Power of Visualization - A tool for achieving personal goals

As if COVID-19 was not enough we bore the brunt of Nature in the form of Amphan. It has been a scale of devastation that the city of Kolkata has never witnessed in the past. During this time of the year we are occasionally greeted by the oh-so pleasing norwester (kalbaishakhi) in the evenings. But then, something of this sort? Who knows if it is an early sign of things to come on account of global warming? Let us now focus on an engaging theme which shall test our will-power for a rewarding future.

The Greek philosopher Plato had once remarked, “Take charge of your life and you can do with it what you will.” This statement holds good for ‘visualization’. It is a time-tested powerful technique for transforming dreams into realities.

Visualization is an act of mentally picturing ideas, events, circumstances and concrete objects. The effectiveness of visualization is in enhancing our ability to achieve. A person who visualizes clearly sees the results that would come in pursuit of goals. The following steps are noteworthy:

1. When we visualize a goal it fuels motivation. It generates intense urgency and fuels intensity to keep motivation burning. Procrastination, inertia and indecision disappear. We are energized to keep moving towards the accomplishment of goals. Moreover, in the majority of situations vision gives more accurate knowledge than any other source. This is substantiated by the fact that we customarily think in pictures.

2. By constant practice we can improve our power of visualization and turn it into a forceful habit that increases our personal productivity. But it needs to be supported by concrete action. Once we start visualizing regularly and as per plan we shall find it be the most helpful tool used for harnessing the power of imagination. It also intensifies beliefs and commitments.

3. That seeing is believing has more than a grain of truth. When we visualize in possession of a goal we believe in our ability to achieve it.

4. Visualization sharpens concentration because it shows the exact path to the destination. We are no longer distracted by outward circumstances.

5. Visualization relieves stress. Anxiety and stress creep-in when uncertainty and doubt associated with the future. It reduces stress by providing believable information.

Paul J Mayer, a pioneer in the self-improvement industry, commented, “Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.”Therefore, the crises we are face-to-face calls for individual efforts in thinking positive for a better future. It will for certain come to pass.

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.