Demystifying yoga
When I lie on a mat and stretch myself, I call it a stretching exercise
When I sit down and take a few deep breaths, I call it breathing
When I close my eyes and observe myself, I call it meditation
All these can be the ingredients to a yogic practice but it is not yoga. Yoga is a misunderstood term taken from the Eastern philosophy. Yoga is an inner striving to rise above our self-limiting weakness, by integration of the mind, body, and breadth, and live as a wholesome human being.
“Any attempt of the mind to rise from low values of its present existence to a healthier and diviner scheme of living is Yoga.” – Swami Chinmayananda’s commentary on Vivekachudamani (An ancient Indian scripture)
Liking gap
For Adults, building new friendships and relationships are getting much harder in today’s world. This is because we tend to underestimate how well-liked we are. Psychologists call this the liking gap, which is the disconnect between the impression we think we make and the impression we make. We often assume people do not like us and we may avoid making efforts to connect with them. One suggestion is to assume that someone you meet will like you. That way you will be warmer and more natural which makes people like you. At the end of the day, it is about the exchange of support and energy that leaves people mutually fulfilled, which is essential to thrive in work and life.
“We can experience an erosion of self-esteem when we’re lonely, as we come to believe that it’s because we’re not likable or because something is broken inside of us. And that can just compound that loneliness further and further.” – Dr. Vivek Murthy, US General Surgeon
The Triple filter test
What would you do if you are about to hear someone share a gossip/rumor to you? Listening to grapevine talks may be helpful but does not enrich anyone involved in such a discussion. Socrates was very clever and imaginative. According to an old story, Socrates stopped someone who was about to pass on a gossip and asked three questions. It is known as the triple filter test.
Filter one: “Are you absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”
Filter two: “Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something that’s good?”
Filter three: “Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful for me?”
Socrates is said to have rejected hearing him because it was not true, not good, nor useful. Today, I think this filter is relevant not only in social conversations but also while consuming content.
“Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.”- Benjamin Franklin, One of the founding fathers of United States