During the lock down stage we often experience different emotions. You may have learnt of animal behaviour is different in captivity and in natural habitat. Similarly, a lock down imposed by the administration in response to the pandemic is a situation equivalent to in captivity situation for animals. The current lock down state is just a trailer of what Vinayak D. Savarkar must have experienced in the jails away from homeland in Andaman Nikobar. Once can experience the kind of pain he must have suffered when he penned down his emotions in the famous Marathi song – “Ne Majasi Ne Parat Matrubhumila, Sagara Pran Talamalala” – Oh my dear sea take me back to my mother land, my soul is jittering with separation… Considering his state of mind, I have enumerated the existing state of emotions. Following table lists the state along with probable action points:

Now since we have considered the factor affecting our emotions and creating a turmoil let’s learn how do we handle this situation. In order to take control of your emotions in the lock down state you must take it to your heart that this is a temporary situation and its not a permanent situation. Hence there will be end to this in upcoming few weeks. Yet few citizens will find it difficult to console their own emotions. Under such circumstances it is advisable to practice Dhyana / Meditation which will help you to internalize your emotions, making you fresh and lighter and forget the lock down effect. Dhyana / Meditation helps you to find peace and internal harmony. Lets learn step by step, how to practice Dhyana from our Hon. PM Modi through his animated video on Dhyana:

English Video

Hindi Video

Steps to follow:

1. Sit down in a meditative posture – padmasana or sukhasana
2. While sitting in a padmasana posture, ensure your spine is straight
3. Arms, shoulders are relaxed
4. Head is up and eyes are closed
5. Ensure your palms are rested on the knees and the fingers are in relaxed manner resting on the knees
6. Take your left palm to touch at your navel, next take you right palm to rest it on you left palm. This is called dhyana mudra
7. Ensure that the whole body is relaxed and comfortable
8. Draw awareness towards your body from head to toes which will help you to internalize and you will avoid external distractions
9. Be aware of your breathing – inhalation and exhalation making it deep and slow
10. Focus on the centre of your eyebrows and continue breathing rhythmically
11. Watch your thoughts – try to stay with positive and pleasurable thoughts
12. As you continue to do so you will be much calmer and more relaxed with contemplation
13. Effects of Dhyana:
    1. Rejuvenates body and mind,
    2. Helps to improve concentration and aids behavioural modification ?
    3. Help in reducing negative emotions and cultivating positive emotions
    4. Reduces Anger, Fear, Anxiety / Depression
    5. Helps to attain inner peace
    6. Increases memory, willpower, and clarity of thoughts
    7. Helps to become more positive and productive
    8. Improves Quality of Living
    9. Regular practice of Dhyana keeps your mind calm and quiet and helps to reach goal of yoga practice – Self Realization
14. With which effectively you can change negative emotions during lock down to positive emotions

References:

1. A Facebook post by Virendra Pradhan – https://www.facebook.com/virendra.pradhan.104/posts/2736196493270833  (accessed on 27-Mar-2020)
2. Yoga with PM Modi – YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-73jLhEosSQ (accessed on 27-Mar-2020)

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© March 2020, Dr. Ashutosh Pradhan – Consulting Homoeopath – Wellbiance Quality of Living Clinic