Playing promotes mental health

As many people in the world are recognizing that the health of the mind is of supreme importance, we could look at what might be considered a crisis, in a different light, because the beginnings of a mental health renaissance seem to be emerging.
More people are talking openly and honestly about their mental health than ever before. Many new and emerging evidence-based, whole-person approaches to mental health and well-being are making a significant difference in the lives of people of all ages, providing tremendous help in overcoming and avoiding mental health challenges. One important method is play. Everyone loves to play because it freely connects us with our real inner being, I the soul. Doing what we love puts us ‘in the flow’, the positive mental state of being entirely and happily absorbed in just the present moment and the task at hand.
One teacher had an inspiring way of teaching students the subtleties of the virtue of happiness through a game. The teacher gave an inflated balloon to every student. They were to write their name on it, and also a virtue or quality they valued, such as honesty or generosity. The group then bounced the balloons all around and to each other. The mixed-up balloons were left in a colourful pile in the middle of the room. The students were then given three minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hectic search, very few found their balloon. The balloons were now all floating around the room. At that point, the teacher told the students to go and take the first balloon they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within five minutes, everyone had their own balloon. The teacher said to the students: “These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other people’s happiness, we’ll find ours too.”
We give the gift of virtues through creative play, and by passing on virtues quietly to others through our positive thoughts, words, and actions. These ‘value’-able gifts are truly precious because they are imperishable, and they multiply the more we share them. Virtues are more valuable than the material things we give to each other.
Happiness is energy, not matter. Just by being happy ourselves while fulfilling our responsibilities, our happy vibrations radiate and create joy, which uplifts the mindset of others around us.
Our consciousness, awareness or attitude is extremely important in playing a game or in performing any task. Whenever we have a task to do, if we check whether we are considering the task with enthusiasm, creativity, and enjoyment, or whether we simply want to get it done because it has to be done and it is our duty to do it. Our state of mind is more important than the task itself. The more positive the consciousness, the more positive will be the experience from performing the task. One of the most charitable things we can do is to find a way to maintain our inner happiness no matter what the situation around us is like. Inner happiness springs from the deep awareness of being a spiritual being having a human experience. We can make that human experience as happy as we choose.

Chirya Risely is a Rajyoga meditation teacher, based at the Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center, USA.