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	<title>Heartfulness Primary</title>
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		<title>From Inner Awareness to Outer Success</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/from-inner-awareness-to-outer-success/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jai V]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Aug 2021 04:08:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[HOH Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=197802</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I love music, dancing, animals, swaying trees and the power of the moon. I also enjoy supporting people who meet their needs authentically, and that is the drive for my work with children and adolescents living in informal settlements. I often find myself searching for meaning in what I do. So far, my search has led me to a personal&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/from-inner-awareness-to-outer-success/">Read More</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/from-inner-awareness-to-outer-success/">From Inner Awareness to Outer Success</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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<p>I love music, dancing, animals, swaying trees and the power of the moon. I also enjoy supporting people who meet their needs authentically, and that is the drive for my work with children and adolescents living in informal settlements.</p>
<p>I often find myself searching for meaning in what I do. So far, my search has led me to a personal realization that an engagement is meaningful if it is aligned with my liberation, an awakening of who I really am. I am very grateful to have discovered love and meditation as my paths towards that. Love, for me, is an act of ‘going out’ in service of others, and meditation is one of ‘going in’ in remembrance of my truth. Attaining a balance of these two is my current focus. To me, youth leadership means offering myself for the wellbeing of youth. I perceive wellbeing as attaining inner awareness and peace, while actualizing various projects in our communities. I began my career with the latter, but I hope to support more and more youth to attain the former and, eventually, a consistent balance of both.</p>
<p>For me, Heartfulness meditation has been the simplest path to inner peace and contentment. It enables me to see clearly what is most meaningful to me and relate with the world in a pleasant state. What else is there to attain other than true pleasantness! I have also realised that the more we trust our gut, the more we get the knack of it. Not that there will be no mistakes, but in this process we are building a very essential life muscle! Keep your light on! No matter where we arrive, let us prioritize our inner guide. I do it through love and <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meditation.</a> I am still learning meditation, but I presume that the genuine resolve to attain liberation paves the way for me.</p>
<p>A person whose insight I value deeply said, ‘The most constant thing in human life is that everything changes, but the distance between you and that which you would like to have remains constant’. I believe that it is important to examine one’s needs and set our goals wisely. Let us not blindly accept other people’s opinions, because while this can shed light, it&#8217;s we who have to do the seeing. Prioritizing inner awareness and peace will bring pleasantness in all aspects but focusing more on outer success will not.”</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/from-inner-awareness-to-outer-success/">From Inner Awareness to Outer Success</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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		<title>360 degrees – Love</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/360-degrees-love/</link>
					<comments>https://heartfulness.org/en/360-degrees-love/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jai V]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Aug 2021 05:42:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[HOH Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=197707</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>“Love is a noble quality that needs to be intensely called upon from deep within the heart. Keep on focusing your life on Love. It is at the root of any process. Yet, Love is not innate in everyone. One has to call on it intensely and make it one’s daily food to quench one’s thirst continuously at the Source.&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/360-degrees-love/">Read More</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/360-degrees-love/">360 degrees – Love</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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<p>“Love is a noble quality that needs to be intensely called upon from deep within the heart. Keep on focusing your life on Love. It is at the root of any process. Yet, Love is not innate in everyone. One has to call on it intensely and make it one’s daily food to quench one’s thirst continuously at the Source. But the <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/heartfulness-practices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">practice of Sahaj Marg [Heartfulness]</a> brings convincing results. It opens the Heart.</p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 8px;">“Love attracts Love.”- Swami Vivekananda</p>
<p>I have often read this quote by Swami Vivekananda and sat in meditation; with a deep and sincere prayer, admitting, that perhaps I did not know how to call upon love intensely, and yet with a deep desire to cultivate it in the innermost recesses of my heart, so that my heart can flower with lightness, joy and peace, nurtured by its presence.</p>
<p>I feel so much hope in Heartfulness because it makes the presence of that which is intangible, tangible. As I sat in prayer, admitting that I did not know how to call upon love intensely, a wave of deep absorption took over, and I experienced a feeling of almost unearthly joy, lightness, and bliss.</p>
<p>In the middle of this experience, I found myself feeling nearly sad, for I knew that I would have to open my eyes and come back to the real world! Instead, I found myself correcting myself – that the world I had experienced, indeed, was very real. I just had to carry it in my heart, through the day. How much easier, and wonderful our world would be, if we could bring those states into our lives, by the minute!</p>
<p>Even though I am in the process of cultivating it, as humans, I believe we are deeply privileged to have experienced this beautiful energy and the beautiful things it can do. One night, as I lay in a hospital bed in pain, unable to sleep and crying, my father sat beside me, gently caressing my hands and my back. The next thing my father did was to take my hand in his and close his eyes.</p>
<p>As if his hand were a disk, I felt waves of Love radiate 360 degrees from his hands. Before I could realize it, I was asleep. The next day, as I shared my experience, my father said that the only thing he had done was to hold my hand in his, with a prayer. The essence of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/faq/what-is-yogic-transmission/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heartfulness – transmission</a> – had played its magic.</p>
<p>There have been other times, when I have sat in meditation; and perhaps without realizing, even held a slight resistance. Yet, by the end of the <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meditation</a>, my head bows down in humility to the love being bestowed and carrying us gracefully through life. I believe Love is like immunity. When we have the time – especially, when times are rosy, those are the opportunities from nature to intensely cultivate it and call upon it from the heart. That way, when life brings upon us its own set of challenges, Love – which is always right, and bigger than any force in the Universe – will hold us through life, and ask of us that which needs to be done.</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/360-degrees-love/">360 degrees – Love</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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		<title>From Self-Discovery to Self-Assurance</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/from-self-discovery-to-self-assurance/</link>
					<comments>https://heartfulness.org/en/from-self-discovery-to-self-assurance/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jai V]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Aug 2021 07:22:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[HOH Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=197684</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>“The period from 20 to 30 years of age is a time of youth, discovering oneself in the professional sphere, searching for a lifestyle, forming tastes, refining one’s values and habits, searching for a life partner. This is a very significant period in the life of every person– one for discovering inner potential, learning and self-determination and to ask oneself:&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/from-self-discovery-to-self-assurance/">Read More</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/from-self-discovery-to-self-assurance/">From Self-Discovery to Self-Assurance</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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<p>“The period from 20 to 30 years of age is a time of youth, discovering oneself in the professional sphere, searching for a lifestyle, forming tastes, refining one’s values and habits, searching for a life partner. This is a very significant period in the life of every person– one for discovering inner potential, learning and self-determination and to ask oneself: Who am I, and who do I want to be? Who do I want to be with? Which direction will I go in?</p>
<p>Until the age of 30, we make the most significant contribution towards our future life, and we need to use this time very wisely. I have been practicing Heartfulness during this important period of ten years, which the authors of the books usually call “the defining decade”. I got to know about the <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/heartfulness-practices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heartfulness practice</a> when I was 20 years old. This coincided with very important milestones in my life which saw me graduating from university, looking for a job and solving the issue of housing since I came to study in the capital from a small town. At the same time, another important event happened &#8211; I married the young man who I met at university and with whom I began the Heartfulness practice of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meditation.</a></p>
<p>At the start of the third decade of life, my lifestyle and worldview turned 180 degrees, thanks to Heartfulness. I began to look at the world from the inside, and many things around me began to change rapidly and acquired some kind of direction and aspiration. My environment was completely altered; at one point I was left without my usual friends with whom I spent time in my student days walking, having fun and adopting each other&#8217;s habits. I could have lost my inner essence and orientation if Heartfulness had not been a part of my life.</p>
<p>I completed my PhD and gained experience working as an artist at the oldest unique textile factory (which recently closed) in Russia. My family was formed and strengthened; my husband and I had a baby, and we settled down in the largest and most expensive city in our country. Together with my husband, and now our baby, we travel to India and practice Heartfulness. My husband and I are both Heartfulness trainers.</p>
<p>I feel I am entering a period of maturity with confidence, determination and joy. I feel like myself, that I am living my own life and listening to my heart. I am still open to the world and its possibilities. I have not lost my flexibility and desire to change and develop. It is common for people in their 30s to ask themselves if they imagined being where they are in their 20s. It’s wonderful that I can answer that I had no idea about the significantly real and beautiful things that I would acquire by the time I turned 30! And it, undoubtedly, happened thanks to my Heartfulness practice!”</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/from-self-discovery-to-self-assurance/">From Self-Discovery to Self-Assurance</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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		<title>Meditation Helped Me Win My Life Back</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-helped-me-win-my-life-back/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[sathish.asaithambi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jul 2021 05:28:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[HOH Series]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=196750</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When I was 16, I discovered Heartfulness meditation. My practice began with the relaxation technique, followed by meditation for 30 minutes a day. Initially, my experience with meditation was very ordinary, it was more about the enthusiasm of doing something new rather than understanding what it was all about. With the practice, I inculcated valuable things in my life –&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-helped-me-win-my-life-back/">Read More</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-helped-me-win-my-life-back/">Meditation Helped Me Win My Life Back</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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<p>When I was 16, I discovered Heartfulness meditation. My practice began with the relaxation technique, followed by <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meditation</a> for 30 minutes a day. Initially, my experience with meditation was very ordinary, it was more about the enthusiasm of doing something new rather than understanding what it was all about.</p>
<p>With the practice, I inculcated valuable things in my life – like doing good deeds, staying positive, being empathetic towards everyone, and accepting each individual as they are and to not judge them. But with the ups and downs in my life, my practice became irregular just when I really needed it the most. I was unable to understand why people were not good and kind to me when I was being good and kind to them.</p>
<p>I was filled with anger and hatred, especially when one of my closest friends let me down. I started to have expectations of others and this corrupted me. Expectations trap us in an infinite mess. I had no coping mechanism for such emotions and disappointments and distanced myself from people, and soon people around me started viewing me as a rude and selfish person. I made mistakes with people and my choices. Over the years, this piled up as a huge weight in my heart.</p>
<p>I met my Heartfulness trainer one day and shared what I was feeling. The trainer helped me to look at the bigger picture of life and I pulled myself out of this difficult phase with the help of meditation. Forgiveness and acceptance of things helped me.</p>
<p>With time, my <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-practice/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meditation practice</a> improved, making me feel lighter and simpler. The thought of feeling the source of divine light in the heart helped to bring about stillness and balance in my life. I learnt that no matter what happens in my life, I won&#8217;t let it impact my inner condition. Meditation has helped to remove certain traits of mine and enabled me to accept anything that may come about in my life. I realised that an open heart never closes the door on trust and faith, despite all disappointments and betrayals. The one constant thing throughout my journey was my wish to change from the bottom of my heart. I am truly grateful to be a part of the <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heartfulness community.</a></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-helped-me-win-my-life-back/">Meditation Helped Me Win My Life Back</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Importance of Daily Meditation</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/the-importance-of-daily-meditation/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[sathish.asaithambi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jul 2021 08:36:45 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=196727</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I recently had a great conversation the other night with a good friend about the importance of consistency when building habits. It can be easy to try something out for a few days, then table it when we either fall out of habit, feel like it isn’t working for us, or get caught up in distractions. But if we only&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/the-importance-of-daily-meditation/">Read More</a>.</p>
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<p>I recently had a great conversation the other night with a good friend about the importance of consistency when building habits. It can be easy to try something out for a few days, then table it when we either fall out of habit, feel like it isn’t working for us, or get caught up in distractions. But if we only give something a shot for a short period of time, have we really maximized all of its benefits?</p>
<p>I’m the first to admit the guilt of going days without meditating, only to half-heartedly pick it up towards the end of the week to make up for lost time. It can be easy to lose interest in something if we aren’t trying it out consistently or giving it a fair shot. Because daily meditation is initially challenging, it feels easier to move on from it quickly without giving it a lengthier chance.</p>
<p>A daily commitment is critical in order to reap the <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">benefits of meditation.</a> Just like a sport or any skill, really, meditation must be exercised like a muscle in order to grow its abilities. One of the purposes of Heartfulness Meditation is to create internal peace through self-connection by meditating on the heart. Maintaining the strength of that connection can only happen through a daily connection with the heart. It is recommended to try the Heartfulness practice out for at least seven months to truly understand the depth of its benefits.</p>
<p>Suggested Read: <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-made-simple/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Meditation made simple </a></p>
<p>If you’re struggling to commit to daily meditation, don’t give up! After all these years, there are still days (and weeks!) where I struggle to get in the chair and meditate. What motivates me is understanding the benefits and recognizing how much better my life is when my mediation practice is on track. Daily Meditation is definitely a challenging concept, but with willpower, self-interest, and commitment, it can become a daily part of your life in no time.</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/the-importance-of-daily-meditation/">The Importance of Daily Meditation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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		<title>Taking care of your Mental Health</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/taking-care-of-your-mental-health/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ashrafulnobi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2021 19:52:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Individual Spotlight]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=195284</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The brain is the most complex organ in the human body yet so amazing. It is made of more than 100 billion neurons that communicate in trillions of connections and sometimes due to certain neurotransmitter imbalances it can cause abnormalities in the communication among neurons. When the imbalance takes place, the brain may malfunction and won&#8217;t be able to send&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/taking-care-of-your-mental-health/">Read More</a>.</p>
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<p>The brain is the most complex organ in the human body yet so amazing. It is made of more than 100 billion neurons that communicate in trillions of connections and sometimes due to certain neurotransmitter imbalances it can cause abnormalities in the communication among neurons. When the imbalance takes place, the brain may malfunction and won&#8217;t be able to send proper instructions to the body which may lead to mental health issues.</p>
<p>In the US, The National Mental Health Act was passed in 1946, while in India, it was passed on 22 May 1987 although till date it is still an up-in-the-air topic for many parts of the world. We are familiar with the word mental health and we&#8217;ve also seen people around us suffering due to mental health issues but there is still a lot to discover about it. It&#8217;s time that we dive into the depth and learn about a few things like  how we can deal with mental health issues, how we can talk more about it or share our emotions, what should our response or reaction be when someone is sharing their feelings to make them feel more comfortable. We should always that remember our mental health effects our physical health. So, there shouldn&#8217;t be a stigma around mental health – none.</p>
<p><h2>Here are 5 tips for good mental health</h2>
<p>.<br />
They will help us to tackle this issue and make our heart feel better at tough times &#8211;</p>
<ul>
<p><li>
<strong>Share for self-care</strong> &#8211; &#8220;Share your problems for yourself&#8221;. When a conversation starts, it mostly starts with &#8220;How are you?&#8221; and in formality most of the time our response is &#8220;Doing great&#8221; even when we know we aren&#8217;t. This is a small example of how at times we don&#8217;t speak about what&#8217;s going on. So, the next time someone close asks you &#8220;How are you doing?&#8221; don&#8217;t take it as a formal question, instead take it as an opportunity to pause, center and genuinely respond to how you are feeling.<br />
We don’t realize the importance of sharing and the big role it plays in our lives.Sigmund Freud once said <em>&#8220;Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways&#8221;</em>. We usually compare our emotions and think we don&#8217;t have big issues like the other person, we should stop doing that because in the end traumas are traumas be it big or small. So, whenever your heart feels heavy share your emotions. Sharing is the biggest self-care.</li>
</p>
<p><li>
<strong>Relaxation</strong> &#8211; Relaxation is a process that reduces stress and tension in all parts of your body and helps you to stay balanced even in stressful situations. The <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-practice/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Heartfulness Relaxation</a> is a simple yet effective tool that one can practice by following the guided instructions.</li>
</p>
<p><li>
<strong>Meditation</strong> &#8211; It is a process that brings our attention inward towards the soul. The <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/Heartfulness" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Heartfulness Meditation<a/> takes the aid of transmission to help us immerse and connect even in the first attempt we even make.</li>
</p>
<p><li>
<strong>Connecting with Nature</strong> &#8211; We spend most of our time in the digital world with laptops, phones, video games because of which we connect to nature very little. Studies have shown that people who connect with nature are not only smarter and more creative but they&#8217;re more mentally and physically fit than others. Take some time out to connect with the nature by taking short trails, gardening, or just simply sitting and observing the clouds in the sky.</li>
</p>
<p><li>
<strong>Communication</strong> &#8211; There are plenty of techniques that can help people to recover from Mental Health Issues but at our level what we can do is to patiently listen when someone is talking about their feelings and practice empathy. Instead of telling them that they must be strong cause life gets tough sometimes, we should be there for them and give them the safe space to express their feelings. Ronald Reagan once quoted, <em>&#8220;We can&#8217;t help everyone, but everyone can help someone&#8221;</em>.</li>
</ul>
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		<title>4 Essential Tips for Exam Wizardry</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/4-essential-tips-for-exam-wizardry/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ashrafulnobi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:38:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Individual Spotlight]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=118166</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>4 Essential Tips for Exam Wizardry Exams are an unavoidable part of our academic and even professional life. The modern-day workplace with its constant demand for upskilling and updating resumes has made learning and consequently examinations, a continuous part of life’s journey. With three Masters-in-law degrees I have learned a few things which have helped me excel in exams. How&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/4-essential-tips-for-exam-wizardry/">Read More</a>.</p>
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<b>4 Essential Tips for Exam Wizardry</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:-28px;">Exams are an unavoidable part of our academic and even professional life. The modern-day workplace with its constant demand for upskilling and updating resumes has made learning and consequently examinations, a continuous part of life’s journey. With three Masters-in-law degrees I have learned a few things which have helped me excel in exams.</p>
<p><b>How Exams Impact Us</b></p>
<p>Exams leave a lasting impression on the mind. I am sure we can all recall that one exam which haunted our dreams and led to many sleepless nights. A combination of several factors such as irregular sleep timings, worries about results and constant feeling of not having enough time to prepare for exams, makes for a potent brew which can be toxic for our health, well-being and sense of self-worth.</p>
<p><b>Tip 1: Eat-Sleep-Exercise-Repeat</b></p>
<p>Perhaps the most obvious and yet the most ignored piece of advice. It may feel like time has paused while we undergo exams, but our physical, mental and emotional needs cannot be temporarily furloughed.</p>
<p>Even 10 minutes of daily exercise can have a <a href="https://www.heartfulnessmagazine.com/rejuvenation/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">rejuvenating</a> effect on the exam-stressed brain through release of endorphins, the brain&#8217;s feel-good neurotransmitters. Regular mealtimes, making healthy food choices and staying hydrated during exam preparation will help nourish the body and keep the brain sharp and focused.</p>
<p>Good sleep is vital not only for health but also for memory. Research has found that deep sleep contributes to memory consolidation which aids active recall of facts and figures during exams. Deep sleep accounts for 13 to 23 per cent of overall sleep and can only be achieved if you have 7-8 hours of sleep so it is crucial to get those hours in!</p>
<p><b>Tip 2: Don’t Worry, Be Ready</b><br />
Counterintuitively, I find it useful to have tunnel vision about upcoming exams than letting my mind be occupied with post-exam ‘what ifs’:<em> What if I don’t get good results? What if I get good results in this one, but not the other one?</em> It is also just as easy to get carried away with daydreaming of the freedom which awaits post exams.</p>
<p>Both drain our energy and focus from the present. A dear friend of mine put it quite accurately when he asked, <em>‘Pari, isn’t there enough to do already? Why should I let my mind be distracted by what I cannot control, like my results? All I can do is to give my best in the present moment’</em>. Similarly, all I could do was agree with my friend.</p>
<p><b>Tip 3: Daily Shooting Star</b></p>
<p>I am sure we’ve all felt drained of colour and light during exam season. However, it doesn’t always have to be that way. Plan a moment in your day which helps you be joyful. Like a shooting star, let it be short but bright so it can dispel away exam blues. For me this varied depending on how many pages of law I had to peruse on a particular day. On some days it was painting my nails with gold glitter and on others writing thankful postcards to loved ones for their love and support during exams.</p>
<p>Make room every day for self-love, gratitude and all the other things which remind you that even through difficult times, abundant joy can be found in little things and created through little ways.</p>
<p><b>Tip 4: Conjuring Excellence with Meditation</b></p>
<p>Heartfulness practices made the single greatest contribution to my well-being and performance during exams. The inner condition I acquired each day following morning <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">meditation</a> became my anchor, calming me as the tempest of exam season raged on. I could always rely on guided Heartfulness <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-practice/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Relaxation</a> to help me swiftly fall asleep or Heartfulness Rejuvenation practice to fade out the unhelpful inner critic which made me doubt my own capabilities.<a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/universal-prayer/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Heartfulness Prayer</a> gave me the strength to keep moving forward and the space to be kind and forgiving to myself on days where I felt I was not as productive.</p>
<p>With these techniques you can certainly cast your way to exam excellence.<br />
<a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/masterclass/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Experiment with Heartfulness and observe the changes for yourself.</a><br />
And finally, good luck! I am sure you’ll be just fine.</p>
<p>Also Read: <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/90-days-of-heartfulness-practice/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">90days of heartfulness practice</a></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/4-essential-tips-for-exam-wizardry/">4 Essential Tips for Exam Wizardry</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Endemic Problem of Sleep</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/the-endemic-problem-of-sleep/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ashrafulnobi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:36:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Individual Spotlight]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=118084</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Why your bad sleep habits might be costing you, and how to fix themOver the last year, insomnia has risen significantly in the general populace. Although overall stress and anxiety has also increased &#8211; both of which can have a negative impact on sleep patterns &#8211; other factors such as loss or interruption of routine have also been creating problems.&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/the-endemic-problem-of-sleep/">Read More</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/the-endemic-problem-of-sleep/">The Endemic Problem of Sleep</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="container"><em>Why your bad sleep habits might be costing you, and how to fix them</em>Over the last year, insomnia has risen significantly in the general populace. Although overall stress and anxiety has also increased &#8211; both of which can have a negative impact on sleep patterns &#8211; other factors such as loss or interruption of routine have also been creating problems. Previous studies on sleep during events of high stress such as natural disasters and war have been shown to cause an adverse effect on circadian rhythms, and a study undertaken on the increased symptoms of insomnia in response to COVID-19 shows the same to be true for our current circumstances.</p>
<p><b>Health + Wellbeing</b></p>
<p>Sleep is incredibly important to both our physical and mental health. Sleep is how we process the day, it is the brain’s way of spring cleaning, working through old memories and making space for new ones. In this &#8211; and many other ways &#8211; for the brain, sleep and <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">meditation</a> share a similar function. And yet, sleep is something which many people do not prioritize. Most adults require at least seven and a half to eight hours sleep a night to achieve deep-sleep &#8211; the state in which the important memory processing takes place &#8211; but many do not achieve this. For many people, the brain is not thought of as something physical which needs rest in the same way we do the rest of the body &#8211; if you run a marathon your legs need to rest, you cannot run indefinitely. Your brain is running a marathon every day, and sleep is how it rests.</p>
<p>Sleep deficiency can have more of an impact on our daily lives than we realize, causing a lack of awareness and poorer reactions. A number of studies have found that in countries which participate in daylight savings, there is a noticeable increase of between 6% and 24% in incidences such as traffic accidents, heart-attacks, and even suicide due to the hour of sleep lost. Sleep can also affect our immune system, something which this past year has highlighted the importance of. At best, you will be more susceptible to colds; at worst, sleep deprivation has been linked as a cause of Cancer. Getting proper amounts of sleep can also reduce the risks of conditions such as Alzheimer’s.</p>
<p><b>Small Changes</b></p>
<p>For those who want to sleep more, but find it difficult for various reasons, there are several basic things you can test and try which could potentially improve your sleep. Getting outside in the daylight has been proven to help you sleep at night, even if only for twenty minutes or so. In an article<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-good-nights-sleep_1_b_10070722" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> written by Daaji for the Huffington Post</a>, he discusses the effects light can have on our sleep cycle, and the differences between positive natural light and negative blue light. If possible, try to limit your exposure to blue light at least two hours before going to bed. This includes computer and phone screens &#8211; reading a book or a non-blue light e-reader will be more effective.</p>
<p>Exercise in general is good and can make a huge difference to sleep and sleep quality, but if possible, try to do more strenuous exercise earlier in the day rather than later. Some gentle yoga to stretch your muscles and allow your body to be more comfortable in bed can also help.<br />
You can also watch what you eat and drink before bed. Bananas are a good food to have before bed, as they contain an amino acid called tryptophan, which releases melatonin (the sleep inducer) and serotonin (the mood booster). They also contain potassium, which can reduce muscle cramp, and magnesium, which can regulate our mood and a lack of which has been linked to insomnia. Other melatonin-rich foods include cherries, sweet potatoes, and milk.<br />
Stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol, on the other hand, will have an adverse effect on sleep if consumed before bed.</p>
<p>Sometimes the changes you may need to make are to the physical aspects of your sleeping situation. Your mattress might be too old or soft, which stops you from sleeping properly. Your room might be too hot at night &#8211; it is better to have a colder room and more blankets on the bed. Make sure your feet are warm.</p>
<p><b>Meditation</b></p>
<p>One of the biggest changes you can make, however, is through practicing meditation. Not only can <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/tips-for-deep-sleep-music-and-heartfulness-relaxation/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> meditation help you sleep better</a>, but it can also mimic sleep in its benefits on your body. In fact, studies have shown that regular meditation can reduce sleep need and improve general performance.<br />
A study undertaken in 2020 on the effects of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Heartfulness meditation</a> on sleep showed a significant decrease in insomnia amongst subjects who practiced Heartfulness meditation for several weeks, and previous studies have also shown that Heartfulness decreases emotional stress and burnout. Heartfulness Meditation’s cleaning-based part of the practice &#8211; which encourages letting go and removing the impressions and emotional stress one gains throughout the day &#8211; is particularly helpful for aiding sleep, as it helps create a positive and calm inner condition which is conducive for sleep-state. This srolehould be practiced after work, at the end of the day, or even just before you prepare to go to sleep.</p>
<p>For more on how meditation can help you sleep, check out this<a href="https://www.heartfulnessmagazine.com/a-deeply-refreshing-sleep/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> article from the Heartfulness Magazine</a>.</p>
<p>Also Read: <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/90-days-of-heartfulness-practice/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">90days of heartfulness practice</a></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/the-endemic-problem-of-sleep/">The Endemic Problem of Sleep</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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		<title>Meditation – The Remover of Obstacles #HumansOfHeartfulness</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-the-remover-of-obstacles/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ashrafulnobi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2021 06:21:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Individual Spotlight]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=111720</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>If I had told my 10-year-old self that I would grow up someday to become a content and successful woman, I would have never believed myself then! When I was a child, I was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia. It affected my walking, my speech, and my heart. It was mentally very, very exhausting. Heartfulness meditation&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-the-remover-of-obstacles/">Read More</a>.</p>
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<p>If I had told my 10-year-old self that I would grow up someday to become a content and successful woman, I would have never believed myself then!</p>
<p>When I was a child, I was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia. It affected my walking, my speech, and my heart. It was mentally very, very exhausting.<br />
<a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Heartfulness meditation</a> was a boon to my life. It was practiced by my grandfather who introduced it to my parents and then, me. Initially, I was extremely adamant not to incorporate this into my routine however, the day I started my practice was when I actually started living my life!</p>
<p>Once I became immersed in this practice, I realized that my life was being mapped out by the almighty. Whether it was my completely accessible college or my encouraging experience at CCMB, Hyderabad, it all seemed destined for me guided by a higher power. An event that greatly affected my confidence was at <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/sitaare-zameen-par/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘Sitare Zameen Par’ </a> with Shankar Mahadevan when I was asked to give a motivational speech – maybe I wouldn’t have been given this opportunity had I not been in a wheelchair. These made me aware of my life and made me extremely grateful and accept myself as a whole! (Yes, my disability too.)</p>
<p>From that day on, it was like a ripple effect of opportunities. From motivational speaking to modeling, I have done it all. And I cannot thank Heartfulness enough for changing me into a person who thousands of people look up to. Of course, <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">meditation</a> has brought peace into my life but more importantly, it transformed me into someone I could never dream to be 15 years back &#8211; courageous, confident, bold and full of joy!</p>
<p>For me now, the most important thing that matters in life is how you look at things. Since the day I started my blogs, the number one thing that people tell me is how inspired they are to see my unique point of view. I am extremely grateful as Heartfulness is the reason behind my positive personality. Every aspect in life, whether it is good or bad, has a purpose. Let the higher plan work out for you.</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-the-remover-of-obstacles/">Meditation – The Remover of Obstacles #HumansOfHeartfulness</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Joy in Doing Everything #HumansOfHeartfulness</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/the-joy-in-doing-everything/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ashrafulnobi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2021 11:05:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Individual Spotlight]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=111428</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>As an entrepreneur and a mother, I have reaped the many benefits of daily meditation. I ventured into the world of wedding design while at architecture school when I was 19, and 7 years hence, I am married with a child and managing my business parallelly. Born in an Indian family, my exposure to spiritual practice began at 3 years&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/the-joy-in-doing-everything/">Read More</a>.</p>
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<p>As an entrepreneur and a mother, I have reaped the many <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">benefits of daily meditation</a>. I ventured into the world of wedding design while at architecture school when I was 19, and 7 years hence, I am married with a child and managing my business parallelly.</p>
<p>Born in an Indian family, my exposure to spiritual practice began at 3 years old when my parents started to meditate. Knowingly or unknowingly, it has been with me since and when I turned 17, I also began my practice choosing the system of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Heartfulness meditation</a>. Meditation is my life now &#8211; it feels like the most natural thing to me, like becoming a mother.</p>
<p>Having started my business at a young age, meditation helped me a great deal in using my time in a productive way with utmost clarity. I relied solely on this to make every decision in my life &#8211; career and personal. I don’t come from a business family, so, meditation helped me a great deal to focus, to have faith and follow my heart without feeling pressured by the dogmas of society. In a world of chaos, it helps me to center myself. Being centered helps me work better and brings out my creative best &#8211; the inspiration with which I started. It has helped me pave my unique path and create my own little world of happiness. Work is a big part of my life and I believe in being the best at what I do.</p>
<p>Meditation also played a huge role during my pregnancy and prepared me for my life of motherhood. Like many first-time mothers, I had many reservations and worries, particularly about breast feeding. Not paying much attention to these thoughts, I continued meditating throughout and during my last month my pregnancy, I found myself free of all inhibitions and in a perfectly balanced state. It helped me go with the flow and trust, which helped me through the process in the most natural way possible.</p>
<p>Meditation has helped me juggle my life as a mother and an entrepreneur smoothly. It helps me be more efficient &#8211; I can give quality time to my little one and get things done at work. If not for spirituality, I am sure I would have been a chaotic wreck! In my experience, having a baby isn’t going to stop your life in anyway, in my case it made it better. You are happier and when you are happy you do well at all that you do!</p>
<p>Also Read: <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/90-days-of-heartfulness-practice/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">90days of heartfulness practice</a></p>
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		<title>Seek and You shall Find #HumansOfHeartfulness</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/seek-and-you-shall-find/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ashrafulnobi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2021 19:04:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Individual Spotlight]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=110888</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I stumbled across Heartfulness meditation at the end of 2008 when I was already about 30 years old. At that time, I still didn&#8217;t know what I wanted from life, but I knew exactly what I wanted to avoid. Perhaps this was caused by the influence of literary classics and deep dissatisfaction, but with all my being I tried to&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/seek-and-you-shall-find/">Read More</a>.</p>
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<p>I stumbled across Heartfulness meditation at the end of 2008 when I was already about 30 years old. At that time, I still didn&#8217;t know what I wanted from life, but I knew exactly what I wanted to avoid. Perhaps this was caused by the influence of literary classics and deep dissatisfaction, but with all my being I tried to get rid of the feeling of my own inner &#8220;philistinism&#8221;.</p>
<p>By the age of 25, I would say I was quite sociable &#8211; I worked for myself, snowboarded in the mountains, wrote poetry, and had fun in my free time. It seemed to me that by doing what I liked, I would get to feel happiness and fulfillment. Alas, the more time that passed and the deeper I plunged into what I was interested in, the more clearly I felt the limitations of doing this. I always wanted more from my life.</p>
<p>Every year, I felt my own uselessness more and more in relation to people who were close to me. It seemed that there was nothing important in my life that I could share with them. It was like despair. Obeying this feeling, I began to approach my life more radically.</p>
<p>Having a certain penchant for acting, I became interested in theater. It helped me to relax a little and to feel a &#8220;taste for life&#8221; again, I got acquainted with like-minded people. We created our projects, studied, and had a good time together. But one day, during a performance, looking into the darkness of the auditorium, I suddenly felt very clearly that I was deceiving myself. Suddenly, the realization came that we do not play on stage, but we live, for real, while true theater takes place outside of this. At that moment, all roles faded leaving only one &#8211; my most important role &#8211; it was me. Everything turned upside down again, but the theater of my actions became much wider.</p>
<p>After a while, a pure coincidence landed me in an unusual place where various acting and psychological training programs were displayed. The bulletin board in the lobby was full of suggestions on topics of interest to me – studying Sanskrit, </p>
<p>I came across Heartfulness in my 1st year of college and, although I started practicing <a href="https://heartfulness.org/yoga/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yoga classes,</a> healing, and other practices. Literally everything could be found there! Having explored some of the options and finding them wanting, I was then drawn to one advertisement in the corner that read:</p>
<p><em>&#8220;If you are looking for health or wealth, then you are not with us, if you want to get superpowers, we will not be able to help.&#8221;</em></p>
<p>This advertisement seemed like the perfect example of marketing failure but, since at that time I was an absolute admirer of Hermann Hesse, I just needed to get into this “theater” which wasn’t for everyone!<br />
My girlfriend and I went to the welcome meeting and in the room we saw a small group of people talking quietly by the window. We were invited to the table, and were served a cup of tea in almost complete silence.</p>
<p>After a while, one person began talking softly about the practice of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/what-is-meditation/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">meditation,</a> he almost seemed reluctant to break the silence and everything was so calm and unobtrusive, that it came as a surprise. I don&#8217;t remember those words, probably I did not particularly listen to the speaker, I just enjoyed the serenity of the moment and I studied those sitting at the table.</p>
<p>Until that moment, I had never met such clarity and calmness in the eyes of people. It even seemed to me that they somehow shone in a special way. I still remember this! Apparently, the desire for such clarity and tranquility sunk so deeply into my soul and there was not looking back. I was so inspired by the simplicity and depth of this practice that I have been practicing it now for more than 11 years.</p>
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		<title>A Long-Distance Call of Love</title>
		<link>https://heartfulness.org/en/a-long-distance-call-of-love/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ashrafulnobi]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2021 19:04:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://heartfulness.org/en/?p=110807</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A long-distance relationship reminds me of my meditation practice. In the beginning, my partner and I would communicate with each other during random hours. But on some days, we felt frustrated and distracted because of different schedules and the huge difference in time zones. What then worked was finding a suitable hour in our schedule where we could meaningfully connect.&#8230;... <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/a-long-distance-call-of-love/">Read More</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/a-long-distance-call-of-love/">A Long-Distance Call of Love</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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<p>A long-distance relationship reminds me of my <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/meditation-practice/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> meditation practice.</a></p>
<p>In the beginning, my partner and I would communicate with each other during random hours. But on some days, we felt frustrated and distracted because of different schedules and the huge difference in time zones. What then worked was finding a suitable hour in our schedule where we could meaningfully connect.</p>
<p>I related this to my initial days of meditation practice. When I meditated randomly anytime during the day, I found myself swimming against the tide. Over time, I started to realise the benefits of meditating at a fixed time. I could then carry the condition I received for the entire day.</p>
<p>This hour of connection, whether it was with my heart or my partner, was no less than magic. It was the two of us in that moment. For the other moments, there was constant remembrance.</p>
<p>I allowed myself to be flexible. Postponing a call did not mean we didn’t connect at all that day. It was a lovely reminder to me for whenever I overslept and missed my morning meditation, that did not mean I couldn’t meditate anytime later! I also noticed how I started to feel restless when the hour to connect came closer.</p>
<p>What followed in this hour of connection were all sorts of different experiences – be it my meditation practice or spending time with my partner &#8211;</p>
<p><strong>Type 1:</strong> It is a fulfilling experience with not a single dull moment. I am deeply absorbed, and I don’t even notice an hour has passed by!</p>
<p><strong>Type 2:</strong> I start slowly, and steadily, where I struggle to connect in the first few minutes. But then, there is a moment of surrender and the connection happens naturally. I feel lighter and finally, some momentum.</p>
<p><strong>Type 3:</strong> Nothing. Just frustrating small talk. Small thoughts. Uninvited. But I want to stick through it! After all, this is important to me, even if it feels like I’ve achieved nothing. At the end of it, I still feel restless but keep hope that perhaps tomorrow, will bring a new experience.</p>
<p><strong>Type 4:</strong> Whenever there is lack of time, I want to pack up everything in that short period! And at the end of it, I keep wondering, did I even connect?</p>
<p><strong>Type 5:</strong> I take help. I find new ways to keep the connection exciting. To keep it growing.</p>
<p>On some days, there is a constant chatter in the mind – What is the point of this? Is this all a dream? Am I the only one feeling this? Do others feel this too? Am I doing it right? Is there a right way?</p>
<p>To ease this, I go back to my feeling. What did the connection feel like? Just going back to the feeling, my heart does some crazy summersaults. And it is in that state of feeling, I find moments of Reality.</p>
<p>Some days, it feels like a chore. I reason with myself – I can connect some other time. This isn’t going anywhere. I have plenty of time, a lifetime to connect. I have other important things to do, to achieve. I am busy. I have time constraints. But it is in these moments that I tend to forget, that there is someone on the other side patiently and lovingly waiting for me to connect. The intention of connection matters.</p>
<p>I relate to this quote of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/chariji/" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chariji, one of the spiritual guides of Heartfulness</a> –</p>
<p class="text-center">“Each meditation is a love story.”</p>
<p>The distance increases the fondness of the heart. For it is in the pain of distance that you strive to come close. We strive to come together. We strive to become one. We become Love.</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en/a-long-distance-call-of-love/">A Long-Distance Call of Love</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://heartfulness.org/en">Heartfulness Primary</a>.</p>
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