“Education is the manifestation of perfection already within man”. “Education in which character is formed, strength of mind is increased and intellect is expanded and by which one can stand on One’s own feet” is advocated by Swami Vivekananda.
In high pressure academic environment like IIT’s, we should integrate psycho-emotional well-being practices with spiritual wisdom that will empower students with tools for strengthening psycho-emotional resilience and purpose. Nurturing only intellectual aspects and neglecting other aspects is creating imbalance in life while facing difficulties in emotional regulation, stress, uncertainties, meaning and purpose integration, relationship maladjustment, want of inner peace, unable to balance life and work etc.
Introducing self-transformative tools to empower students who often face intense academic pressure, life challenges, complex competition and comparison, isolation etc. can help in reducing anxiety, burnout, fear, frustration, depression, addiction, suicidal thought while enhancing holistic well-being, focus, and creativity building long term life satisfaction, direction and moral grounding. Following regular practices will allow a student to introspect and empower himself/ herself to face and handle life’s uncertainties, obstacles, problems and negativities with clarity.
- Psycho-physical energization exercises (to enhance mind-body connection)
- Pranayama –breathing exercises (to enhance vitality)
- Meditation- general, visual, mindful (to enhance calm and composed state of mind)
- Conscious Relaxation (to enhance resilience)
- Interactive session (to enhance right understanding about quality life)
Expected outcome: Improved emotional self-regulation, decreased anxiety and exam related stress, enhanced quality sleep, focus, harmony/balance between life and work/ study, sustainable habit of self- care and Self-introspection, able to face failure in a holistic way etc.
Psychological counselling is falling short for an intelligent student in an academic institution because mind cannot mend or manage mind itself. For correcting mental issues, we should approach to higher state of existence i.e. soul or positive silence. A servant/ subordinate cannot order or obey another servant, for that we need to go to master or boss. Moreover, there is a stigma in our society that if one goes to counselor for advice, other might think mentally ill or mad thus, avoid going to psychological counselor.
Holistic yog transform our body-mind-soul as a whole, thus psycho-emotional resilience is strengthened. One student should practice the principles of holistic yog that encourages nurturing inner self thus, both science and spirituality, self and society, peace and prosperity is taken care of through objective and subjective education together.