Price Of Prestige
May 1, 2014
World Mental Health Day Special
May 3, 2014
MANAGING STRESS THROUGH SPIRITUAL COUNSELLING
Bhawna Malik in Conversation with Spiritual Counsellor, Vindri Kaur Suri, who counsels the soul and heals the heart.
Q: What inspired you towards Spiritual Counselling?
Vindri:
For fifteen years, I had depression due to an autoimmune disease and two decades of Myasthenia Gravis, a heart and blood sugar issue. I was on heavy medications which played havoc on my thinking process. I tried multiple alternative therapies including Pranic healing, Crystal, Pyramid, Colour, Past Life Regression, Reiki, (Grand Master Level), Tarot Card (Grand Master Level), Feng-Shui (Master Level). Nothing completely worked.
My Grand Master Shyama Raj, took me back to the teachings of Shri Guru Granth Sahib. During this phase, I realised that I had lots of emotional turbulence, negative thoughts, old belief systems. Then through spirituality, I consciously worked on my mind (Mann). My thoughts and emotions turned positive. I found inner strength and clarity to move beyond anger, hurt and jealousy.
Q: What defines Spiritual Counselling?
Vindri:
Spiritual Counselling refers to guiding according to the Granth. Shri Guru Granth Sahib, which is purely spiritual in nature. Spirituality is more concerned with the emotional side of humans. We need to eradicate the negative emotions and transform them to positive emotions.
Q: A feeling of hopelessness and helplessness is witnessed among the youth. Studies are on the rise. Everyone has stress, anxiety and depression. How does counselling through scripture help?
Vindri:
Stress is also an emotion and the complete hierarchy of emotions is at work. Fear is the ground on which this hierarchy builds up. Underneath fear, there is an urge or a desire to control which becomes from attachment and attachment is bundled with emotions of anger, resentment, and frustration.
This all together leads to stress and anxiety. Uncontrolled and unsorted emotions lead an individual to suicides or nervous breakdown.
Q: Shri Guru Granth Sahib is considered to be a scripture for Sikh Community. How can Non-Sikhs be benefitted by its teachings?
Vindri:
The philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib has a universal approach. It’s a misconception that it is for Sikhism. It’s for humanity. It is addressing the human mind with its misguided desires, emotions and feelings. Sikh is a learner who learns from universal documentation of the teachings.
Gurbani says –
“Saanj Saroa Jahaani”
(The Message is Universal for All)
When we use the term spiritual, it has nothing to do with religion.
Q: What is the major difference in spiritual counselling and traditional counselling?
Vindri:
I am working with a team of seventy psychologists. We have had workshops in schools and organised youth programmes. We want to break the cycle of medicinal approach. Spiritual counselling is an ‘inside out’ approach rather than the other way.
Spirituality empowers you and makes a person capable of taking charge of his/her life. It brings clarity of thoughts, emotions and adds meaning to our life.
Q: Some cases do require medications?
Vindri:
I too was on medication. But nothing helped. Sleeping pills are prescribed to give rest to the mind. But does it help in living a stress free life? It slows down the thinking process or clouds your thinking. But the negative emotions do not get transformed.
I say this from my personal experience. Spirituality helps a person to understand his mind, thought process through reflection, introspection and self-analyses.
Q: You often refer to “Naam Simran” for mental strength and healing. What is “Naam Simran”?
Vindri:
“Naam Simran” is not a mere chanting or repetition of the mantras. It is the realisation of the existence of ‘The Almighty’…..that God is not outside, rather it resides within the human body.
Gurbani says –
“Nau Nidh Amrit Prabh Ka Naam”
“Dehi main iskaa bitaaanaa”
(The treasure the Nectar of name resides within human body,)
The treasure of Oneness, moral strength, and values all are within that empower a human being.
Shri Guru Granth Sahib celebrates human life and it awakens every human to his true Self.
“Mann tu Jyot Saroop Hai
Apna Mool Pachhaan”
(“O Mind, you are a Divine Light, realise your worth.”)
When an individual realises or understands this and operates from his true self then, everything is transformed – his thoughts, emotions and a new perspective of hope emerges. Educate yourself with the divine teachings of the Granth you will begin your journey towards the inner world of Oneness.
Q: How does your “Building Spiritual Muscles” initiative help individuals?
Vindri:
Till now, twelve thousand parents and youth have been part of this initiative. Through this, we created a common ground for parents and kids so they can communicate. Kids often complain that they have parental pressure right from the selection of subjects to the career they would opt for.
Parents often live their dreams through their kids. We counsel the parents that each kid comes with different talents and potential. Forcing your will on them will create resentment and anger. We have witnessed how some students commit suicide for not being able to clear a particular exam which was not their choice. Each kid has his own dreams.
Shri Guru Granth Sahib speaks about Diversity –
“Karte ik Khel Rachaaya”
“Koi na Kichhi Jeyh aupaaey”
(This creation is Gods Play, Leela
All are different.)
Q: Self-Help Books and life coaches talk about goals. What is your take on goal or purpose?
Vindri:
Goals and purpose are different. Goals keep changing. Sometimes it is clearing an exam or getting a specific job. But the purpose is what a human life is meant for.
We all want a happy and productive life….but are we creating happiness for others? Caring, sharing and contributing towards society is what a purpose is.
“Kiv sachiaaraa hoiye”
(Know to be a Truthful Human.)
Each scripture talks of an ideal man. ‘Sachiaar’ or ‘Gurmukh’ is an ideal man in Shri Guru Granth Sahib. Without values, life becomes meaningless. So meaning is…helping humanity and creating a better life for everyone, as we all are inter-connected and inter-dependent.
“Just as vaccines increase our antibodies and help us combat diseases, Naam Simran too, helps us face the challenges in our life. But first, we have to face the vices within us.”
