Life is not an abstract concept or a mystical force. It’s the reality we live and breathe every day. It’s practical and tangible, full of moments that shape us. But our relationship with life often feels like a tug-of-war: we love it when things go our way, and we resent it when they don’t. This love-hate dynamic stems from our conditioned mind, which labels events as “good” or “bad,” often clouding our ability to see life for what it truly is.
To build a healthier, more fulfilling relationship with life, we need a shift in perspective. By viewing life as a parent, a teacher, and a dance partner, we can embrace its complexity and beauty with trust and openness.
Life as a Parent
Imagine a child who wants to eat ice cream all day, every day. As a parent, you know this isn’t good for them. You say no, explaining your reasons, even as they cry or throw a tantrum. You do this out of love, understanding what’s best for them in the long run.
Similarly, life often takes us down roads we don’t understand or want to walk. When things don’t go our way, we act like that child—frustrated and resistant. But what if life, like a loving parent, is guiding us away from what might harm us? What if it’s leading us toward growth, even when the process feels uncomfortable? Embracing this perspective requires humility and trust, but it can transform our struggles into moments of deeper connection with life itself.

Life as a Teacher
Some of our most profound lessons come from adversity. Studies have shown that people who experience trauma often emerge stronger and more resilient, finding meaning in their pain. They look back on difficult times with gratitude, recognizing how those experiences shaped who they are today.
This doesn’t mean suffering is easy or desirable, but it suggests that there is value in it if we’re open to learning. Challenges teach us patience, empathy, and perseverance. They reveal our strength and help us grow. By seeing life as a teacher, we can approach hardships with curiosity rather than resistance, asking, “What can I learn from this?”

Fall in Love with Life Again
Remember the times when life felt exhilarating—when you were so immersed in its wonders that you didn’t want to sleep. Perhaps it was when you were a child, exploring the world with unfiltered curiosity, or as a teenager, discovering new music, books, or experiences that ignited your passion.
Rekindling that love for life requires reconnecting with those moments. Listen to the music you adored when you were younger. Reread the books that shaped your worldview. Try new foods, take spontaneous trips, or step outside your comfort zone. By engaging with life’s endless possibilities, you can rediscover its magic.
Dance with Life
Building a relationship with life is like learning a dance. At first, you might stumble, trying to lead or control every step. But true fulfilment comes when you surrender, letting life guide you in a passionate tango. Listen closely to its rhythm and trust its movements. Even when the tempo changes, stay open and responsive.
Absorb life with every cell of your body. Breathe in life for what it is. Come closer and listen to its whisper. Because only this way you will fall in love with life again and find your fulfilment.

Acceptance: Moving Beyond Likes and Dislikes

One of the profound lessons of meditation is the cultivation of acceptance. In our daily lives, we are often caught in a cycle of pursuing what we like and avoiding what we dislike. This binary approach to life can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, as we cannot control external circumstances.
Meditation teaches us to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment, fostering a sense of acceptance. As we sit in stillness, we become aware of our likes and dislikes, our desires and aversions, but we do not act on them. Instead, we acknowledge them and let them pass, like clouds drifting across the sky.

The Present Moment: A Sanctuary of Calm

The essence of meditation is being fully present in the moment. Our minds are often preoccupied with the past or the future, reliving past events or worrying about what is to come. This constant time travel creates a sense of unease and prevents us from experiencing the richness of the present moment. And your life happens here and now, in front of your eyes. Through meditation, we learn to anchor ourselves in the here and now, allowing us to experience the present moment with clarity and calm.
Being present in the moment does not mean we ignore our responsibilities or become indifferent to the future. It means that we approach life with a sense of mindfulness, fully engaging with whatever we do at any given time.
 

Finding peace of mind through meditation is a journey from chaos to calm which I wish all of you.

When I started to practice yoga, I couldn’t close my eyes even for a few minutes. My thoughts were constantly bombarding me and it felt like my head would explode. But I knew I wanted to try meditation and work with my mind. So I started with 60 seconds. After a couple of weeks I extended it to three minutes, then five, ten and today I can stay in meditation for over an hour. Someone in the class asked me – why do I do it? And my answer always will be – because it transformed my life and allowed me to find peace of mind.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding peace of mind often feels like chasing a mirage in a desert. Our minds are constantly inundated with thoughts, worries, and distractions, making tranquillity elusive. However, meditation offers a pathway to serenity, providing a sanctuary from the relentless turmoil within, and calming the frantic mind. Meditation also fosters acceptance and presence, allowing us to move beyond our likes and dislikes and embrace the present moment fully.
 

In today’s fast-paced world, our minds are perpetually in overdrive. We are bombarded with information from multiple sources, and the constant connectivity through smartphones and social media exacerbates this mental overload. This relentless influx of stimuli keeps our minds in a state of hyperactivity, leading to stress, anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed. The frantic nature of our thoughts creates a mental environment where peace of mind is hard to cultivate.

 Meditation serves as an antidote to this mental chaos. At its core, meditation is the practice of focusing the mind on a single point of reference. This can be the breath, a mantra, or even the sensations in the body. By directing our attention to this singular focus, we quiet the cacophony of thoughts and create space for stillness and clarity. And no matter what happens in our mind we focus on the breath, coming back constantly, allowing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions simply to dissolve. Keep coming back to your breath even if it takes a million times. With time the mind will be calmer and quieter. Imagine the mind as a turbulent ocean, with waves of thoughts crashing constantly. Meditation is like finding a calm spot in this stormy sea, allowing us to anchor ourselves and experience the tranquillity beneath the surface. This focused attention helps to tame the frantic mind, reducing the constant chatter and bringing a sense of calm and order.

The spring is coming. And every morning I watch in my garden daffodils and dandelions opening their heads to the sun. And just like the flowers, I open my heart to the experiences the day might bring me.
But very often in the intricate dance of life, we often find ourselves caught in the turmoil of past traumas and hurtful experiences. To shield ourselves from further pain, we sometimes resort to closing off our hearts, creating a protective barrier that we hope will keep us safe. While this coping mechanism may offer temporary relief, it ultimately reduces our ability to fully experience life and find true healing. Closing our hearts is a natural response to protect ourselves from being hurt again. It’s a defense mechanism triggered by the fear of reliving past pain. However, as we barricade ourselves behind emotional walls, we inadvertently limit our capacity for joy, love, and connection.

One method often recommended for releasing the grip of past hurt is to let go of the past itself. This doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring what happened but rather acknowledging it and consciously choosing to release its hold on our present and future. One therapeutic technique involves writing a letter to the source of our pain, expressing our feelings, and then ceremoniously burning it, symbolizing the release of its power over us.

Another vital aspect of healing is to practice recognizing and embracing our emotions. Often, we become so entangled in our thoughts and feelings that we forget we are not defined by them. Instead, we are the observers of our experiences. By cultivating mindfulness and self-awareness, we can begin to untangle ourselves from the web of negativity and pain, allowing space for healing to occur. Instead of saying I’m angry and focusing on the anger itself, maybe it’s worth exploring. Asking yourself a question It’s interesting, I’m angry. I wonder what triggered that? When in my past did I feel like that?

Moreover, it’s essential to let go of the desire for things to be different than they are. Resisting unpleasant emotions only amplifies our suffering. Instead, we must learn to accept them as part of the human experience. Just as an orchestra plays a symphony with its highs and lows, so too does the heart produce a range of emotions. By embracing this truth, we can allow the melody of our hearts to flow freely, without judgment or resistance.

By letting go of the past, practising mindfulness, and accepting our emotions, we can begin the journey toward healing and reclaiming the fullness of our hearts. As we release the shackles of past hurt, we open ourselves up to the beauty and richness of life’s experiences, ready to embrace each moment with courage, compassion, and resilience.