Dear Readers, I am still processing the excitement of being invited to speak at a recent Tedx conference. Never have I been so doubtful or self-critical. With a well of anxiety in my stomach and a vision of – my message – potentially being somebody else’s medicine, I said a little prayer and I carried it through. My ‘big idea’ was actually a very simple one. It was to remind others of the wisdom that they have within them. This wisdom is power and enables anyone to take-away their emotional and mental suffering and this, in turn enables you to ‘love what is’.
My talk, titled “Invisible No More: 5 Steps to Being Your Best Self”, focused on identifying with your: Mind, Body, Heart, Breath and Truth. Doing this, I believe it will enable you to stand in chaos but not be a part of it and simultaneously keep you in absolute connectivity with yourself. All you must do is connect and master your 5 friends: Mind, Body, Heart, Breath and Authenticity.
I asked the audience these questions, and I want to ask you the same questions now:
- How many of you struggled to make time for yourself through all of this? And I wonder how did that leave you feeling?
- How does that feeling sit in your body? Where is it located?
- What’s at stake if you continue to operate like this?
As time has gone on, I have worked with hundreds of individuals amid their life pandemics, and I have distilled five ways to connect with your inner peace, access your calm and be fully present and authentic to who you are.
- Mind: To reflect, at this moment, noticing – what am I thinking, what am I believing? How aware am I of the voice in my head, is it being kind or critical? Are you focused outwards or inwards? Contemplating these questions and consciously detaching makes you more resilient and adaptable when addressing environmental demands. Mckinsey coined the term: Integrative awareness: being aware of the changing reality in the outside world and staying calm despite the pressure
- Body: Psychologists have found that when people experience failure in academics, business or in general, they tend to hide away such experiences. These are expressed as tensions, shame and guilt and sit within the geographies of the body. Exercise provides a cathartic release from the tension we are holding in your mind and body, raising your sleep quality and reducing stress.
Questions to ask yourself: How is your vitality? Have you exercised or moved your body for at least 30 minutes today? Did you run, stretch or go for a walk?
- Heart: Cardiologists have found that our heart is the only muscle that imprints our life story. Bago and De Neys’s recent study showed that intuitive responses are based on correct logical responses from the start. If we listen intently by ‘being’, we find a way to acknowledge our highest selves. Your heart’s shape is as distinctive as your fingerprint. You are special.
Questions to ask yourself: How are you feeling? What are you struggling to let go of? What does your intuition tell you?
- Breath: Prana is a Sanskrit term for ‘Life force energy’ simply put – our breath. Deep abdominal breathing makes us mindful to the very present moment, improves our balance and has been found to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which neutralists the harmful effects of negative mood states. Conscious breathwork can lead to a higher level of insight. When you become mindful of your breath, you reduce the risk of disease and access clearer, more rational thought. Breathe till you feel it!
Questions to ask yourself: How much can you use your Prana? Are you still breathing?
- Truth: By aligning with your Mind, Body, Heart and Breath, you reach a place of feeling, knowing and doing what is authentic to you. Connect with yourself first, then the events you find yourself in.
Questions to ask yourself: How true are you to yourself? What are your beliefs, values, how conscious are you to them? How honest are you about your reality? Lean into being you or move away from it? What is the idea that you are trying to birth? Are you at your best?
My advice to you dream big darling friend, tune into your Mind, Body, Heart, Breath and be in your full authenticity. Know that someone loves you, is always listening and the world is waiting for you.
For more tips and tools download your free e-book ‘Just in time’, tune into Saha Mindset podcast on Spotify and follow me on FB (Mamta Saha) and IG (Saha_Mamta). Talk to me anytime: mamta@mamtasaha.com As always, I wish you peace and happiness.