Stress in our lives comes in different forms — studies, work, relationships. But it’s possible to find peace by controlling one’s mind, says author Balvinder Kumar in his new book, Awakening The Thinking Mind.
But how does one control one’s mind? ”Our mind is an organ. This book teaches you how to respond to situations and people, making the best use of our mind,” says Kumar.
He says that the inspiration behind the book is his own life. “I went through a bad phase. It was then that art and meditation helped me,” says the author.
He adds, “Most of our health problems stem from stress — blood pressure, diabetes, and a variety of lifestyle disorders.”
Kumar explains that one of the main reasons of stress is that our mind wanders. “When your mind wanders, you think about the past and worry about the future. This affects the task at hand.” He says that meditation can help one focus better. “When you try to focus on breathing, the mind wanders. Redirect your attention to breathing and repeat. With time, it becomes easier to control your mind from straying.”
More focus brings more positivity, he says. “To counter negative thoughts, first acknowledge them. Know what’s troubling you. Second, consciously welcome experiences that build positivity. When you are aware of the present, you can resist the tendency to enjoy negativity and calm your mind,” says Kumar.