By – Dr. Ashutosh Pradhan                                                                        Click Here to download PDF 

During the lock down stage we often experience different emotions. You may have learnt of animal behaviour is different in captivity and in natural habitat. Similarly, a lock down imposed by the administration in response to the pandemic is a situation equivalent to in captivity situation for animals. The current lock down state is just a trailer of what Vinayak D. Savarkar must have experienced in the jails away from homeland in Andaman Nikobar. Once can experience the kind of pain he must have suffered when he penned down his emotions in the famous Marathi song – “Ne Majasi Ne Parat Matrubhumila, Sagara Pran Talamalala” – Oh my dear sea take me back to my mother land, my soul is jittering with separation… Considering his state of mind, I have enumerated the existing state of emotions. Following table lists the state along with probable action points:

EMOTIONS

Under Lock Down State

No Lock Down State

Emotions

Related Actions

Emotions

Related Actions

I am stuck at home

I am compelled to undertake chores not meant for me. I cannot freely mingle with my friends, go out for socials, play with friends in society compounds nor can I have visitors at my place.

I am safe at home

I am spending quality time with family and friends wherever required.

I may run out of resources and may not able to purchase what I wish

Fear of falling short of resources is compelling me to step out in crowd to buy and stock more than required

I have enough at home and let me use it wisely

Let me reduce, re-cycle, re-use

Everything is about to close

Desperation to stock more as the establishments are shutting down due to lack of supplies, manpower and hindrances to access them I must do something.

Important establishments such as grocery shops, clinics, chemists are still open

I can purchase anything I need at any given point of time. I am calm and comfortable

Anything may happen any time, I am too insecure, unsafe and may be in dire need of essentials

Keep a watch on news and local groups to ponder upon deteriorating situations, cannot concentrate and focus on hobbies.

I am comfortable at home with my own hygiene standards

On spare time am satisfied with situation and spend time on hobbies.

Negative Emotions

Positive Emotions

 

Now since we have considered the factor affecting our emotions and creating a turmoil let’s learn how do we handle this situation. In order to take control of your emotions in the lock down state you must take it to your heart that this is a temporary situation and its not a permanent situation. Hence there will be end to this in upcoming few weeks. Yet few citizens will find it difficult to console their own emotions. Under such circumstances it is advisable to practice Dhyana / Meditation which will help you to internalize your emotions, making you fresh and lighter and forget the lock down effect. Dhyana / Meditation helps you to find peace and internal harmony. Lets learn step by step, how to practice Dhyana from our Hon. PM Modi through his animated video on Dhyana:

English Video

 

Hindi Video

 

Steps to follow:

  1. Sit down in a meditative posture – padmasana or sukhasana
  2. While sitting in a padmasana posture, ensure your spine is straight
  3. Arms, shoulders are relaxed
  4. Head is up and eyes are closed
  5. Ensure your palms are rested on the knees and the fingers are in relaxed manner resting on the knees
  6. Take your left palm to touch at your navel, next take you right palm to rest it on you left palm. This is called dhyana mudra
  7. Ensure that the whole body is relaxed and comfortable
  8. Draw awareness towards your body from head to toes which will help you to internalize and you will avoid external distractions
  9. Be aware of your breathing – inhalation and exhalation making it deep and slow
  10. Focus on the centre of your eyebrows and continue breathing rhythmically
  11. Watch your thoughts – try to stay with positive and pleasurable thoughts
  12. As you continue to do so you will be much calmer and more relaxed with contemplation
  13. Effects of Dhyana:
    1. Rejuvenates body and mind,
    2. Helps to improve concentration and aids behavioural modification ?
    3. Help in reducing negative emotions and cultivating positive emotions
    4. Reduces Anger, Fear, Anxiety / Depression
    5. Helps to attain inner peace
    6. Increases memory, willpower, and clarity of thoughts
    7. Helps to become more positive and productive
    8. Improves Quality of Living
    9. Regular practice of Dhyana keeps your mind calm and quiet and helps to reach goal of yoga practice – Self Realization
  14. With which effectively you can change negative emotions during lock down to positive emotions

References:

  1. A Facebook post by Virendra Pradhan – https://www.facebook.com/virendra.pradhan.104/posts/2736196493270833  (accessed on 27-Mar-2020)
  2. Yoga with PM Modi – YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-73jLhEosSQ (accessed on 27-Mar-2020)

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© March 2020, Dr. Ashutosh Pradhan – Consulting Homoeopath – Wellbiance Quality of Living Clinic