Until about 25 years ago the word stress was a term only used in science. Over time, since then, we have started using it to describe our state of mind. We say that we are stressed, to indicate that we are working too long and hard, or we are afraid of challenging situations. However, stress is the result of creating the wrong kind of thoughts. It is an emotional pain that indicates something in us needs to change. But seeing others around us also going through stress, we tend to believe that a little stress is OK, natural in the present times. This is not true. Stress negatively impacts our physical and emotional well-being, our efficiency, memory, decision-making ability, and reduces our performance. Any amount of stress is damaging.
In science, stress is equal to pressure divided by resilience. Pressure refers to our situations (such as targets, deadlines, exams, goals, issues related to health or relationships). Resilience is our inner strength (such as peace, joy, love, bliss, purity, power, and wisdom). Stress is equal to our situations divided by our inner strength. When our inner spiritual strength is low, even a small amount of pressure creates high stress. By increasing our inner strength, our resilience, we can reduce stress. Our state of mind, our thoughts and emotions, are the only elements in our control, and give us the power to face any situation. The first step to become stress-free is to add an “a” to tension and pay attention within to what is in our mind and heart. When we do not pay attention, we unconsciously judge or blame people and situations, and this critical nature of negativity depletes our resilience. We become tension-free when we focus on people’s goodness and think pure thoughts. Our words and behaviour automatically become right, and all complaints about others finish.
The most important step towards becoming stress-free is seeing oneself as a spiritual being ‘housed in’ and playing a part through a human body. The soul is energy of imperishable spiritual light, and a natural storehouse of all our qualities and powers. It is me, the soul, who is responsible for everything I do. However, when we become absorbed in actions, we lose our connection with the inner self and start reacting only on the physical level. Then our resilience level falls, creating a corresponding increase in stress. However, in meditation, by remembering who we really are and connecting with the Supreme Soul, we can experience the positive qualities and powers inside our mind, a part of the soul, and remain at peace in a contented state of mind. God’s love brings out the best from within, and is a source of inspiration, energy, and inner spiritual strength, connecting me with my innate beauty. We accumulate the power of positive and benevolent thoughts, and negative situations and the behaviour of others no longer have the power to cause us any kind of stress.
Chirya Risely is a Rajyoga meditation teacher based at the Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center, USA.
