The world is awakening to the importance of mental health. For too long the difficulties of anxiety, depression and other expressions of an unhealthy mind have been overlooked, and those who suffer, marginalised.
Anxiety and depression were declared a global mental health pandemic before Covid 19. Social distancing has left us alone with our minds by removing distractions we used to escape. This forced introversion is revealing and intensifying a plethora of mental health issues.
In the western countries, people are fortunate to have skilled mental health professionals available to offer expertise in managing these dis-eases of the mind. What can spirituality offer in this time of intense emotional and mental disturbance?
Understand: I am a soul that lives inside a body. When the spirit enters the human body, it provides the energy to make the brain and other organs function. I am not my brain just as I am not my kidney. If the brain chemistry is out of balance, it can cause the experience of depression or anxiety. Sometimes medication is required. Understanding the difference between soul and brain allows me to detach from the experience of depression. When empowered with self-awareness, I, the soul, can support the healing process by creating positive thoughts that establish new pathways in the brain.
Reset to peace: Thoughts and feelings are experienced first in the mind. Just as I am not my brain, I am not my mind. My mind is influenced by many things, the external atmosphere, another person’s energy or even old memories. Over-attention to the thoughts and feelings in my mind causes distress. Through meditation I become familiar with the peaceful quality of my natural state of mind. I easily recognise when my peace has been eclipsed by another energy. Meditation helps me detach from my own mind and reset to my original state. This protects the mind from influence.
Loving settlement: Disturbances in the mind are caused by past actions. When I have caused harm to myself or another in some way, the memory is stored in my conscience and creates a disturbance in my mind. I cannot always identify the specific source of the disturbance as the original action may have happened long ago (even possibly in another birth). A more powerful energy field can settle disturbed energy. A consistent connection with the Divine Source settles disturbances in the mind over time by stabilising the soul in a higher, more positive state.
Compassionate response to self: The soul is eternal. As an eternal being, I have had many experiences on my journey through time, some life-threatening. Fear was a sensible response. When a present situation triggers an old memory, my mind is flooded with fear and I feel anxious. Acknowledging the feelings brings relief and accepting their transience gives rise to compassion and the ability to let go. This puts the anxious feelings in perspective and stabilises my mind.
Spirituality empowers the soul with self-awareness, builds resilience and fortifies mental health, especially needed in these extreme times.
Judy Johnson studies Rajyoga meditation and coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris meditation centre in Halifax, Canada.
Gopi Patel is a spiritual educator and senior Rajyogi meditator with the Brahma Kumaris, specialising in spiritual pragmatism in all areas of life.