The Relevance of Moderation-His Secret!
Breakout Session with Prof. Kanaga Sabapathy
Session Opening
Following a quick overview by the speaker, participants were divided into 2 groups and they were presented with the either of the phrases “Moderation in food intake to me is…” and “Moderation in emotions to me is...” to reflect on. In each group some of the participants had the opportunity to share their experience pertinent to the topic. All participants of each group shared challenges that they generally face when adhering to moderation in food or expression of emotions. Further, they discussed as a team to identify potential solutions that would help them overcome these challenges.
Moderating Food Intake
Challenges Faced
- Temptations/craving
- Peer pressure: Requests by family, friends, colleagues, or superiors at work.
- Addiction to tea and coffee
- Demands of work leading to untimely food
- Complacent with the current good health and assumption of a healthy life based on heredity
- Law permits even the use of some psychoactive drugs and alcohol.
Pragmatic Solutions and Insights
- Cutting down on quantity of intake
- Periodic fasting
- Improving quality of intake by reduction of carbohydrates/fats/spicy food/sugar
- Timely consumption of the meal
- Seeking the cooperation of the spouse and extending it to the family
- Avoiding non-vegetarian food
- Replacing coffee and tea with water
- Being in good company (Satsang) and having courage to say “No” when offered food
- Exercising self-control through meditation or yoga
- Stabilizing the sleep-wake cycle (early to bed, early to rise is preferred)
- 2 glasses of water every morning
- Daily physical exercise
Moderating Expression of Emotions (Anger)
Challenges Faced
- Control on speech
- Unaware of the consequences
- Generation gap
- Modern technologies such as mobile phones and television
- Difficult to go down to the child’s level to make them understand
Pragmatic Solutions and Insights
- Controlling the way one reacts to the situation to avoid unhealthy consequences
- Make a conscious effort to follow Swami’s teachings on anger control
- Speak only when it is necessary
- Identifying triggers of anger and avoid them well in advance
- Practice daily prayer and meditation to help balance emotions
- Create a proper environment at home
- Parents should practice before they preach
- Create awareness to be grateful
In Summary
- Be aware that lack of moderation in food intake and in expressing of emotions will lead to unhealthy life
- Swami has solutions for all our problems and adhering to His teachings will be the ultimate solution
- Implementation of Swami’s teachings is challenging, but not impossible
- Have the determination to take the first step. Think of one habit and change it slowly. Deal it one-by-one and be assured to have steady progress and a healthy life.