawyers. Here again only headline points can be mentioned in this overview. For some time members of minority groups and women in the law have complained about job discrimination. Female lawyers express higher rates of job dissatisfaction due to sexual harassment. Ageism has also become an issue that has required consideration in human resource policies. Younger and female lawyers also experience more conflicts about balancing work with family obligations: such conflicts have also increasingly spread to all law practitioners as they try to achieve a re balancing act.
Female Happiness and Retention
For some time several large surveys of American attorneys have demonstrated that an excessive number of young lawyers and female lawyers are dissatisfied with their jobs. This is confirmed by smaller UK surveys (see above). Although a significant proportion of all respondents expressed significant job dissatisfaction, women did so at almost twice that rate. It has been mentioned that while the research in the UK is now moving forward with greater drive the state of the legal profession and sector in North America has been documented for much longer, leading to some significant policy changes in firms and in their culture (that will be discussed in a later article).
Reportedly, what young or female lawyers find most tedious about law is the amount of time they spend working at the expense of all other activities. This has been known for many years. In a 1995 survey conducted in the US by the American Bar Association (ABA) Young Lawyers Division, 30% of ABA members who were under the age of 36 or admitted into practice for less than 3 years were dissatisfied with the allocation of time between their work and personal lives. This complaint was more prevalent among lawyers working for large firms. Evidently, compared to 23% of young lawyers in 1-2 person firms, over 62% of young lawyers in 150+ person firms expressed unhappiness about their inability to live a balanced life. Such sentiments and findings are a cause for major concern for larger firms.
In addition, according to published research, almost 50% of lawyers, in survey after survey, have reported that the demands of their work do not allow them to have a satisfying non-work life, that is personal, family, social, community. Of those who were divorced or separated, over a third blamed the failure of their marriages to an extent on the pressures of their jobs. Among lawyers who had never been married, nearly 50% cited the pressures of their jobs as being partly to blame for that also.
A consistent finding that Women in Law takes very seriously is that younger and female lawyers have been noted as being significantly more dissatisfied with the quality and quantity of their leisure time than older and male lawyers. Whereas young and female lawyers are concerned about a variety of problems with the practice of law, it is not surprising that this is their most frequent complaint. Young lawyers -both male and female - are in the stages of life where they need more personal time to find a partner and get married or to spend with their newly formed families. Too often, they find that they cannot do that and progress their careers in law fully and simultaneously. The professional and personal cycles are not in alignment.
Research that is most crucial for Women in Law has confirmed that female lawyers - regardless of their age - face a similar concern. In general while our society has come far as regards women’s rights, it is still more socially acceptable - though not healthy or reasonable - for men to prioritise work rather than their families. Generally, women are expected to be the primary caretakers of children at all ages, as well as elderly parents. In essence, law is overall not a "family friendly" profession. This, in addition to the fact that female lawyers tend to be more in touch with their emotions than their male colleagues, leads to more internal turmoil regarding their time management and allocations. Wherever they are they feel they should be elsewhere fulfilling duties. Such personal experiences are very relevant to our discussion for change that we wish to achieve through the re balancing act that we have commenced and to broaden our focus as female lawyers to Women Rainmakers that take account of international approaches and best practice to encompass:
Closing Remarks
While much of what has been set out above is not new, has been researched for some time and reported upon by those following the debate in different jurisdictions, the Author considers that this overview provides sufficiently compelling information and evidence to stimulate lawyers and law firms to make the changes that are long overdue to achieve a healthier happier legal profession. Such findings can also assist other professionals and those in highly demanding occupations or careers. It is time for lawyers to take responsibility for self and manage the change in practical ways.
Law touches the lives of all women, not only those who work within the justice system. Knowledge of the law is a valuable asset that allows women lawyers to assist and to inform fellow women as well as to support female colleagues. In 2003, Women in Law Ltd and the Women in Law Newsletter were launched with the aim of assisting women lawyers to achieve these goals. It is a constant challenge for lawyers to find balance. They face competing demands from clients, colleagues and of course their families. In pursuing an active professional life, they often lose sight of health and happiness. Yet when they do achieve balance, they succeed not just professionally but in all areas of their lives.
For many years Women in Law International (with Women in Law) has offered a reliable global network for women lawyers and an opportunity for communication and dialogue between women practitioners on key issues. The newsletter formed a focus and provided an ongoing resource for up-to-date information on relevant areas of general practice, including comparative and international matters. It also:
- addresses aspects of balance in professional and personal responsibilities – as well as emotional and physical well-being – along the legal career path; and
- considers the realisation of one’s potential as a lawyer and a person to optimise performance and to achieve the respect, confidence and trust of clients and colleagues.
A Time to Re-Balance
Now that we are in the early stages of the new decade it is timely to reflect and review and re balance priorities for Women in Law and achieve our fulfillment and true happiness. According to Professor Martin Seligman, a leading and renowned world figure in the field of what makes people happy: first, there is the pleasant life; second, there is the good life; and third, there is the meaningful life. We hope to see positive change to ensure the achievement of real happiness – professionally and personally - through the contribution of Women in Law to this vital debate.
Key Issues and Trends
It is clear that since the downturn in particular the overall trend has been a re appraisal of what matters in the context of leading a happy healthy life to achieve fulfilment. Scientists have also suggested that certain key factors influence our ongoing mood:
- Genes: being born into a happy family;
- Natural beauty (rather than plastic surgery!);
- Thinking optimistically;
- Socialising through close friends and relatives;
- Giving through voluntary and community work; and
- A sound married and home life.
Clearly, the fact that it is often cited that US and UK lawyers suffer from depression and substance abuse at rates that are among the highest in the western world, suggests that the occupational stressors they endure are at least partly responsible. While it is beyond the scope of this piece to provide detailed analysis, several environmental stressors in conjunction with a number of predisposing individual characteristics have been identified by researchers and set out in this overview. Moreover some of the environmental stressors are generic and apply to a number of occupations besides law, whereas others are specifically indigenous to law. Generic factors include: time pressures, work overload, competition, difficult people; environmental stressors that are specific to law include: legal role conflicts, adversary system, practice area.
In addition, there are personality traits and demographic characteristics that make some lawyers more susceptible to stress. Individual characteristics include: perfectionism, emotional awareness, values. There are also demographic factors, including: age, gender, race. It has been found that while these factors do not act independently, they often combine or interact. Depending on your analytical starting point, each of them is sometimes the cause and sometimes the effect.
According to various published research sources, among the prime complaints that lawyers cite as contributing to their stress are time pressures, work overload, and inadequate time for themselves and their families. Available statistics - as well as descriptive accounts - suggest that many legal workplaces are like working class - or blue collar - sweat shops. According to various sources, evidently the typical City/Wall Street lawyer has been expected to log a minimum of 1800 billable hours per year; many lawyers are expected to far exceed this figure. An 1800 hour minimum translates into almost 7 hours per day, 5 days per week, 52 weeks a year. Since this does not include other activities such as eating, socialising, attending meetings, reading mail, new client development, it has been estimated that to bill 7 hours one must work 9-12 hours. Therefore it is common and accepted for lawyers to take work home, to work on weekends and to not take their allotted vacation or holiday time.
Of course, not all areas of law or types of practice are equally stressful. It has been observed that in general the private practice environment tends to be more stressful than the corporate or government setting. Certain areas of practice, such as family and criminal law also tend to be particularly stressful. Three underlying factors appear to make a difference: workload, time pressures, and amount of conflict.
As the number of entrants to the profession grows, some blame their pressures on competition – there are many more lawyers now than even 20 years ago and many seem to be competing for the same jobs. Other factors that have contributed to greater competition include: slower economic growth in the general economy, as well as;
- corporate downsizing; and
- law reform.
These and other developments have caused lower morale, job insecurity and less loyalty as a general trend. This has become a particular concern for law firms as the issue of female lawyer retention has become increasingly challenging. This timely debate has been covered extensively by the legal media and the statistics set out in published articles: see the discussion further in later paragraphs below and http://www.legalnewscentral.co.uk/2010/02/11/women-in-law-that-dull-glass-ceiling/
There is no doubt that there are also concerns relating to law firm culture and management that could benefit from the progress made through the technological advances all around. For example, in various research and discussion fora lawyers have attributed their stress to less than ideal office atmospheres. Complaints about office behaviour have been made for some time and researchers have cited negative conduct such as political intrigue and backbiting, disrespect and incivility from superiors and adversaries, poor clerical and paralegal assistance, and unfair promotion procedures. Other complaints noted by researchers include the fact that many law firms have such a dominating profit motive that they lack many human values.
Another set of concerns that have evolved deals with professional status: several lawyers experience conflict and ambiguity about their roles in society. It has been reported that some lawyers feel a tremendous burden that comes with feeling responsible for solving other people’s problems within a context where mistakes are very expensive. Indeed the cost of Professional Indemnity cover alone has led to enormous and profound repercussions in terms of stress and lifestyle, both professional and personal. Moreover, some litigants have been reported to feel guilty about the fact that they are often forced to hurt people, some of whom have already undergone tragic ordeals. These issues also underlie the antipathy that the general public regularly expresses for lawyers, which is itself another source of stress. In addition, it has been reported that lawyers often lack a feeling of making a real contribution to society. Indeed various legal scholars and practitioners nostalgically recall a time when law was more of a profession and less of a business. Their view is that not so long ago lawyers were:
- much more devoted to the rule of law and to such principles as integrity, commitment, and good will;
- less focused on economic self-interest, felt more in control of their lives, with a greater sense of contributing to society; and
- more highly respected by others.
More recently the initiatives at both firm and individual levels relating to pro bono work and CSR activities have been seen to progress well to counter such experiences.
There has also been a debate in various jurisdictions that what we are doing in our legal system – and how we are handling the legal framework - is not working. Various reported issues can be mentioned briefly, several of which are connected:
- Many clients are unhappy with their lawyers, with the system, and with the outcomes of the process;
- Lawyers are often extraordinarily unhappy or even impaired;
- Non legal dispute resolution mechanisms in society have not yet succeeded substantively; and
- Society is depending on litigation and its processes to resolve conflict.
As a result, in many jurisdictions it can be concluded that society in general is suffering from the effects of law's overly adversarial, negatively strategic, other-blaming, position-taking, and hostile approach to conflict resolution.
In response to these developments, several alternative approaches to legal dispute resolution and practice are emerging to replace the current rather monolithic system, including mediation and arbitration. Such approaches attempt to optimize the wellbeing of the people involved in each legal matter and acknowledge the importance of concerns beyond simply strict legal rights. It is a well documented fact that the adversarial legal system stimulates feelings of hostility, cynicism, aggression, fear and low self-esteem. Moreover it has been found that lawyers who are not adept at handling such emotions or who have a predisposition for experiencing them will be more likely to feel stress. Similarly, since legal outcomes are not always "just" lawyers who are not skilled at handling their emotions may feel either too disappointed or too detached. Research has found that either extreme reduces job or professional satisfaction and personal fulfilment.
Personality Traits
In addition to the external stressors, there are individual traits or characteristics that must be borne in mind and that have again been documented in research regarding the profession. For example, perfectionism is a common personality trait among lawyers, making them more susceptible to stress. While some perfectionism is necessary in the practice of law, when taken too far it creates an enormous amount of distress. Since the true probability of everything going according to plan is almost nil, perfectionists tend to be perpetually disappointed, even depressed.
While the single most frequent complaint about the practice of law is the hours many practitioners are by nature workaholic. Again research has confirmed that many lawyers, as well as others in our society, become workaholics because they are driven by an insatiable desire to achieve an ever increasing level of professional and financial success. Such individuals make the mistake of believing that success has a satiation point, and that it is possible to get there more quickly by "temporarily" sacrificing one’s personal life. One well known cited example is the aspiration: "As soon as I make partner, I’ll pay attention to my other needs." Since past professional goals are constantly replaced by new ones, other needs are in fact permanently deferred. According to research, the vast majority of lawyers work more than the national standard of 40 hours per week. For some lawyers, work pervades everything. Even what seems to be personal time such as watching a film is often secretly spent thinking about work. They often:
- take work home after an exhausting day;
- come in to their offices on weekends;
- fail to take their full holiday leave; and
- operate in a crisis mode.
Whereas workaholism does have obvious benefits these are well known to come at a major cost. It has been reported and documented that workaholics tend to develop symptoms such as headaches, disturbed sleep, restlessness, high blood pressure, and other more serious illnesses. Evidently, they are prone to various food and substance abuse. They also face more difficulty establishing or maintaining close personal relationships, suffering higher divorce and failed parenting rates. Finally, it is not unusual for them to experience depression, anxiety, and even more serious emotional illnesses --- and eventually to burn out. Moreover they rarely enjoy their professional and financial success as they live in the future, rather than the present or now. Usually, happiness is foreseen, but seldom felt. No achievement is enjoyed for long before it is impacted by new ambitions or targets. Success is elusive in that it is perpetually anticipated rather than experienced. In addition to a mistaken belief that professional or financial success has a satiation point, these lawyers have been found to be out of touch with the psychological needs they are really trying to satisfy.
Another common trait among lawyers that causes stress is that they tend to be exceedingly analytical "thinkers." In fact, a reported national study of over 1200 lawyers demonstrated that 77% of them prefer to make decisions on the basis of emotionally detached logical analysis. These data suggest that a significant number of lawyers do not fully appreciate the positive role that emotions can play in human cognition. As a result, they tend to lack the ability to deal with their own emotions in the healthiest of ways, and tend to be insensitive to the feelings of others.
Finally, such demographic characteristics as race, age and gender also have been shown to be risk factors for stress among lawyers. Here again only headline points can be mentioned in this overview. For some time members of minority groups and women in the law have complained about job discrimination. Female lawyers express higher rates of job dissatisfaction due to sexual harassment. Ageism has also become an issue that has required consideration in human resource policies. Younger and female lawyers also experience more conflicts about balancing work with family obligations: such conflicts have also increasingly spread to all law practitioners as they try to achieve a re balancing act.
Female Happiness and Retention
For some time several large surveys of American attorneys have demonstrated that an excessive number of young lawyers and female lawyers are dissatisfied with their jobs. This is confirmed by smaller UK surveys (see above). Although a significant proportion of all respondents expressed significant job dissatisfaction, women did so at almost twice that rate. It has been mentioned that while the research in the UK is now moving forward with greater drive the state of the legal profession and sector in North America has been documented for much longer, leading to some significant policy changes in firms and in their culture (that will be discussed in a later article).
Reportedly, what young or female lawyers find most tedious about law is the amount of time they spend working at the expense of all other activities. This has been known for many years. In a 1995 survey conducted in the US by the American Bar Association (ABA) Young Lawyers Division, 30% of ABA members who were under the age of 36 or admitted into practice for less than 3 years were dissatisfied with the allocation of time between their work and personal lives. This complaint was more prevalent among lawyers working for large firms. Evidently, compared to 23% of young lawyers in 1-2 person firms, over 62% of young lawyers in 150+ person firms expressed unhappiness about their inability to live a balanced life. Such sentiments and findings are a cause for major concern for larger firms.
In addition, according to published research, almost 50% of lawyers, in survey after survey, have reported that the demands of their work do not allow them to have a satisfying non-work life, that is personal, family, social, community. Of those who were divorced or separated, over a third blamed the failure of their marriages to an extent on the pressures of their jobs. Among lawyers who had never been married, nearly 50% cited the pressures of their jobs as being partly to blame for that also.
A consistent finding that Women in Law takes very seriously is that younger and female lawyers have been noted as being significantly more dissatisfied with the quality and quantity of their leisure time than older and male lawyers. Whereas young and female lawyers are concerned about a variety of problems with the practice of law, it is not surprising that this is their most frequent complaint. Young lawyers -both male and female - are in the stages of life where they need more personal time to find a partner and get married or to spend with their newly formed families. Too often, they find that they cannot do that and progress their careers in law fully and simultaneously. The professional and personal cycles are not in alignment.
Research that is most crucial for Women in Law has confirmed that female lawyers - regardless of their age - face a similar concern. In general while our society has come far as regards women’s rights, it is still more socially acceptable - though not healthy or reasonable - for men to prioritise work rather than their families. Generally, women are expected to be the primary caretakers of children at all ages, as well as elderly parents. In essence, law is overall not a "family friendly" profession. This, in addition to the fact that female lawyers tend to be more in touch with their emotions than their male colleagues, leads to more internal turmoil regarding their time management and allocations. Wherever they are they feel they should be elsewhere fulfilling duties. Such personal experiences are very relevant to our discussion for change that we wish to achieve through the re balancing act that we have commenced and to broaden our focus as female lawyers to Women Rainmakers that take account of international approaches and best practice to encompass:
- teaching women networking and business development skills;
- helping women establish work/life balance; and
- looking toward professionals from developed countries to reach out and help women in under developed and developing areas of our world.
Closing Remarks
While much of what has been set out above is not new, has been researched for some time and reported upon by those following the debate in different jurisdictions, the Author considers that this overview provides sufficiently compelling information and evidence to stimulate lawyers and law firms to make the changes that are long overdue to achieve a healthier happier legal profession. Such findings can also assist other professionals and those in highly demanding occupations or careers. It is time for lawyers to take responsibility for self and manage the change in practical ways.
Walking Meditation, Mindfulness and Vipassana: a Balancing Practice
by Emily Schulz, edited by Dr Linda Spedding,
Vipassana, meaning to see things as they really are, is a form of meditation that has been practised since Vedic times. It was taught also by Gautama Buddha and preserved down through the ages. It may be practised anywhere but has special value if done when walking in nature. In this piece this Practice as taught by Professor Dr Svami Purna (Sri Svamiji) is outlined: it can assist with mental and emotional balance in a hectic world.
Vipassana meditation is quite simple to do, and very powerful. As with most forms of meditation, there is a meditation object or focal point. In the case of Vipassana, the focus during meditation is on the breath. The meditator focuses awareness on the breath, and then notices thoughts and emotions as they arise. The point is to notice them with unconditional love, detachment and non-judgmental acceptance, then to bring the attention back to the breath. Whenever you find yourself getting caught up in a thought or emotion, fantasy or daydream,simply notice that and gently bring your attention back to your breath. This form of meditation has the capacity to clear out the heavy negative energies in the system of a person, leaving a sense of lightness and clarity.
To explain different examples of meditation when practising walking meditation, Sri Svamiji explained that Vipassana is an inward form of meditation as opposed to one that is external, such as meditating on the beauty of nature, for example. He mentioned other forms of meditation also, such as mantra meditation; deep listening meditation where one listens while in a meditative state to another person’s thoughts and feelings to help them gain clarity; and finally, a mystical type of meditation involving deeply diving into the core of one’s being.
Vipassana meditation is beneficial because it calms the mind, which can be a very difficult challenge. Even Arjuna stated to Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita that he could calm the wind but not his own mind. The monkey mind, as it is called, is very active and jumps around from thought to thought, lacking wisdom and focus. However, by observing the mind through the practice of Vipassana meditation, it can be calmed. A wiser voice from within can be heard then - Vivek or discerning wisdom.Sri Svamiji has explained that Vivek is like a wise wife who gives good counsel to the mind and helps steer it to a more positive path.
Sri Svamiji has also spoken of the benefits of walking meditation and explained that one can practice Vipassana and other forms of meditation too while walking. Walking is very beneficial to the health of the physical body, clearing out toxins and strengthening it. Since walking takes physical effort, there is less energy available to become upset or stay upset with another person or situation. It is good to take a walk when upset or when having a potentially volatile conversation with someone as the act of walking will help neutralize those issues. While walking, coupled with the focus on the breath, one can release any negativity.
Sri Svamiji has explained that there are some traditions, such as Zen Buddhism and Jainism that practice Ahimsa - non-violence - while they do the walking meditation. This is done by taking very slow, small steps to avoid stepping on insects and wearing a mask over the nose and mouth to prevent breathing in insects. Wearing a mask also helps to avoid breathing in air pollutants. This can also be a helpful practice from time to time.
Sri Svamiji has also taught about non-duality - understanding that one is part of the Whole of creation, expanded but one pointed like a pyramid- and has provided a mantra evoking the concept of Neti Neti - not this, not this- as proclaimed in the Vedic philosophy. When asked which kind of meditation would be best to support the understanding of Neti Neti. Sri Svamiji has stated while there are many other forms of meditation Vipassana is particularly suitable to that purpose.
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is emotional control
Mindfulness is coolness and clarity of thought
Mindfulness exists in overcoming emotional storms
By defusing them, rather than indulging them
It is not being swept away
By fantasy and emotional distortions
Which are creations
Of faulty mental conditioning.
Mindfulness is being aware and conscious
Mindfulness is concentration
On the business of the moment.
Mindfulness is the dedication of
All one’s thoughts, speech and action
To the Infinite.
(QUOTED FROM: Purna, S. (2012). The Truth Will Set You Free. New Delhi: New Age Books. p.83)
Vipassana meditation is quite simple to do, and very powerful. As with most forms of meditation, there is a meditation object or focal point. In the case of Vipassana, the focus during meditation is on the breath. The meditator focuses awareness on the breath, and then notices thoughts and emotions as they arise. The point is to notice them with unconditional love, detachment and non-judgmental acceptance, then to bring the attention back to the breath. Whenever you find yourself getting caught up in a thought or emotion, fantasy or daydream,simply notice that and gently bring your attention back to your breath. This form of meditation has the capacity to clear out the heavy negative energies in the system of a person, leaving a sense of lightness and clarity.
To explain different examples of meditation when practising walking meditation, Sri Svamiji explained that Vipassana is an inward form of meditation as opposed to one that is external, such as meditating on the beauty of nature, for example. He mentioned other forms of meditation also, such as mantra meditation; deep listening meditation where one listens while in a meditative state to another person’s thoughts and feelings to help them gain clarity; and finally, a mystical type of meditation involving deeply diving into the core of one’s being.
Vipassana meditation is beneficial because it calms the mind, which can be a very difficult challenge. Even Arjuna stated to Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita that he could calm the wind but not his own mind. The monkey mind, as it is called, is very active and jumps around from thought to thought, lacking wisdom and focus. However, by observing the mind through the practice of Vipassana meditation, it can be calmed. A wiser voice from within can be heard then - Vivek or discerning wisdom.Sri Svamiji has explained that Vivek is like a wise wife who gives good counsel to the mind and helps steer it to a more positive path.
Sri Svamiji has also spoken of the benefits of walking meditation and explained that one can practice Vipassana and other forms of meditation too while walking. Walking is very beneficial to the health of the physical body, clearing out toxins and strengthening it. Since walking takes physical effort, there is less energy available to become upset or stay upset with another person or situation. It is good to take a walk when upset or when having a potentially volatile conversation with someone as the act of walking will help neutralize those issues. While walking, coupled with the focus on the breath, one can release any negativity.
Sri Svamiji has explained that there are some traditions, such as Zen Buddhism and Jainism that practice Ahimsa - non-violence - while they do the walking meditation. This is done by taking very slow, small steps to avoid stepping on insects and wearing a mask over the nose and mouth to prevent breathing in insects. Wearing a mask also helps to avoid breathing in air pollutants. This can also be a helpful practice from time to time.
Sri Svamiji has also taught about non-duality - understanding that one is part of the Whole of creation, expanded but one pointed like a pyramid- and has provided a mantra evoking the concept of Neti Neti - not this, not this- as proclaimed in the Vedic philosophy. When asked which kind of meditation would be best to support the understanding of Neti Neti. Sri Svamiji has stated while there are many other forms of meditation Vipassana is particularly suitable to that purpose.
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is emotional control
Mindfulness is coolness and clarity of thought
Mindfulness exists in overcoming emotional storms
By defusing them, rather than indulging them
It is not being swept away
By fantasy and emotional distortions
Which are creations
Of faulty mental conditioning.
Mindfulness is being aware and conscious
Mindfulness is concentration
On the business of the moment.
Mindfulness is the dedication of
All one’s thoughts, speech and action
To the Infinite.
(QUOTED FROM: Purna, S. (2012). The Truth Will Set You Free. New Delhi: New Age Books. p.83)
Transformative Law
by Dr Linda S Spedding
Joining the legal profession and living a varied life as an international practitioner have highlighted the role of India as a jurisdiction that has a unique opportunity to evolve higher standards that bring to life and embrace the spiritual values and perennial wisdom. Service and a sense of duty lie at the heart of the purpose of the legal profession as I understand it - service to the client and service to the community. In the Vedic Tradition of India this is connected to the concept of seva, selfless service, thereby integrating the ethical approach that embodies the role of the lawyer to uphold truth and justice. This includes, for instance, embracing the highest standards of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and risk management in the corporate world where the legal profession has major impact.
The purpose of law is perhaps an open and evolving question or debate, given the many potential perspectives and answers. If we consider balancing rights and responsibilities as part of the overall answer then in my view the law of dharma, as understood in the Vedic Tradition, provides such balance beautifully. Were we to follow many of these ancient principles of life such as respect for each other, our environment and the planet, our world around us, many of the seeming challenges facing today’s complex world of Maya would, in my opinion be much more manageable. This transcends any individual more self serving objectives and approach.
I have been inspired by the Bhagavad Gita for many years - and the understanding found in Chapters 16-18 in particular- which, if implemented each day by many lawyers, would have a tangible impact in my humble opinion. My choice of international environmental law and related areas involving ethics, responsible conduct, sustainability, corporate governance, due diligence and risk management have been inspired, in turn, by this wisdom. To remain non attached, to appreciate that you are not the doer, to manage the ego and strive for the highest good can be powerful values for those lawyers who endeavour to make positive change.
Of course in today’s India there are many opportunities to apply the Gita: environmental law is a real example of this and is a priority. Respect for - and justice for - our environment can be implemented into many aspects of law and business management. This is the law of dharma in action and, as stewards of this Planet, our international lawyers can make a special contribution to protect the Elements and enable coexistence for all living beings, now and for the future generations. Transformative law that takes account of the Highest Knowledge as taught by the Sages and the Vedic Sanatam Dharma can enable a happier, healthier experience for all as we fulfill our time and our life purpose. I hope that the principles can be evolved in practice to allow application to the various areas of specialism to enable a greater sense of fulfillment for legal practitioners who have so much to offer our society as a whole.
The purpose of law is perhaps an open and evolving question or debate, given the many potential perspectives and answers. If we consider balancing rights and responsibilities as part of the overall answer then in my view the law of dharma, as understood in the Vedic Tradition, provides such balance beautifully. Were we to follow many of these ancient principles of life such as respect for each other, our environment and the planet, our world around us, many of the seeming challenges facing today’s complex world of Maya would, in my opinion be much more manageable. This transcends any individual more self serving objectives and approach.
I have been inspired by the Bhagavad Gita for many years - and the understanding found in Chapters 16-18 in particular- which, if implemented each day by many lawyers, would have a tangible impact in my humble opinion. My choice of international environmental law and related areas involving ethics, responsible conduct, sustainability, corporate governance, due diligence and risk management have been inspired, in turn, by this wisdom. To remain non attached, to appreciate that you are not the doer, to manage the ego and strive for the highest good can be powerful values for those lawyers who endeavour to make positive change.
Of course in today’s India there are many opportunities to apply the Gita: environmental law is a real example of this and is a priority. Respect for - and justice for - our environment can be implemented into many aspects of law and business management. This is the law of dharma in action and, as stewards of this Planet, our international lawyers can make a special contribution to protect the Elements and enable coexistence for all living beings, now and for the future generations. Transformative law that takes account of the Highest Knowledge as taught by the Sages and the Vedic Sanatam Dharma can enable a happier, healthier experience for all as we fulfill our time and our life purpose. I hope that the principles can be evolved in practice to allow application to the various areas of specialism to enable a greater sense of fulfillment for legal practitioners who have so much to offer our society as a whole.
Life Changes
by Linda Spedding
It is an interesting conundrum in life that every day we can witness the changes in our lives and all around and yet we are given so much encouragement externally - and internally - to keep things the same. We often feel dismayed or worry about change even though we know that change is inevitable. Very many people live in fear of change and actually miss the very beautiful aspects of being alive by an increasingly powerful emotion of fear and anxiety. Whatever the source, this can often hamper or cloud judgement in making wise decisions and choices and create a reactive way of living that also damages our happiness and wellbeing. I have found in life that if we can recall the value of balance and, in my experience, the acronym to be always loving and naturally calm everywhere, we can encourage a sense of being, of having a sense of joy and gratitude and creative thinking or fulfilment. Such self empowerment can soothe our entire environment, our selves and all around.
The Purna Health Management System (PHMS) has balance at the core of its approach and can assist us all, regardless of age, stage, gender, origin or belief, to develop an individual framework or structure that can enhance our journey through life. There are of course countless guidelines and hints and tips available in today’s world to improve our experience of wellbeing and to assist with anxiety. Yet every day not only do we notice in ourselves - but also in others- considerable strain or anxiety or mood swings, including anger. This can become a damaging way of life that, in turn, harms our entire being, physical, mental and spiritual. Whereas many deny any thoughts of our life source, purpose or meaning I would suggest that this is fundamental to a happy, healthy life and an ability to manage life’s changes as we go through the time that represents our life.
For women - and for men - the changes of life around middle age can involve all encompassing impacts. The menopause is a physiological process whereby ovarian function declines with age. This generally leads to menopausal effects including declining fertility, psychological symptoms due to oestrogen deficiency, aching joints and muscles, hot flushes, loss of libido and low mood. Similarly men can experience what is often termed “a manopause “ that can create crisis in many ways, damaging their life, relationships and future quality of living unnecessarily. As a general rule the period from after 40 years of age can present a time of crisis - mentally and physically- and presents a critical opportunity to manage life with responsibility and balance that is sustainable throughout one’s life. Through our workshops, sessions and consulting at Balanced Lives we delve deeper into managing this time of change. We offer individual guidance to empower and to enable a framework to support the individual at this time and at other different stages. We have developed our approach through the PHMS and our mission is assist the individual to enjoy a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.
There is no doubt that we can find ways of being and thinking that enable a sense of understanding and the ability to look forward to the changes in life positively. Through various practices, self discipline and self discovery we can realise our potential and achieve the fulfilment that we may seek. For more information please contact us by email.
You can choose positivity. When you wake up in the morning try to attune to gratitude and abundance rather than focusing on any lack. Svamiji teaches a key daily practice:
"Feel that all the senses are relaxed; every part of the body should be relaxed and comfortable; any negativities which may have come to the body are disappearing. Say to yourself, "I am not the body, I am not the senses, I am not the mind, I am not all the identities which have been imposed upon me - I am nothing - and yet - I am everything." By contemplating each thought, that I am not this, and I am not that, you become attuned to the Energy of your Life Force.
True Knowledge will also create a chemical reaction n your system which is conducive to your happiness, growth, bliss and balance. Interestingly, both methods create a powerful yet very different chemical reaction in your system. The brain gives instructions to the senses, to be happy or to be unhappy; it is telling your senses how to behave. For instance it is the brain that sends the message that there is pain." (Purna, Life: A Mysterious Journey p. 134)
The Purna Health Management System (PHMS) has balance at the core of its approach and can assist us all, regardless of age, stage, gender, origin or belief, to develop an individual framework or structure that can enhance our journey through life. There are of course countless guidelines and hints and tips available in today’s world to improve our experience of wellbeing and to assist with anxiety. Yet every day not only do we notice in ourselves - but also in others- considerable strain or anxiety or mood swings, including anger. This can become a damaging way of life that, in turn, harms our entire being, physical, mental and spiritual. Whereas many deny any thoughts of our life source, purpose or meaning I would suggest that this is fundamental to a happy, healthy life and an ability to manage life’s changes as we go through the time that represents our life.
For women - and for men - the changes of life around middle age can involve all encompassing impacts. The menopause is a physiological process whereby ovarian function declines with age. This generally leads to menopausal effects including declining fertility, psychological symptoms due to oestrogen deficiency, aching joints and muscles, hot flushes, loss of libido and low mood. Similarly men can experience what is often termed “a manopause “ that can create crisis in many ways, damaging their life, relationships and future quality of living unnecessarily. As a general rule the period from after 40 years of age can present a time of crisis - mentally and physically- and presents a critical opportunity to manage life with responsibility and balance that is sustainable throughout one’s life. Through our workshops, sessions and consulting at Balanced Lives we delve deeper into managing this time of change. We offer individual guidance to empower and to enable a framework to support the individual at this time and at other different stages. We have developed our approach through the PHMS and our mission is assist the individual to enjoy a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.
There is no doubt that we can find ways of being and thinking that enable a sense of understanding and the ability to look forward to the changes in life positively. Through various practices, self discipline and self discovery we can realise our potential and achieve the fulfilment that we may seek. For more information please contact us by email.
You can choose positivity. When you wake up in the morning try to attune to gratitude and abundance rather than focusing on any lack. Svamiji teaches a key daily practice:
"Feel that all the senses are relaxed; every part of the body should be relaxed and comfortable; any negativities which may have come to the body are disappearing. Say to yourself, "I am not the body, I am not the senses, I am not the mind, I am not all the identities which have been imposed upon me - I am nothing - and yet - I am everything." By contemplating each thought, that I am not this, and I am not that, you become attuned to the Energy of your Life Force.
True Knowledge will also create a chemical reaction n your system which is conducive to your happiness, growth, bliss and balance. Interestingly, both methods create a powerful yet very different chemical reaction in your system. The brain gives instructions to the senses, to be happy or to be unhappy; it is telling your senses how to behave. For instance it is the brain that sends the message that there is pain." (Purna, Life: A Mysterious Journey p. 134)
For information on Life Changes Sessions please contact Dr Linda
The Significance of Sleep
by Linda Spedding
How often we hear people declaring that they do not feel themselves - without actually embarking upon the meaning of who they are or exploring their potential. From a very young age we are beset by so many influences and opinions that we lose the opportunity to discover who we are and very many of us die without having a moment to reconcile the more important aspects of life and to find balance. I have noticed through my life that the simplicity of living a balanced life has been challenged by the complications and challenges that seem to be quite ongoing in the scheme of a human life. Balancing the various needs of our physical, mental and spiritual aspects is so vital as this creates the space for us to maximise our own opportunities and experience without regret. We can reconcile our day to day issues and enjoy the gift of life. With this in mind I have been passionate about disseminating in practical ways sacred knowledge- based upon perennial wisdom- to enhance our time and be responsible for our selves given the circumstances that we find ourselves in, without the negativity of blame and complaint. This is why I have - for many years- communicated in as many fora as possible about the Purna Health Management System (PHMS). The PHMS is, in my view, unique in offering perennial wisdom in accessible ways that are applicable to our experience of modern day living - real tools for life.
The discovery of life management tools that can support us throughout our time can make a profound impact upon us and can enable us to enjoy a fulfilling life experience as the years come and go. There are of course countless resources of information available to us in this era of information and yet intuitively we can find even this to be quite overwhelming. We can often find that we have in fact wasted time as we are led from one source to another. Rather than search constantly for solutions - whether tips, guidelines or external and internal products - that are available nowadays I would instead recommend attuning to one’s individual needs and wisdom. For example, we can recognise when we need to eat more green vegetables or to have more quiet time. If we allow ourselves some inner peace we can create the pause that enables us to become ourselves in our own Individual way. There are many areas that can be the focus of such attunement: in this piece I would like to focus on sleep which is also the topic of one of our publications - Balanced Sleep - in the PHMS.
Sleep is a key or fundamental part of living a happy, healthy life: it is our restoration time and we all have individual needs and responses in this crucial health management area. Sleep deprivation, even if this is partial, creates a significant toll on overall health and wellbeing.
Undeniably, changing sleep habits is one of the most meaningful lifestyle changes we can make to improve the quality of life. This is a matter of quantity and quality. The National Sleep Foundation in the USA, for example, recommends that adults receive 7-9 hours per night, while teenagers need 8-10 hours and younger children 9-14. If we sleep only 4-6 hours per night, therefore, no matter what age or stage of life, we are actually sleep deprived, which can involve health risks and other repercussions mentioned further below.
We suffer both mentally and physically if we are not experiencing good sleep patterns. Yet there is increasing evidence to suggest that unfortunately there are many causes of unhealthy sleep habits. This encompasses a wide range of illnesses and conditions that include insomnia, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. Sleep-related disorders are on the rise in today’s world. Indeed, a vicious circle begins in which many illnesses that people are suffering from during the day, may be connected to poor sleep at night. Depression, weight gain and high blood pressure are noted below as examples of health issues that can be related to insufficient sleep. The connection between poor sleep and stress can also become cyclical.This is a pattern that requires careful management to prevent lasting impacts that can damage the quality of life in so many ways. Understanding how stress and sleep are connected is very helpful in attaining a healthy lifestyle. Also learning how to manage stress during the day can not only improve overall health and wellness but also improve sleep. Other positive repercussions manifest. As we know, being over-tired clouds judgment, as well as coordination and the ability to focus, making us more accident prone. “Drowsy Driving”, for example, reportedly causes an estimated 100,000 crashes per year in the USA: resulting in 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries, yet 60% of people admit to driving when sleepy. Sleepiness has also been linked to an increase in work-related accidents even causing significant industrial and engineering catastrophes.The Exxon Valdez spill, the Challenger explosion, and the nuclear Three Mile Island incidents have been cited as being linked to sleep deprived workers. With proper sleep management proper judgment and coordination can thrive once again.
Quality sleep is also essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. During sleep the body produces the key elements of the immune system, enabling us to stave off infections and fight those which are already active within us.Research has shown that even vaccines are less effective if sleep deprive, reducing the ability to generate antibodies by 97%. Also inflammatory proteins increase with sleep deprivation which, aside from further suppressing immune function, increase the risk of developing many medical conditions and short-term effects on your health. Moreover, if one continues to sleep poorly night-after-night there is a risk of developing serious chronic medical conditions, such as type II diabetes and heart disease.Sleep deprivation can lead to diabetes by altering how the body processes sugar. Those who sleep less require more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. In time this strains the insulin-producing cells and may cause insulin resistance, which plays a role in hypertension. As levels of insulin rise so does blood pressure. Therefore prolonged partial sleep loss has been linked to the development of resistant hypertension and contribute to cardiovascular disease. Moreover it has been found that chronic under-sleeping raises the risk of even otherwise healthy individuals.
Poor sleep habits can create weight problems . Not only does a lack of sleep alter the body's chemistry - promoting fat storage and lowering metabolism - but also affects any diets and meal plan through the hormones regulating appetite. Research has found that sleep deprivation causes more appetite: stimulating hormones increase and a simultaneous drop in those which signal satiety. Being overtired increases cravings for foods high in carbs, in part because the body seeks feel-good effects to counteract a negative mood. Erratic or little sleep night after night affects performance at work, keep as sleep deprivation lowers the ability to concentrate, reduces reasoning and problem-solving skills, and stymies creativity. This is also the reason that late-night cramming sessions are not always effective in preparing for exams or work presentations.Sleep plays an essential role in memory formation: it is during our deepest sleep that our brain works to consolidate the information gathered throughout the day to store it as reliable memories. The lack of sleep reduces both long term and “working memory.” Without the ability to hold and manipulate key information in the mind the performance on a multitude of tasks is severely impaired.
Mood swings are one of the most apparent effects of sleep deprivation: Irritability, mood swings and a general feeling of just being not yourself are common complaints when overtired.Indeed, mood and sleep are very closely linked. The cause-and-effect relationship between the two goes both ways: a lack of sleep results in changes in mood: mood likewise has an impact on the ability to get a good night’s rest. Thus a cycle of exhaustion and increasing negative mood prevails . Understandably this affects every aspect of our life: from work and interpersonal relationships to self-esteem and joie de vivre. The effect on emotions is far more pervasive as sleep deprivation has been linked to the development of depression. People who suffer from insomnia are ten times more likely to develop depression than those who are getting adequate sleep, and there is a similar increase in risk for those with sleep apnea which causes frequent nighttime awakenings.
Sleep is a restorative state that allows the body and the mind to recover from stressors experienced throughout the day. When not given adequate time in this restful state, and in cumulation with the other side effects of lack of sleep on our mood one can be pushed into a state of depression. Those who sleep less than 8 hours a night consistently report feeling more stressed than their more well-rested counterparts.There is a combination of both mental and physical side-effects of sleep deprivation that result in this activation of our stress-response. One night of partial sleep loss alone evidently is sufficient to raise our body's levels of the stress hormone cortisol by up to 45%.A chronically elevated level of cortisol does not only cause one to feel more stressed, but can contribute to the development of a variety of disorders including thyroid problems.
In essence a balanced approach to sleep is a vital step in life and health management. For more understanding of ways to improve one’s quality of sleep and enhance one’s life experience please see more of the PHMS publications at www.adhyatmik.org
The discovery of life management tools that can support us throughout our time can make a profound impact upon us and can enable us to enjoy a fulfilling life experience as the years come and go. There are of course countless resources of information available to us in this era of information and yet intuitively we can find even this to be quite overwhelming. We can often find that we have in fact wasted time as we are led from one source to another. Rather than search constantly for solutions - whether tips, guidelines or external and internal products - that are available nowadays I would instead recommend attuning to one’s individual needs and wisdom. For example, we can recognise when we need to eat more green vegetables or to have more quiet time. If we allow ourselves some inner peace we can create the pause that enables us to become ourselves in our own Individual way. There are many areas that can be the focus of such attunement: in this piece I would like to focus on sleep which is also the topic of one of our publications - Balanced Sleep - in the PHMS.
Sleep is a key or fundamental part of living a happy, healthy life: it is our restoration time and we all have individual needs and responses in this crucial health management area. Sleep deprivation, even if this is partial, creates a significant toll on overall health and wellbeing.
Undeniably, changing sleep habits is one of the most meaningful lifestyle changes we can make to improve the quality of life. This is a matter of quantity and quality. The National Sleep Foundation in the USA, for example, recommends that adults receive 7-9 hours per night, while teenagers need 8-10 hours and younger children 9-14. If we sleep only 4-6 hours per night, therefore, no matter what age or stage of life, we are actually sleep deprived, which can involve health risks and other repercussions mentioned further below.
We suffer both mentally and physically if we are not experiencing good sleep patterns. Yet there is increasing evidence to suggest that unfortunately there are many causes of unhealthy sleep habits. This encompasses a wide range of illnesses and conditions that include insomnia, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. Sleep-related disorders are on the rise in today’s world. Indeed, a vicious circle begins in which many illnesses that people are suffering from during the day, may be connected to poor sleep at night. Depression, weight gain and high blood pressure are noted below as examples of health issues that can be related to insufficient sleep. The connection between poor sleep and stress can also become cyclical.This is a pattern that requires careful management to prevent lasting impacts that can damage the quality of life in so many ways. Understanding how stress and sleep are connected is very helpful in attaining a healthy lifestyle. Also learning how to manage stress during the day can not only improve overall health and wellness but also improve sleep. Other positive repercussions manifest. As we know, being over-tired clouds judgment, as well as coordination and the ability to focus, making us more accident prone. “Drowsy Driving”, for example, reportedly causes an estimated 100,000 crashes per year in the USA: resulting in 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries, yet 60% of people admit to driving when sleepy. Sleepiness has also been linked to an increase in work-related accidents even causing significant industrial and engineering catastrophes.The Exxon Valdez spill, the Challenger explosion, and the nuclear Three Mile Island incidents have been cited as being linked to sleep deprived workers. With proper sleep management proper judgment and coordination can thrive once again.
Quality sleep is also essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. During sleep the body produces the key elements of the immune system, enabling us to stave off infections and fight those which are already active within us.Research has shown that even vaccines are less effective if sleep deprive, reducing the ability to generate antibodies by 97%. Also inflammatory proteins increase with sleep deprivation which, aside from further suppressing immune function, increase the risk of developing many medical conditions and short-term effects on your health. Moreover, if one continues to sleep poorly night-after-night there is a risk of developing serious chronic medical conditions, such as type II diabetes and heart disease.Sleep deprivation can lead to diabetes by altering how the body processes sugar. Those who sleep less require more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. In time this strains the insulin-producing cells and may cause insulin resistance, which plays a role in hypertension. As levels of insulin rise so does blood pressure. Therefore prolonged partial sleep loss has been linked to the development of resistant hypertension and contribute to cardiovascular disease. Moreover it has been found that chronic under-sleeping raises the risk of even otherwise healthy individuals.
Poor sleep habits can create weight problems . Not only does a lack of sleep alter the body's chemistry - promoting fat storage and lowering metabolism - but also affects any diets and meal plan through the hormones regulating appetite. Research has found that sleep deprivation causes more appetite: stimulating hormones increase and a simultaneous drop in those which signal satiety. Being overtired increases cravings for foods high in carbs, in part because the body seeks feel-good effects to counteract a negative mood. Erratic or little sleep night after night affects performance at work, keep as sleep deprivation lowers the ability to concentrate, reduces reasoning and problem-solving skills, and stymies creativity. This is also the reason that late-night cramming sessions are not always effective in preparing for exams or work presentations.Sleep plays an essential role in memory formation: it is during our deepest sleep that our brain works to consolidate the information gathered throughout the day to store it as reliable memories. The lack of sleep reduces both long term and “working memory.” Without the ability to hold and manipulate key information in the mind the performance on a multitude of tasks is severely impaired.
Mood swings are one of the most apparent effects of sleep deprivation: Irritability, mood swings and a general feeling of just being not yourself are common complaints when overtired.Indeed, mood and sleep are very closely linked. The cause-and-effect relationship between the two goes both ways: a lack of sleep results in changes in mood: mood likewise has an impact on the ability to get a good night’s rest. Thus a cycle of exhaustion and increasing negative mood prevails . Understandably this affects every aspect of our life: from work and interpersonal relationships to self-esteem and joie de vivre. The effect on emotions is far more pervasive as sleep deprivation has been linked to the development of depression. People who suffer from insomnia are ten times more likely to develop depression than those who are getting adequate sleep, and there is a similar increase in risk for those with sleep apnea which causes frequent nighttime awakenings.
Sleep is a restorative state that allows the body and the mind to recover from stressors experienced throughout the day. When not given adequate time in this restful state, and in cumulation with the other side effects of lack of sleep on our mood one can be pushed into a state of depression. Those who sleep less than 8 hours a night consistently report feeling more stressed than their more well-rested counterparts.There is a combination of both mental and physical side-effects of sleep deprivation that result in this activation of our stress-response. One night of partial sleep loss alone evidently is sufficient to raise our body's levels of the stress hormone cortisol by up to 45%.A chronically elevated level of cortisol does not only cause one to feel more stressed, but can contribute to the development of a variety of disorders including thyroid problems.
In essence a balanced approach to sleep is a vital step in life and health management. For more understanding of ways to improve one’s quality of sleep and enhance one’s life experience please see more of the PHMS publications at www.adhyatmik.org