Balance your Life

Why does stress cause some people to explode in anger while others melt into tears? Why do some people experience so much guilt they can hardly ask what they need? And, what about the incapacitating grief that can come after a loss of a loved one, position, or ideal?

Anger, fear, guilt and grief, unchecked and unbalanced, cause blind spots, traps and obstacles that create fears and blockages to performing at your best. These negative emotions can result in lost productivity and profits at work and loss of support at home.

Life dynamics

The dynamic forces of life - what I call The Trinity of Power in my book, From Success to Fulfillment - offer important insights into the causes and solutions for negative emotions. In Hinduism, The Trinity is represented by Shiva, expressing Will-Power; Vishnu expressing Love; and Brahma expressing Creative Intelligence. In the centre of the triangle is integrated power for lasting success and fulfilment.

Emotional imbalances come when development is lopsided. For example, when there is too much Will-Power and not enough Love, or Intelligence, the stresses of everyday life are harder to cope with and people become irritable. Long-standing irritability can turn into anger and pent-up emotions into rage.

If Love predominates and there is a lack of physical vitality and mental focus, it results in our inability to materialise goals. With over-development of mental intelligence, or the mind, people become too critical, and don't know how to relate without constantly criticising others.

Nostril-controlled breathing

One quick way to balance yourself is by spending five minutes a day practicing the Nostril-Controlled Breathing Technique to help realign and upgrade your emotions.

If Will-Power or Creative Intelligence is dominant, practice Left-Nostril Controlled Breathing. Sit comfortably on a chair with your spine erect, or use any other asana. Perform the nasikaa mudra with your right hand to close your right nostril. Connect your tongue to the palate. Breathe slowly only through the left nostril. You can also sleep on your right side. This technique facilitates the flow of energy to awaken the heart and inner softness.

People who are very loving but lack Will-Power and mental focus can practice Right-Nostril Controlled Breathing. Follow the instructions as cited above, but close your left nostril with your thumb. Breathe slowly only through your right nostril. You can also sleep on your left side. This helps develop your mental intelligence and Will-Power.

This simple, but very powerful, breathing technique will also align your emotions quickly and easily, so you can accomplish your goals with less stress while developing the emotional intelligence that others respect.