THE MIND & BODY BLOG

W hat we are living through is an unforeseen period. It is a trying time, both mentally and emotionally. Given the circumstances, it is natural to look for a de-stressing mechanism or turn toward spirituality. The ways in which we choose to do so may be different, but the end goal takes us through the route of ‘consciousness.’  To talk about consciousness is like opening a Pandora’s Box. Generally speaking, it would translate into ‘awareness’, but from a neurological point of view, consciousness would be the state of awareness of the self, environment, and one’s responsiveness to external stimuli and internal needs.  By the neurological benchmark, consciousness has two components — level of consciousness and the content of consciousness, the latter determining the spectrum of enlightenment of an individual. The level of consciousness defines the degree of variation from normal alertness, while the content of consciousness is defined by the quality and coherence of th...

From what is now seen on television channels and propagated by fitness ‘gurus’ and celebrities, one would be made to believe one can nail yoga by mastering postures and increasing their flexibility and strength. But that’s far from reality. In fact, it is a market-driven version of traditional yoga — more dramatic and highly fascinating, customised to appeal to the uninitiated. Traditional yoga, on the other hand, seeks to initiate transformation in the person by helping them discover self and, at the same time, connecting with the universe as one attempts to use the huge potential of the brain. While we speak of using the brain’s potential to synchronise self with the universe, it’s worth mentioning how the brain is a unique organ in the human body. While it makes up for only 2 percent of body weight, it receives 20-25 percent of cardiac output, consumes 20 percent of the body’s oxygen and glucose supplies, utilises 50 percent of the overall gene pool and has neurons equal to the n...