Rise

 It is so easy these days to fall into the negative mindset - not just a negative mindset, but descend all the way down to depression. I think the worst effect of this Pandemic has been on the mind. Of course, many people have suffered physically and financially as well. But even the few who have managed to escape the physical or the financial problems, are still falling into the mental or the  emotional trap.

What causes it? There's no dearth of negative depressing news of course. But even more than that is the fact that you see people around you - people close to you who are suffering - suffering physically, struggling financially and all of that is taking a toll on the mental health.

Thinking more about this, esp. in my case, I saw that everything was fine - everyone in my immediate family was healthy, my work was going well, maybe a little too much, but well, so then what was the reason to descend into this negative mindset..so much so that I didn't feel "like talking to friends,  I started getting up later and later..just because the motivation to get up early wasn't there.

And this is when I normally like getting up early, I like the quiet before the kids are up, the cool breeze,  birds chirping, sitting quietly in the morning, with a cup of hot tea.

The main reason for this feeling down was getting stuck in the I, me and mine mindset. The pandemic has also brought with it a lot of fear..and this fear is another factor that propels us into the I,me and mine mindset.

It is important to remember that

aptopasevet bhavanti aroyangyam (आप्तोपसेवेत् भवेत आरोग्यम्‌).. when you serve others, that's when you gain your health..and in this case it is talking about health as in physical, mental, and spiritual. If we get stuck in the I, me and my -then that is a path to depression. Thinking bigger than yourself, a goal that is higher than your self..that is what leads to positivity.

But I believe that the starting point is still your self. I believe that just getting yourself in a positive frame of mind - where you yourself are at peace, and anyone who is in touch with you feels better after meeting you - I think that's where the serving starts. But what is the way to get there. And I am going to list some of the things that have worked for me in the past. Whenever I forget any of those, that's usually when my trouble begins.

The main thing is the self talk.. what is your self talk. If your self talk is negative or hopeless, then that is the message that you're sending to your sub-conscious mind. So your self talk needs to be positive. But not just positive, I think it also needs to be believable to your conscious, logical mind. The most important times for great self talk are right before going to sleep and just after waking up. So record your self talk in you own voice and listen to it just before sleeping. What you put in your mind just before sleeping gets faster into the sub-conscious mind. The other important time is as soon as you wake up - start your day with gratitude. Think of all the good things in your life - starting with the fact that you are still alive. It works better for me if I write it down, but sometimes I only think about it.

Having a morning routine, one that makes you happy is a great motivator for getting up in the morning. I start with gratitude, listing all the things that I am grateful for and the also listing or reflecting on all the things that I would like to achieve or focus on.

The other things that brings up the mindset is being out in nature. I used to love cycling, or just going for long walks in nature ... But with all this lockdown, suddenly being forced to stay mostly indoors - that is another reason for depression. But now that it is opening up again, it is important to spend time in nature - maybe going for walks/hikes where there aren't many people around - would be good.

I will work on my mindset and keeping it positive. I think that if all people started doing a few of these things, we'll find ourselves in a much better world.

The need of the society right now is to Rise - Rise up and beyond yourself, let go of the I, me and my mindset - and serve! If everyone follows this, we'll soon be over the last hurdle, and we'll find ourselves in a much better society than before.

Boundaries

I had read an article about the Silicon Valley. And it touched me..it felt like that article was expressing what I'd been struggling to put into words.

It perfectly described the good things about Silicon Valley - how everything is easily available in the Silicon Valley, how people have great salaries, children get to attend the best schools and have all the latest gadgets and toys. There is also a lot of natural beauty in and around the Silicon Valley for people to enjoy - the weather is also great  most of the time. But even after all this, mental health issues are on the rise among youngsters in the Bay area. People seem to be stressed a lot. People have become so involved with money, startups and the material world, that they've forgotten a lot of the human values of helping others, and caring for others. Most people work a lot and are stressed. And this had led to stress in the families.

It seems like new problems start when the basic struggle for food, clothing and housing ends.

I were having tea with a friend and discussing this article, when suddenly he asked..

"Do you know what is the difference between an animal and human?" 

"The ability to think and reason and to learn and grow" I said.

"No! The main difference between an animal and human is that humans do not have a boundary. Animals are bound in boundaries that they cannot get out of. But humans do not have a boundary.

Once animals have their basic needs of food and sex fulfilled, then they're satisfied. 

But that's not true with humans. With humans , once basic needs are satisfied, then the other issues of the mind come up. This is because humans are not satisfied with the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and sex. They are looking for and need something more to be satisfied. And they can get whatever it is that they desire - if they can get out of their boundaries - out of their self imposed limits and beliefs. 

They can create their own destiny. Anything that humans decide, they can achieve. But instead, most of the time, in ignorance, they create a boundary around themselves and around society. This restricts their thinking, their creativity and their world. 

Most people don't think about what it is that would give them real satisfaction and happiness. What is it that they're looking for in life?

Why is it that they desire those things? Would it give them real happiness?

Real satisfaction only comes when one is thinking outside of the 'I'. As long as people are stuck in the me, myself and my needs ...then they'll not find the answers to bring real happiness since that lies outside this me and myself. Only when we think of how we can be useful to others and bring happiness to others, then we can find happiness and satisfaction for ourselves.

Start slow ... and steady

 It has now started to happen that sometimes random strangers stop me when I'm exercising - because they're surprised...But more so, I like to think, because they feel inspired and motivated. Just yesterday evening, as I was running, a lady stopped me saying... she wanted to talk to me. She'd seen me exercising the day earlier as well and was surprised at all the exercises she saw me doing. I had done running and then strength training with my coach. And he has been like a taskmaster the last couple of days.. we really did a lot of strength training. So anyway, this lady stopped me and was asking how do you do it. She had been trying to walk up the Taljai slope, but that was hard for her. She was saying she had to take painkillers just because the pain in her legs was so much after the walk. I had to stop her there. I told her that I'd been exercising regularly for more than a year now..And so was doing the things that she saw. It is very important to start slow. There's a lot of enthusiasm when we start, but it is really important to start slow and build your stamina and strength. Please don't start with so much that you need painkillers. Or cause injury to yourself. Realize that you're doing something wrong if you need painkillers. I understand that it is very frustrating not to see results right away, but keep focusing on the small changes that you see happening - like feeling good after exercise, having more stamina, improved mood, feeling less stress, clothes fitting better...Focus on these small changes rather than the number on the scale. The number on the scale is very deceptive - it could be that you're gaining muscle mass and losing fat, so the number doesn't change. If we focus only on the number, we'll not realize this and give up too soon thinking there are no results.

Start slow..Respect your body , but be very very consistent. Slowly your body will adapt to the exercise and you can definitely do more. Be patient with yourself..It's as important as doing the exercises. Consistency is most important, and that can only happen when you start slowly and remain injury free.I'm sure the day will come when you feel good looking at yourself in the mirror. And achieve your desired weight. But always remember - the journey of how you got there is more important than the destination. Enjoy the journey, only than will the destination feel meaningful!! 

Death

Yesterday, I was feeling really good when I reached home.

Unfortunately, my mother had some terrible news. She told me one of my friend had passed away. We hadn't been in touch in a while, so I didn't even know he was not well. But he was a few years younger than me - not even 40...So it was a shock to hear that he'd passed away - and that too of some disease! 

That news brought me face to face with how very fragile life is. We take it so much for granted. And it is surprising but we never think about death, or that it might be so near. But it is...We never know how far away our death is. Death is the only certain thing for everyone in this life - than why is it that we never give it a thought. Why is it that we live like we're going to live forever.

I was discussing this with GG, and he provided a different and interesting perspective on death. The thoughts that were troubling me the most were why is it that some people die so young...They have responsibilities - they leave behind young children - who will grow up without a parent!

GG mentioned that death always happens according to the laws of karma. Only when we're done with what we had planned for in this life, or if we've strayed too much or fallen too much in this life, then it's time for death.  If we're living according to laws of nature, all our divine energies will be protecting us - pushing us to make sure that we give to the world what we're supposed to.. Our divine energies are making sure that we're pursuing our purpose. Purpose is always linked to learning, growing and giving. What we're here to learn, how we can grow spiritually and how we can contribute to this world and to the people around us.

But if we stray too much from our purpose, get too materialistic.,  then it is difficult for the divine energies to help us, guide us and protect us. That's because we've turned our backs on them, we've rejected their existence. 

As long as we're focused on doing good, being good , being happy and making others around us happy, we're living and allowing the divine forces around us to guide us. We're allowing the divine energies to make us the instruments in the hands of the good for the good. So when faced with death, focus on life, focus on how we can live our lives better and make the lives of other around us better and fulfil what we're meant to do in this lifetime.

Death is the time that makes us reflect on life ...And how valuable and precious life is! Make the most of it. Live it every moment by being happy and content every moment.

Running - 5K for the first time

  Thursday turned out to be a special day. In fact, it started like any other. Or rather I was feeling pretty sore already when the day started. We had done a few days of intense exercise and I was feeling sore. On Monday, we had done some jogging where I got really really tired and then did a lot - and I mean a lot of strength training. So much so that I didn’t think I’d be able to walk at all afterwards. And Tuesday was very very sore.. so mostly did stretching and some exercise. On Wednesday, we did jogging again - or rather HIIT - this time on the Taljai slope. Run up on the slope and then walk down. Going up the slope was very hard for me. But we did the activity for 45 mins. So on Thursday, when my coach, GG suggested running practice, I wasn’t sure if that was going to be possible for me at all. But by afternoon, I was feeling ok again and so reached the Taljai ground at 4. GG showed the running technique again. Chi Running. Fall ahead and run while moving legs back (not forward)… co-ordinate with the breath and feel the energy pushing you. It took a while to get into this Chi Running form. .but once I did - it was like magic. I stopped feeling tired, could run almost effortlessly. And for the first time actually felt that I’d be able to run. I completed a few rounds around the ground - and wasn’t feeling that tired. It had become like a meditation experience…. And I actually completed 5.2 kms. After that last round, It felt as if I could go on and on. I wasn’t feeling tired - but instead was full of energy.  And with the added confidence that finally that barrier is broken - and will be able to run now.. it can only get better from here. And as the weight comes off, running will only get easier and easier. 

My Cycling Journey - From 0 to 100 kms .... In 8 months

 It was 5am, Oct 14th, 2018. I was standing in front of Sarasbaug - a little excited, a bit apprehensive! Would I be able to do it?! .....was the thought running through my head as  I was waiting for my coach, GG and my group of friends. We were going to cycle 100 kms that day. For me, that was a huge deal. As we started the ride, I started remembering how it all started. It was 8 months ago on Feb 17th 2018 that I first bought my cycle. I wasn't really convinced. I hadn't cycled since my high school days many years ago. But GG had convinced me that cycling was the best exercise for me - I was extremely overweight. The continuous activity would be good for me without much impact on the knees. So we bought the cycle. We did a first ride - went all the way to Nanded city and back, which was about 26 kms. Looking back, I spent a less time on the cycle and a lot more time walking with the cycle in hand. But that ride gave me a confidence that at least I would be able to cycle. But then the next day dawned..and I could hardly sit .... anywhere!! So, I made up my mind that cycling wasn't for me...maybe it was for thin people who can tolerate sitting in the saddle - not me. During this time, GG was very patient with me, and didnt push me to do the next ride immediately. Also, I was out of the country for a couple of months, so was able to avoid the cycle. But as soon as  I was back, he took me out for a fun ride to Khadakwasla - it was June and the rainy season was just starting. Just a few minutes after we started, it started raining heavily. But we completed the ride in heavy rains -- what a way to get over jetlag I thought! This time, it didn't hurt so much to sit...and the weather, the ride was so much fun that I was hooked. Since then, we've done multiple rides - to the new  Katraj tunnel, Khadakwasla, Sinhagad base, the necklace route etc... I was now starting to enjoy the rides - the wind in the face, being out in nature,  the quiet times of reflections and also the wonderful conversations!! The maximum ride distance I'd covered was 50 kms. But now was the time for breaking barriers. I was scared of riding in a ghat and so had avoided the ride to Katraj ghat. On Friday, Oct 12th, decided to attempt the Katraj ghat..and managed to ride all the way up. The next day on Saturday morning, we went for a 40kms warm up ride..and now it was Sunday morning..and the 100kms attempt!! GG kept motivating me, and with the very supportive company of my group, I was able to complete the 100 kms ride...and it didn't even feel like it was too much! And am now looking forward to the next one..There is still a long way to go - in terms of fitness and cycling experience and also the weight loss. But the journey is so enjoyable that I feel more confident that I'll get to my destination ..... And the  journey is what will make the destination worthwhile!

Injury ... and patience

This week, I've injured my knee, so didn't do much exercise. It has been a trying week... I've felt very impatient - impatient because it seems like I've been going in the right direction, but again now taking a step back because of the knee pain. Even though, my trainer assured me that knee pain will heal soon enough, it still felt like it I'm stuck - and then started thinking why did I get myself into this state in the first place. How did I really let my body get into this state?! My trainer replied that injury is part of the fitness process, and is to be expected. It cannot be all ups, it has to be an up and down journey. Also, I am travelling to the US for 2 months. And it feels like I might lose the momentum that I've built. And then, how long would it take to get back on track? All these thoughts has brought me to a really negative state....

During the training session, we started with a meditation first. - Focus on breathing thru the stomach. Watch the breathing.  Think of your guru and god, and set intentions - to lose weight, get fit and go on the peace path - and help people. The meditation felt good. Already it seemed like some of the negativity dropped. Thoughts are just thoughts, they should not be given importance. Esp negative thoughts. If there is a thought, then write it down - check if it is inline with the goal, if it helps in any way - if no - then just tear the paper with the thought and throw it away - that  make the thought go away.
Why do we build up on negative non productive thoughts? That does not affect anyone else - no one even knows that we're depressed. But we affect ourselves. And this negative cycle builds up the cortisol - the sugar in the liver is sent to the blood stream and all the organs. This sugar is rejected by the organs, and then gets stored as fat. So the stress and negativity just leads to more fat being stored. So it is important to realize what we think - and if it helps in any way. Realize that the thought is not leading anywhere and only causing negativity, so then write it down and tear that up. This action helps get rid of the thought.
After this we did some stretching and exercises to help the knee recover, and also the sciatic pain. Both reduced a lot - Almost gone after the session.
Mental state was much better after the session. Felt much more relaxed and did actually do the tearing up exercise for a few thoughts. It did help! Felt happier.