Inner Stress Relief – How to manage your Stress? By Vikas Malkani

The word 'stress' originates from the French word 'estrece' meaning 'narrowness' and is used to depict a limiting or constriction of your power and abilities. You have the feeling of being emotionally and mentally stressed out when you think you have too much to handle.

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Anything viewed negatively has the potential of causing stress in your life regardless of what the thing may be. However, what makes one person stress-full may be quite an ordinary event for another. The secret to releasing stress is to realize that stress therefore is created not by the event or circumstance itself but by the way we respond to what happens to us in any moment of our life. We are the creators of stress and it we alone can provide the solution to it.

In essence, stress is the result of the way you think. And if you develop the ability to change the way you think, you will have in your hands the power to eradicate the stress that you feel.

Here are 3 easy ways to manage the inner stress you may encounter :

1. Act, then Detach

Trying to control every moment and outcome of your life causes more stress and disharmony than any other process.

Take the action the present moment requires, and once the action is done, stop clinging to the results. After your best is done, step back and wait for the results to arrive, then respond to them.

It’s the constant clinging and worry about the results that is the primary creator of stress.

Do your best, then Let-go, and become stress-free.

2. Meditate

You always have two choices in every situation – either curse the darkness, or light a candle. Meditation helps you to train your mind to choose the more positive attitude, always, regardless of the situation. 

Negative thinking produces stress and thinking positively releases it. Remember that stress arises out of the way you think, and since meditation is the skill of training your mind, meditation is also one of the most effective antidotes to stress.

Find a good teacher, and learn to meditate. And whatever the situation, keep your mind focused on the positive outcome you want to achieve, rather than the negative outcome you want to avoid!

3. Chunk it down!

Do things one at a time. Don’t be too concerned about how much there is to do, or how overwhelming some of the tasks seem. Just get one thing done at a time, again and again. Keep your mind focused on the one action you can take now, and do what’s in your power. One step at a time you can climb the highest mountain, and one step at a time you can accomplish the greatest task.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So chunk it down and you will accomplish more with greater ease.

SoulCentre is Asia’s Premier Centre for Meditation, Mindfulness & Stress-Management.

For details of our training programs, connect to www.soulcentre.org

What is Mindfulness Meditation?

A lot of confusion exists about what meditation and mindfulness really are, is there a difference between them, and what’s their purpose and benefits. So let me take a few minutes of your time and bring some clarity.

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Meditation is an ancient path that consists of wisdom, techniques and practice, and allows you to manifest the life that you choose. It also empowers you to create a life full of happiness, inner freedom, fulfilment and purpose.

Meditation is thousands of years old, predates the world’s major religions, is scientific and systematic, and has been used by people and cultures across the ages. Unfortunately, as religions become embedded in local populations, this ancient path of living your highest life came to develop a strong religious flavour. The non-religious masters retreated into the background and the religious teachers took centre stage.

Many great individuals used this wisdom, including the young prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later went on to be known as the Buddha, the Awakened one. In his years of teaching, he selected and used a few techniques from this vast science, which continued even after his passing under the label of ‘Buddhist Meditation’. These include vipasana, ana-pana-sati, and more, all of which existed before Buddha, but now came to be packaged differently.

Buddhism spread across the world and eventually found root in the fertile soil of young American minds. A minute number of Americans were eager to try it, but the large population stayed away from participating, because of the strong religious packaging these techniques were presented in.

In 1979, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn secularized one particular type of Buddhist meditation and renamed it mindfulness. Over the next 30 years, that simple act successfully spread a small part of meditation to thousands of individuals from all fields of life, and into hundreds of hospitals and other medical facilities worldwide.

To summarize, meditation is the whole book on how to live your intended life, with many chapters, and mindfulness is one of the chapters in the book of meditation.

A little more on Mindfulness –

In essence, mindfulness is about paying total attention and awareness to something, without judgement. These can include our experience of the present moment, our own bodies, our thoughts and emotions, our unseen assumptions and our conditioned habits of mind and behaviour.

With the hectic lives we lead today, when was the last time you were able to slow down and breathe, much less pay attention to the present moment? I bet it’s been awhile. In fact, on most days you’re probably feeling so overwhelmed, worried and stressed that you’re happy just to make it through another day.

In the past 35 years, meditation in various forms (including mindfulness) has found its way into the mainstream of medicine, health care, and psychology, where it has been broadly applied and continues to be studied through clinical research and neuroscience.

In fact, in recent years, meditation and mindfulness have also begun to move into business environments, sports performance, the armed forces and even astronauts.

Mindfulness is being conscious of what you’re feeling, more intentional about your behaviors, and more attentive to the impact you have on others. Start using mindfulness meditation and you will see benefits such as improved focus, greater control over stress, balanced emotions, stronger immune system, a clear mind and many more…

But don’t just take my word for it. There’s plenty of scientific research that backs up what I am saying, and I am happy to show you how to make the benefits real in your life too!

SoulCentre is Asia’s Premier Personal Development Centre for meditation, mindfulness and stress management.

Attend our popular ‘Meditation Made Simple’ program and understand how meditation and mindfulness can benefit your life tremendously.

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Life Coaching – How does it help me?

Do you ever feel as if life is simply passing you by and you are not really living the life you dreamed of?

This happens to all of us at some point in time and often it is because we have stopped really focussing on what we want to get out of life. Instead we start to please others and do what is expected of us, fulfilling the multiple roles that we have taken on and end up like a hamster running round and round on a wheel without much thought to where or what we are doing.

So at this moment, as you are reading this blog, I want you to STOP and ask yourself this one question.

What do I want from my life?

Yes YOU – the person reading this

What do YOU want for YOUR life?

For one moment forget your roles, forget your kids, your job, your partner, your dog, your shopping list, your facebook account, your need to be busy… and simply think about YOU!

If you need some help with this question, then give us a call and book a one-on-one life coaching session.

So what is a Life Coach and what will a Life Coach support and guide you on?

• A life coach is someone who will ask you questions that really make you think.
• A life coach is someone you can trust.
• A life coach is someone who will push you just a bit further than you could ever imagine is possible.
• A life coach will listen to you fully and without interrupting you.
• A life coach is someone who will hold up a mirror and help you see what limiting beliefs you may be carrying.
• A life coach will not judge you.
• A life coach is someone who will see your strengths and start to build on these.
• A life coach will also support you on any weaker areas, however this will not be their focus – after all your strengths are what will take you higher.
• A life coach will help you see the patterns of your life and will give you action points to change.
• A life coach will bring change to your life for the better.

Change is EASY – it begins with one thought, followed by ACTION.

So what are you waiting for?

A fun life awaits you - maximise your potential.

Life Coaching – How does it help me?

Do you ever feel as if life is simply passing you by and you are not really living the life you dreamed of?

This happens to all of us at some point in time and often it is because we have stopped really focussing on what we want to get out of life. Instead we start to please others and do what is expected of us, fulfilling the multiple roles that we have taken on and end up like a hamster running round and round on a wheel without much thought to where or what we are doing.

So at this moment, as you are reading this blog, I want you to STOP and ask yourself this one question.

What do I want from my life?

Yes YOU – the person reading this

What do YOU want for YOUR life?

For one moment forget your roles, forget your kids, your job, your partner, your dog, your shopping list, your facebook account, your need to be busy… and simply think about YOU!

If you need some help with this question, then give us a call and book a one-on-one life coaching session.

So what is a Life Coach and what will a Life Coach support and guide you on?

• A life coach is someone who will ask you questions that really make you think.
• A life coach is someone you can trust.
• A life coach is someone who will push you just a bit further than you could ever imagine is possible.
• A life coach will listen to you fully and without interrupting you.
• A life coach is someone who will hold up a mirror and help you see what limiting beliefs you may be carrying.
• A life coach will not judge you.
• A life coach is someone who will see your strengths and start to build on these.
• A life coach will also support you on any weaker areas, however this will not be their focus – after all your strengths are what will take you higher.
• A life coach will help you see the patterns of your life and will give you action points to change.
• A life coach will bring change to your life for the better.

Change is EASY – it begins with one thought, followed by ACTION.

So what are you waiting for?

A fun life awaits you - maximise your potential.

Wisdom and Vikas on demand - any time - any where and in any location! Now you have the ultimate freedom !

Wisdom and Vikas on demand - any time - any where and in any location!

Now you have the ultimate freedom !

•  Take Vikas home with you...

•  Listen to him over coffee...

•  Munch on a sandwich watching him...

•  Take him along for a jog with you... 

•  Listen to him in the car...

•  Listen to him in the bath tub...

•  Listen to him in your pyjamas…

•  Get your spouse , your kids to listen to him … even your Dog !

•  Multi-task whilst listening to him...

•  Switch him on and off as often as you like...

•  Zoom him forwards...

•  Reverse him...

•  Freeze frame him...

•  Agree or even argue with him …its all up to you :-)

Such POWER !!!

And for a limited time we are also giving you a special discount as well.

Does life get any better than this?

Wisdom is now "as cheap as chips" as one Irish friend likes to say.

It's simple - click on the link - our programs are hosted on Udemy - and just register on line. 

Happy learning …and I forgot to mention - Vikas is also now yours to keep !!!

OPTION 1: Meditation with Vikas - Click on the link below the image.

https://www.udemy.com/meditation-with-vikas-5-simple-techniques-to-use-anywhere/?couponCode=SCA001

OPTION 2: How to be Authentic. Click on the link below the image.

https://www.udemy.com/happy-being-me-how-to-be-authentic-and-happy/?couponCode=SCA8-3

OPTION 3: How to Develop a Happy Mind. Click on the link below the image.

https://www.udemy.com/wisdom-from-vikas-how-to-develop-a-happy-mind/?couponCode=SCA+-6

8 tips to find your purpose in life

8 Tips to find your Purpose in life 

I know many of us often ask "How do I find my Life purpose?”

So I tracked down Sally Forrest, Managing Director of SoulCentre to find out some answers.

Sally always encourages those she meets to "Have the courage to follow your heart"

I took time out and met up with Sally to ask her “ How do we actually find our passion and purpose in life?”

Sally gave us some great tips:

1) Never get too busy that life just takes over and you have no time to stop and plan what you want from life.

2) Know yourself - the best way to do this is to meditate!

3) Stop doing things that deplete you .

4) Do not engage in toxic relationships or hang out with negative people. 

5) Plan in “me” time.

6) Do new things - try something different and remain childlike and playful as you pass through life.

7) Really live each day! Participate fully and with awareness.

8) Simplify life - by living a simpler life, you are happier and have more time for you!

"You know once you find your passion as it is a deep driving desire that is burning within you. It leaves you on a natural high and you simply want to follow it" said Sally.

It sounds great, so I am going to go and look for mine now ..........

Start to gain control of your life...

As we race through our day, multitasking as we go, adding on-to our never ending "to-do list", it sometimes feels too much, and is simply overwhelming. If you ever feel like this then take a few minutes now to read these tips. Apply one or two and already you are on the road to change.

Tips to help your day become stress free:

1. Take time to be alone on a regular basis, to listen to your heart, check your intentions; re-evaluate your goals and your activities.
2. Simplify your life! Start eliminating the trivial things. Also – don’t major in minor things.
3. Say ‘No’ in a firm but kind way when asked to do something you really don’t want to do.
4. Exercise regularly! Stretching your body releases tension.
5. Learn a variety of relaxation techniques and practice at least one regularly.
6. When you find yourself angry in situations, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” Anyone or anything that can make you angry is showing you how you allow yourself be controlled by expectations of how someone or something should be. When we accept others, ourselves and situations for what they are, we become more effective in influencing them to change in the way that we’d like them to.
7. If your schedule is busy, prioritize your activities and do the most important ones first.
8. Take frequent relaxation breaks.
9. Organize your life to include time for fun, spontaneity, and open spaces. Set a realistic schedule allowing some transition time between activities. Eliminate unnecessary commitments.
10. Smile and laugh more.
11. Learn to delegate responsibility.
12. Welcome change as an opportunity and challenge to learn and grow.

Be Authentic … Follow your heart …

We are all born with pure potential, and a promise of being able to be the best we can be. This promise is the reason we took birth, yet as we grow we move further away from this promise and actually forget what it is..

Imagine that the day you are born, you came with a bright white, clean, blank piece of paper; there is nothing written upon it. You have to write what you wish to be and what you want to become is totally up to you and is possible!

However once we are born, others begin to write on this piece of paper. They are people who have your best interests at heart – like our parents, teachers, leaders of communities etc… They write things from their viewpoint, what they feel is right for you

Things like :

“Sally should be a lawyer when she grows up”

“Sally should get married and have children”

“Sally should play the piano, as I always wanted to do that as a child”

“Sally must get good grades in school and go to University”

“Sally should always put others needs before her own”

The list goes on and the expectations that others impose upon us continue throughout life. Eventually we lose sight of our natural gift and begin to live a life of continuous futile attempts trying to fulfill other people’s hopes, dreams and expectations.

How others see the world is not how we see the world, we see the world from our own conditioning and experiences.

How can the generations before us even begin to comprehend the unlimited opportunities of the future generations?

Take something as obvious as technology … it is the youth who are creating the technology of the future … not the previous generation.

Soon we begin to lose sight of the promise we are born with and the natural passion we have for life.

At this moment – STOP and ask yourself the following questions :

• Am I happy with life at this moment?
• Am I passionate each day as I wake up? 
• Do I rise each morning excited to start a new day – or full of dread and moans?
• Are you in a relationship that fulfills you emotionally and physically?

If life is great then congratulations! Continue doing what you are doing and enjoy! However if you are not happy with some aspect of life, first identify what that aspect is and then decide to change.

The secret is to become authentic!

Live a life where you bring out the best from inside you and be what you want to be. Find that special gift that you were born with and follow your heart. Forget about trying to fulfill the expectations of others – they have their own life to live and in which to fulfill themselves.

As you walk in this direction you will naturally manifest Happiness and Passion for life.

Top Tips to become Authentic

• Know yourself and what you want from life.
• Know what makes you happy and keeps you passionate.
• Stop doing anything that depletes you or makes you negative.
• Stop living to make others happy – start by making small changes, ,e.g. do not accept invitations to activities or events that you do not want to go to.
• Take time out for “ME” – connect again with nature and feel balance and harmony in life.
• Do new things! Especially those things you have always wanted to do.
• Loosen up - be child like and stop fitting in!
• Do not simply watch each day pass you by – take action and participate fully in life!
• Live today as if it was your last day on earth ... you never know it may really be so ...

The Universe does not make mistakes, you came here for a reason and you are full of special talents. You owe it to yourself and to the world to BE AUTHENTIC.

Having walked the path it is clear that those who have courage can give courage to others, just as the flame of the candle can light up another… I urge you to take a step towards your authentic self ... one step leads to another and you will soon discover your passion and purpose in life!

You are born an Original. So bring that gift to the world … Do not die a copy!

Sally Forrest

BSc, MRPharmS, MBA

Managing Director

SoulCentre Academy

www.soulcentre.org

Each and every person has huge potential ...

Having spent the weekend with 31 children, I reflected on how enthusiastic and passionate they are about sharing their dream.

• I want to be a vet 
• I want to be an astronaut 
• I want to be a model 
• I want to be a nurse 
• I want to be a jet fighter pilot 
• I want to be a professional gymnast 
• I want to be a professional soccer player 

Their excitement and levels of enthusiasm were off the scale.

I asked the same question to a few adults recently and their replies could not be more different.

• I have no clue
• Anything except what I am doing now with my life 
• Not sure - given up on my dream
• Whats the point - I am too old to achieve it now….

Each and every person has huge potential inside them. It's just waiting to come out.
So find out exactly what it is that sets you on fire!
What it is that you get so absorbed in that you lose track of time?
What it is that you would happily do for no charge…

These answers will take you one step forward towards your passion and purpose in life.
Then simply take action and watch the magic unfold !!!

If you need my help - I am here :)