SAIEN

When we are stressed out and worried, we tend to have our minds continually revolve around the object of worry, and we are unable to break out of that cycle easily. This enhances the stress and locks us into an unhealthy pattern of breath and the impact that both the worry and the irregular breathing have on the physical body. When we try to simply shift the attention away, we find the thoughts continue to recur, and in many cases, our sleep is disturbed, or we turn to mindless distraction, or self-medication with drugs or alcohol to try to do away with the fixation.   There is however another way. The world religious traditions, and the spiritual paths that have developed over time, all recognize the power of chanting of various mantras, prayers or hymns, to break the cycle of external thoughts and move the awareness inwards to a state of peace and calm. Prayer and mantra are able to shift the focus of the mind away from the cause of worry and thus, shift the mind towards a recogn...

Self-Development is an important goal for any conscious human being in the world. Normally, by Google search, self-development could mean skill enhancement or better employability. But if we go a bit deeper, self-development is more than just an improved capacity or skill for a better material life. Self-Development, in a deeper way, is a call to change,  improve and progress, and move towards self-perfection. For after all, that is a goal worthy of life on earth.    The reason for self-development stems from our deep need for underlying search for something higher and truer. Being conscious beings, inwardly and secretly we work towards this impulse towards perfection, truth and bliss as Sri Aurobindo says in 'The Life Divine'.    Helpful Tips Some tips or pointers worth keeping in mind when one takes up the work  of self-development would be:   Setting a goal This is an important step for any growth. An aim, a goal is needed. Be it for change of habit...

Holistic self development means developing the full potential of each part of our being - mind, heart, vital force, and body – and aligning each with our true self or innermost being.  The first step in this process is to become conscious of our various parts and their current nature and workings in daily life. The second is to develop the full potential of each aspect of our being by aligning it with our true self. When this happens, we begin to live harmoniously with the world around us: family and friends, neighbors, community and even nature and the universe.  Step 1: Our various parts and their current nature and workings Let us consider the mind and its workings in daily life. One of the most important functions of the mind is the power of discrimination. But notice that the mind’s ability to discriminate between things such as right-wrong, proper-improper, moral-immoral, etc. is mostly dependent on our shifting beliefs, values, mental convictions/preferences and even ou...

Dear Reader, SAIEN is an evolving outcome of a collective aspiration of several centres to create a global platform as an offering and homage to Sri Aurobindo in his 150 th  anniversary year. Today, 15 th  of September, we inaugurate the SAIEN BLOG where each participating member/centre can contribute to the current topic/theme online. This Blog is a space to share insights into the Practice of Integral Yoga in daily life. It is a space for all Seekers to share and reflect upon their journey and practice. Should you wish to contribute to the Blog, email us at  integralnetwork150@gmail.com with a few details about yourself and what theme you would like to introduce. For details about SAIEN, visit  https://integraledu.in . I invite you to actively participate to make this a truly living and inspiring collective space. Ameeta Mehra Convenor SAIEN "True collaboration is a non-egoistic union of all personal efforts to express and realise the Divi...