How do we define boredom? Boredom is fatigue, ennui, monotony, tedium and indifference. There is a German proverb which says, boredom is the father of all sins.

What do our Gurus say?

Swami Sivananda says, “Illness begins with I, wellness begins with we.” Boredom leads to all problems. Addictions happen because we need stimulation, and then we have to fuel those desires. Addictions become an illness. They feed on our lack of self-esteem, lack of control, lack of self-respect, and lack of love for ourselves. Wellness starts when we attend to our thoughts. We ignore the negative thoughts which keep feeding on our isolation and alienation. We develop awareness of our respiration. It is a simple activity, to be aware of your normal inhalation and exhalation. This is a neutral activity where we witness our normal respiration, and this reduces our feelings of inadequacy. Moreover we can do this anytime, anyplace or when we have the urge.

Swami Satyananda says, “Drugs allow us to taste the beyond, but do not make us the masters of the transcendental.” We are not experiencing divinity, we are hallucinating and seeing mirages (tripping). Again this is the pleasure we are seeking to reduce our boredom and disinterest. We feel that we have had a vision and we are transformed but it is all under the influence of the drugs. Drugs affect our brain and increase our craving for more stimulation. How do we reduce this chemical dependency?

The daily practice

This is possible by a daily sadhana of visualization, where one practices anuloma viloma. Anuloma viloma is visualizing the breath going in and out through the left nostril to the count of 54, then visualizing the breath going in and out through the right nostril to the count of 54. Lastly visualizing the breath going in through both nostrils to the count of 108. It is best practiced in a group, with the teacher counting aloud. Attention span of addicts is considerably reduced by the intake of substances. I have used this sadhana for groups with success. If practiced daily it enables the addicts to feel less insecure and therefore reduces the need to stoke the feelings of rejection.

Vishnudevananda said, “The meaning of life is found by diving deep within”. Once we start our sadhana, we become detached and aware. Our level of boredom is diminished as we find that we have inner strength and this power guides us.

Swami Niranjanananda said, “I have never been bored because I have always followed a sutra that my guru gave me.” ‘Think of everything that you do as if you are doing it for the first time and the last time in your life. Think of every day as the first and last day of your life.’

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Niklas Hamann on Unsplash