Controlling the mind and the body
Yoga helps control the muscles of the body,
Meditation helps control of the mind.
Together, yoga and meditation helps us find inner peace.
It has been five years since I started this slow and very painful journey towards good health.
I have lost 22 Kg or 48 pounds, my HbA1c has come down form 10 to 6.5, I have reduced my diabetic medicines by half.
But, this post and the series of posts that follow are not about looking good or feeling healthy. Physical appearance and good health are by-products of this journey and were discovered on route, the ultimate goal — Learn to Love myself.
As a young kid growing up in a rather patriarchal society, especially being a girl child, I was taught the virtue of selflessness. Serving others, making your parents happy, living up to the norms of the society, etc etc. Service to others was considered to be far more important than looking inwards and finding happiness.
Always do good to others, be selfless, remove all negative thoughts from the mind, this is the path to happiness — I lived by this mantra for more than five decades.
Then, on my 50th birthday, I asked myself — why am I so unhappy?
I had dedicated my life to take care of my children, husband, in-laws and mother, yet I was not happy.
Selflessness was not bringing me any peace of mind.
Only a person who is happy within herself can make others happy — This was my epiphany
I realized that I was being a hypocrite, I lacked the courage look inwards. I did not want to do any soul searching, but was on a constant quest to help other souls.
Serving others, was an excuse, I was just building this huge wall that prevented myself from searching for the elusive happiness.
To be happy, I had to serve myself first.
Discovering myself is the first step towards freedom. Only a free person can find happiness and inner peace.
