What has changed for Virat Kolhi

Since last 3 years Virat Kolhi's form has been a discussion for almost all of us. It is an issue from selection board of BCCI to commoner chewing paan at local paan shop. Everyone knows that his form has suffered. He was once a century making machine but hasn't hit one century in last 3 years. Last 3 matches have been a relief for Virat Kolhi and his fans (myself included). He has 30+ score in 3 matches with more than 130 strike rate. He is still away from his vintage best but still there is a lot to cheer. At the very least there is some relief. Now even though I have interest in cricket and I know a bit about it to speak on it but this discussion is not about that. I am not an authority on the subject of technicalities of cricket so I will not speak on whether he is working on backfoot or front foot shots or he is doing some specialized training. I am an Art of Living teacher and have a few observations which can have a positive impact on your life so I am going to discuss them.

Before we begin this discussion I want you to watch this video of Virat Kolhi discussing something candid, some intimate things about his game, mental health with Jatin Sapru (A popular sports presenter). This video was shot before the start of Asia cup. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FmB5bT5h5k  (thanks to Star Sports

Now in this 3 min video there is a lot to unpack here. Even though he has condensed a few things here, I will elaborate on them a little bit

1. Importance of taking a break to do nothing.

This scares most of us. He himself said that he didn't touch his bat for a full month. How many of us would be willing to ask our bosses to take one month break to assess things in life. Do you think we contemplate why we are doing what we are doing. Very rarely. Maybe thoughts on how we can improve efficiency of what we are doing might be there but we dont make time to contemplate deeper questions of life. Our bodies and minds tell us something which we don't want to hear. We feel the burnout but we dont want to admit it. Sometimes when a friend talks to you about making time for an Art of living weekend meditation program to learn breathing exercise, yoga and meditation or any other meditation or well-being program, We brush it off saying I dont need one. I dont need break, I am mentally strong or I will do it when I retire. I need to chase the next promotion. 

Take that break. It will be absolutely worth it. This time don't go to Goa to drink beer, or a fancy exotic location. Try diving deep into yourself. You would gain perspective on life which you would have never imagined. Link is there to learn more on the Silence program

2. Importance of being a Witness. 

Virat said that he had to step away from the game, from this hustle to gain a right perspective. He said he was not excited as before and hence he thought of taking a break. It has been one of core principle of Indian philosophy, we know it as Sakshi Bhaav. Importance of knowing the seer and moving away from the scene. Its important to have the concept of seer and scene being different. Meditation, Silence and knowledge of self help you do that. If you taken an art of living basic program, take a Silence program which will help your meditation become deeper and bring serenity and calm in your life. Your life will be much more productive, fulfilling and enriching. When witness consciousness grows in you, your anxiety drops, your anger subsides, your health and physical wellbeing improves. Make Breathing exercise, yoga, meditations, long walks part of your life. Also indulge in long drive with less talking, nature walks, hiking, meditating in nature will all add that witness mode. Also limit your social media consumption because its terrible for your over all well being.

3. Lying to yourself about your mental health

He clearly said somewhere down the line he was lying to himself about his own mental and physical capabilities. I have seen this happen to so many people around me. There is a façade outside and inside people are sick and broken. Virat is lucky that he has resources to deal with mental health and maybe some mentors who guiding him well. Dont wait for Depression to hit you hard or some life altering things to bring you to spiritual pursuits. Instead be proactive to practice wellness (both physical and mental). Take time to do whatever needs to be done. All this will improve your productivity and not hamper it.

I hope you found some interesting perspective and some learnings. Simple advice is not to sit over it but to do something with learning and knowledge you gained.

To learn more about The Art of living programs and to attend a free meditation workshop call me on +91 8104971780.

Ganpati is an opportunity to Dive Deeper

 Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to all celebrating across the world. 

I come from Mumbai. It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who started this festival with a primary objective of uniting people for freedom struggle. As he hailed from Maharashtra, people from Maharashtra celebrated this festival with maximum fervor but today its not just a pan India festival but global one. Growing up this is one festival everyone looked forward to celebrating. Food, Festivities, Laughter, Togetherness, Colors, Arts and so much more was there to look forward to. Just going out to see Deities and see work of different artists in different pandals are cherished memories. Every year there is similar excitement to do the same. But as I age, as my grey hairs increase, festival is more about going inside than looking for stuff outside. My interest and love for Pujas, Rituals has increased because I have been meditating for sometime now. More importantly I am excited about meditations after chanting, Pujas and Rituals. You go deep within yourself and celebration acquires new meaning and new dimension. 

As the economy grows, people are becoming richer there is a tendency to celebrate with bigger Idols, bigger pandals, fancier decoration, Louder and louder music and so much more. I am not necessarily against the spending more. It should be the time which should be utilized more to meditate and resolve to making finer and subtler aspects of life, a part of lifestyle. There is no richness greater than deep meditative state of minds. Everything can be achieved gracefully with those higher states. Ganpati is know as lord of Muladhar chakra. When your Muladhar chakra is active then there is Enthusiasm and Dynamism in life else there is Inertia. When there is Inertia, forget about spiritual pursuits, even worldly pursuits and duties becoming stressful and difficult. One of the best ways to activate Muladhar chakra is having Exercise, Yoga and Meditation part of life.

Few tips you can use during these festivities to make your celebration deeper and richer.

1. Take time for meditation.

2. After sacred rituals and Pujas, dont just sit up and start talking and get into chores. Instead sit there for 10-15 mins to soak in the energy and meditate deeper. You will see slipping in meditation is pretty easy after that.

3. Don't use phone too much. Instead spend time talking to family and friends and connect deeper with them.

4. Meditate on sacred chants of Ganesh Strotam, beautiful chants given by Adi Shanakar. Link is here. These are beautiful chants which highlight deeper and finer aspects of lord Ganesha. In these chants Adi Shankara describes Ganesha not as elephant headed god but one without form, without any gunas but present in each atom of creation.

Make sure this festival is not just an external celebration but something that reignites and rekindle your connect to your inner core which is source of eternal celebration. 

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. Celebrate Festival. Celebrate Life.

For Free Meditation and to know more about Art of living Programs contact me on +91 8104971780 (whatsapp number is same).