Introspection & Attention for Tension Prevention
By Controlling -----
Temptations, Ego, Negativity, Suspicions, Individualism, Opportunism, Neuroticism
---and Cultivating
Faithfulness, Rationality, Empathy, Elegance, Dignity, Openness, Mindfulness
for
Aspiration, Courage, Talents, Intuitions, Openness, Network
Why one more dose on tension and stress, many may ask.
There are four main reasons:
This ‘dose’, unlike many others, is not about palliatives and quick remedies but, one advocating (i) total transformation inside out into a healthy whole being through constant introspection and course-corrections (ii) taking control of one’s own life and affairs (iii) acquiring and retaining freedom from fears (the main causes of tension and stress) and always acting mindfully “to bloom like a flower to raise your own power”.
Tension and stress is a perpetual, horrifying pandemic that, according to WHO and other reliable sources, affects an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide, causing approximately 10 million deaths every year. It is an unresolved question of life and death inflicting ‘silent’ suffering and adversely affecting performance at work and at home. What’s more, it robs one of the joys and pleasures of living. Acute and chronic stress can ruin health, career, marital and other relationships. It is considered to be the main cause of many ailments like heart attacks, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost annually to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year, as per WHO data
And yet, ironically, some pundits maintain that a little bit of tension not only keeps everyone on their toes but makes us more cognizant of our role and what is expected of us. This view is likely to be of those who are allies of commercial companies. A reported finding reveals that Americans, 4% of the world population, consume 67% of the global supply of anti-depressants worth about $6 billion. The picture in other countries may not be very different if alternative medicines are included.
Though the tension pandemic has now reached frightening levels, stress has been a part of human history. All the above mentioned shocking ill effects of tension are made crystal clear by a sage in an ancient verse: “In Sanskrit, there is only one tiny difference in the spelling of the words ‘stress’ (Chinta) and ‘funeral pyre’ (Chita), which in the written script is only an extra dot.” He adds:
“Pyre burns a dead body, and stress burns the living.” -resanskrit.com
It is an irony that such an alarming impact of the stress and tension ‘pandemic’ has not led to a massive global movement to combat it as the Covid pandemic did, evoking a massive global response. This task perhaps becomes more difficult because of the stigma attached to mental illnesses and the preference for ‘stout hearts’ in recruitment and promotion decisions. Although no one is immune to tension and stress, some can present a calm and serene nature.
Basic Causes of Tension and Stress
The human mind is described as unfathomable, mysterious and devious. Tension and stress are the results of hyperactive minds. There is a saying in Marathi language ‘man chinti te vairi na chinti’ which translated means that your own mind often thinks of a calamity befalling you that even your enemy will not wish for you. The continuous churning of the mind is further fuelled by the factors mentioned in the title of the blog and the inherent tendencies of comparison, competition, ambition and impatience. This is further complicated by the fears of job losses due to technological ‘miracles’ like AI and CHATgpt. Fear is a fertile ground for tension/stress.
Fortunately, there are experts in psychology putting in enormous efforts to unravel the mysteries and suggest remedies and provide therapeutic help. We have to turn to their findings for reasons and remedies for tension and stress.
According to eminent psychologists each one of us has three selves - social, real and ideal. Barely a few are aware of one’s own real self which can give ‘inner voice’ solutions to challenges. Most act to get social approval, keeping the social self over active. Quite often, the actions are shaped by an imitation of the ‘ideal self’ patterned on the style of one’s role models. Many often repent acting against their own inner voice, which psychology calls ‘self-sabotage’.
The problem of tension and stress begins when the ‘three selves’ are in conflict or out of balance - the greater the conflict, the wider the difference between what the real self believes is right and what the social/ideal self does. This conflict ultimately causes tension/stress.
Some of the many causes of work-related stress include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with co-workers or bosses. Symptoms include a drop in work performance, family and social bickering, depression, anxiety and insomnia, etc.
Socio-political agitations, family/community differences, financial stringencies, illnesses or deaths of near and dear people are also sources of tension and stress.
Remedies: Introspection and Course Correction
The foremost need is to realise and strengthen the real self through introspection and acting according to one’s own gut feeling, or in other words, develop authenticity. This means “being true to your own personality, values and spirit, regardless of the pressure that you are under to act otherwise. You are honest with yourself and with others, and you take responsibility for your mistakes. Your values, ideals, and actions align”. This in traditional wisdom means to listen to your own ‘inner voice’ and not to be (mis)led by the crowd or respond to commercially promoted choices.
The problem is highly complex. Each one will have to continuously introspect and course correct as set formulas can fall flat when the environment is fluid. The traditional ways of relaxing with sports, socio-cultural activities, learning, hobbies, nature-watching and wandering are of great help, especially in the company of compatible and amiable people. Taking support from yogic trainers, coaches and mentors in relevant fields is very effective in removing real or imaginary hurdles.
The prime lesson is in the advice in the Bhagvad Geeta - udharet atmanam atmanah, na amanm awasadyet - which means “Let a man be lifted up by his own self; let him not lower himself; for he himself is his friend, and he himself is his enemy.” Your mind creates tension and it alone can eliminate it.
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Tension is Chronic and Persistent: Stay Vigilant
Tension and stress are behavioural aspects and are guided by the shadripus or
six enemies – the forces of lust, anger, pride, greed, attachment and jealousy - or
by the seven sins - pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. In spite
of preaching by thousands of saints and teachers, individuals and teams suffer
due to tension and stress due to these enemies of the mind. The late guru Osho
cited his experience of how even some saints fail to defeat these enemies and
avoid tension. While Osho and a few colleagues were traveling in the Himalayas,
it started to rain. They spotted a spacious cave and entered it. A ‘saint’, already inside, shouted, “this is my home. I have been here for years. How dare you enter it?” Even after living calmly and quietly for years, his tension flared.
So, tension is chronic and persistent and one needs to be ever vigilant.
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Regular Exercises
And finally, it is all up to you to develop vision to trek through the quagmire that is likely to be still wilder? To help yourself we earnestly request you to do the following two introspective exercises regularly and take corrective actions.
Start a diary and mark weekly your score on a scale of 10 for each of the factors in the title of the blog - for both groups, i.e.
Controlling - Temptations, Ego, Negativity, Suspicions, Individualism, Opportunism, Neuroticism
Cultivating - Faithfulness, Rationality, Empathy, Elegance, Dignity, Openness, Mindfulness.
Monitor closely and continuously the following aspects:
Thought-waves disturbing true/ real-self
Family cordiality
Problems in family, community and workplace
Strains in relationships
Job satisfaction
Company stability and prospects
Health check-ups
Gaps in your skill-set
Your future plans and those of near and dear ones
On all these factors, track your progress and take timely corrective actions.
The world is complex, often in turmoil ,and when one is at crossroads in life or at work, taking help of coaches and mentors is recommended. Good luck!
Wizards Of World!
Spread the Creed of Wisdom
Avoid Pretensions and be Tension-free!!
This advice in the Deloite's report on 'Women@work is vey important to control tension and stress: "Address the burnout epidemic. Almost half of women feel burned out"
ReplyDeleteAs always very insightful blog. Thank you for the exercises, they are simple enough yet seem impactful.
ReplyDelete2 major factors for worry for me are: expectations from an uncertain event or denial of a certain event.
The way to address is again 2 steps: establish control able factors and uncontrollables;
In an uncertain events, everything is uncontrollable; in case of denial it is only about realising the control-able factor: your realization.
I think almost everyone does know these lessons, but it us in that moment of panic, one tends to forget it all. That’s where ‘Dhairya’ comes into picture. I think that comes only with experience, no substitute to it.
Very cogent and instructive comments , more valuable as they are from own experience. Thank u
DeleteSome more solid evidence to show how vey serious the tension pandemic is from the top research organization: "According to the American Institute of Stress Statistics, about 33 percent of people report feeling extreme stress, 77 percent of people experience stress that affects their physical health,73 percent of people have stress that impacts their mental health, 48 percent of people have trouble sleeping because of stress".
ReplyDelete------------------------------------------------------------------------
S,aish's ''dhairya' meaning courage is a better solution.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line always gets top importance. and, so is the case in the blog; the bottom line is "Avoid Pretension and be Tension Free".
ReplyDelete"According to WHO and other reliable sources,( tension) affects an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide, causing approximately 10 million deaths every year."
ReplyDeleteThis shocking stats should be attracting more and more social workers to create pleasant giving circles
Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost annually to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year, as per WHO data
ReplyDeleteThis hoking figure must have zoomed still higher after the tariff imbroglio, all need to take precaution to reverse the trend , any ideas?