Selfcare & Growth – Praana Sutra

Want to know 6 general interpretations of Silence? Read on!

Pratik Rathod — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:14:13 +0000

Want to know 6 general interpretations of Silence?

“Silence is the language of God. All else is poor translation” – Rumi

Silence. Silence! Silence?

Just a change in punctuation mark can alter the intention of one word. Can you comprehend the number of interpretations it could have? Silence is just a humble word by itself but the way it is used, changes the meaning and reference of it entirely. Like many other words in our vocabulary, silence can be used in many ways to depict many different things and yet I personally believe that it is the one of those very few commonly used words that could hold such deep meaning and impact on our lives.

We use the word so often, so nonchalantly, to convey what we intend to without giving it a deeper thought that how deep it’s impact and repercussions could be.

I am not a master to unfold the mysteries of life, nor a scholar to define it to its perfection. However, with experience and whatever wisdom I have managed to gather through the years, it is one of the most profound and mystic word. The most impactful interpretations of Silence can be surmised as:

1. Silence as a virtue

Not everything deserves a reaction but then, no reaction is a reaction too. When we consciously choose not to react, we maintain silence. We believe that it is the right thing to do, to avoid blowing things out of proportion. Our silence takes away the power the other person or situation has over us.

2. Your mental peace

There comes a time when we go silent to preserve our mental peace. Be it a discussion that turned into an argument or just a short sabbatical from the chaos all around us. Silence has the power to realign our thoughts and bring back our focus. Needless to say, it has it’s repercussions too for an overthinker. If they go silent, their mind wanders all over the place and things tend to spiral out of control in their heads. But as a general case scenario, silence plays an integral role in getting and keeping mental peace.

3. Deeper understanding

When we are in the midst of things, over time we tend to have a shortsighted view of things. Maintaining silence and taking a step back allows us to see things in a different perspective and take a more refined and informed decisions and choice regarding that situation. It helps us understand the issue with more clarity and understanding.

That being said, not everything is hunky-dory with silence. The above mentioned points help us control and understand ourselves and the situations around us better with the help of silence. However, let’s look at the cons of silence.

4. Sign of submission

Quite self-explanatory, silence during any form abuse or any situation which has a direct impact on your physical and/or mental health, is subconsciously a sign of submission. All those negative things happen to us because we let them happen to us. People tend to justify ‘I didn’t have a choice‘, ‘What else could I do?‘ or ‘I did it for the sake of my loved ones‘, so on and so forth. Agreed these are valid reasons in their own right, but still the point is that you chose to not act. You remained silent. Your silence was your submission. Where did it get you?

5. State of apathy/denial

We come across situations where we decide to not act or say anything, not because it’s right or wrong, but just ’cause. We don’t want to. ‘I couldn’t care less‘ or ‘No, it isn’t what it seems‘ is generally heard by someone who wants to maintain that silence irrespective knowing the details of the situation and the repercussions of their silence. As its said – Ignorance is bliss.

6. Lack of communication

Want an absolutely perfect example of lack of communication?

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.

For want of a shoe the horse was lost.

For want of a horse the rider was lost.

For want of a rider the battle was lost.

For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

We all know, have heard, read, that a lot of issues and differences can be resolved by talking it out, communicating. But do we? Why is it easier said than done when talking is the simplest form of resolution?

These were just the Top 6 which would bring about quite an evident change in your life, however there is much more to it than just these 6 points. We would love hear from you of what you think about these and if you think we’ve missed out on something crucial here, leave a comment! Your engagement gives us more fire-power to continue doing this!

Conversations in our head, the dilemma and irony

Pratik Rathod — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 05:55:00 +0000

Conversations in our head, the dilemma and irony

“My dark days made me stronger. Or maybe I already was strong, and they made me prove it.” – Emery Lord

We all have good days, and bad days. Sometimes the bad days seem to be in an infinite loop. While we all try to find our ways to deal with them them, get through with them. Not all of us manage to.

Some find an out, some don’t.

Some find a support system, some don’t.

Some are stuck in an infinite loop, some break free.

The time you take to deal with what’s weighing you down, doesn’t define your abilities. Your perseverance and dedication to break off from it, does.

Here is a normal conversation between 2 long lost friends who reconnect after a while, and the conversation takes a very interesting turn! Read on.

Siddharth: Hey! I loved your post on Insta, quite apt!

Tanaisha: Oh thank you! How have you been? Long time.

Siddharth: Yea, have been good. Just the usual, you know. How are you?

Tanaisha: Listen, I might be coming to your city, let’s catch up?

Siddharth: I’d love to! When?

Tanaisha: Nothing decided yet, I’ll keep you in the loop.

Siddharth: Sure. You haven’t answered yet, how are you?

Tanaisha: Haha! You sure don’t miss out on picking the tiny details. Honestly, I don’t know how am I doing. Just surviving I guess.

Siddharth: OK! That glum ha? How’s work?

Tanaisha: Work is the only thing that keep’s me going and what I could bed on to keep me occupied and distracted. But that has been downhill too lately. So …

Siddharth: Why? You are one of those few ones who actually enjoy their work, what happened?

Tanaisha: Just can’t focus. Not able to work. Missing deadlines. The whole shebang!

Siddharth: That raises an alarm coming from you! You really need a break and need some uninterrupted time with yourself.

Tanaisha: IKR! *sigh* It’s not just one thing. It’s the usual culprits doing their work in tandem – anxiety, panic etc etc

Siddharth: That mix is lethal for your mental health, BTW. That’s exactly why I said you need a break, you don’t say doesn’t mean I don’t know. Not everything has changed you know

Tanaisha: Why do you always say that not everything has changed? Just cuz I don’t text that often? I have a problem with this presumption of yours!

Siddharth: No! Don’t get agitated, it’s purely for the reason that over time, people change and I believe one should too, else you’re dead already. But some things, that are a part of the core you, should remain intact, so it just to reaffirm that, not a jab at you!

Tanaisha: Uff! Siddharth the philosopher

Siddharth: Am serious! If every-time someone would say that you’ve changed, you should say Thank You! Thank you for noticing cuz I’ve been working towards it and it’s finally visible for the world to see!

Tanaisha: Love this! Very much me too.

Siddharth: *rolling eyes* Yeah right!

Tanaisha: Can’t expect me to be a 17 yr old me at this age na? Living with the same mindset, the same blockages and the same everything?

Siddharth: I don’t and you shouldn’t either. However, the only change that shouldn’t be carried forward is the quantum of your baggage of the past.

Tanaisha: The challenges were different then Siddharth! They are different now. I had ideologies and a frame of mind that was way different than the reality of today. But you know what? I can’t help but think about you

Siddharth: How so?

Tanaisha: I don’t know what it is, but I strongly feel a lot of what I think and feel, has come from you

Siddharth: I hope in a good way! HAHA

Tanaisha: Absolutely. Our conversations and your ideologies have shaped a lot of my thought processes, paving the way for who and what I am today

Siddharth: Always remember Tanaisha, every situation demands a new you. You can’t have a preset reaction or interpretation of what you once were.

Tanaisha: Right. I try to. You know what I want? I want to be mentally free. I feel chained today and that’s very much against my basic nature

Siddharth: You think if you keep doing the same things the same way, you will get a different outcome? You will always get the same outcome every-time. To bring about the change, break the loop and tweak your reactions and perspective. THAT is what will bring about a different result to the same problem.

Tanaisha: The philosopher strikes again! It’s true though. I seek freedom. I don’t know how long it will take, but am determined to break through this

Siddharth: Yes. You’ve always been free, and it’s this suppression of THAT freedom which is weighing you down. It goes against everything that you are

Tanaisha: People have certain definition of freedom and they tell me, we let you do this, do that. LET ME? Why will someone LET ME do things that I have a basic right to in the first place?

Siddharth: Absolutely. It’s a basic right, not something you need to given ‘permission’ for

Tanaisha: EXACTLY! I have problems with the way people think. I know I can never change it. I don’t even want to. But it’s affecting me. I just can’t stand a few things.

Siddharth: I understand. When you can’t change the world, and don’ want to change yourself, you turn inwards and find that solace to coexist without it affecting you

Tanaisha: Changing me would be a compromise that i’ll make to myself. Something that I don’t want to do, just to look good to people for a brief period of time! What happens when, one fine day, that mask comes off?

Siddharth: It’s foolish to ask you to change either Tanaisha. No one should. Sometimes such changes are just another form of submission.

Tanaisha: People don’t say they want to change me. Having said that, their expectations towards me demand that very thing they don’t say. Everyone us just in a state of denial.

Siddharth: Ah! These conversations with you are what I truly miss you know. Start a blog. The world needs to hear you, your thoughts. Trust me, you’re not alone. It will truly give a voice to many, like you, like me, to talk to the world.

Tanaisha: HAHA! Yea, I miss them too. I’ve stopped writing since a long time S. I don’t wish to write. I don’t want to do anything.

Siddharth: OK. So note down your thought’s and I’ll share them with the world for you!

Tanaisha: Oh God! You’re crazy. Why are you being so nice to me? Why are you willing to do all this? It’s crazy.

Siddharth: Eh! Am just being myself. Guess people around you don’t really do anything FOR you, WITH you, for you to know and believe that there’s some unconditional aspects of relationships left in this world too. By the end of the day, we’re friends, unconditionally.

Tanaisha: I don’t know Siddharth. Am just lost right now. I kindda know the direction I want to take. But, there are a few things coming my way. So it’s just a matter of WHEN, not WHAT.

Siddharth: It’s not that you need a purpose, you already have that. What you is need clarity

Tanaisha: I have that.

Siddharth: No you don’t. If you did, then you’d have overcome the obstacles coming your way.

Tanaisha: At times I have an existential crisis?

Siddharth: At times?? What an understatement!

Tanaisha: HAHA! Shutup! I don’t know the purpose, so I just keep questioning myself.

Siddharth: You do know the purpose. Hence, what you lack is clarity. Your heart and mind already knows what it wants.

Tanaisha: UGH! Yea, it does.

Siddharth: Yea. So make it happen. It’s not impossible. It just involves taking some tough decisions

Tanaisha: I know. I just don’t know WHEN. Maybe time will do it’s thing. Speaking of tough decisions, I gtg now! But it was soo good catching up with you, and thank you. I needed this

Siddharth: You’re most welcome, the philosopher in me always rearing to go!

So? How many can relate to this conversation? To this dilemma? To this conundrum of knowing yourself but yet not knowing yourself in your current state?

Find someone who will understand you, and talk. It’s the best way to deal with every thing that weighs you down. When you speak things aloud, you take away it’s power over you. You will always find a new perspective, a certain clarity to deal with it.

Feel free to leave your views of it. Wish you the best!

Learn to evolve your tolerance threshold

Pratik Rathod — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 12:21:18 +0000

Learn to evolve your Tolerance Threshold

Tolerance: Sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own.

Tolerance is an integral part of our social fabric, something we’re taught about from a very young age. From sharing our toy, to eating what is served while visiting as a guest. From sharing the dorm room to co-working spaces. It’s this virtue of keeping our differences and prejudices aside and be at our civil best, which forms the basis of our ‘Tolerance Threshold’.

Also, an extensive research published by Hjerm, M., Eger, M.A., Bohman, A. et al. as A New Approach to the Study of Tolerance: Conceptualizing and Measuring Acceptance, Respect, and Appreciation of Difference on 9 September 2019 interestingly evaluates tolerance’s relationship to prejudice and they found that only an appreciation of difference has the potential to reduce prejudice. The paper sheds great insight into our understanding of Tolerance and Prejudice.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, 1995) aptly states that “Tolerance is harmony in difference”. While on our quest to find like-minded people who share our ideologies and interests, we often bump into people who are the polar opposite of who we are, or what we believe in, or what we like/dislike. The virtue of Tolerance is put to test under such circumstances and teaches us to accept people for who they are and respect their opinions.

Disagreement does not equal intolerance. It is merely a difference of opinion. A circumstance where the “Let’s agree to disagree” stance should be practiced. It does not mean that you have to accept or embrace the other person’s words, actions, or ideas that go against your values or beliefs. It simply means that you mutually agree to respect each other’s right to your feelings and opinions on the matter. Especially so when it comes to controversial issues such as religion and/or politics, agreeing to disagree is often the most amicable outcome.

It is my understanding that Tolerance is an extension of Patience (which we have talked about in our previous blog post). However, just like Silence and Patience, Tolerance beyond a certain degree can too have an adverse impact either on your mental health and/or your well-being. Have we evolved or grown enough and learned where to draw the line for our Tolerance? How much Tolerance is too much Tolerance? How do we decide when we’ve had enough? The answers to these questions are subjective and can be only addressed by keeping the circumstances and history in mind. However, it does leave a thought for us to ponder over, as all of us are dealing one with the situation after the other. Pause. Assess and reassess. Evaluate the repercussions. Decide. There’s no easy way out nor any shortcuts.

However, there are instances where we all tend to maintain a certain degree of Tolerance and issues where we (individually or collectively) lack them.

We tend to maintain Tolerance:

towards what our friends and/or loved ones do and say. Our love and empathy increase one’s threshold of tolerance when it comes to someone whom we know.
towards what colleagues/superiors do and say. Whether you admit it or not, almost always we too have an ulterior motive for putting up with what our colleagues and/or bosses say or do. No judgment there!
towards local issues. Local governing body doing shoddy work. Waste management is sub-par. Roads are forever pitted with potholes. The list can be extensive, yet we get on with our lives, tolerating what is happening around us with the hope that it will be resolved one day.
towards macro issues. There’s bias and discrimination all around us. Almost every country is grappling with it. There’s racial bias in the US, caste bias in India, worst of all – gender bias in almost all the countries. Developing or developed, why do women have to fight for everything? Yet, we’re tolerant, waiting patiently that things will take the right course, while some choose to act and bring about the change.

Then there are areas where we lack Tolerance:

When something doesn’t go as we planned or expected, the way we wanted it to. It triggers everyone and one’s Tolerance Threshold is immediately lowered.
No one likes taking instructions, if they do then they’re just obligated to – either at their workplace or they owe someone something.
Politically motivated acts with an ulterior motive, instigating people to voice out as a whole. Igniting unrest and lowering tolerance.
Inability to take humor objectively and sensationalize everything. One scene in a movie that doesn’t resonate with your beliefs? Log on to social media immediately to berate it. The lyrics of a song that you don’t agree with? Call it out for being anti-whatever.

Collectively, we the people, ought to be on the same page towards intolerance about things that truly need our attention. Power resting in the hands of a few. Climate change. The list goes on and affects everyone, irrespective of your socio-economic background.

Let’s introspect towards finding that fine line where Tolerance results in abuse. It is subjective. Do your bit.