Drugs or Deliberation?

MEDITATION FOR STRESS RELIEF

People of our era are busy in their respective jobs, and all the hustle and bustle of daily life. We can hardly even manage time to care for our mental and physical health. Without good health, all our earning is useless, and without a proper combination of body and mind, our life will be miserable. But good health depends on our actions; the genuine software which we install in our mind decides the performance of our hardware.

Desire is the doorway to success, but some desires end in achievements, and some do not. Those unfulfilled desires then turn into frustration, anxiety, insomnia, blood pressure, and crime, which are all interwoven. Many people seek drugs as a solution to these problems, hoping for quick recovery, but it does not give a lasting solution. In fact, the solution is within us. Instead of medication, we need to choose meditation!

But then, what is meditation? It is a mental discipline, mindfulness, non-judgmental awareness, and an exploration of the inner potential of self. It is about mastering our mind, while a drug enslaves the mind. Many people are of the impression that chanting mantras like “Om” repeatedly, focusing on breathing techniques, or concentrating on a statue of a god is meditation, but it is not so. In fact, meditation is an ancient oriental art; it is neither an act that can be performed, nor an object to concentrate on. Such objects could be tools for beginners of meditation. There is quite a lot of difference between concentration and meditation. True meditation is watchfulness and complete awareness. Each individual is unique, the seed of Bodhisattva is within us, and it is up to us whether we nurture it into a full-fledged tree, or let it shrivel like a useless weed.

Meditation is becoming a new-age fashion. However, it should be taken as a rediscovery of the ancient wisdom of oriental masters. Meditation has been given importance by many religions. The meditative state of mind is declared to be the highest state in which the mind exists by yogis. Methods of meditation have been cross-culturally disseminated at various times throughout history. There are different types of meditations which can be practiced, and people of all body type and sizes, gender, age, ethnicity and sexuality can benefit from them. Meditation can facilitate a greater harmony between the mind, body and spirit. Those who regularly practice meditation harvest many physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits from it

Mediation is the only way to master our mind; it is the only tool to control our horse-like mind that prances where it wills. But still, frustrated people who need it most pass over the idea of meditation. They seek quick recovery through tobacco, cigarettes or alcohol, and may even graduate to more expensive (and more addictive) drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy, opium, marijuana, and Psilocybin Mushrooms, Phencyclidine etc. Such drugs have an immediate effect on the mind and body, so the users feel a kind of immediate relief, but in fact, it is not a solution to their problems. 

Since 1960s, meditation has been the focus of increasing scientific research of uneven rigor and quality. Many research studies have been published on the various methods of meditation which can influence a person’s metabolism, blood pressure, brain activities, and other bodily processes. Some Western medical practitioners use meditation for counseling and psychotherapy, while relaxation techniques are used for achieving mental and muscle relaxation to reduce daily stress and strain.
Eastern meditation traditions and psychedelic drugs became very popular in America, and it was suggested that LSD use and meditation were both means to the same spiritual goal. Many practitioners of eastern tradition rejected the idea, including many who had tried LSD themselves. Aldous Huxley, English novelist and critic interested in Hindu philosophy, best known for his dystopian novel Brave New World (1931) was a user of LSD. In 1954 Huxley published a book The Doors of Perception, which made him a popular guru among Californian hippies. In contrast, writer Robert S De Ropp says, “LSD is the door to full consciousness, but it does not help to pass beyond the door”. Robert himself used LSD, and confessed through his book In the Master Game that LSD can give a glimpse of consciousness, but it ultimately fails to give consciousness. 

Our mind does two things: thinking and acting. Thinking is like accelerating a vehicle in neutral gear, and acting is like accelerating the vehicle on top gear. If we accelerate the vehicle and increase the gear, the vehicle moves, and in contrast, when we do not increase the gear but continue to accelerate, the vehicle just makes noise. For the vehicle to move there must be a proper combination of gear and accelerator. The noisy vehicle can be compared to a frustrated and disturbed mind which has plans but no action. This state of mind is not trustworthy. 

The mind is like a horse without control. Sometimes we may make a plan to wake up at 5 o’clock in the morning, but fail to do so, missing a plan we make consciously. Many times we make resolutions to stop doing one thing or to start doing another, but most of our resolutions go in vain. Our mind makes plans, and the very mind persuades us to postpone the plan for next day. Can we trust our own mind? There is always a gap between thoughts and action. If we can act according to our thoughts, then there will be no frustration. But that is not always possible, and that is when the mind does not know what to do. Frustrated minds are always seeking some relief which leads to drugs addiction, which is sometimes fuelled by wrong companionship and up-bringing. Once the drug is in, it is hard to get it out. Those who are addicted to drugs are regarded as a burden by their family, society, and the entire nation.

 The rich arts of meditation and yoga, which can provide lasting solutions to frustrated minds, are in shadow. We should appreciate the efforts of those who do their best to make people aware of the benefits of healthy food habits, meditation, yoga and sport. It is never too late to start. Once we know the hidden secrets of meditation, we will be able to distinguish between drugs and meditation. Meditation and yoga are the ultimate tools for a healthy and harmonious living. Let us install genuine software like meditation in our minds, and maintain the hardware part with regular exercise for a progressive, prosperous, peaceful, and healthy nation.

The author is a sociologist

girithejorba@gmail.com

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