Resilience Workshop at Chinmaya Ganapati, Minneapolis-St. Paul: submitted by Prashant Nene I’m so stressed out! Take a chill pill … These are some of the phrases that are so common among our society now, that it seems ‘odd’ if one isn’t stressed in life. The norm today is to be constantly busy and with that, stress is a natural byproduct and many have a hard time coping with it. Chinmaya Mission Twin Cities had the opportunity to organize an event on “Developing Resilience in a Stressful World”. The all-day workshop saw an audience of 50 ranging from High school students to adults. Two unique speakers lead the audience down the path of knowledge and scientific research to develop resilience in today’s ever changing and competitive world.
Vivekji from Chinmaya Mission Niagara and Dr. Amit Sood from the Mayo Clinic presented their views on the subject from their own field of experiences.
Dr. Amit Sood, a Professor of Medicine from the Mayo Clinic provided his insights from the field of neuroscience of emotions and pain. Highlighting his scientific findings on the
functioning of the mind, the mind requires uplifting emotions and not irrational fears. Dr. Sood provided simple exercises of how one can be more mindful daily, which helps one to be steady during rough challenges, and have an appreciation for life as a whole.
Vivekji approached the discussion on a more philosophical level, diving deep into the very causes and sources of stress, while providing actionable solutions. If one is able to locate and remove the very causes of stress and do so while performing ones’ duties in the spirit of dedication towards the Higher, one develops the resilience towards anything that life throws at him. The audience was captured by a guided meditation session which allowed one to experience a stress-free world. Life always brings new challenges, some are easy while some are more difficult. It is how one faces those challenges that define who we are.
