Is there a vaccine to safeguard the health of the mind and emotional heart? Yes, says Daaji Kamlesh Patel. A heart-based meditation, such as Heartfulness, aided by yogic transmission, and the Heartfulness cleaning, enhance mental health, emotional resilience and self-awareness
The WHO defines health as holistic well-being, not just the absence of illness. Hippocrates' Science of Medicine sets the goal of medicine as the complete removal of distress of the sick.
The rapid progress in modern medical care, marked by strides in pharmacology, genomics, innovative healthcare practices, and the integration of technology such as Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, and data analysis, is remarkable. The incorporation of advanced diagnostic tools through instrumentation is extraordinary. Yet, is this comprehensive approach the sole path for enhancing overall well-being and health?
Ancient Healing Wisdom:
While modern medicine offers invaluable advancements such as antibiotics, vaccinations, surgical techniques, and pharmaceutical breakthroughs, there exists an intriguing realm of alternative healing systems originating from the East and West. India, as well as ancient civilizations like Egypt and China, hold profound secrets that remain largely unexplored by modern medical science. Some of those systems like Ayurveda and Sidha in India are thousands of years old in their development while allopathic medicine is hardly a few centuries old.
Within Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, and other ancient disciplines, we encounter concepts that might baffle both the layperson and medical researchers alike. Ayurvedic practitioners share fascinating insights, revealing the profound impact of the time of day when harvesting and administering herbal medicines. Take, for instance, the Tulsi leaves, considered akin to nectar or medicine when plucked in the morning but potentially toxic if gathered at night, a phenomenon rooted in isomerism. Similarly, certain plants used in the treatment of cardiovascular ailments can yield opposing effects when harvested at the wrong time of day. These are the mysterious depths of ancient healing traditions waiting to be unveiled.
Harmony and Healing:
True well-being extends beyond the physical body to encompass the harmony of the body, mind, and soul. In the intricate tapestry of human existence, both external and internal aspects must be in harmony to foster a healthy life. Inside us, many layers of existence are yet to be explored.
Thus healing transcends the physical realm; it reaches into the recesses of the mind and the depths of our emotions. The ancient Latin adage "Mens sana in corpore sano" reminds us that a sound mind resides within a healthy body. The scars on our emotional hearts may be more challenging to mend than those on our flesh. These emotional wounds arise from misunderstandings, selfishness, lack of love and compassion and more. To heal them, we must engage in right thinking, lend a compassionate ear, nurture empathy, and unlock the potential of a purified heart. In this journey, meditation and spirituality are indispensable companions.
Today, and in the unfolding future, it is the individual with a heart purified by goodness and strength who stands to enjoy the highest levels of well-being and resilience, ensuring not only personal health but also the flourishing of humanity and our precious world as our quest for healing extends far beyond the individual self.
The Heart’s Intelligence and the Healing Process:
Paul Pearsall wrote The Heart's Code shedding light on the profound influence of the emotional and psychological heart on physical well-being. The heart’s influence extends to love, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, which expand our consciousness and naturally lead to enhanced health.
The foundation of our good health is the sustenance of a life force or our staying alive. When this force departs the human body, all ceases to function. Even amid illnesses, accidents, injuries, pain, and stress, survival persists as long as this vital essence resides within. That thing that makes us stay alive is called by different names in different cultures - rooh, soul, atman, etc. So when we talk about good health or well-being, the primary question we have to ask ourselves is, ‘How to ensure the good health, growth, and well-being of the soul?’ or ‘How to keep that soul happy in a state of prayerful grace and feed it well with a life-giving force?’
Exploring the Koshas in Healing:
At the physical level, we think of health as a healthy diet, exercising, a good lifestyle, etc. A deeper exploration at the vibrational level reveals intricate layers within the human body. These layers, referred to as koshas, sheaths, or coverings, present a profound dimension of our existence. The Upanishads describe the koshas as the five layers of awareness, starting with the physical body and moving deeper, inward, to the deepest layer of our soul or innermost self. Through the practice of yoga and meditation, we embark on a transformative journey. We experience these layers which bring us closer to understanding them in the real essence, thereby discovering our true inner selves. The five koshas are as follows:
Annamaya kosha (food) - This outermost kosha takes care of sustenance for the physical body.
Pranamaya kosha (energy) - This kosha regulates the flow of prana or life-force energy.
Manomaya kosha (mind) - Manomaya is the kosha that gives us awareness of our thoughts, and emotions.
Vijnanamaya kosha (intuition) - This kosha is connected to an intuitively deeper level that gives access to spiritual wisdom.
Anandamaya kosha (bliss) - This is the deepest layer and the scriptures refer to this as the true inner self, that gives us joy and love.
The Soul - Our Eternal Essence:
Beyond the koshas lies the foundation of our existence: the soul, the life force that sustains us. When it leaves the human being, all bodily functions cease. Despite illnesses, accidents, injuries, and stress, survival persists as long as this life dwells within. How do we nourish this life, our soul, our deep inner Self, to maintain its health and joy?
Yogis say that the soul thrives on Grace and Prana from the Source. That can be activated by a prayerful impulse from the heart, and a Spiritual Guide who can divert that Grace to our heart.
The Self or Soul is eternal, granting limitless possibilities. Its well-being transforms life experiences into lessons, joys, and cherished moments. Thus, the philosophy of the koshas bears profound significance, serving as the cornerstone of mental and emotional nurturing.
Meditate for Mental Hygiene:
While external cleanliness guards against infection, internal hygiene safeguards against mental afflictions. Wrong habits, and transgressions of ethics and morality, disrupt inner hygiene, leading to the erosion of mental and emotional well-being. This upheaval disrupts our sleep, it impedes our spiritual lifestyle and clouds our wisdom. In this fog, distinguishing between right and wrong, good and bad, cause and effect becomes challenging.
How to make our heart and mind conscious, and conscientious? Through reflection and meditation, we centre ourselves, anchoring in our true essence. The Sanskrit term for health, Swasthya, means this settledness in oneself. Such an individual remains unperturbed even amidst life's cyclonic storms, maintaining inner tranquillity. Conversely, those dwelling in the periphery are tossed and turned.
Antibiotics and surgery are essential in critical illness, and vaccines bridge immunity gaps. Modern medicine plays a crucial role. However, dietary adjustments, exercise, healthy sleep, pranayama, and yoga asanas offer vital solutions too. Above all, simple meditation practices nurture a meditative and prayerful disposition, empowering us to confront crises with composure and fortitude.
A Vaccine for Mental and Emotional Well-Being:
These days, we have vaccines against almost all physical diseases like smallpox, chickenpox, and even the Covid vaccine. What about a vaccine to safeguard the health of the mind and emotional heart? Meditation emerges as the remedy. A heart-based meditation, such as Heartfulness, aided by yogic transmission or Pranahuti, and the Heartfulness cleaning alleviates daily stress and tension, recognizing the psychosomatic nature of most modern maladies.
Lifestyle-induced illnesses encompass more than high blood pressure and diabetes extend to severe ulcers, various cancers, and hereditary effects. A meditative, prayerful lifestyle promotes self-discipline, curbing digital addiction, and shielding against electronic radiation. It fosters healthy sleep patterns and cultivates faith in a higher Reality, guiding us through a purified heart.
Connecting to the divine light in the heart before sleep becomes a habit, infusing every activity with heart-centred living. Even young children benefit from Heartfulness Relaxation experiencing academic improvement, enhanced athletic performance, heightened creativity, and increased joyfulness.
Before You Go:
Significant research has been done on the effects of a Heartfulness lifestyle on serotonin and melatonin levels, telomere length, and such indicators of health. Countless more indicators await discovery. Modern research will surely supplement the subjective research of millennia in human health.
Meditative practices bring profound enhancements to mental health, emotional resilience, and self-awareness. They alleviate anxiety, instil calmness, and foster inner peace, addressing the very core of our being, even our DNA. However, the hidden gem lies in this revelation: meditation transcends mere health benefits. It unveils the perpetual essence of a vibrant life in every moment. This harmonious interplay between meditation and well-being extends beyond physical, mental, and emotional realms, inviting us to a rendezvous with life's boundless exuberance, steeped in joy, health, and the heart's embrace.