English Literature – Articles ☆ # 03: Effortless practices for Happiness and Stress Management ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Authored six books on happiness: Cultivating Happiness, Nirvana – The Highest Happiness, Meditate Like the Buddha, Mission Happiness, A Flourishing Life, and The Little Book of Happiness. He served in a bank for thirty-five years and has been propagating happiness and well-being among people for the past twenty years. He is on a mission – Mission Happiness!

☆ # 03: Effortless practices for Happiness and Stress Management ☆

STRETCH, BEND, TWIST, TURN

“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.”

Thomas Jefferson

Exercise freestyle. Do not stress, let it be fun. Stretch, bend, twist, turn, whirl, move, and jump.

Getting up early and going to a park in the neighbourhood could be a rewarding habit to develop. It gives you a whiff of fresh air and sunshine that makes you feel refreshed the whole day. Once you add it to your routine, you will start looking forward to the morning, and it will become a rewarding hour of the day for you.

Start with a gentle walk and then walk briskly. Twenty to thirty minutes of walking every day can do wonders for you in the long run. It is good for your circulatory system and relaxes you a great deal.

Watching the trees and the flowers while walking gives a healing and soothing touch to your senses. It relaxes your eyes and is good for your eyesight too! Walking is not just an exercise, it reduces stress. You feel relaxed.

Exercises are not only good for your body. They bring happiness and well-being. Whenever you feel low, get up and move out to the neighbourhood park.

Physically active people are happier. Also, they have better life-satisfaction, and higher self-esteem. Exercise reduces depression, anxiety, stress, and panic; it betters mental processing, creates longer life, improves sleep quality, and strengthens the immune system.

It is exercise itself that infuses us with happiness. Among various types of activities, exercise is the most reliable happiness boosting activity.

Find a quiet corner for yourself and just stretch, bend, twist, turn, and whirl your body in a freestyle manner. Do not worry too much. Nothing is right or wrong. Do whatever you feel like doing.

FREESTYLE EXERCISES

Walking, coupled with some freestyle exercises in a relaxed manner, brings multiple benefits. It stretches your skeletal structure, improves your blood circulation, and is good for your muscles. It is good for your heart and the respiratory track. This, in turn, activates your endocrine system.

Stand on both your feet in a balanced manner. Cross your palms, fingers interlocked, and stretch your arms straight above your head. Stretch, stretch, stretch! Keeping your palms interlocked, up above your head, bend to the right and then bend to the left. Now, take your palms in front of you, bend forward, and stretch.

Let your hands dangle freely below your waist. Twist your waist sidewise to the right and then to the left. Let your arms move slowly as if a washing machine is in motion. Twist your lower body and keep moving your arms sidewise for some time.

Close your fists and bring them close to tour chest. Twist your upper body and move your arms. keeping them together at chest height.

Raise your arms above your head and gently bend backwards from your waist. Stay there for a while. Then, raise your hands up and go on to bend forward, as far as you can comfortably. Raise your arms up again. Now, repeat the actions and swing your arms rhythmically, bending backward and forward. Inhale as you go up and exhale as you come down.

Open your arms wide, bring them forward crosswise, and hit the back of your shoulders with palms. Swing the arms back to wide open position. Bring them forward again, but this time keep the other arm on the top and hit the back of shoulders with palms. Alternatively, keep one arm on top and the other arm below. Keep on opening your arms and then swinging to hit the back of shoulders for some time.

Dangle your arms by the sides of your waist and then lift them up in a ‘V’ shape. Bring them back to the sides of your waist and then again take them up in a swinging action. Inhale as you go up and exhale as you come down.

Be on your toes and jump upward gently. Continue jumping for some time.

Place both your hands on your waist, breath in deeply through your nose, and exhale through your mouth making an ‘O’ with the lips. Repeat it thrice.

Stand balanced on both your feet. Stretch your arms fully sidewise. Turn to your right and whirl in a clockwise direction. Move slowly. Find an object at a distance and fix your gaze for a moment on it after each round. Go slow. Complete 10 – 20 rounds. Afterwards, stop and be stationary for some time. Do not move abruptly. If you feel dizzy, bend slightly, put your palms on your thighs, and look at the floor.

These exercises are only illustrative. You may add more of your own. Do not stress, let it be fun. Be freestyle. Stretch, bend, twist, turn, whirl, move, and jump. These exercises will make you feel good throughout the day. No equipment is needed. If you do not go out on any day, you may do these exercises at your home too.

EXERCISE

Play like a child.

Take permission from a group of children and join them in play. Play with them like a child.

Run, jump, and shout. Be fully immersed in the game. Forget the world.

Pour all your energy and heart into the game. Put in all your enthusiasm.

Enjoy the game.

Laugh whole heartedly.

Until you merge completely with the children. You are not an outsider who has joined them. Everyone is equal.

Sing, dance, play and laugh in unison with all of them. Enjoy the fun. Be a kid. Until you begin to perspire.

Have a hot shower and relax.

You feel positive and joyous.

 Strenuous exercises may sometimes be harmful but light and freestyle exercises are always good. Go back to your childhood days, remember all the funny exercises you used to do, and try to re-create them. Gentle jogging, half jumps and stretching-bending exercises could be great fun, especially when done with children. The children would also be happy if you join them occasionally.

No equipment is needed, and you are not required to follow strict schedules. No membership fees and no registrations. Just have fun and get all the benefits. Include freestyle exercises in your routine. You will feel free and relaxed throughout the day.

“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.

” Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.

“To achieve the highest accomplishments within the scope of our capabilities in all walks of life we must constantly strive to acquire strong, healthy bodies and develop our minds to the limit of our ability.”

Return to Life/ Joseph Pilates and William Miller

“Research demonstrates that exercise may be the most reliable happiness booster of all activities.”

Sonja Lyubomirsky

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

© Jagat Singh Bisht

Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker

FounderLifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

Please share your Post !

Shares

English Literature – Articles ☆ # 02: Effortless practices for Happiness and Stress Management ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Authored six books on happiness: Cultivating Happiness, Nirvana – The Highest Happiness, Meditate Like the Buddha, Mission Happiness, A Flourishing Life, and The Little Book of Happiness. He served in a bank for thirty-five years and has been propagating happiness and well-being among people for the past twenty years. He is on a mission – Mission Happiness!

☆ # 02: Effortless practices for Happiness and Stress Management ☆

BREATHE, LOOK INWARD

“In our daily life our minds are almost continually externalized. We see and hear only what is going on outside of us, and we have little understanding of the events taking place in our inner environment.”

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

 Deep breathing is the simplest way to relax physically, mentally, and emotionally – anytime, anywhere.

We spend most of our waking time looking at the external world. Seldom do we look inward. Most of the time we are not aware of our respiration. Our feelings, emotions and thoughts overpower us as we do not have time to watch them dispassionately.

We have been given guidelines as to how to search for things outside ourselves but hardly any directions have been given on how to look inwards. We must train ourselves to look inside.

How good would it be if we could look at our real selves and understand what is happening in our inner world. There is so much turmoil there. If it could somehow be resolved, we would be in harmony with ourselves and feel peaceful.

Deep breathing is the simplest way to relax physically, mentally, and emotionally – anytime, anywhere. Just sit down, back straight, feet firmly grounded, eyes closed, and take three deep breaths.

Breathe deeply through your nose, into your belly, and exhale in a relaxed manner. The longer and slower the exhalation, the better it will be. You will experience relaxation instantly.

If you are feeling stressed, take three deep breaths again. Depending on the fatigue and time available, you may repeat the three deep breaths any number of times. Once you get accustomed to the practice and feel the benefits for yourself, you will be able to do it quietly while doing any other work.

Deep breathing infuses oxygen – a vital life force – into your bloodstream and expels toxins and stale carbon dioxide. You feel refreshed and more productive.

INNER SILENCE

The outer world is full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. That makes it perplexing.

On one hand, there are challenges but, on the other hand, there are opportunities. You must make your own decisions. The pros and cons of every step cause anxiety and hope.

There are many voices coming from the inside that may sometimes confuse you. If you know how to cope with the inner noise, you will have better control of the happenings around you.

EXERCISE

Observing inner noise and inner silence.

Roll a yoga mat or a small carpet on the floor. Place a small cushion over it.

Sit down comfortably on the cushion, legs folded crosswise, back straight, head straight, and eyes gently closed.

Take your own time to settle down. No hurry.

Listen to the sounds around you. Do not feel disturbed. No sound is good, no sound is bad. Do not worry about its origin. Do not concentrate on it. Just listen as a dispassionate observer.

After some time, you will hear less and less of the sounds.

Keeping your eyes closed, look at yourself internally. Pass your attention through each of your body parts. Do it in a relaxed manner.

Observe your breath as it goes in through the nostrils and comes out.

Watch your feelings and thoughts as they come and go. Do not worry if they are good or bad. Just watch them like an observer.

Initially, there will be a lot of noise inside, but it will gradually fade away, as you continue to watch it like a neutral spectator.

Do not be in a hurry. Take your own time to settle down.

Now, generate a thought consciously. Watch the thought like a witness. Let it fade away.

Generate another thought. Watch it dispassionately. Let it also go away.

Do not let any random thought occupy your mind. If any random thought arises, dispose it off. Do not allow it to stay.

This is the stage to generate thoughts at your will – the thoughts that you wish to have – watch them for some time and then let them go away.

In the next phase, dispose all random thoughts and any other thoughts that your mind generates. Let there be no thoughts.

As soon as a thought crops up, watch it and dispose it off. Do not allow any thought to stay in your mind.

Let there be shoonya or total vacuum. The mind must be totally empty. No thoughts must be allowed to stay there. Dispose them immediately.

This state of thoughtlessness is inner silence.

In the beginning, you were witness to inner noise. Now, you are observing inner silence.

This relaxes the mind fully and you experience peace. The stress goes away.

You feel relaxed.

When you do this exercise for the first few times, you may not get the desired results fully. But, after some practice, you will start feeling relaxed and stress free.

It is a practice, when once developed, remains with you throughout the day. Just look inwards and observe what is going on dispassionately. Like a witness.

You may practice it daily – any time – for about twenty to forty minutes.

This is an ancient practice, known as antar mouna, or inner silence.

Online versions of antar mouna by Swami Niranjananada Saraswati are freely available and you may initially listen to them and develop your practice. After some time, you will be able to do it by yourself.

The best time for any practice of a meditative nature is early in the morning when the surroundings are peaceful. You may also do antar mouna in the evening after returning from work, or before going to bed. It takes a while to develop the practice but, after some time, you start experiencing life optimally.

“Antar mouna is one of the few ‘permanent sadhanas’ which can be practised simultaneously all the twenty-four hours of the day by anyone who is really determined to know oneself. By maintaining awareness of one’s internal environment, thoughts, emotional reactions, etc., one can speed up one’s personal evolution to the utmost degree. It will make one understand the workings of one’s own rational and irrational mind, as well as giving one an understanding of what makes other people tick.”

Meditations from the Tantras/ Swami Satyananda Saraswati

“Antar mouna is a complete training system for the awareness process; it teaches one how to know the processes of the mind and ways in which one can bring them under control.”

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

© Jagat Singh Bisht

Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker

FounderLifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

Please share your Post !

Shares

English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Effortless practices for Happiness and Stress Management # 01 ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Authored six books on happiness: Cultivating Happiness, Nirvana – The Highest Happiness, Meditate Like the Buddha, Mission Happiness, A Flourishing Life, and The Little Book of Happiness. He served in a bank for thirty-five years and has been propagating happiness and well-being among people for the past twenty years. He is on a mission – Mission Happiness!

 ☆ Weekly Column ☆ 

☆ Effortless practices for Happiness and Stress Management # 01 ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht ☆ 

Introduction

Do you want to be happier? Would you like to increase your well-being and flourish?

Flourishing is the experience of life going well– a combination of feeling good and functioning effectively. It is the opposite of languishing– living a life that feels hollow and empty.

Everyone seeks a flourishing life, but the modern-day lifestyle generates a lot of stress, which is the cause of psychosomatic disorders, including hypertension, respiratory ailments, gastrointestinal disturbances, migraine, and ulcers.

In this series, you will find simple, effortless, and painless practices for authentic happiness, stress management, and lasting peace. These exercises are easy to do, can be taken up by anyone, and require no previous training or experience.

The contents include how to relax your body and mind, knowing your inner self, freestyle exercise, life-long learning and evolving, autonomy and self-determination, flourishing, and spirituality.

RELAX YOUR BODY AND MIND

“Relaxation does not mean sleep. Relaxation means to be blissfully happy.”

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Exercise is good for the body, but relaxation is equally important. Simple techniques of relaxing your body and mind can prove to be helpful in renewing vigour.

A balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep are the basic pillars of healthy living. Activity and positivity make your life happier. Relaxation techniques help your body and mind to become calm and experience bliss.

Our body feels fatigue due to exertion. The mind becomes restless by fear, worries and anxiety. It is unavoidable. We need to take care of the body and mind daily.

Exercise is good for the body, but relaxation is equally important. A hectic day in the office, followed by strenuous work out at the gym, can sometimes make you feel exhausted. Simple techniques of relaxing your body and mind can prove to be helpful in renewing vigour.

The body and the mind are not separate entities. If you relax your body, the mind calms down and if you quieten your mind, the body feels relaxed. When the body and the mind are both relaxed, you feel full of joy and serenity.

Both the body and mind need exercise to keep them fit and they also need relaxation to recuperate. Walking, cycling, and swimming are exercises for the body while reading a book, learning a new skill, and solving a puzzle are exercises for the mind.

The body may feel fully relaxed after eight hours of sound sleep and the mind may feel blissful after an hour of deep meditation. But a sound sleep is fast becoming a rarity and not everyone is inclined to meditate.

We begin with a basic technique for relaxing the body. It is a simple practice that gives profound benefits. The sages have known this for ages.

You may do this exercise when you return from work in the evening, or before going to sleep in the night. You may do it after work-out, or anytime during the day when you feel tired and need relaxation.

EXERCISE

Relaxing the body.

Spread a yoga mat or carpet on the floor.

Lie down, flat on your back.  

Keep the feet slightly apart.

Place the arms by the side of your body, palms facing upwards.

The spine must be straight.

The head must be straight, facing upward, not falling on the side.

Adjust your body initially so that it is not tense.

Let each part of the body feel free.

You must feel relaxed.

Close your eyes gently.

Be calm and still, do not move.

Any physical movement will deprive you of the full benefits of the exercise.

Breathe naturally.

Allow the breath to be rhythmic and relaxed.

Be aware as you breathe in and as you breathe out.

Breathing in and breathing out, is one count.

Count your breaths gently.

You may count 21 breaths or 51 breaths, depending on how tired you feel and how much time you have in hand.

Relax.

Become aware of the environment around you and gently move your hand and legs.

Gently turn to the right side and get up.

Open your eyes.

Your body feels relaxed.

The body is deprived of proper rest when one sleeps with a twisted spine. It relaxes fully when one lies with a straight spine. The relaxation deepens as the breath slows down.

It is advisable to do this exercise on the floor, and not over the bed, to experience full relaxation. The body gets complete rest when the spine is straight, against a flat surface, and the breathing is rhythmic and slow.

At first, you may not feel the full benefits of the exercise but, as you develop the practice, you will start experiencing the deep relaxation it brings.

This is an ancient practice, known as shavasana, or the corpse pose, in yoga. It is an effective relaxation posture practised, for about ten minutes, at the close of a yoga session. During the session, it is used after difficult postures for a short relaxation.

THE ART OF BLISSFUL RELAXATION

If you go to sleep without resolving your tensions, you will not have a sound sleep. You must go to bed after throwing off all the burdens. When you have something in your mind, you will have a restless sleep, and you will not feel refreshed when you wake up.

In life, we are confronted with stressful situations from time to time. The stress may be physical, mental, or emotional.

When the endurance level of the body is over stretched, it feels uncomfortable, and you may feel muscular or endocrinal tension. The mind, at times, turns into a whirlpool of apprehensions and anxiety, making you feel mentally stressed. Relationships gone awry and things going haywire generate emotional stress.

Sometimes you feel helpless and totally stranded. The body suffers and you find yourself miserable. It looks like there is no way out but that is not true. There is a way out in such circumstances.  

It is a unique technique for inducing complete relaxation – physical, mental, and emotional. It is a systematic method in which you learn to relax consciously. You may call it – The Blissful Relaxation!

It is a practice that does not require many efforts on your part. You are only required to lie down and listen to the instructions. The instructions are precise and simple. No physical action is expected from you. Just listen to the voice.

Be aware and listen to the voice. Do not sleep. You must lie down comfortably as in the exercise described above. After you settle down, you will be asked to look at your whole body internally, keeping your eyes closed.

Then, you will be asked to rotate your consciousness through your limbs. You must repeat the name of the body part announced and form its image in your mind. Systematically, you will scan your entire body.

You will be taken on a beautiful tour of places and things that you have already seen. One by one, you will visualize a flowing river, boat, ocean, waves, beach, trees, flowers, mountains, rising sun, a small hut, flying birds, etc.

Your attention from the external world is moved inwards. The body relaxes completely, and the mind is fully aware. At the end of the exercise, when you are asked to open your eyes, you feel blissfully relaxed and rejuvenated.

It may be done at any time of the day when you feel the need to relax your body and mind. It must not be done immediately after meals. Half an hour of this exercise gives you the same relaxation as two hours of normal sleep. You feel so good that you would like to do the exercise every day.

On any day, when you feel you have not had a proper sleep, you may do it in the morning after getting up, and you will feel refreshed. Your productivity goes up. This is also a good tool for enhancing your creative capability.

You may do it in the evening after returning from work or before going to sleep. The fatigue goes away, and you will have a sound sleep.

This practice is derived ancient tantric scriptures. Swami Satyananda Saraswati, the founder of Bihar School of Yoga, re-constructed it in the present form. It is known as yoga nidra.

You may use the recordings of yoga nidra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati or his immediate disciple, Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, available on the net, for your practice. Several other teachers and practitioners have also rendered their versions of the practice.

You feel fully relaxed – physiologically and psychologically – after a session of yoga nidra. The approximate duration of the practice is twenty to forty minutes.

It is suggested that you include the practices of shavasana and yoga nidra in your daily routine for relaxation of the body and the mind. They are healing and soothing. Their regular practice will reduce stress considerably and bring calm and peace to your life.

“In yoga nidra, the consciousness is in a state between waking and sleep. In this state, the mind is exceptionally receptive. The practice of yoga nidra enables one to receive intuitions from the unconscious mind. This state is the fount of artistic and poetic inspiration. It is also the source of the most creative scientific discoveries. The intuitions received in yoga nidra enable one to find within himself the answers to all problems. One’s true nature and integrity manifest, enabling him to live a meaningful and peaceful life in any environment. No longer emotionally identified with the mind and body, one’s entire being is pervaded with divine consciousness.”

Yoga Nidra/ Swami Satyananda Saraswati

         “Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation.”

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

© Jagat Singh Bisht

Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker

FounderLifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

Please share your Post !

Shares

English Literature – Articles ☆ A Celebration of Courage: Laughter, Love and Life at Vishesh Jupiter Hospital, Indore ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

☆ A Celebration of Courage: Laughter, Love and Life at Vishesh Jupiter Hospital, Indore ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

There are moments in life that silently enter your soul and light a lamp of gratitude that never extinguishes. One such moment unfolded recently at Vishesh Jupiter Hospital, Indore, where my wife Radhika and I had the rare privilege of conducting a Laughter Therapy Session for a very special gathering — the valiant Cancer Fighters.

The event, aptly named “Celebrating Cancer Fighters”, was not just a programme; it was a festival of the human spirit, a collective celebration of survival, resilience, and the undying will to smile in the face of life’s most daunting challenges.

Dancing Through the Storm– The Spirit of the Survivors:

We entered the spacious, vibrant hall with our hearts full of anticipation. But nothing had prepared us for the tidal wave of energy, hope and love that greeted us. The cancer survivors — or should I say, cancer warriors — weren’t just survivors. They were torchbearers of life, lighting the path for others with their infectious joy.

They sang with passion, danced with abandon, and shared stories that could melt the hardest of hearts. Their eyes sparkled not with tears of pain but with the triumph of having walked through fire and come out shining. It was not a gathering of patients; it was a gathering of heroes who had turned their scars into stars.

Healing Hands, Compassionate Hearts:

Equally moving was the visible bond between the medical team and their patients. The doctors, nurses, and day care staff weren’t merely care providers — they were companions in the journey of healing. The way the patients looked at them, spoke of them, and thanked them revealed a deep trust and profound gratitude. The love wasn’t taught — it was felt. It emanated from every corner of the Oncology Department.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the ever-smiling and deeply committed team of Dr Manish Siddha, Dr Deepak Agrawal, Dr Jain, and the entire supporting staff. Their dedication and personal connection with each patient radiated a healing energy that no medicine alone could offer.

Laughter as Medicine, Love as Cure

Our Laughter Therapy session was received with open arms and joyous hearts. There was uninhibited laughter, soulful breathing, and moments of shared silence that transcended pain. For us, it was more than just an hour-long session — it was a spiritual offering. To see those faces — once shadowed by chemotherapy, surgery, and fatigue — now lit up with childlike delight, was a blessing beyond words.

For Radhika and me, it was a deeply fulfilling experience, one that reminded us why we had chosen this path. In giving, we received. In healing, we were healed.

A Hospital That Feels Like Home:

As we walked through the pristine corridors of Vishesh Jupiter Hospital, what struck us was the attention to detail, the serene environment, and the abundant positivity that seemed to linger in the air. It wasn’t just the infrastructure or modern facilities that impressed us — it was the soul of the place, nourished daily by kindness, competence, and compassion.

And let’s not forget the delightful lunch — a culinary experience that would make even Indore’s famed food connoisseurs nod in appreciation!

In Deep Gratitude:

As we left the hospital premises, our hearts were heavy — not with sadness, but with a deep sense of reverence. We bowed to each and every cancer fighter who reminded us what it truly means to live — not merely exist. Their strength, smiles and soulful dances shall remain etched in our memory as living proof of the indomitable human spirit.

To the medical team, thank you for being the angels in white coats. To the staff, thank you for nurturing hope. And to the cancer fighters — we salute you. We wish you abundant health, happiness, and everlasting peace.

Because in your courage, we saw the true celebration of life.

🌹🌸💐🙏😄 🤣

 

#CelebratingCancerFighters

#VisheshJupiterHospital

#LaughterTherapy

#Indore

© Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

Founder:  LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Please share your Post !

Shares

English Literature – Articles ☆ What’s Happening Inside You? ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

☆ What’s Happening Inside You? ☆

☆

A Friendly Check-In with Your Body’s Vital Systems

Introduction: Listen to Your Body’s Whisper Before It Has to Shout

We often wait until something goes wrong before we pay attention to our health. But what if we could tune into our bodies more gently, regularly, and lovingly? Imagine your body as a community of hardworking organs—each doing its part to keep you energised, balanced and alive. In this friendly guide, we take a walk through your inner world, visiting ten key organs and systems. You’ll learn what a healthy heart, liver or pancreas feels like, how to nourish them further, and when they might be gently asking for help. This is not a science lecture, nor a fear-inducing checklist—it’s a compassionate invitation to know yourself better and care for the amazing instrument that is your body.

  1. The Heart: Your Body’s Tireless Drummer

Healthy signs & care:

A healthy heart beats steadily and rhythmically, allowing you to climb stairs or go for a walk without undue breathlessness. Good blood circulation keeps your skin pink and your mind alert. You can nurture your heart with regular exercise, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and good fats, deep sleep, and by managing stress through yoga, laughter, or meditation.

When to seek advice:

If you feel sudden fatigue, breathlessness at rest, palpitations, swelling in feet, or tightness in the chest, your heart might be calling for attention. Don’t delay consulting your physician—early care often means easy healing.

  1. Liver: The Silent Worker

Healthy signs & care:

When your liver is in good shape, digestion feels smooth, energy is stable, and your skin appears clear. A healthy liver quietly processes nutrients, breaks down toxins, and helps your body detox naturally. Support it with moderate eating, reduced alcohol, less oily food, and herbs like turmeric and amla.

When to seek advice:

Watch out for fatigue, yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine, bloating or discomfort in the right upper abdomen. These may be signs of liver distress and warrant medical guidance.

  1. Kidneys: The Body’s Natural Filters

Healthy signs & care:

Clear urine, good energy, and absence of swelling suggest your kidneys are working well. Staying hydrated, managing blood pressure and blood sugar, and avoiding excessive salt help your kidneys stay efficient and happy.

When to seek advice:

Cloudy or foamy urine, frequent urination at night, puffiness around the eyes, or swelling in the feet may indicate trouble. Early intervention can protect your long-term kidney health.

  1. Lungs: The Breath of Life

Healthy signs & care:

When your lungs are healthy, you breathe deeply without effort, and physical activity doesn’t leave you gasping. Fresh air, regular movement, breathing exercises and avoiding pollution or smoking go a long way in keeping your lungs young.

When to seek advice:

Persistent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness could be signs that your lungs need care. Early diagnosis helps avoid long-term damage.

  1. Thyroid: The Silent Regulator

Healthy signs & care:

When your thyroid is balanced, you feel energetic, your weight is stable, and your mood is even. Iodine-rich foods like seaweed, dairy, and nuts, along with stress reduction, help maintain its function.

When to seek advice:

Sudden weight gain or loss, fatigue, hair thinning, feeling unusually cold or hot, or mood swings may suggest thyroid issues. A simple blood test can help clarify things.

  1. Pancreas: The Blood Sugar Balancer

Healthy signs & care:

Steady energy throughout the day, no sugar cravings, and balanced appetite are signs your pancreas is doing well. A balanced diet with low sugar, fibre-rich foods, and regular meals supports its health.

When to seek advice:

Excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, or unexplained weight loss could be early signs of diabetes. Don’t ignore these signals—your pancreas might be overwhelmed.

  1. Stomach & Gut: The Second Brain

Healthy signs & care:

Good digestion, regular bowel movements, and a light feeling after meals point to a healthy gut. Eating slowly, choosing natural foods, and including probiotics and fermented foods nourish your digestive health.

When to seek advice:

Frequent acidity, constipation, bloating, or abdominal pain are signs that your gut needs some attention. A visit to a doctor can bring timely relief and prevent complications.

  1. Brain & Nervous System: The Command Centre

Healthy signs & care:

Clear thinking, good memory, steady emotions, and restful sleep indicate your nervous system is balanced. Mental workouts, restful breaks, meaningful conversations, and a calm routine help keep your brain sharp.

When to seek advice:

Chronic headaches, confusion, memory lapses, or persistent anxiety or depression are signs to reach out. Mental health is just as vital as physical health.

  1. Blood & Circulatory System: The Life River

Healthy signs & care:

When your blood is in good shape, you feel energised, your skin glows, and wounds heal quickly. Iron-rich foods, regular movement, hydration, and stress management all boost circulation and blood quality.

When to seek advice:

Excessive fatigue, dizziness, frequent infections, or cold extremities might indicate anaemia or circulatory issues. Don’t delay testing if these persist.

  1. Bones & Joints: The Framework of Strength

Healthy signs & care:

Flexibility, absence of joint pain, and steady posture reflect good bone health. Regular weight-bearing exercise, vitamin D, calcium-rich foods, and good posture habits keep your skeleton strong.

When to seek advice:

Persistent back or joint pain, stiffness, or loss of height may point to bone issues like arthritis or osteoporosis. Early assessment can help manage and even reverse symptoms.

Conclusion: A Journey Within

Health is not a goal—it’s a relationship with your body. When you begin to notice the subtle signs of wellness or imbalance, you grow into a more caring, aware version of yourself. This simple check-in with your organs is not about fear, but about friendship—with your body, your breath, and your life. Eat with joy, move with grace, sleep with peace, and listen gently within. And when in doubt, let your physician be your guide—not out of panic, but out of partnership.

Disclaimer:

This article offers general guidance for awareness and well-being. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified physician before starting any treatment or diagnostic tests.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

© Jagat Singh Bisht

Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker

FounderLifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

Please share your Post !

Shares

English Literature – Articles ☆ Where have all the crows gone? ☆ Dr. Jailaxmi  R Vinayak ☆

By Hemant Bawankar2 Comments

Dr. Jailaxmi  R Vinayak

? ~ Where have all the crows gone? ~ ? Dr. Jailaxmi  R Vinayak ?

Crows that were once upon a time in abundance and in persistent companionship of human beings are steadily diminishing like sparrows, parakeets, tigers and lions. Basically, it is because of the urbanisation and felling of trees. The dwindling green spots in the city life has taken a toll on common birds. In addition to this global warming, hazardous climatic changes, noise pollution, emission of harmful gases and insecticides are equally responsible. The crows need trees for nesting and neighborhood areas for foraging.

The grey necked crow also known as Ceylon or Colombo crow is of Asian origin. Their age limit is twenty or thirty years. They eat all that is edible and feed on refuge around human habitation, small reptiles, insects, small invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, plants, grain, fruit etc. The main reason why our garden is being harmfully raided by insects is mainly because there are no crows to thrive on them. Crows are also an indication of poor sanitary conditions. It was also considered inauspicious to be touched by crows.

Since five to six years crows were considered to be a menace. We were getting up with ‘caw  caw’ sound.  Some very famous songs have been composed on them like ‘jhooth bole kouva kaate’, and ‘bhor hote kaga pukare more ram’, just reinforcing that crows were an important part and parcel of our lives. Of course, in places like Worli of Mumbai, which is surrounded by densely foliaged trees, crows are daring to come in the flats of high-rise buildings and creating a menace.

On occasions of Shradh, a ceremony observed after the demise of ancestors, crows were fed to give peace to the departed Soul.

☆

© Dr. Jailaxmi  R Vinayak

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Please share your Post !

Shares

हिंदी साहित्य – संस्मरण ☆ दस्तावेज़ # 24 – खजुराहो नृत्य उत्सव/KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL – ☆ श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

(ई-अभिव्यक्ति के “दस्तावेज़” श्रृंखला के माध्यम से पुरानी अमूल्य और ऐतिहासिक यादें सहेजने का प्रयास है। श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट जी (Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker) के शब्दों में  “वर्तमान तो किसी न किसी रूप में इंटरनेट पर दर्ज हो रहा है। लेकिन कुछ पहले की बातें, माता पिता, दादा दादी, नाना नानी, उनके जीवनकाल से जुड़ी बातें धीमे धीमे लुप्त और विस्मृत होती जा रही हैं। इनका दस्तावेज़ समय रहते तैयार करने का दायित्व हमारा है। हमारी पीढ़ी यह कर सकती है। फिर किसी को कुछ पता नहीं होगा। सब कुछ भूल जाएंगे।”

दस्तावेज़ में ऐसी ऐतिहासिक दास्तानों को स्थान देने में आप सभी का सहयोग अपेक्षित है। इस शृंखला की अगली कड़ी में प्रस्तुत है श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट जी का एक ऐतिहासिक दस्तावेज़ “खजुराहो नृत्य उत्सव/KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL“।) 

☆  दस्तावेज़ # 24 – खजुराहो नृत्य उत्सव ☆ श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट ☆ 

कुछ स्मृतियाँ ओस की बूंदों की तरह होती हैं — चुपचाप मन के किसी कोने में झिलमिलाती रहती हैं, जब समय बहुत दूर निकल चुका होता है। वर्ष था 1986। मेरी पदस्थी पन्ना में थी — वह नगर जो अपने हीरों के लिए प्रसिद्ध है, जहां लोग पूरी ज़िंदगी बिता देते हैं धरती के नीचे कुछ चमकते कणों की तलाश में, पर जिनके हिस्से वह आता है, वे वाक़ई किस्मत वाले होते हैं। लेकिन उस वसंत ऋतु में, मेरी पत्नी और मैंने एक अलग ही किस्म का हीरा खोजा — जो न मिट्टी में था, न आकाश में, बल्कि खजुराहो की खुली हवा, मंदिरों की पृष्ठभूमि और नृत्य की थापों में दमक रहा था।

हम दोपहिया वाहन पर निकले थे — पन्ना से खजुराहो की ओर, हवा हमारे चेहरे को सहला रही थी और मन में एक अजीब सी उत्सुकता थी। रास्ते में मड़ला में — जो आज पन्ना नेशनल पार्क का प्रवेश द्वार है — एक ढाबे पर रुके। ढाबे के मालिक ने चाय परोसी और बड़ी नम्रता से बताया कि इलाके में एक बाघ घूम रहा है, और इस रास्ते पर दोपहिया वाहन से जाना सुरक्षित नहीं है। हम मुस्कुरा दिए — थोड़े चिंतित, पर ज्यादा रोमांचित। जैसे जंगल ने हमारी यात्रा को एक रहस्यमयी प्रस्तावना दे दी हो।

खजुराहो — मध्य प्रदेश के छतरपुर ज़िले का वह नगर, जहां पत्थर भी कविताएं कहते हैं। हिंदू और जैन मंदिरों का यह समूह, जो अब विश्व धरोहर घोषित हो चुका है, उस वर्ष पहली बार यूनेस्को की सूची में शामिल हुआ था। और उसी वर्ष मार्च में, इन मंदिरों की गोद में आयोजित खजुराहो नृत्य महोत्सव का आंनद लेने हम पहुंचे। यह एक ऐसा उत्सव था जहां दुनिया भर के शास्त्रीय नृत्यकला के साधक इकट्ठा हुए थे।

यह मेरे सहकर्मी राम विलास कटारे की कृपा थी, जो उस समय खजुराहो में ही पदस्थ थे, कि हमें वहां तीन दिन रुकने और महोत्सव में भाग लेने का सौभाग्य मिला। राम विलास ने बाद में बैंक की नौकरी छोड़कर ग्वालियर में उद्योग की दुनिया में अपनी पहचान बनाई, लेकिन उन दिनों हम सब बस कला प्रेमी थे — मंच के सामने बैठे, मंत्रमुग्ध दर्शक।

महोत्सव की प्रथम संध्या में मंच पर थीं — संजुक्ता पाणिग्रही। ओडिसी नृत्य की यह नृत्यांगना अपने संगीतकार पति के साथ मंच पर आईं। उनकी प्रस्तुति जादुई थी — नृत्य और अभिनय का ऐसा संगम कि हर भाव, हर मुद्रा, हर अभिनय एक प्रार्थना लगने लगे। गीत गोविंद की भक्ति से लेकर सूरदास की पदावली, तुलसी के चौपाई, विद्यापति की सौंदर्यरस और रवीन्द्रनाथ ठाकुर की सूक्ष्मता — सब कुछ जैसे सजीव हो उठा। संजुक्ता जी की भंगिमा में कहीं लोकनाट्य ‘जात्रा’ की झलक थी, तो कहीं आत्मा की पुकार।

दूसरे दिन सुबह दूरदर्शन की टीम ने मंदिर परिसर में पिछली रात की प्रस्तुति का पुनः फिल्मांकन किया। संजुक्ता जी का साक्षात्कार लिया गया, जिसमें साधना श्रीवास्तव ने ओडिसी नृत्य के भाव और सौंदर्य को सुलझे हुए प्रश्नों से उद्घाटित किया। हम सौभाग्यशाली थे कि इतने निकट से इस अनुभव के साक्षी बन पाए।

दोपहर को होटल चंदेला में भोजन का आयोजन था। वहां परोसे गए व्यंजनों की सुगंध — मसालों की वह गंध — आज भी स्मृति में बसी हुई है। स्वाद, जो सिर्फ जीभ पर नहीं, मन में बस गया।

दूसरे दिन शाम को आधुनिक नृत्य की एक नई लहर देखने को मिली — प्रसिद्ध भरतनाट्यम नृत्यांगना चंद्रलेखा द्वारा निर्देशित ‘नवग्रह’। भरतनाट्यम, कलारिपयट्टु और योग की त्रिवेणी से रचा गया यह प्रदर्शन केवल दृश्य नहीं, विचार का भी अनुभव था। उन्होंने नृत्य की एक नई भाषा रची — ऐसी जो परंपरा में जड़ें रखते हुए भी समकालीनता की बात करती थी।

तीसरी संध्या — मलविका सरुक्कई का भरतनाट्यम प्रदर्शन। उन्होंने प्रस्तुत किया ‘रास’ — वह क्षण जब गोपियाँ कृष्ण की बांसुरी सुनकर अपने भीतर की खोज में निकलती हैं। यह यात्रा केवल भौगोलिक नहीं, आत्मिक थी। एक नई अनुभूति की तलाश। मलविका की प्रस्तुति में वह झलक थी — वह क्षणिक जादू — जिसे पकड़ना कठिन है, पर महसूस करना सरल।

इन तीन दिनों ने हमें केवल नृत्य नहीं, जीवन का दर्शन दिया। मंदिरों की छाया, चांदनी की आभा, नूपुरों की झंकार, और कलाकारों की साधना — सब कुछ मिलकर एक ऐसी ऊर्जा बना रहे थे जो मन को स्थिर और आत्मा को उद्दीप्त कर देती थी।

नौकरी की दुनिया में जब जीवन यांत्रिक हो उठता है, तब कला वह खिड़की बनती है जिससे रोशनी भीतर आती है। नृत्य, संगीत, साहित्य, रंगमंच — इन सबका सान्निध्य मेरे जीवन की निधि रहा है। वे क्षण जब कलाकार और दर्शक दोनों एक ऊर्जा में विलीन हो जाते हैं — वे पल जैसे आकाश में उगे तारे — दुर्लभ, दिव्य और अमर।

खजुराहो नृत्य महोत्सव उन्हीं दिव्य पलों का संधान है। एक संवाद — नर्तक और देवता के बीच। और आज भी, जब आँखें मूंदता हूँ, तो वह स्वर, वह छवि, वह रस — सब लौट आता है। वह अनुभव, जिसमें कलाकार अपने अस्तित्व से परे जाकर उन तारों की छाया में नृत्य करता है — और उसी में विलीन हो जाता है।

♥♥♥♥

☆ KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL ☆

Some memories, like dew on a lotus petal, glisten quietly in the heart long after time has moved on. The year was 1986. I was posted in Panna, a quiet town known for its diamond mines where people spend lifetimes in pursuit of something that gleams only for the chosen few. But that spring, my wife and I discovered a different kind of gem — one that shimmered not beneath the earth but under the open skies of Khajuraho, set against the sacred silhouettes of temples and the rhythm of anklets on stone.

We had set out one breezy afternoon, the wind brushing against our faces as our two-wheeler cruised through the ghat section between Panna and Khajuraho. Somewhere near Madla — now the gateway to the Panna National Park — we halted at a modest roadside dhaba. The dhaba owner, a wiry old man with kindness in his eyes, poured us steaming cups of tea and cautioned us in hushed tones: a tiger was said to be prowling nearby. We smiled nervously, half-amused, half-intrigued — the wilderness lending a thrilling prelude to what lay ahead.

Khajuraho, in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, is a town where stone whispers stories — of gods and mortals, of yearning and transcendence. In March that year, it became the stage for the Khajuraho Dance Festival, where artists from across India gathered to breathe life into ancient dance forms under the timeless gaze of sculpted deities. The festival coincided with a significant moment in history: the temples had just been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, a fitting honour for the marvels that would form the sacred backdrop to the celebration of classical Indian dance.

It was thanks to my affable colleague Ram Vilas Katare, then posted at Khajuraho, that we were able to attend. He arranged our stay and ensured we had the best seats for the opening performances. Ram Vilas would later go on to leave banking and find his fortune in industry, but that evening, we sat side by side as mere rasiks — lovers of art — in quiet reverence.

The festival began with a performance that remains etched in golden memory — Sanjukta Panigrahi, the reigning queen of Odissi, took the stage. With her was her musician husband, who carried the music like a prayer. Sanjukta’s dance was a revelation — a confluence of nritta and abhinaya, where each movement became an invocation, each expression a verse. From Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda to Surdas’s padavali, from the rustic poetry of Vidyapati to the soulfulness of Tagore, she traversed the spiritual spectrum with grace that was almost otherworldly. The effect was so powerful that even the intricate carvings behind her seemed to pause and listen.

Doordarshan was there too, recording the performances. The next morning, we found ourselves privileged spectators at the temple complex where the shoot continued. The gracious Sadhna Shrivastava interviewed Sanjukta Panigrahi, her questions drawing out the essence of Odissi, while we watched the unfolding of art at close quarters. It felt less like an interview and more like a satsang — a sacred communion.

The afternoons were gentle, the sun warm, the heart warmer. We lunched at Hotel Chandela, where the grilled delicacies teased the senses. Even today, the memory of those spices — smoky, tangy, aromatic — is enough to make the mouth water.

Day two brought with it the bold strokes of modernity — a performance by the inimitable Chandralekha. Her Navagraha was unlike anything we had seen. Using Bharatanatyam, Kalaripayattu and Yoga, she gave us a new vocabulary of movement. It was not merely a dance; it was an introspective journey, a cosmic choreography that expanded the definition of tradition.

The final evening of our stay introduced us to Malavika Sarukkai and her sublime Bharatanatyam recital. Her piece, Raas, was a poetic meditation — the gopis enchanted by Krishna’s flute, venturing into the unknown woods and, in the process, awakening to their own divine selves. There was a certain hush in the air as she danced, a silence not of absence but of awe. In that moment, it felt as though time itself had stepped aside to watch.

These three days in Khajuraho gave us not just performances, but moments of transcendence. As the temple stones glowed in the evening light and the air reverberated with the taal and the thumri, it became clear — this was no ordinary festival. It was sadhana in motion, a spiritual offering wrapped in rhythm, gesture and song.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to meet and witness the brilliance of many great artists — from literature to theatre, from painting to sculpture. In the humdrum of a job, it is these windows into beauty that give breath to the soul. The arts, for me, have been more than pastimes. They are life’s quiet conversations with the sublime, a nourishment of the spirit.

The Khajuraho Dance Festival was, and remains, one such conversation — a dialogue between the eternal and the ephemeral, between the dancer and the divine. And sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can still hear the tinkle of anklets, still see the moonlight casting shadows on the sandstone, still feel that inexplicable joy of watching an artist step into the starlight — and become one with it.

♥♥♥♥

© Jagat Singh Bisht 

Laughter Yoga Master Trainer

LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈संपादक – श्री हेमन्त बावनकर/सम्पादक मंडल (हिन्दी) – श्री विवेक रंजन श्रीवास्तव ‘विनम्र’/श्री जय प्रकाश पाण्डेय  ≈

Please share your Post !

Shares

English Literature – Articles ☆ How to Flourish in Life! ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant Bawankar2 Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

☆ How to Flourish in Life! ☆

Do you seek happiness and well-being? Do you wish to flourish in life?

Happiness is the experience of joy, contentment, and positive well-being, combined with a deep sense that life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.

People flourish when they find a balance of positive emotions, deep engagement with life, meaningful relationships, a sense of purpose, and the fulfilment of valued goals.

Here are five simple yet profound pathways to lasting happiness and a flourishing life:

ENGAGE DEEPLY

Immerse yourself in what you love. Go deeper and deeper. Master your skills and excel in your pursuits. Absorb yourself fully in the experience. You’ll discover the joy of flow.

WALK & EXERCISE

Rise early. Go for a long walk. Move your body—stretch, bend, squat, jump, turn, twist, whirl. Practise yoga. Breathe deeply. Meditate. Observe silence for a couple of hours after waking up. You’ll feel serene.

RELAX

Relax your body and mind. Sleep well. Take short breaks during the day. Rest adequately. Practise Yoga Nidra regularly for complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. You’ll feel stress-free.

BE INTIMATE

Nurture strong relationships with family, friends, and even strangers. Be warm and tender. Recognise that other people are the richest source of happiness in life. Be genuinely intimate with your partner, children, siblings, and parents. You’ll feel deeply loved.

BE SPIRITUAL

Be kind. Be generous. Be full of compassion. Never harm anyone—through words or deeds. Wish well, from your heart, for all beings. Dissolve into something meaningful and larger than yourself. You’ll find profound peace.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

© Jagat Singh Bisht

Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker

FounderLifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

Please share your Post !

Shares

English Literature – Memoir ☆ दस्तावेज़ # 23 – Through the Eyes of Gratitude: A Vision Reborn ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht ☆ 

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

(This is an effort to preserve old invaluable and historical memories through e-abhivyakti’s “दस्तावेज़” series. In the words of Shri Jagat Singh Bisht Ji – “The present is being recorded on the Internet in some form or the other. But some earlier memories related to parents, grandparents, their lifetime achievements are slowly fading and getting forgotten. It is our responsibility to document them in time. Our generation can do this else nobody will know the history and everything will be forgotten.”

In the next part of this series, we present a memoir by Shri Jagat Singh Bisht Ji “Through the Eyes of Gratitude: A Vision Reborn.“)

☆ दस्तावेज़ # 23 – Through the Eyes of Gratitude: A Vision Reborn ☆ Shri Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

A New Dawn of Clarity

It was early morning, the day after my cataract surgery. As I sat on my balcony, the world before me shimmered with an ethereal glow. My newly restored eyesight was not just a medical marvel—it was a gift, a revelation. The neem tree stood before me, more radiant and distinct than I had ever seen. Its nascent green and purple leaves danced joyfully in the soft embrace of the breeze, basking in the golden-red hues of the rising sun. Beyond, the vast blue sky stretched endlessly like a divine canopy, serene and infinite. The birds, perched on delicate branches, filled the air with a symphony of chirps, their melodies weaving magic into the morning. I felt a joy so pure, so unfiltered—it was as if I had been gifted the exuberance of a fifteen-year-old once again.

The Hands That Heal:

As my heart absorbed the beauty around me, it overflowed with gratitude for the man who had made this transformation possible—Dr Mahesh Agrawal. To say he is a skilled ophthalmic surgeon would be an understatement. He is a healer in the truest sense—one who blends precision with compassion, expertise with empathy. The doctor-patient relationship, at its best, is never just a transaction. It is a sacred connection, built on trust, care, and understanding.

A patient arrives at the doorstep of a doctor with not just a physical ailment but also an emotional burden—anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. The true healer alleviates not just the illness but also the worries that accompany it. A doctor can be a messenger of hope, transforming pain into relief, darkness into light, despair into faith. Dr Agrawal embodies this philosophy with effortless grace. His skill is matched only by his humility, his knowledge tempered by his humanity.

The Twilight of Vision, the Dawn of Hope:

Aging brings with it a gradual dimming—of energy, of faculties, of the senses. The knees ache, hearing wanes, and teeth weaken. But when the eyes, the windows to the world, begin to fail, it feels as though the very essence of life dims. To be able to restore sight, even in the later years, is nothing short of a blessing. And for that, we must thank not only the skilled surgeons but also the brilliant minds that have advanced medical science from the era of Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction to today’s modern, painless, precise techniques.

Yet, despite the advancements, my own journey to surgery was not straightforward. An unexpected health complication, undetected for years, delayed the procedure by more than three years. The uncertainty weighed on me, compounded by well-meaning but disheartening advice: “Cataract surgery is not an emergency; you can wait.” But waiting meant enduring a world that was slowly blurring, a reality that was becoming increasingly elusive.

It was during this phase of doubt and desperation that I found solace in Dr Agrawal’s wisdom. He reassured me with words that resonated deeply: “I have always seen you as a happy person. You bring joy to others. I would never want you to take unnecessary risks. Have patience—we will find a way.” His confidence, his belief in a solution, became my anchor. And, by divine grace, a solution did emerge, allowing me to finally move forward with the surgery.

A Master’s Touch:

The procedure itself was nothing short of extraordinary. Dr Agrawal, trained at the prestigious Shankar Netralaya in Chennai and Arvind Eye Hospital in Madurai, performed the surgery with a finesse that can only be described as artistry. The Micro Incision Cataract Surgery—painless, patchless, punctureless, pinhole—was executed with a seamless flow, a rhythm that spoke of years of dedication. Inside the operation theatre, he was calm, precise, and ever mindful of the patient. His reassuring voice guided me through the process, transforming what could have been an anxious experience into one of absolute trust and surrender.

The hospital he has built, Shree Ganesh Netralaya in Indore, is a testament to his commitment. It is no mere medical institution—it radiates warmth and care. His team of optometrists, operation theatre technicians, nurses, and support staff work with a quiet efficiency, their smiles making the journey smoother. Perhaps it is no coincidence that Dr Agrawal trained at ‘Shankar’ Netralaya, named his own hospital ‘Ganesh’ Netralaya, and bears the name ‘Mahesh’—Lord Shankar, Lord Ganesh, and Lord Mahesh, revered in Hindu mythology, known for their wisdom and benevolence. There is a divinity in the air at his hospital, a sense of sacred purpose.

A World Rekindled:

Today, as I step out with my newly restored vision, the world appears reborn. My eyesight is now 6/6, N6—sharper and clearer than I have ever known it to be. I regret not having undergone the surgery sooner, but regret is fleeting. What remains is immense joy, an insatiable curiosity to rediscover life’s wonders. Books have regained their charm, television is more engaging, distant landscapes are more vivid. The world, in its entirety, is brighter, more beautiful, more alive. I feel unshackled, as if I could take flight like a bird, kissing the sky with newfound freedom.

A Heartfelt Salute:

Dr Mahesh Agrawal, with his unparalleled skill, humility, and kindness, has not just restored my vision—he has rekindled my spirit. He has turned what seemed like a closing chapter into a fresh beginning. For this, I shall remain forever grateful. His wisdom, patience, and humaneness have touched me in ways beyond words. To him, I offer my heartfelt thanks. May he continue to bring light into the lives of many more, guiding them from the shadows of uncertainty into the brilliance of clarity and hope.

The world is beautiful again—and I owe it all to him.

♥♥♥♥

© Jagat Singh Bisht 

Laughter Yoga Master Trainer

LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

Please share your Post !

Shares

हिंदी साहित्य – संस्मरण ☆ दस्तावेज़ # 20 – मैहर में एक दिव्य संगीतमयी संध्या/A Night of Divine Music in Maihar – ☆ श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

(ई-अभिव्यक्ति के “दस्तावेज़” श्रृंखला के माध्यम से पुरानी अमूल्य और ऐतिहासिक यादें सहेजने का प्रयास है। श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट जी (Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker) के शब्दों में  “वर्तमान तो किसी न किसी रूप में इंटरनेट पर दर्ज हो रहा है। लेकिन कुछ पहले की बातें, माता पिता, दादा दादी, नाना नानी, उनके जीवनकाल से जुड़ी बातें धीमे धीमे लुप्त और विस्मृत होती जा रही हैं। इनका दस्तावेज़ समय रहते तैयार करने का दायित्व हमारा है। हमारी पीढ़ी यह कर सकती है। फिर किसी को कुछ पता नहीं होगा। सब कुछ भूल जाएंगे।”

दस्तावेज़ में ऐसी ऐतिहासिक दास्तानों को स्थान देने में आप सभी का सहयोग अपेक्षित है। इस शृंखला की अगली कड़ी में प्रस्तुत है श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट जी का एक ऐतिहासिक दस्तावेज़ “मैहर में एक दिव्य संगीतमयी संध्या/A Night of Divine Music in Maihar“।) 

☆  दस्तावेज़ # 20 – मैहर में एक दिव्य संगीतमयी संध्या/A Night of Divine Music in Maihar ☆ श्री जगत सिंह बिष्ट ☆ 

वह शाम किसी और शाम जैसी नहीं थी। वह एक ऐसी शाम थी जब समय ठहर गया था और संगीत ने सांसारिक सीमाओं को पार कर दिया था। आज भी, जब मैं अपनी आँखें बंद करता हूँ, तो सितार और सरोद की स्वरलहरियाँ मेरी स्मृतियों में गूंज उठती हैं, तबले की थापों के साथ, जो मैहर की पवित्र हवा में गूंज रही थीं।

यादगार यात्रा

यह मार्च 1983 की बात है, जब हम जबलपुर से मैहर के लिए निकले थे। यह एक छोटा सा तीर्थ नगर है, लेकिन हिंदुस्तानी शास्त्रीय संगीत में इसकी विरासत अपार है। यही वह स्थान है, जहाँ महान उस्ताद अलाउद्दीन खान ने अपना जीवन संगीत को समर्पित किया और मैहर घराने को नई ऊँचाइयों तक पहुँचाया। इस यात्रा का उद्देश्य अलाउद्दीन खान संगीत समारोह में भाग लेना था, जो हर वर्ष उनकी स्मृति में आयोजित किया जाता है। यहाँ हिंदुस्तानी शास्त्रीय संगीत के महान कलाकार अपनी कला को गुरुदक्षिणा स्वरूप अर्पित करते हैं।

मेरे साथ मेरा बचपन का मित्र ओमेन थॉमस और मेरे सहकर्मी सरदार सरन सिंह सलूजा तथा तिजारे साहब थे। हम ट्रेन से मैहर पहुँचे, यह सोचकर कि यह एक और सुंदर संगीतमयी शाम होगी। लेकिन हमें क्या पता था कि हम जीवन की सबसे अविस्मरणीय संध्या में प्रवेश कर रहे थे।

संगीतमयी संध्या का शुभारंभ

कार्यक्रम की शुरुआत पंडित जितेंद्र अभिषेकी के भक्तिपूर्ण भजनों से हुई, जिनकी सुमधुर आवाज़ में गहरा आध्यात्मिक भाव था। हम मंत्रमुग्ध होकर उन्हें सुनते रहे। इसके बाद प्रसिद्ध कथक नृत्यांगना सितारा देवी का अभूतपूर्व प्रदर्शन हुआ। उनकी मोहक मुद्राएँ, तीव्र गति के कदम, और गहरी भावनाएँ हमें किसी और ही लोक में ले गईं।

लेकिन असली जादू तब शुरू हुआ जब चार महान संगीत सम्राट मंच पर उतरे—सितार पर पंडित रविशंकर, सरोद पर उस्ताद अली अकबर खान, और तबले पर पिता-पुत्र की जोड़ी—उस्ताद अल्ला रक्खा और उस्ताद ज़ाकिर हुसैन। उनके मंच पर आते ही पूरा सभा स्थल तालियों की गड़गड़ाहट से गूंज उठा।

एक स्वप्निल संगीत यात्रा

रात्रि का आरंभ राग यमन कल्याण से हुआ, जिसका विस्तृत आलाप और जटिल बंदिशें हमें एक अनोखी यात्रा पर ले गईं। यह प्रस्तुति एक घंटे से भी अधिक समय तक चली, और जब इसकी मधुर तान समाप्त हुई, तब रात आधी बीत चुकी थी।

इसके बाद राग मालकौंस की गहरी और आध्यात्मिक स्वर लहरियाँ बहने लगीं, फिर राग सोहिनी ने वातावरण को अलौकिक बना दिया। फिर जो हुआ, वह किसी जादू से कम नहीं था—

पहले पंडित रविशंकर और उस्ताद अली अकबर खान के बीच एक दिव्य जुगलबंदी हुई, जहाँ सितार और सरोद ने मानो एक संवाद छेड़ दिया। फिर सितार और तबले के बीच अद्भुत संगति हुई, उसके बाद सरोद और तबले की झंकार ने सबको रोमांचित कर दिया। लेकिन असली चमत्कार तब हुआ जब तबले की जुगलबंदी शुरू हुई—पिता-पुत्र उस्ताद अल्ला रक्खा और उस्ताद ज़ाकिर हुसैन के बीच।

जहाँ एक ओर पिता की परिपक्वता थी, वहीं पुत्र की युवा ऊर्जा। उनकी उंगलियों से निकलते स्वर जादू की तरह बहने लगे। एक लयबद्ध प्रतिस्पर्धा में उस्ताद ज़ाकिर हुसैन ने अपने पिता को चुनौती दी, और उस्ताद अल्ला रक्खा ने अपनी अनुभवी थापों से जवाब दिया। सभागार तालियों और वाह-वाह से गूंज उठा, और यह सिलसिला कुछ देर तक यूँ ही चलता रहा।

भैरवी के साथ सूर्योदय का स्वागत

जैसे-जैसे रात्रि समाप्ति की ओर बढ़ी, कलाकारों ने अंतिम प्रस्तुति दी—राग भैरवी। इसे सुबह की रागिनी कहा जाता है, और जब सितार, सरोद और तबले की मीठी स्वर लहरियाँ गूंजने लगीं, तो ऐसा लगा मानो यह पूरी रात की साधना की अंतिम आहुति हो।

हम सभी सम्मोहित थे, समय मानो ठहर गया था। और जब अंतिम सुर भी हवा में विलीन हुआ, तब एहसास हुआ कि हम एक अद्वितीय संगीतमयी यात्रा से गुज़र चुके थे। सूरज की पहली किरणें हम पर पड़ रही थीं जब हम मैहर रेलवे स्टेशन की ओर लौट रहे थे, अपने हृदयों में इस अनमोल रात की यादें संजोए हुए।

एक दुर्लभ सौभाग्य

मैंने अपने जीवन में अनगिनत संगीत समारोह देखे हैं, किंतु मैहर की वह रात सबसे अलग थी। शायद ऐसी घटनाएँ केवल भाग्य से ही मिलती हैं।

पंडित रविशंकर, उस्ताद अली अकबर खान, उस्ताद अल्ला रक्खा और उस्ताद ज़ाकिर हुसैन—ये चारों एक साथ मंच पर हों, यह दृश्य ही अपने आप में दुर्लभ था। आज भी, जब मैं ओमेन थॉमस से मिलता हूँ, तो हम उस रात को याद कर मुस्कुरा उठते हैं। वह स्वर, वह लय, वह जादू—सबकुछ आज भी जीवंत लगता है।

ऐसी प्रस्तुतियाँ कभी-कभार ही होती हैं, और जब होती हैं, तो वे आत्मा पर एक अमिट छाप छोड़ जाती हैं। वह रात केवल एक संगीत सभा नहीं थी, वह एक दिव्य अर्पण थी—संगीत के माध्यम से ईश्वर की आराधना। और इस अनमोल अनुभव के लिए मैं सदैव आभारी रहूँगा।

☆ A Night of Divine Music in Maihar ☆

It was a night like no other, a night where time stood still, and music transcended the earthly plane. Even today, as I close my eyes, I can hear the notes of the sitar and sarod weaving a tapestry of celestial beauty, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the tabla that echoed through the sacred air of Maihar.

A Journey to Remember

It was the month of March in 1983 when we set off from Jabalpur to Maihar, a small temple town with a towering legacy in Hindustani classical music. Maihar was the home of the legendary Ustad Allauddin Khan, a man who reshaped the Maihar Gharana and mentored some of the greatest musicians of our time. The occasion was the annual Allauddin Khan Sangeet Samaroh, a festival dedicated to his memory, where maestros of Indian classical music gathered to offer their art as a tribute.

Accompanied by my childhood friend, Oommen Thomas, and my colleagues Sardar Saran Singh Saluja and Tijare Sahab, we took the train to Maihar, eager to witness an unforgettable musical soiree. We had attended many concerts before, but little did we know that this night would be etched in our souls forever.

The Evening Unfolds

The concert began with the soulful bhajans of Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, whose voice carried a devotional fervour that left us spellbound. This was followed by a breathtaking Kathak performance by the legendary Sitara Devi. Her footwork, her expressions, and the sheer grace with which she moved transported us to another realm.

But the true magic began when the four greatest stalwarts of Indian classical music stepped onto the stage—Pandit Ravi Shankar on the sitar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan on the sarod, accompanied by the father-son duo, Ustad Alla Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain, on the tabla. The moment they appeared, the entire audience rose in a thunderous ovation.

A Night of Musical Enchantment

The performance began with Raga Yaman Kalyan, a majestic piece that stretched over an hour, drawing us into its hypnotic embrace. By the time the notes settled into silence, it was already midnight.

Then came Raga Malkauns, a deeply meditative raga, followed by Raga Sohini, which filled the air with an ethereal quality. What followed next was sheer brilliance—a jugalbandi (duet) between Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, their instruments conversing in a divine dialogue. This was followed by an interplay between sitar and tabla, then sarod and tabla. Each transition was seamless, each note more mesmerizing than the last.

And then came the moment that left us all breathless—the jugalbandi between the father and son, Ustad Alla Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain. The seasoned mastery of the father met the youthful brilliance of the son in an electrifying exchange of rhythms. The beats rained down like a celestial symphony, leaving the audience in rapturous applause that refused to die down.

The Dawn of Bhairavi

As dawn began to break, the maestros offered their final piece—Raga Bhairavi, the queen of morning ragas. The melody was like a prayer, a soulful farewell that lingered in the cool morning air. We sat there, transfixed, unwilling to break the spell.

It was only when the final note dissolved into silence that we realized how deep a trance we had been in. The first light of the morning sun greeted us as we made our way to the railway station, our hearts full and our souls touched by something divine.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

I have attended countless classical music performances, but nothing has ever come close to that night in Maihar. Perhaps such experiences are not just a matter of chance but destiny. To witness Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Alla Rakha, and Ustad Zakir Hussain together on one stage was nothing short of a blessing. Even today, when I meet Oommen Thomas, we reminisce about that magical night, each note still alive in our memories.

Such renditions happen rarely, and when they do, they leave an imprint on the soul. That night in Maihar was more than just a concert—it was a divine offering, a moment in time where music touched eternity. And for that, I will forever be grateful.

♥♥♥♥

 #AllauddinKhanSangeetSamaroh  #Maihar

© जगत सिंह बिष्ट

Laughter Yoga Master Trainer

LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

≈संपादक – श्री हेमन्त बावनकर/सम्पादक (हिन्दी) – श्री विवेक रंजन श्रीवास्तव ‘विनम्र’ ≈

Please share your Post !

Shares