A path to Improved Mental Health & Learning among Secondary School Students.

 

Abstract:

 Adolescence is an important stage of life when an individual has to grapple with umpteen challenges like peer pressure, self-identity crisis, establishing and development of relationships, psychological and emotional issues, social problems and school-related issues. Adolescents are vulnerable to various mental health challenges. To obtain a deep understanding of this problem and to study possible solutions, the researcher researched the current topic. This Research explores the potential of Sahaja Yoga Meditation intervention to mitigate Stress, Social anxiety, and Aggression and to enhance emotional maturity for such concerns. The Researcher used Mixed-method research that included experimental research and interviews. Taking into consideration its findings, a Sahaja Yoga meditation intervention involving secondary school students was conducted. The Sahaja Yoga meditation was meant to acquaint students with the nature of Social Anxiety, Stress, Aggression and Emotional maturity, develop an understanding of their cause-and-effect relationship and develop positive attitudes about the existing conditions. A Pre-test, Post-test equivalent group design was used for experimental research to study the effectiveness of the Sahaja Yoga meditation on Social Anxiety, Stress, Aggression and Emotional Maturity. The Sahaja Yoga meditation was executed on secondary school students. The findings of the research concluded that Sahaja Yoga meditation practices bring about a positive outcome in the students.The findings and discussion will be of great help to the students to bring about well-being and boost the mental health of secondary school students helping to cope with social anxiety, Stress and Aggression and develop Emotional maturity to enhance their mental strength for handling challenging situations and leading a healthy life.

 There is increasing interest world over in the integration of meditation into the school curriculum. These are considered to be measures to proactively address issues related to the mental well-being of learners. The results of this study support this view. Inculcating meditation into the curriculum would go a long way in providing the tools to manage stress, develop emotional resilience and cultivate an environment in schools that favoursacademic success and holistic development of students. This study brings out the benefits of meditation intervention on the mental health and well-being of students studying in secondary schools. Meditation should become an integral component of school-based interventions. Efforts are needed to implement and evaluate such mental health programs meant for the welfare of students. After the meditation intervention was concluded, the researcher conducted brief interviews with the participants. Each of these interviews of the participants was approximately 10 minutes in duration. 

Perceptions of Meditation After the Study The qualitative analysis of the experiences of 48 participants revealed several key themes illustrating the impact of meditation on various aspects of their lives, particularly in terms of academic performance, mental health, and emotional well-being. Key Themes Identified 1. Reduction of Stress and Anxiety 2. Improvement in Academic Performance and Confidence 3. Enhanced Emotional and Mental Clarity 4. Coping with Physical Symptoms and Daily Challenges Reduction of Stress and Anxiety A significant proportion of participants (85%) reported that meditation substantially reduced their stress and anxiety levels. Narratives: Participants frequently highlighted a marked reduction in stress and anxiety levels post-intervention: • One participant detailed the alleviation of panic attacks, stating: "

• Another participant mentioned: "I had a lot of anxiety, a lot of stress, a lot of fear about the exams," illustrating the stress relief experienced. Analysis: The findings indicate that meditation is highly effective in reducing stress and anxiety, crucial for participants managing academic pressures. The consistent calmingeffect facilitated better emotional regulation in stressfulacademic contexts.

 Improvement in Academic Performance and Confidence

 Participants reported significant enhancements in academic performance and confidence: Narratives: • One participant noted: "I got the courage to give my exams and I confidently gave them," signifying increased self-assurance. • Another remarked: "The pressure to succeed all melted away in the soothing rhythm of my breath," reflecting the decrease in academic pressure. Analysis: Meditation significantly boosted participants' confidence and academic performance by reducing selfdoubt and promoting a calm, focused mindset conducive to academic success. Enhanced Emotional and Mental Clarity Participants described notable improvements in emotional and mental clarity: Narratives: • Participants reported experiencing deep focus and mental clarity, with one stating: "I felt the weight of my anxieties lift, and the fears of failure dissipate." • Another participant observed: "As the session drew to a close, I emerged from the meditation feeling resonated and centred," indicating heightened mental clarity. Analysis: The enhanced clarity facilitated by meditation allowed participants to manage their thoughts and emotions more effectively, benefiting both academic pursuits and overall mental well-being. Coping with Physical Symptoms and Daily Challenges Participants found meditation helpful in managing physical symptoms related to stress and anxiety: Narratives: • One participant noted improvements in handling panic attacks: "I hope I could benefit from improved sleep schedules and better manage my panic attacks." • Another stated: "I felt the weight of my anxieties lift, and the fear of failure dissipate," highlighting the alleviation of physical stress symptoms. Analysis: The holistic benefits of meditation, including the management of physical symptoms such as panic attacks and sleep disturbances, underscore its efficacy in enhancing overall well-being. Conclusion This multifaceted research endeavour illuminated the complex psychological landscape of students and offered invaluable insights into the efficacy of interventions designed to enhance their emotional wellbeing. The study's findings underscore the necessity of targeted, gender-sensitive, and personalized interventions in nurturing students' emotional intelligence, serving as a foundation for evidence-based strategies that foster resilience, empathy, and emotional maturity. The thematic analysis revealed that the meditation intervention significantly reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced academic performance and confidence, improved emotional and mental clarity, and better managed physical symptoms. These outcomes highlight the potential of meditation as a powerful tool for enhancing mental health and overall quality of life. The integration of qualitative and quantitative analyses strengthens the validity of these findings, emphasizing the broad applicability of meditation interventions across diverse populations. Future research should explore long-term effects and specific factors that enhance or moderate meditation practices, ensuring that educational environments equip students with essential life skills for their holistic development.

https://africanjournalofbiomedicalresearch.com/index.php/AJBR

Meditation is Very IMPORTANT

 

The most important thing in Sahaja Yoga is that, to progress in it, to grow, you have to meditate. Meditation is very important. You may not do anything else, but if you remain in meditation, then you can progress in Sahaja Yoga. As I told you, this is a new path. It is a new dimension; it is a new thing in which you have jumped into. With your unconscious mind, you have entered that great ocean, that is true. But if you want to go deeper into it, then you will have to meditate.

What are you saving time for?

All the time, you should think that the watch that is tied on your hand is for Sahaja Yoga and meditation. And it is tied for the work of Sahaja Yoga only, I have tied it for that only, otherwise I would never have tied it. A person whose entire time is spent in Sahaja Yoga, it is not necessary that he does not do household work. It is not necessary that you do not do office work; you can do all the work but do it in meditation, work can be done in meditation because you have been put in meditation.

While doing every work, you can be thoughtless and as soon as you become thoughtless, you start getting the beauty of that work, its “complete” knowledge and all its joy.

For meditation you should remember one small thing, that the thing on which the aalap [slow tempo opening part of Indian classical music performance] of meditation will be started, the veena [stringed instrument] on which this beautiful song is going to be played, should be clean.

You are not that veena, you are not that aalap either, but you are the one who is going to listen to it and play it. You are its master. So if that veena is out of tune, if its strings are rusted or some of its strings are broken, then it is important that you get it fixed. If they are not fine, then there will be no sweetness in your life. That beauty cannot come inside you, a strange kind of irritability, strange kind of roughness, dryness and distraction will be seen in you.

It is a very big thing for Me, to see a Sahaja Yogi sitting in meditation with a very determined mind. And I see that some Sahaja Yogis are going deep inside and some are very distracted. I am not saying whether all people can reach that state or not. But whatever is possible must be done in this life only. Whatever time is there for earning, it should be spent on this. And whatever can be obtained, everyone should get it in this, whether there is anything else or not.

Whatever is important, keep your eyes on that.

Wherever you are settled, just be settled there, in your place, on your throne. Instead of having a thousand useless people, ten good people are the best thing for Sahaja Yoga.

Become one of those ten good people. These people, who do the work of Sahaja Yoga with great love and are enjoying it, flowing in it, progressing in it, and stand in the advanced rank. Like the Himalayas are the highest in the world. Everyone’s eyes are towards it. Become like that. You can become the Himalayas within you and you can see that the world looks at you and says that if I want to become, I should become like this man who has risen so high in Sahaja Yoga. This is an internal rising, not an external one. And I know about everyone, who is reaching where.

You are your own obstacle, and nobody else can stop you. No person in the world can cast any spell – sorcery on you.

Excerpt:

Talk to Sahaja Yogis

Mumbai (India).

9th February, 1975.

Hazrat Ali

 

Hazrat Ali 

Ali ('Ali ibn Abi Talib) (Hazrat Ali) 600-661 

Cousin and adopted son of the Prophet Mohammad, husband and companion of Fatima, and father of Hassan and Hussein. Regarded as the first Iman by the Shi'as (lit: followers of Ali).

The Nahjul Balagha (Peak of Eloquence) contains sermons, letters and sayings attributed to Ali, and is regarded by many Shi'a Muslims as being second only to the Qur'an. His breath-taking poetic description of the Creation reflects the aspect of God the Creator:

"When Almighty created the openings of atmosphere, expanse of firmament and strata of winds, He flowed into it water whose waves were stormy and whose surges leapt one over the other. He loaded it on dashing winds and breaking typhoons, ordered them to shed it back as rain, gave the wind control over the vigour of the rain and acquainted it with its limitations. The wind blew under it while water flowed furiously over it… The Divine dimensions of his personality and mission are also clearly visible in his sermons: Act constantly, set yourself an objective, persevere in your action, be patient and fear the Lord. You already have an objective; dedicate yourself to its achievement. You have a point of reference to which you have to refer. Islam has a goal, try to reach it. Accomplish your duties towards the Lord, and fulfil the obligations He has set upon you. On the Day of Judgment, I will be the Witness for the prosecution and the defense and I shall bring the proofs." 

During the ministry of Mohammad, Ali served as commander of the Prophet’s armies and was always at the forefront of battles. The Prophet himself praised Ali as the greatest of all heroes. His impressive sword Dhulfikar can still to be seen in the Topkapi museum in Istanbul and is an untarnished testament to his military prowess. As a statesman, Ali was the archetype of a benevolent leader, demonstrating fairness and generosity in all circumstances yet chastising bad conduct wherever it manifested itself. Above all, Ali was known for his uncompromising morals and the transparent and fair use of collective money and state assets. While Islamic scripture is full of accounts relating the praise Mohammed bestowed upon Ali, the most memorable has to be:

“I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate.”

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi has stated that Ali was an incarnation of Brahmadeva (1977-0222, 1977-0321, 1988- 0814) and later incarnated as the thirteenth century Maratha saint, Sopandev, brother of Jnaneshwara:

Ali came on this earth, he was the incarnation of Brahmadeva, and his other incarnation was Sopandev. You can go to Pune, you can see the temple of Sopandev there. (1988-0814)

Bibliography
Peak of eloquence (Nahjul balagha): sermons, letters and sayings of Imam Ali, translated by Askari Jafery (USA: Islamic Seminary for World Shia Muslim Organization, 1977)
http://www.al-islam.org/nahj
Barnaby Rogerson, The heirs of the prophet Muhammad, and the roots of the Sunni-Schia schism (London: Little, Brown, 2006)
'Hazrat Ali material on the Ismaili Web'
https://www.amaana.org/ali/hazratali2.htm

https://sahaj-az.blogspot.com/

RELIGION is not External to Us, It is Within

 

Religion Is Not External To Us, It Is Within

The Reason Is This Religion Must Be Awakened In You, .

AND WHEN THESE TEN VALENCES ARE ENLIGHTENED, WE BECOME ABSOLUTELY RIGHTEOUSLY BY OURSELVES, WITHOUT NEEDING TO TELL THEM.

If you observe the lives of all these saints, what have they removed from human beings? Nothing but torture, torment and scandal. They achieved nothing yet they were constantly busy doing good. Nobody told them not to do this or that, but they didn't. The reason is that when the Kundalini rises, you see, that green part that we call 'Bhavasagara' is emptiness; then that green part illuminates and that's where our valences are, which we call 'Dharma'. Religion is not outside of us, it is inside of us. For example, you can be from any community: Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Muslim etc. You can commit any sin, there is no inner inhibition because I am a Christian, because I am a Hindu, because I am this or that, I cannot do this or that. You can commit any sin, anyone who proclaims "I am this or that," and it has no inner meaning, no inner effect. The reason is that this religion must be awakened in you, and since carbon has four valences, we have ten. And when these ten valences are enlightened, we become absolutely righteous by ourselves, without needing to tell them. For example, I never told anyone not to do this or that. I neva said that. I said: All right, let the Kundalini wake up and everything will fall into place immediately. That's exactly what happened. Sahaja Yoga has created angels in this world I tell you, real angels. They are wonderful people, so loving, so compassionate, so dynamic.

SHRI MATAJI

Yoga Yukti

Girl Guide Hall, KL, Malaysia

Friday, November 2, 1990

Programme public

Sahaja Yoga confers Good Health and busts Stress

 

Sahaja Yoga founded by Mata Nirmala Devi, that is gaining greater acceptance worldwide for calming the mind and busting stress, contributes to promoting mental and physical health, according to a new study conducted in Australia.

The essence of Sahaja Yoga, described as mental silence, is much more than mere tranquillity, having several dimensions, including medically beneficial ones, Ramesh Manocha, senior lecturer of psychiatry at the University of Sydney Medical School, told IANS from Australia.

"We found that the health and well-being profile of people who had meditated for at least two years was significantly higher in the majority of health and well-being categories when compared to the (general) population," says Manocha.

Manocha was referring to his latest study on Sahaja Yoga, which focussed on meditation as mental silence, involving more than 348 people, conducted with colleagues Deborah Black and Leigh Wilson at the Sydney Medical School.

Fifty-two percent of the volunteers experienced mental silence "several times per day or more" while 32 percent were experiencing it "once or twice per day", according to Manocha, who is at the forefront of research into meditative disciplines.

"Our survey also demonstrated that practitioners had not only better mental and physical health but also a consistent relationship between health, especially mental health, and self-reported experience of mental silence," says Manocha.

Elaborating on mental silence, Manocha says: "As one learns to slow down the thoughts, the practitioner will start to perceive a small gap between each thought. With practice and by applying specific techniques, the meditator can widen the gap so that he experiences a thought or two and then a space of silence and then another thought or two."

"In this way, the gap between thoughts can be widened until there are long moments of no thoughts. Ultimately, the thoughts stop completely and the meditator remains fully alert and aware, but experiencing no thinking activity. This is 'mind emptiness' or mental silence of Sahaja Yoga," he said.

The outcome is a quietly joyful state rather than an extreme of manic happiness. Mental peace and emotional equilibrium in turn reduce levels of adrenaline and cortisol in the blood stream, decreasing blood pressure and lowering brain activity and slowing down the thinking processes, says Manocha.

"The first ever quality-of-life survey of long-term meditators we conducted involved almost every Sahaja Yoga practitioner in Australia, which points to the findings being more concrete than individual stories," informs Manocha.

Manocha's stressful life as a medical student turned his attention towards meditation and Sahaja Yoga. "I found the experience of mental silence distinctly powerful. The traditional western ways of dealing with stress, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, were damaging my health," he recalls.

Since western scientists had overlooked this phenomenon, Manocha decided that he would subject it to scientific evaluation to determine whether it could help people in the west facing common mental and physical problems.

"We have actually done considerable research on the impact of Sahaja Yoga on work stress, bronchial asthma, menopause and mental health, involving hundreds of participants in many different contexts, all of which indicate its effectiveness," Manocha told IANS.

Two separate observational studies of participants suffering from menopausal symptoms and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder demonstrated promising outcomes. These were followed by a small but well-designed randomized controlled trial (RCT) of meditation for asthma, then a much larger RCT of meditation for occupational stress, said Manocha.

Their outcomes provided strong evidence that mental silence is associated with a specific, therapeutic effect. An RCT is one of the simplest but most powerful research tools to test the efficacy of a new drug, procedure or treatment on human health.

"There is credible evidence to support the idea that Sahaja Yoga meditation, and hence the mental silence experience that typifies it, is associated with unique effects," concludes Manocha.

https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/health/story/sahaja-yoga-confers-good-health-and-busts-stress-105393-2012-06-11

Sahaja Yoga effective in controloing Epilepsy - says Abdul Kalam

 

Sahaja Yoga effective in controlling epilepsy, says Abdul Kalam

Indian Express FRIDAY. DECEMBER 17.1999

BY OUR SCIENCE Reporter Hyderabad, Dec 16:

Sahaja yoga in combination with traditional anti-epileptic drugs has been found to control epilepsy successfully, according to eminent defence scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Delivering a lecture in absentia. on “Indigenous Technology: The Impact on the Health Care in the Next Millennium” at the first joint annual conference of the Indian Epilepsy Association and Indian Epilepsy Society here, Dr Kalam said. “The Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) has successfully demonstrated that application of Sahaja yoga along with the conventional anti-epileptic drugs could control epilepsy’.

Practice of yoga for six months with reduced allopathic drugs, reduced the frequency, intensity and duration of epileptic Seizures (fits). he added.“Yogic practice led to the tranquillity of the brain as indicated by the alpha activity of EEG

“Yogic practice led to the tranquillity of the brain as indicated by the alpha activity of EEG, reduced sympathetic activity, and stress response. Blood lactic acid level was also reduced due to better aerobic capacity” he said adding yoga with specific drugs results in amelioration of the symptoms of epilepsy. Dr. Kalam, who is the principal scientific adviser to the Central Government, however, sounded a note of caution saying long-term use of anti-epileptic drugs might lead to disturbances in cerebral functions.

So it would be better to stabilize the drug level at a minimum effective dose, he added. Experimental studies conducted by DIPAS along with the All India Medical Sciences revealed that the undernourished young children were more prone to epilepsy. Scientists should explore methods for prevention and effective treatment with the least side effects for control of epilepsy.

Effect of Sahaja Yoga Meditation on Awakening Spiritual Energy

 

Effects of Sahaja Yoga Meditation on Awakening Spiritual Energy

Basha Hideo*

 

*Correspondence: Basha Hideo, Department of Psychiatry, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Email: 

Author info »

Description

Sahaja yoga is a spiritual practice that was founded in 1970 by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. It is a form of meditation that aims to awaken the inner spiritual energy within each individual. The word "Sahaja" means spontaneous and effortless and the goal of sahaja yoga is to achieve a state of spontaneous meditation, where one can experience inner peace and self-realization. The practice of sahaja yoga is based on the belief that every individual has a dormant spiritual energy, known as kundalini, which lies at the base of the spine. Through the practice of meditation, this energy can be awakened and channeled through the body, leading to a state of inner peace and spiritual awakening. Sahaja yoga is a unique form of meditation that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, religion, or background. It does not require any special skills or prior experience with meditation. The practice is simple and easy to learn, and it can be practiced anywhere, at any time.

Benefits of sahaja yoga

Sahaja yoga has been found to have numerous physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. One of the most significant benefits of sahaja yoga is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. The practice of sahaja yoga promotes relaxation, which can help to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety, such as high blood pressure, headaches, and insomnia. Another benefit of sahaja yoga is its ability to improve mental clarity and focus. The practice of sahaja yoga involves focusing on the present moment, which can help to improve concentration and focus. It has also been found to improve memory and cognitive function. sahaja yoga has also been found to have numerous physical benefits. The practice has been found to improve flexibility, balance, and coordination. It can also help to improve cardiovascular health and strengthen the immune system. In addition to its physical and mental benefits, sahaja yoga also has numerous spiritual benefits. The practice of sahaja yoga can help to awaken the dormant spiritual energy within each individual, leading to a state of inner peace and self-realization. It can also help to improve relationships and promote a sense of connectedness and unity with others.

Practice of sahaja yoga

The practice of sahaja yoga is simple and easy to learn. The first step in practicing sahaja yoga is to find a quiet, comfortable place where can sit undisturbed for a few minutes. Sit with one spine straight and hands resting on lap, palms up. The next step is to focus on breath. Take a few deep breaths, inhaling slowly through nose and exhaling slowly through mouth. As you breathe, focus on the sensation of the breath moving in and out of your body. Once you have established a rhythm of breathing, bring your attention to the base of your spine. Imagine a small ball of energy at the base of your spine, and visualize it beginning to rise up through your body, moving up your spine and into your head. As the energy rises, focus on each of the seven chakras, or energy centers, in your body. Visualize the energy moving through each chakra, clearing any blockages and promoting balance and harmony. As the energy reaches the top of your head, imagine it expanding outwards, filling your entire body with light and energy. Allow yourself to rest in this state of inner peace and self-realization for a few minutes, before slowly opening your eyes and returning to your daily life. The practice of sahaja yoga can be done for as little as ten minutes a day, making it an easy and accessible practice for everyone

Conclusion

Sahaja Yoga is a powerful practice that can help individuals achieve a state of inner peace and spiritual awakening. Its simplicity and accessibility make it an ideal practice for anyone looking to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mental clarity and focus, and enhance their physical and spiritual well-being. Through the practice of sahaja yoga, individuals can awaken their dormant spiritual energy and experience a deeper sense of connection and unity with themselves and others.

https://www.longdom.org/open-access/effects-of-sahaja-yoga-meditation-on-awakening-spiritual-energy-99752.html

Author Info

Basha Hideo*

 

Department of Psychiatry, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

Citation: Hideo B (2024) Effects of Sahaja Yoga Meditation on Awakening Spiritual Energy. J Yoga Phys Ther. 13:373.

Received: 01-Aug-2024, Manuscript No. JYPT-23-23747; Editor assigned: 03-Aug-2024, Pre QC No. JYPT-23-23747 (PQ); Reviewed: 17-Aug-2024, QC No. JYPT-23-23747; Revised: 24-Aug-2024, Manuscript No. JYPT-23-23747 (R); Published: 31-Aug-2024 , DOI: 10.35248/2157-7595.23.13.373

Copyright: © 2024 Hideo B. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.