A ‘Vedic Psychiatrist’ - HG Gauranga Das Shares Wellbeing Anecdotes

Stress, anxiety, depression and lack of perfect mental health are difficult triggers to which everyone can relate in some way, but rarely do we think of learning the art of overcoming these hurdles

It is all about embarking on the journey of life while replenishing our cups with great health.  H.G. Gauranga Das, Director of Govardhan Ecovillage, Member of ISKCON - Governing Body Commissioner, the Author - The Art of Focus, The Art of Resilience, helps us fill our own cup sharing some anecdotes at The Festival of Wellbeing’s second edition.

“Our body and mind are just like a computer screen and its hard disk. Just as the computer gets hung due to a virus, our body too gets affected by mental stress and so it is important to bring our mind to an equation called ‘wellbeing’ in the whole gamut of improving health,” said Das.

He stressed on the statement that “I am a ‘Vedic Psychiatrist’ and my journey towards mental health sparked when one of my classmates attempted to commit suicide for securing a silver medal in academics instead of gold and vice versa. Some of my other three to four friends who failed the same examination were moving in the campus in peace, and they were at bliss blessing others."

They failed the class exam but passed the life exam, Das said, emphasising it’s all about doing the deed and moving forward in life without stressing about the results. He said the modern educational system teaches us to be successful but does not teach happiness.

“Success is to get what you like and happiness is to like what you get”, the monk underlined life’s biggest mantra. He further highlighted the country’s 8 billion population divided into two sections of society - the 2 billion who have more than enough for living and the 6 billion who even lack life basic amenities.

The mindfulness coach then urged the elite 2 billion to help, share and care for the majority of people in adversity. He said the rich are stuck amidst the negativity of comparison, complaint and criticism and helping the needy will help them get rid of life’s dissatisfaction they face daily.

According to Das a relationship with the body, a bond with family or the spouse, the urge to own a house and vehicle, monetary wants, social prestige, need for control are some identities that constantly change due to individual anxiety and so to overcome it he suggested to adapt ‘Spiritual knowledge’ and emphasised on reading the Bhagwat Geeta.

He said the Bhagwat Geeta has the parameter of success ‘Sthitaprajna’ - a Sanskrit term that means ‘content’, ‘calm’ and ‘firm’ in judgment and wisdom.