Sleep is a natural medicine but…do we know how to sleep?

Medical science, as our readers are aware, generally agrees that on an average 7/8 hours of daily sleep is necessary for an adult. Sleep is widely believed to be a natural medicine against various ailments. It also helps to soothe frayed nerves. However, is it not true that we do not come across as many articles on quality of sleep? For example, is 5/6 hours of sleep sufficient if the quality of sleep is good? A common-sense approach seems to suggest so. If it be so then does it not make sense to understand how to sleep better? Let us explore it.

Recently we came across the titled Living Within. It is a compilation of excerpts from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother of the Pondicherry Ashram. We approached the topic with curiosity and a tinge of scepticism. But the succinct explanation of the art of sleeping bowled us for. A few sections are quoted for the benefit of the readers.

• “If one is physically very tired, it is better not to go to sleep immediately, otherwise one falls into the in conscient.”

• “If one is very tired, one must stretch out on the bed, relax, loosen all the nerves one after the another until one becomes like rumpled cloth on one’s bed, as though one had neither bones nor muscles.”

• “When one has done that, the same thing must be done in the mind. Relax, do not concentrate on any idea or try to solve a problem or ruminate on impressions, sensations or emotions you had during the day.”

• “And then the mind also – the mind, try to keep it like that, without any activity. You must put upon the brain the force of peace, great quietude, of silence if possible and not follow ideas actively…” (Does it not sound familiar with the third step of Quality Mind Process – QMP – elaborated in the previous Issue?)

• “I guarantee that if you do this carefully, you are sure to sleep, and also sure that instead of falling into a dark hole you will sleep in light, and when you get up in the morning you will be fresh, fit, content, happy and full of energy for the day.”

The four steps highlighted above indicate the need for a steady and persistent effort for mastery oversleep. Both for fevers and for mental trouble sleep is a great help and its absence undesirable – it is the loss of a curative agency. Adoption of the above method of sleeping augurs well not only for the senior citizens but also for persons who are actively pursuing their respective careers. On a lighter note, come to think of it, saving two hours of sleep daily can be utilized for pursuing activities for which we apparently do not get time!

Soothing Nerves – Busting Stress

In the previous Issue we had highlighted that the current crises, with no end at sight, is taking toll on many of us. Individuals who are not so resilient mentally are breaking-down due to too much negativity surrounding the pandemic. If it be so, then what could be the remedial measure(s)?

There are two approaches which complement one another. First, engaging in physical activities, consuming healthy food, refraining from intoxicants and reading wholesome books. Such activities are indeed good for our physical and psychological well-being but these are external to us. So, what is the other approach which complements the above? The answer lies in one the rich sources of Indian culture – Yogavashistha. It offers an insight on the internal approach to mental well-being.

The young prince Ram, a teenager then, was residing in the gurugriha of Sage Vashistha. The Sage was grooming Ram as the future king of Ayodhya. In one of the classes the great Sage was expounding the nature of mind. The young prince was unable to understand. It is then that Vashistha explained its nature with the help of an analogy. He said that mind is like a monkey (habitual restlessness) which is drunk (endless desire) then stung by a scorpion (envy) and finally, a demon (egotism) has entered into it. He concluded by saying that if such is the nature of mind then how difficult it must be to control it. Now, fast-forward to 2020. Anxiety and fear about future are overpowering us. Our thoughts are making us restless. Therefore, it is important for us know if we can integrate in our 24-hour cycle (like a few mentioned in the previous paragraph) a practice that will help us to soothe our nerves. The answer lies in the Quality Mind Process (QMP) whose inspiration is drawn from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and Patanjali’sYogasutras.

The steps are:

1. Deep, mindful and slow alternate nostril breathing

2. Normal mindful breathing

3. Brain-Stilling (thoughtlessness in the head)

4. Opening up upwards above the head to the Cosmic and

5. Bringing down the awareness from the top of the head into the cave of the heart and concentrate

When practised regularly for atleast 20 min, in empty stomach, in the morning and in the evening the following mental benefits are derived:

1. Gradual strengthening of will-power

2. Development of penetrating insight

3. Feeling of deep inner serenity and poise beneath the surface turbulence

4. Greater courage and capacity for introspection

It calls for perseverance & patient tenacity and only then stress can be busted. QMP has after all withstood the scrutiny of time & modern science accepts it as well. Porosh has in-house expert to teach QMP for augmenting mental health.

COVID-19: A great leveller

A true optimist is one who views a glass half full as against half empty. Over last month and a half we are mostly fed by the electronic and print media on what is going wrong with Covid-19 pandemic. The fallout of this has been growing incidents of individuals falling prey to psychiatric problems due to brooding over cataclysmic end to the world. Faint-hearted have started losing their nerves. However, Porosh, as usual, offers a different take on this issue.

The forced lockdown has made many of us realize the futility of unnecessary necessities. We have started to live with less. This is the new normal, Atleast for the time being. Scope for extravagant spending and money splurging is no longer possible. We are compelled to lead a simple life like it, or not. Suddenly designation and status appear meaningless. Yet the superfluity of 24*7 lifecycle is yet to sink-in with many. Those accustomed to leading bahirmukhi lifestyle are probably finding it unsettling to adjust to the unexpected shift in gear. However, what we may fail to realize is that it might be once in a lifetime opportunity for us to find true meaning of our existence. This period of lockdown could be the turning-point in many of our lives in terms of setting priorities beyond the narrow confines of one’s career and material accomplishments. Is there anything else to look forward to?

Yes. At the societal level we have become more self-reliant by way of performing household chores be it mopping floors, cooking, washing utensils, dusting etc. In this sense, lockdown due to COVID-19 has been a great leveller. It has blurred the difference between the haves and have-nots, a common man on the street and a celebrity. Not only this. There are news reports claiming that the senior citizens (and others as well) having asthmatic problems have reduced breathing problems.

On a still broader scale the good old Earth has finally got the much-needed healing touch. What global conferences on climate change could not achieve over the years, COVID-19 has been able to. It has proved beyond doubt that without genuine fear of death we are happy paying lip service to nature conservation. The Nature is reclaiming its lost territories and evidences are aplenty. Thus, COVID-19 has proved to be a great leveller by bringing the developed, developing and under-developed nations together and make them work in unison.

Although humanity has taken a beating yet we are confident of bouncing back a lot more wiser.