eMag ~ Mental Well-being & Healing The Mind

This month our teaching focus is on healing the mind because our minds are under constant pressure—from the demands of daily life, the rapid pace of technology, and the lingering impacts of global events.

Many of us are seeking ways to not only manage stress but to truly heal our minds and find lasting peace.

This is where the ancient practices of meditation and Tantra Yoga come into play.

These time-honoured traditions offer a holistic approach to mental well-being, addressing not just the symptoms but the root causes of mental and emotional distress.

Healing the mind has become a crucial focus for so many because it’s about more than just managing day-to-day challenges; it’s about creating a foundation of mental resilience and emotional balance that allows us to navigate life’s ups and downs with greater ease.

Through meditation, breathwork, and the integration of sacred mantras, we can begin to reshape our mental patterns, release deep-seated stress, and cultivate a state of inner harmony.

This month, we invite you to explore these powerful practices with us.

Whether you’re new to these teachings or looking to deepen your practice, we’ll be sharing insights and resources to support your journey.

E-Mag Contents

1. Insights
   Explore the profound impact of integrating mindfulness, breath, and mantra to manage anxiety and foster emotional balance.
    
2. Podcast
   Meditation Success Path: From Self-Awareness to Self-Mastery. Discover the meditation techniques that can help you cultivate a stronger, calmer mind and deeper self-awareness.
    
3. Reflection
   Reflect on how integrating meditation, mantras and breathwork practices can help you manage stress and anxiety.
    
4. Reading
   Mental Illness in a Post-Pandemic World: Managing the Collective Shadow. Understand how the shadow of the collective mind affects us all and what we can do to heal it.
    
5. Monthly Meditation
   Ajapa Japa - Learn how this foundational practice of Yoga-Tantra can support your mental health and spiritual growth.
    
6. Featured Teaching
   Healing The Mind Course ~ Delve into this self-paced online course that offers a complete system for healing and transforming the mind.
    
7. Behind the Scenes
   Find out more about our focus on Ajapa Japa and the enhancements we’re making to our courses to improve your learning experience.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to stay connected and discover more about how you can heal your mind and nurture your overall well-being.

Until next time, stay well.

Jayne Stevenson & Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati

Insights

Breath, Mantra, and Mindfulness in the Management of Anxiety

Recent studies have illuminated the profound impact of mindfulness meditation as a potent treatment for mild to moderate anxiety disorders. This practice has demonstrated an efficacy that rivals traditional first-line pharmaceutical interventions, including antidepressants.

By integrating the soothing rhythms of conscious breathing, the focusing power of sacred mantras, and the present-moment awareness cultivated through mindfulness, this triad of breath, mantra, and mindfulness offers a comprehensive framework for anxiety management.

This approach not only addresses the symptoms but also nurtures a deeper connection with one's inner self, potentially offering a sustainable path to emotional balance and mental well-being.

Read Article: Breath, Mantra, and Mindfulness in the Management of Anxiety

Podcast

Meditation Success Path: from Self-Awareness to Self-Mastery

Success in meditation means experiencing a sense of being more relaxed, having a calmer, stronger mind, more resilient emotions, and feeling more connected to yourself and something greater in life. These result from your ability to self-regulate and create positive feelings.

In our latest podcast episode, we explain:

• which meditations are suited to cultivating self-awareness,
  
• which meditations are best for self-regulation and
  
• our success path that can be followed to support successful meditation.

We call this path our 'success path' because we believe that if you follow this particular training sequence, you will gain all that Yoga and meditation promise.

Listen or Watch: Podcast Ep. 15 ~ Meditation Success Path: from Self-Awareness to Self-Mastery.

Reflection 

"When the mind becomes silent through the repetition of the mantra and awareness of breath, your soul awakens to its own light, and healing begins at the deepest level."

Here are 5 reflection points to consider as you move through the month.

1. How do you currently manage your stress or anxiety symptoms? Which aspects of your current coping strategies do you find most challenging or ineffective, and which strategies are really helping you?
2. In what ways do you think a meditation practice that combines breath awareness and mantra repetition might benefit your mental health? Are there any concerns you have about engaging in such a practice?
3. How comfortable are you with the idea of exploring spiritual or mindfulness-based approaches to managing your mental health? Is this something you've considered or tried before?
4. What goals would you achieve by incorporating a practice like Ajapa Japa into your daily routine? For example, are you seeking stress reduction, emotional balance, or deeper self-awareness?
5. Considering the time commitment required for developing a consistent meditation practice, how prepared do you feel to dedicate 10-20 minutes daily to Ajapa Japa? What potential obstacles do you foresee in maintaining this commitment?
   

Reading 

Mental Illness in a Post-Pandemic World: Managing the Collective Shadow

When integrated with both yogic and psychological perspectives, Carl Jung's model of the shadow provides a powerful lens through which we can better understand the current global situation. It supports us in managing the collective shadow and improving our mental health and the quality of our lives.

Read Article →
 

Monthly Meditation 

Ajapa Japa - Breath, Mantra, Consciousness

Balance the mind and awaken higher consciousness with our Ajapa Japa – Breath, Mantra and Consciousness meditation pack. This foundational practice of Yoga-Tantra offers a complete system for healing, self-development, and spiritual awareness.

Ajapa Japa supports the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and various forms of mental illness by reducing negative patterns and fostering healthier mental habits. This practice circulates the light of awareness through the body and mind, making you more alive, aligned, and enlightened.

GET 15% OFF WITH COUPON CODE:  SUBSCRIBER-HEAL 

Find Out More →

Featured Teaching 

Healing The Mind Course ~ Ajapa Japa Stage One

This self-paced online course delves into the supreme meditation practice of Ajapa Japa, which aims to create healthy mental and emotional patterns. By integrating breath awareness, mantra repetition, and visualization, Ajapa Japa combines various meditation techniques into one potent practice that heals and transforms the mind.

What You Learn:

• Understanding Ajapa Japa as a holistic healing system
  
• Improving physical and mental health
  
• The Five Keys to healing the mind
  
• Purifying your mind and creating a meditation ritual

Earns CPD hours with Yoga Alliance USA, Yoga Australia, & SYTA. 

This course provides a comprehensive dive into the embodied relationship between consciousness and mind. It allows you to embrace ancient wisdom and apply it to modern life for mental and spiritual well-being. Engage in meditations that tune you into the subtle forces within, initiating purification and healing.

Find Out More →

Behind the Scenes 

Memories of Japan

A recent chat sparked memories of a late 2023 trip to Japan, where we explored Itoya in Tokyo—a haven for stationery enthusiasts. This experience exemplifies the broader Japanese aesthetic philosophy, which extends far beyond paper and pens. Central to this worldview is "wabi-sabi," the appreciation of imperfection and transience, and "mono no aware," a gentle acknowledgement of life's fleeting nature.

These concepts are evident not only in the intricate designs of stationery but also in the weathered patina of a clay teacup or the asymmetry of a handcrafted wooden bowl. The "shibui" aesthetic of simple, subtle beauty permeates Japanese design, from the clean lines of modern architecture to the thoughtful arrangement of a traditional garden.

Our joy in discovering new creative tools at Itoya reflects a deeper truth about Japanese culture: the power of mindful engagement with beauty to enhance well-being. This aligns with "ikigai," the idea of finding purpose in daily life, and "shinrin-yoku," or 'forest bathing' for the mind.

Whether it's admiring the texture of washi paper, participating in a tea ceremony, or simply observing the changing seasons, these activities become moments of "ma"—peaceful stillness between actions.

By appreciating and attending to the small, exquisite details of our surroundings, we practice a form of meditative awareness that grounds us in the present. This reminds us that finding delight in seemingly simple things, be it beautiful stationery or a teacup, can be a powerful way to nurture the mind and boost mental wellness.

Exciting Plans for New Books

We’re thrilled to announce that planning has begun for two new books. One will delve deep into the shadow self and shadow work, offering insights and guidance on this transformative journey. The other will focus on yoga psychology, exploring the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern mental health practices.

We can’t wait to share more with you as these projects develop—watch this space!

Latest Course Upgrades

We’ve been busy upgrading our Meditations and Courses to improve student learning and experience. We’ve recently added Integration Exercises as downloadable resources to our Yoga Psychology Course and Facing the Shadow Course. 

These integration exercises are designed to encourage personal reflection, deepen your understanding of the material, and help you apply the concepts to your life and experiences.

This will give Yoga teachers who want CPD points the extra points they need to meet their requirements. 

That's all from us for now. Over the coming months, we'll be sharing more on the topic of healing the mind and yoga psychology on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. We invite you to connect with us there to see the additional teachings and tips shared.

Take care and stay well 🧘🏼 

Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati & Jayne Stevenson



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