Do I tell myself everyday these things? I have to take care of my family. I have to go to work. I have to keep my boss pleased. I do not have time for my practice. I am overwhelmed by my life. I am even dreaming about the stress I have. Why do I let these thoughts crowd in my mind, they are kidding me.
I have to sanitize my mind. How do I sanitize my mind? I examine my life and then look at it without rancor and resentment. Before I do that I will breathe in and out deeply, chanting So when inhaling and Ham when exhaling. I will count my breaths backwards from 54 to 0. It takes only five to ten minutes. No hurry and I follow my breathing pattern. This process is used effectively to overcome distress.
I open my eyes and view my tasks. I can prioritize and then attend to the tasks. I can also include the mantra So Ham, while I am working. This will calm the negative thoughts of resentment. There is no space for them because I am chanting mentally.
Now the next step is that my stress level will be reduced. It is true that the work has to be done. The childrens’ snack, breakfast and the pet’s food put out. A negative frame of mind is very contaminating, and it effects the family adversely. If one parent is calm and relaxed, the home can be harmonious. Playing chants in the morning is another method for clearing the environment. We also have to accept the fact that the tasks have to be done. So why have resentment which keeps mounting and makes us more and more fatigued.
Practice breath awareness
When my mind is full of corrosive thoughts, it is extremely difficult to function. The method is to practice breath awareness, chanting and hearing chants. It is possible to view dispassionately what has to be done. When you awaken in the morning, then you can start the process of change. The first thing to do is to chant a mantra eleven times. It can be your personal mantra or So Ham. While chanting, inhale to the count of five, say So, hold your breath to the count of five, exhale to the count of five, say Ham, pause to the count of five.
This balancing pranayama is to balance your pranas and eliminate the negative energy. Now say namaste mentally which means salutations to the divinity, in the Vedas. In Hinduism it means “I bow to you“. So we are saying that we offer greetings and bow to the higher powers. Our day is blessed.
I can suggest this sadhana to you, and I can assure you that you will find that it changes you and your day.
Aim Hrim Klim