Pray your way to a happy life

Renee Singh

Life can be so very blissful once we realise that we are the masters of our own destiny. It is only when we allow stress to overwhelm us that bliss starts waning from our lives and fear takes over. How to banish this fear so that we can claim our true identity is what I am going to talk about today.  

Fear network

To create a complete balance between mind and body, we need to look into fear as a network. This begins from the thought circuit in our brains; we are connected to vision, learning processes, our bodies and our health. The primary area is amygdala. All that we hear, see, taste and smell is funnelled into the amygdala. This starts making us react in repetitive and compulsive fashion by making us associate with past experiences.

Chronic worry

Many times the mind is a prisoner of worry:

• Fear for family
• Fear of losing a relationship
• Fear in every area of life.

Symptoms of worry

• Get easily exhausted
• Unrestful sleep
• Trouble in focusing
• Unstable blood pressure
• Frequent allergies
• Hypothyroidism

Power of prayer

Although we have perceived that our mind inadvertently plays truant and is very difficult to control, there are ways we need to learn to bring it under control. Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to do this. Here we do not need to say that prayer is only from an assigned holy book. Prayer in simple words is only our personal conversation with god.

Instead of putting god on a pedestal and praying to him, one could rather treat him as your best friend. Unburden yourself to him. Ask for his benevolence. Just emote from your heart. Divine grace will come to you as an answer from within.

How to pray?

There is no set way to prayer. Each one of us has their own individual way of communicating with god. We just look at it differently. There is no need to be hassled looking for special techniques. Just sit in a quiet place whether it is your room, a corner of your garden, a spot on the beach, your favourite place at home. Wherever you can sit and feel the divine connect, and have your own personal conversation with god.

Use affirmations

Prayer itself is an affirmation. We can use either word, instead of the other. Affirmation is a potent way of taking you from prayer to safety. Create a new reality.

 This should be of oneness and security. 

 Take a deep breath, as you exhale let your fear breathe away. Affirm:

• I let go of fears old and new
• I am peaceful
• I am secure
• My inner self leads me to peace
• I dream of Joy

Prayer is the easiest way to achieve a level stress-free life. It is your own personal way to being happy and joyful.

(Singh is a Chandigarh-based psychotherapist)