Author: Dr. Ajit Varwandkar
While you read this column, please close your eyes and do the following exercise. Think and recall five things in your bedroom that you did not think of for a long time. The question which would hit your mind is, why should I do this? What will I get out of this experiment?
Well, let me assure you that it will be very interesting and insightful experiment your ever did. We humans usually get so used to our routine life priorities that we miss out on many of our life essentials. I will share my learning when I did this experiment myself. The five things which I noticed were:
- The photo frame
- The Mouthorgan
- A suitcase
- The washroom
- The unique false ceiling design
Noticing the above few things with deep passion, did put me on a memory lane drive. I am sharing everything I was reminded of from the above five things.
- The photo frame
The frame has a pic taken in Goa – it is me with my family. I was reminded of the great fun days and the happiness our family experienced during that vacation. I realised that today I am so invested in my professional engagements that leisure has taken a back seat. On further retrospection, it is now time for yet another family outing!!
Friends, life must not be all work and no joy. To do good at the workplace, we need a breakout room to zoom in with euphoria.
- The Mouthorgan
As a child, I used to play Mouthorgan as well as the percussion instrument ‘Tabla’. I was reminded that it has been a long time since I indulged in my hobbies.
Music is definitely a great freshener. It creates a shield of peace around us and disallows any stress to enter inside. Chasing life goals and running after targets had made me forget the art of playing these instruments. The moment I picked them again, I returned to my youth. I was able to experience the elixir of life.
- A suitcase
I was reminded of my last international travel. I was one of those who entered the country along with CoVID!
For a moment, get back to those days when Corona was just a “monster news”! No one knew how to deal with it. Even the “Fight or flight” response was not possible because one could not run away from this virus anywhere! The only objective for each one of us was to keep ourselves alive.
Eventually, things settled. The suitcase reminded me to take things easy. Be peaceful and composed even when the times are tough. Swami Chinamyananda had said, “Remember, even this will pass away!”
- The washroom
Well, we use our washrooms for defecating and for taking baths. All these are essentials to take care of our body and keep it clean and healthy.
This helped me think about my ‘mind’. The most potent and invisible element of my existence is my mind. I do so much to ensure the proper hygiene of my body. What about the mind? How do I take care of my mind? The answer is by practising regular meditation. By accepting my life situations as those are and by forgetting any misgivings or tragedies from my past. I must also treat my mind well by refusing to store grudges and complaints and by forgiving one and all who may have caused hurt to me in any format.
- The unique false ceiling design
I saw the beautiful design behind the ceiling fan. That was a beautiful structure made out of plaster of Paris. While doing the interiors for my room, I had specially placed it at the centre of the ceiling.
I had always thought this beautiful thing would make me feel happy and relaxed at the end of the day. Today, I realise that the piece of art has been there for years. However, I have been missing to notice its presence. I go to bed, close my eyes and get submerged into a deep sleep! Thus, I miss out on the beauty of this art piece.
This reminded me to thank the Universe for all those bounties we have received. Something which was a craze yesterday might not be significant today, but it is always good to acknowledge and express gratitude again and again for everything we have. Why not be thankful for the smallest thing of joy around us!
Well, friends, these five things in my room brought me closer to living a mindful life. This is a fascinating experiment to do. Why don’t you also do it and share your experiences with all?