If You're So Smart, Why Are You Not Happy?

Recently, I attended a talk by Professor Raj Raghunath, from the University of Texas, Austin, who is also the author of, “If You’re So Smart, Why Are You Not Happy?” The talk and his book are based upon how our decision-making processes affect our ability to live happy and meaningful lives over the longer term. 

Yogic philosophy also speaks about how our thoughts, emotions and actions and are responsible for the decisions that we make, ultimately impacting the quality of our life experiences and our happiness quotient. Developing the right mindset means training the mind to be present, to be positive, non-judgmental, non-reactive and into a state that Professor Raj referred to as “the abundant mindset” versus the “scarcity mindset”.  

This talk, and a very recent incident in my life, re-iterated for me the importance of being present and learning to live our lives free from our individual perceptions. 

The truth is that the human mind is mostly oriented in fear-based conditioning - negativity, doubt, worry, criticism, anger and so on, driven by our ego and our five senses of perception. The mind is restless, chaotic, forever judging, perceiving, planning and comparing this against that.  These constant thought fluctuations affect our emotions, and cause us to speak or act in ways that do not necessarily support our long-term goals to lead more fulfilling lives.  Further, our incessant thought patterns cause our conscious energy needed in the present moment to leak into an imaginary world that is fraught with our individual perceptions and imaginations.  And from here, stems most of our decision-making which in turn activates the Universal Law of Cause and Effect.

For example, when we are confronted by a situation, person or event, we become pre-occupied by our incessant thoughts and perceptions and we begin to form judgments based on this thinking.  Soon, we stop seeing or hearing what is actually occurring in front of us and within us, as we become absorbed in our minds. This is an act that is detrimental to our long-term happiness as it results in erroneous decision-making, based on individual perceptions versus what is actually transpiring in reality.

In any given moment, we either experience pleasure, pain or neutrality.  Buddha taught that when we become attached to pleasurable, painful or angry responses, it causes us to act in ways that prevent us from experiencing lasting happiness. Why? Because we become quick to speak or act, when our faculties of reasoning are clouded by uncontrollable thought and emotional responses. A situation that could have brought us a lot of happiness and satisfaction turns into a chaotic and unsupportive outcome.

When you train your mind to be present and mindful, you enhance your ability to sustain your conscious energy in the present moment and are able to practice being non-reactive and non-judgmental. This allows you to see things for what they really are.  You do not let your faculties of reasoning get clouded irrespective of how difficult the situation may be - you learn to exercise self-control. This contributes to lasting happiness and more meaningful life experiences, as all your decision-making and actions stem from a balanced state of mind.

The breath is the single most important tool to train yourself to be present, as the breath can only take place in the here and now.  The more time you take to sit quietly with your breath, the more you keep coming back to the breath throughout the day, the more you will enhance your ability to be present and to live life with greater awareness.

- Radhika Vachani

Creating Deep Insight & Intuition: The Man Who Saw Infinity

Srinivasa Ramanujan was an Indian mathematician born in a tiny village in Tamil Nadu in 1887, a self taught person who without any real formal training in pure mathematics, made extraordinary contributions to the world of mathematics.

During his short life, Ramanujan independently compiled nearly 3,900 formulas.  In 1914, he moved to Trinity college in Cambridge, thanks to the renowned English mathematician G.H Hardy, who realized that Ramanujan had not only re-discovered previously known theorems, but in addition produced several new ones.  Nearly all Ramanujan’s claims have now been proven correct. Until Ramanujan started working with Hardy, he developed his own mathematical research in complete isolation of the mathematical community of his time.

Throughout the film, “The Man Who Saw Infinity”, as Ramanujan continues to deliver his genius, he is constantly prodded about how he comes up with his astounding formulas.  His response, “I just know”, as he continues to move from insight to insight, believing his inspiration comes from the Hindu goddess Namagiri.  He talks about his deep intuitive abilities as he sees things around him the way they are and in a manner he cannot quite explain. Everything makes sense to him, be it the sand on the beach, low and high tide, anything really.  He speaks of being able to see patterns and rhythms in the universe, and from this, he is able to create mathematical formula that represent an end result.

Today Ramanujan’s formulas are being used to study the behaviour of black holes, even though these objects were virtually unknown during his lifetime.

In physics and cosmology the mathematical universe hypothesis (MUH), is a speculative “theory of everything” proposed by the cosmologist Max Tegmark, who states that “our external physical reality is a mathematical structure”.  And even though there has been ample criticism to his claim, going back to the subject that I am most well versed with and passionate about, Yoga too refers to similar concepts. It points to the fact that there is indeed a rhythm and pattern to everything in our physical reality and the universe that we live in, starting from our very physical body.

In the third chapter of the Yoga Sutras, Vibhuti Pada, Patanjali speaks of the ability of us humans to develop supernatural powers. Really what he is referring to is our ability to develop in-depth insight and intuition that  results in a complete knowing of everything.

The word Yoga means unity.  Essentially we are not isolated beings, but are inherently embedded in the rhythms and vibrations of this universe that come together to make up a complete whole. How each one of us finds our individual rhythms and vibrations that are in sync with ourselves, our environment and the universe, is essentially the ultimate human journey and one that enables us to go beyond what the limited human mind can perceive. 

Ramanujan, in his short life span delivered mathematical proofs that revealed his genius. Similarly, Yoga tells us that that we have the ability to overcome our greatest difficulties, obstacles and challenges, attaining an end result that is in perfect balance and harmony to everything within us and around us. And according to Yoga, it is simply through unity in thought, emotion, word and action, that we unlock the very keys to transcend the mind and to discover our very own genius.

- Radhika Vachani

Developing Your Inner Calm

Being calm is an art and one that can be learnt by almost anyone. 

On most days, we juggle some challenge or the other of different magnitudes – be it with people or life circumstances.  Getting overwhelmed, panicked, irritated, mad or fearful, is just one of our common reactions to challenging or stressful situations. 

When we react, we come from a place of being defensive as we are not comfortable with what is occurring around or within us.  This leads to a state of imbalance as we allow our emotions to take control and drive us in a manner that is not always logical or healthy.

Responding on the other hand, comes from a much more centered place, from reasoning and thoughtfulness. In responding, we learn to engage with a person or situation in a more productive manner.  And from this we learn and grow, becoming more expansive and beautiful.

The truth is that we all have the ability to tap into our inner calm, if we are willing to put in the effort to respond in ways that are uplifting, versus reacting in ways that are unpleasant.

Mindfulness is the art of being more centered within, and of being more aware and respectful of others and our environment.  This act alone prevents us from reacting and getting carried away, and helps us focus on responding and creating more positive outcomes.

Here is what you can do:

1. Equal Breathing: breathing is key to helping calm and stabilize the mind.  By focusing on our breath, we bring our thoughts under control and release thoughts that lead to our emotions getting charged. Our breath enables us to focus and center.

Lengthen your breath slowly from the navel to the crown and back down again, keeping the length of the inhalations and exhalations equal.  Do this for a few minutes and until you feel more in control.

2. Create a purposeful pause

As we tap into our inner calm, we increase our ability to listen to what is being said more intently, to observe the situation more objectively.

Every single situation seems a lot worse at first than what it actually is.  The key is to set a rule to step back and take a purposeful pause, be it for a few seconds, minutes, days, months or even more.   It all depends on the situation.

When we allow for volatile energies and a clouded mind to settle, we enable the right information to come to the forefront and for clarity to reign.  And this is exactly what enables us to respond more thoughtfully and to move in a direction of collaboration and productivity, be it through more meaningful conversation or better decision-making.

Meaningful Relationships - A New Paradigm?

Love maybe the very essence of our being, but it evolves us in a manner that is difficult and challenging.  And relationships have to be the most difficult human endeavor, be it with our partners, spouses, friends, parents or children - the essence of which is rapidly changing.

This fast changing scenario has simply got to do with our evolution and the exploration of our individual spirituality, that is setting a new paradigm in our lives.

We have increasingly become more interested in self - awareness, self -fulfillment, and self - mastery, where our need for happiness, harmony, and a reverence for life, has become integral to our very being.  This is slowly taking precedence over previous common goals such as career, financial stability, emotional security, lifestyle and marriage – the glue that once bound relationships together forever, is now rapidly changing.

We are fast realizing that the more we seek outside of ourselves to find lasting happiness, the more we end up restless, dissatisfied and unhappy, and thus we are now being forced to turn to ourselves!

While meaningful relationships are the ultimate accomplishment of every human being, the reality is that our lives are filled with casual relationships that are transient and mostly unsatisfactory.  These relationships come and go, and are replaced by equally superficial relationships, as they are based on surface judgments, perceptions and unexplored potential.

Meaningful relationships on the other hand, require work, maturity, courage, patience and commitment.  These relationships evolve out a process of careful consideration and development that cannot be short-circuited.

People who come together in these relationships are clear - they are there for each other, but come with an intention of spiritual growth and understanding. Each person involved takes full responsibility for their own exploration, their own happiness, grounding and sense of self-worth.

They are willing to explore challenges, differentiated perspectives, and are willing to provide each other the space in which to grow individually.  They are essentially committed to a journey that goes well beyond the fulfilling of surface needs and desires.  

These relationships take courage – they offer no security, have no room for destructive behaviors that stem from emotional instability, and last only so long as they grow and evolve together.  But more importantly, these relationships provide a basis for something much more strong, passionate, connected and fulfilling.

The only way to discover life and also love’s potential, is to explore every aspect of it, with its hidden possibilities.  Our intentions behind the choices that we make, the honesty, integrity and grace that we live with, how we think, speak, and act, all affect a corresponding reality.  And it is this very reality, that determines the meaning and fulfillment that we create for ourselves in our lives.

- Radhika Vachani

Creating Change in a Complex World

Everyday, we are confronted by disturbing events - be it the burning of the Uttarakhand forests, violent conflicts in the world, corruption, global warming and also individuals, whose imbalanced emotional states lead to destructive behaviours that harm not only themselves, but others. 

So how does one truly help affect positive change in a world that seems fraught with seriously disturbing issues? 

As our efforts deepen to seek happiness and define our sense of self-worth through sense and material gratification, we are faced with a massive disconnect. In India, our ancient spiritual wisdom has long spoken about the impact of a chaotic and undisciplined mind; it fuels the scarcity mind-set, leads to a scramble for earth’s resources, creates great division and spreads greed, insecurity and fear.

Change can only truly begin with oneself. How you think affects how you feel, which in turn effects your speech and actions, and this becomes the energy which you radiate out into the world, creating a chain effect that is far greater than what our limited minds can perceive.

Optimal wellness is not just about being free of illness, but it involves a dynamic process of change and growth toward a more balanced and expanded state of being. Our individual wellness must be a conscious and self-directed effort toward achieving proper mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. 

Feeling uplifted and motivated is a process that takes a lot of work and the inherent desire to seek something more stable, meaningful and permanent. It also means having the knowledge and skill set to enable a process of self-inquiry that leads to mindfulness, self-awareness and a greater sense of self. 

Further still, one must also have the ability to develop one’s personal vision and to create an environment to stay motivated, passionate and fully engaged. If not, the mind becomes our demon, fueling destructive behaviours.  

The good news is that the world is indeed changing slowly, and the lens with which we view happiness, gratification and wellness is slowly evolving. There are like-minded people who have become part of a conscious movement, championing positive conversations towards collaboration versus competition, shared vision, values and results. 

This process can be significantly hastened with each one of us taking responsibility for our individual selves, with a willingness to re-define how we gratify our needs, desires and also how we define our personal sense of self-worth.

- Radhika Vachani

Creating Inner Stillness - the Magic of the Himalayas

We left Sitla Estate with the air crisp and beautiful, the goodbyes heart wrenching. My night had been restless. Clearly, my subconscious was in turmoil knowing what lay ahead of me, in a city that is just not home to my soul.

At 6 30 am, I watched the sun rise slowly over the beautiful valley, and then got dressed for what would be my last morning walk through the forest, for some time to come. As I walked up the road, I could see the magnificent peaks of Trishul and Nanda Devi stare back at me.

The week at Sitla had been amazing. I left Mumbai in search of silence, and as I sat in the midst of all the beauty and simplicity that surrounded me, I was reminded of how much one unnecessarily complicates life, when in reality, our perceived problems are worth nothing up here.

I could not help but reflect upon the fact that life really is about moving forward, leaving the past behind, and moving beyond what we already know, ready to walk the road less travelled.

As I looked around me one last time, I was reminded that I am a mere mortal amidst these majestic mountains, where the energies are pure, and the Gods are alive and vibrant, ready to welcome the elevated soul.

- Radhika Vachani

The Spiritual Path of Yoga - #2

Yoga means “to unite or join”, and refers to our human journey to uncover our highest nature in our quest to unite with supreme consciousness.  It is through yoga that one is able to experience our maximum potential, i.e. the true nature of the soul.

  

“When the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the yogi by the grace of the Spirit within himself finds fulfillment. Then he knows the joy eternal that is beyond the pale of the senses, which his reason cannot grasp. He abides in this reality and moves not therefrom. He has found the treasure above all others. There is nothing higher than this. He who has achieved it, shall not be moved by the greatest sorrow.”  Sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.

Yoga is the path of self acquired knowledge, a way of life, where the process of self-discovery means we have within us the same creative energy that created the universe.  And once this realization sets in, we have reached our highest potential for self-discovery. It is a path where living is an art, a philosophy, where life’s challenges are lived with grace and equanimity.  It is a science that requires knowledge gained by observation and experimentation, to reach a state of balance and harmony between the mind, body and spirit.

To embrace this path fully, means developing the understanding that we invite each and every person and situation into our life, and that we are indeed the architect of our life experiences.  As we sow, so shall we reap.  Our thoughts determine our emotions, and our emotions in turn become vibrations that draw into our experience that which is like unto itself. It is in this process of creation, that we have the ability to examine where we are on our individual journey to coming into our own magnificence and power.

Operating on a lower vibrational plane means dealing with base level feeling such as fear, doubt, insecurity, anger, greed, etc, disconnected from the interconnected fabric of life.  For example, if I do not love, honour and accept myself completely, and suffer from feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem, I will draw into my life people who suffer from the same, and in my interaction with them, experiences will occur to fuel these very feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem.

To raise our vibrational plane means to first begin by loving and accepting ourselves completely.  If I am responsible for everything that has come into my life, it is up to me to gain clarity on why certain things are occurring at any given point in my world.  As is my vibration, so is my world.  Everyone else is a mere actor in a movie script that I have created for my own expansion; an energy exchange in our connectedness and oneness, as we prod each other along our path.

To examine our internal world, and how we are thinking and feeling becomes instrumental. Awareness then becomes the single most essential quality. To become a deliberate creator of ones life experiences, means training the mind to focus, to think and to feel in a manner that raises our vibration, and one that connects us with the universal energy.

Our external world mirrors our internal world, and until one is able to expand into the perfection of our own true selves, the human journey remains a challenging one.  Yoga provides us the tools to balance the mind, the body, and the emotions, enabling the inward journey to begin. Yoga is a science, a practical, methodical, and systematic discipline that allows our awakening to our deepest nature. It is the art of self-discovery in pursuit of the eternal truth.

 

- Radhika Vachani