Manor TP Visakha Dasi writes for Eastern Eye newspaper
Her brief was to connect with the readership by focusing on physical and mental well-being, but relating that to the spiritual. She will be asked to contribute more in the future.
Visakha Dasi: The World Health Organisation has named stress as the health epidemic of the 21st Century. In fact, one study found that 80-90% of what GPs see is in some way related to stress. I can relate to this, as my work as the president of a large and growing temple can be stressful – relationship fissures, financial errors, disdain for rules, dissatisfied people, illnesses, accidents, broken agreements – the list of stress-producers goes on, and unfortunately is not unique to me. We’re a stressed population on a planet that itself is stressed.
Sri Krishna’s teachings to his friend and student Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita are an enormously helpful guide to stress reduction. Krishna advises, for example, that if we’re regulated in our eating, sleeping, working and recreation, we can mitigate stress and other sorts of pain in our lives. (Gita 6.17) So, balanced, consistent habits, as well as a simple  lifestyle that allows us to carve out some time daily for careful contemplation are Krishna’s recommendations for stress relief. In other words, take a break every day! I go for a brisk walk on some of the footpaths that are laced liberally throughout the area I live, and invariably return feeling rejuvenated. To eat in a regulated way, that is to only eat what’s good for us and the amount we need, is common sense, but we all know that regarding eating, common sense is uncommon. At least, however, we can avoid non-vegetarian food and we can express our gratitude to God for kindly providing vegetables, grains, fruits and milk for our sustenance. This turning to God in gratitude – as well as in our pain, confusion, distress and stress – goes to the root of effective stress relief. Each day I take time to remember that I’m a small, limited being who’s trying but is prone to make mistakes. Each day is a chance to hear and learn from others, and to plan the best way forward together using Krishna’s wisdom as our torchlight. Simply acknowledging my shortcomings and frailties evokes a great sigh of relief from deep within me. Whoever and wherever we are, we’re in a world with challenges on every side.
So we turn to God. Real inner peace and clarity is available through the profound act of turning to God with the knowledge that, besides being the provider, he is also ultimately the proprietor and controller of everything. Contemplating these facts, which are confirmed by the great scriptures of the world, opens us to a broader vision, namely that just as we can’t control the weather or the stock market, we also can’t control our future; however big and important we may be, whatever control we have is relatively minuscule and is definitely temporary. Â
So, within the limited confines of what I can actually control, I do my best with focus and determination along with knowledge and guidance, and leave the rest to God. In Sri Krishna’s words, “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.” (Gita 2.47) In other words, I should act in my role as a temple leader to the very best of my ability yet without attachment to the result of my work. If I can do my service dutifully and with this spirit of detachment, I will doubtlessly find the stress in my life decreasing. As it’s said, “Let go and let God”. Yet, this determined and detached mind-set isn’t easy to achieve. Thus the necessity of daily careful contemplation. But in our hectic, swamped schedule, how to find time to be contemplative? What works for me is to try to go to bed early, for then I can get up early – before the engines of the world have revved up. In that calm space I chant the names of God
and read the scriptures. The fortifying potency of these two activities is phenomenal; it’s like being lifted onto a sturdy ship after floundering in dangerous ocean waves. From day to day we don’t know what good or evil providence will hurl at us, but whatever comes, to the extent we’ve immersed ourselves in thoughts of Krishna, his name, form, activities, associates, and teachings, we’ll be protected. My family, friends, community and I try for this protection daily, and even in trying we feel stress dispelling. Chanting, dancing, feasting and hearing the science of self-realisation raises us up, out of the tossing waves of stress.
By Her Grace Visakha Dasi
Temple President of ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor