How to overcome winter blues

Overcoming winter blues isn't easy. A spell of no sunshine, only gloom! As I write this, a hot cup of adrak chai sits by my side. A blanket crunches up, offering a warm layer of comfort for my feet - which feels perpetually cold. Amidst the unpredictability of everything around us - be it life, weather conditions, I choose to read and find my comfort from the pages that I dive into.

Image: Pexels.com

Winters are gloomy and depressing. The one thing that cheers me up other than sunshine is - yes, you guessed it - READING!

How to fight the Winter Blues

Reading helps! In fact, I am reading The Mother's words today and I felt this can resonate with everything we are currently grappling with. Way ahead of the times that she was living in, The Mother's discourses on mental health are a treasury of knowledge for humanity.

Her emphasis on the mental education of children is a must-read reference for parents and teachers, as she explains its importance and how to work with children on a practical level.

Sadly, few people are ready to spare the time and effort to dive deep into these divine pearls.

"You must never allow your mind to judge things and people, for the mind is not an instrument of knowledge; it is incapable of finding knowledge, but it must be moved by knowledge.

Knowledge belongs to a much higher domain than that of the human mind, far above the region of pure ideas.

The mind has to be silent and attentive to receive knowledge from above and manifest it. For it is an instrument of formation, of organisation and action, and it is in these functions that it attains its full value and real usefulness. "

Explore your inner landscape with solitude

The Mother, in her infinite wisdom, shares her insights, "When one has learned to silence the mind at will and to concentrate in its receptive silence, then there will be no problem that cannot be resolved, no mental faculty whose solution cannot be found."

Few things I like to reflect on:

Can I practise more kindness and higher awareness daily?

Can I manage negative feelings by let it be and not react to it?

Can I be a good example to my son?

Set good intentions and practices

Spending happy moments with loved ones is a good way to bring loving energy and warmth into your life. Staying alone? Then you have a perfect setting to figure out how to set your intentions and come up with some creative practices that lift your energy higher.

To make loving kindness a daily practice, read Tara Brach's tips on Being a Mirror of Goodness: An Intention for the New Year .

Wrapping up, I want to leave you with this beautiful affirmation for your heart.

Let me know if there are inspiring books, wise quotes or practices that help you to create a circle of loving energy around you.

Comments

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences. [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste. You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are also considered auspicious for lighting at home. When lighting diyas on Fridays, it is better to use ghee than oil, if possible. [ Connect with Svara on Facebook ] [Read: Vidyarambham - The Labyrinth Within] When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. At what time should we light diya today? Every morning at sunrise and every evening before or at sunset. An ideal time would be to light the diya at least half an hour before sunset. Can we light diya after 12 PM? In Hindu homes, the diya is lit early morning at around sunrise and towards evening sunset. Can ...

Gayatri Mantra as Panchamukhi: Get it right or let it go

Most people do not understand the importance of chanting the Gayatri mantra because they are not aware of its power. It is only when I began to read Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings that I learned how sacred and powerful the chanting of the Gayatri mantra is. [Subscribe to my weekly newsletter now] The Vedas represent the breath of God. The Gayatri mantra is the very basis of the Vedas. Try not to undertake chanting the Gayatri mantra as a light endeavor or as a hobby. It has to be chanted with faith, discipline and purity of mind and body. Be steady with your sadhana if you want to reap the spiritual dividend associated with the Gayatri mantra and never once hesitate once you decide to do it. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that the Gayatri Mantra is referred to as Pancha Mukhi, the Goddess with five faces that represent the five pranas or life forces. Here's more on it. . Also read: The Power of OM and Dark Night of the Sou...

5 Things That Make me Cry

1. Memories (some hurt, some soothe and some teach in a way it can never be replicated) 2. Demise of a specially loved one. [Read: Old Souls, Going Back Home] 3. Being away from my parents. 4. A truly bliss filled moment. 5. Listening to my favorite songs by my dearest Dasettan. (Dr. K.J Yeshudas). [READ: Remembering Ammumma and Watch Padmarajan's Films ] I've shared mine. Tell me yours .

Does something bad happen if the diya goes off?

Is it bad if a diya goes off? This is a frequently asked question among people who light the evening lamp or diya regularly in their puja room. [READ: How To Light Deepam at Home and Why Malayalis Light Nilavilaku ] [Image by Sachin Yadav @ Pixabay] Why Did My Lamp Suddenly Turn Off? Where there is faith, there should be no scope for fear - this is Bhagawan Krishna's message to Arjun on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. That represents strength of Bhakti. [READ: Bhakti: Meera's Greatest Wealth] Consider another example in the tradition of Bhakti. When Prahlada, a young lad, is targeted by his own father, he remains calm under every situation. When he is thrown into the sea, the wise lad is reminded that the sea is the abode of Shriman Narayana. [ READ: Amazing Stories of Lord Shiva ] H...

Petals!

Search This Blog