Today, the issue related to mental health affects an estimated 350 million people around the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Unfortunately, many people don’t even acknowledge that they are depressed, and nearly 50 percent of major depression goes untreated.
Neither at school nor at home are we taught how to handle our negative emotions. We teach dental hygiene but forget to teach mental hygiene. Stress does not go away by just talking or advising. We need to learn some techniques and tools to get rid of stress and calm the mind.
Why does an individual get stressed or depressed? Some depression may be because one is hanging onto the past or is over-ambitious and anxious about the future. Life, however, is a continuous process of teaching one how to “let go.” Change is the only constant. When one does not acknowledge the phenomenon of change and becomes stuck to a position, then one can experience stress, frustration, depression, and so on.
Often, you are not aware that you are connected with the whole universe, and you think you are just some small person wanting small little things. How do we get out of this small mind? We must look to enquire into the core of our existence. What is life? Who am I? What do I want? This spirit of self-inquiry can awaken something inside you.
This is where meditation and breathing techniques can play an important role. They are the tools that help you calm your mind, and make you feel happy from within. In fact, I would say that meditation is food for the soul.
What is meditation?
Meditation is the journey from movement to stillness, from sound to silence. The need to meditate is present in every human being because it is a natural tendency of human life to look for a joy that doesn’t diminish, a love that doesn’t distort or turn into negative emotions.
Meditation is the way to take deep rest yet be alert and conscious at the same time! It is the skill to calm the mind and get in touch with your inner joy.
