Introspection on the Road to Self-Discovery

(First published August 27, 2020, in indiacurrents.com)

Presently our lives are topsy turvy and we are dealing with the reality that the coronavirus will be with us for a long time. The whole world has paused.  The new normal is one of uncertainty as our lives have been disrupted. We are unable to meet our friends, vacation, go to work, or school. We wake up hearing more disturbing news of the stock market, unemployment, rising number of cases, and deaths.

 Before the pandemic hit us, we took things for granted. We did not value the simple things of life. Being able to walk and breathe without a mask, meeting friends and family, hugs, eating at restaurants, shopping at stores,  have become luxuries. 

 Many of us felt fear for our lives and our loved ones when we heard of the COVID -19 virus,  then came a feeling of frustration and irritability which led to the anger of being locked down. Gradually our communities have started to open and some of us step out cautiously with paying attention to social distancing and wearing a mask. Life has changed!

This has been a difficult time for me too, but as time goes by I have realized that I have to make the most of what I have. I nurture my mental physical and spiritual health. This lockdown has made me aware of my inner strength, resiliency, and compassion.

 We are caught up in our busy schedules and many of us are unaware of who we are. During the pandemic, things have slowed down and we have time to tune in to our thoughts and feelings.  Use this as a time of self-discovery, to dive deeper into understanding who you are. This time of self-isolation is to search for answers to get to know your true self.

Many of us are naturally anxious or unhappy at this time and find it difficult to move towards balance and peace, but it is possible.  Consider making one or more of these methods an integral part of your life. They may help you with your own self-discovery.

1. Meditation is the practice of mindfulness, a practice for mental health and clarity. Self-discovery meditation could be done in a simple manner. It is a way to calm the mind and body with relaxation and to get in tune with your inner self. By regularly meditating you will be able to live a more thoughtful and introspective life.
2. Find a quiet place with no distractions. Do switch off your electronics.
   • Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes.
   • Breathe naturally, in and out.
   • In your relaxed yet alert state, ask yourself a few questions to stay focused.
     • Questions you can ask yourself could be, “ I would like to know my strengths; I would like to know my weaknesses; who am I: how do I achieve my goal, etc.
     • Or you can use one word or mantra such as discovery, belief, knowledge, etc to help you focus.
   • Focus your attention on the mantra and drop into the depths of your inquiry where the answers arise. if unable to do that then bring yourself back to your breath.
   • Feel the sensations in your body of each inhalation and exhalation and let it flow.
   • After 10 to 15 minutes open your eyes and sit still. Try and recall if you felt anything that helped you understand yourself just a little bit more.

This requires daily practice, time, and patience to move towards the  path of self-discovery. As you move towards this goal, meditation will help calm your mind. 

2.Journaling: During this unprecedented time,  try to pay attention to your mental health. Journaling is a very effective and simple manner of tracking yourself over a period of time. You just need a pen and paper or you can journal on your phone.