The real purpose of 6000-7000 years old meditation is rooted in the oldest Veda called Rigveda. The authority of meditation stems from Patanjali’s science of meditation. It is based on the concept of ‘Chitta-vritti-nirodha,’ which in Sanskrit means the ‘mind, fluctuations and suppression’. According to Vedic science, the true purpose of meditation is to connect oneself to one’s deep inner Self.

Meditation is a two-pronged scientific system to (a) ground your individual consciousness which connects you to the superconsciousness, and (b) enhance your physical fitness and calm the body-mind complex, reduce stress, and achieve normal homeostasis. (self-regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions)

It is known as Dhyan in Sanskrit representing the 7th limb of the 8-limb Maharishi Patanjali Yoga system. Bhagavad Gita says: “Yoga Karmasu Kaushalam” Yoga brings excellence in your thoughts, decisions and actions. The Master says you should make an effort to withdraw from the senses and follow theguidelines in the handbook.

Meditation is a challenge for many people due to disturbances from thoughts. One of the most effective and recognised methods that yogis recommend to solve this is to persevere and repeat meditation regularly. This trains and reforms your mind to build a nerve path to take you (Described in the Neuroplasticity section). Gyanam Suvigyanam’s technique is suitable for children of any age. Meditation has been scientifically proven to improve children’s learning, sharpen their minds, reinforce self-awareness, reduce anxiety, and boost memory power.

 

The Power of Thoughts

Einstein explains that it is not possible to solve ‘a problem from the same level of consciousness that created it,’ hence, the reason to attain spiritual intelligence, the mother of all intelligence.

How Are Thoughts Created?

Thoughts arise from the complex interactions within the brain’s neural networks. Here are some key components involved in thought creation:

1. Neural Activity: At the core, thoughts are generated by the firing of neurons. When neurons communicate through synapses, they form neural circuits. These circuits are responsible for various cognitive functions, including perception, memory, and reasoning.

Thoughts are the fundamental building blocks of our mental experience, shaping our perceptions, emotions, and actions. The creation of thoughts and the mechanisms through which they can be changed is a topic that has fascinated scientists, philosophers, and spiritual leaders for centuries. Understanding these processes involves a blend of neuroscience, psychology, and mindfulness practices.

2. Sensory Input: Our thoughts often begin with sensory input from our environment. The brain processes information received from the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell) and integrates it with existing knowledge and memories to form thoughts.

3. Memory and Experience: The brain stores vast amounts of information in different types of memory (short-term, long-term, and working memory). Our past experiences and knowledge influence the thoughts we generate. For instance, encountering a particular smell might trigger memories and associated thoughts from the past.

4. Emotional States: Emotions play a crucial role in shaping thoughts. The limbic system, particularly the amygdala, is involved in processing emotions. Emotions can colour our thoughts, making them more positive or negative.

5. Cognitive Processes: Higher-order cognitive processes, such as reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making, also contribute to thought creation. The prefrontal cortex is instrumental in these functions, allowing us to think abstractly and plan for the future.

How Can You Change Your Thoughts?

Changing thoughts is a powerful way to influence one’s mental and emotional well-being. Here are several strategies to achieve this:

1. Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness practices involve paying attention to the present moment non-judgmentally. Meditation helps increase awareness of thoughts and can lead to greater control over them. Techniques such as focused attention, open monitoring, and loving-kindness meditation can help shift negative thought patterns to more positive ones.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns. It involves challenging irrational or harmful thoughts and replacing them with more rational and constructive ones. Techniques such as cognitive restructuring and thought records are commonly used in CBT.

3. Positive Affirmations: Repeating positive affirmations can help reprogram the mind. Affirmations are positive statements that can counter negative self-talk and reinforce positive thinking. Over time, this practice can lead to a shift in thought patterns.

4. Gratitude Practice: Focusing on gratitude can transform thoughts. Keeping a gratitude journal and regularly reflecting on things you are thankful for can shift your mindset from negativity to positivity.

5. Behavioural Changes: Actions can influence thoughts. Engaging in activities that promote well-being, such as exercise, hobbies, and social interactions, can lead to more positive thoughts. Behavioral activation is a technique used in therapy to help individuals engage in meaningful activities to combat depression and negative thinking.

6. Mindful Breathing and Relaxation: Techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery can calm the mind and reduce stress. A relaxed state of mind is more conducive to positive thinking.

Spiritual Mindset Supersedes Other Mindsets

Spiritual mindsets are more important than skillsets but has never been mainstreamed as an adjunct to growing mindsets. It is also referred to as soft skills which are preferred by employers vis-a-vis technical skills. They claim that the latter skills can be systematically imparted than soft skills. Spiritual mindset is universal which enables inter-relatedness, agility and resilience.

If you fail to transform your mindset you will be going round and round in full circle. According to Einstein it is not possible to solve problems by applying the same type of thinking that created the problems in the first place. So we need to strategise to shift our paradigm to match the dynamics that emerge.

What Do You Understand By Mindset?

Volumes have been written about the phenomenon of mindset. What do you understand by the term mindset. A mindset is an individual dashboard. It takes shape from your paradigm or perspective of life you were exposed to since your nonage.

It is the way you browse or perceive the world through your psychological lens which navigates your life. Hence your subjective view of the world is created which is the key to unlock your potentials. The mindset comprises internal and external information. Internal information is the sum total of personality, personal circumstances, expectations and external information come from people and the environment.

By tweaking the mindset your child can make favourable adjustments. You can improve on the child’s inborn sanskara by exposing him/her to the right environment and performing the rite of receiving a blessed pregnancy called ‘Gharbhadaan Sanskara.’