Live to heart’s content
Although this 152-page book is written in Tamil the content of this
book is very useful to all of us because it is written by an experienced
counselor K Vytheeswaran. This is an updated guide for healthy living
among families. It advises relaxation of hardening attitudes of mind.
All ethnic communities in the country should give up their hardened and
hard-line attitudes for further reconciliation.
The writer has taken 10 case studies reiterate the necessity to have
cordial relationships with each other individually and collectively.
A believer of Sri Sathya Sai Baba (this columnist too cherishes the
sage’s pronouncements), Vytheeswaran cites 10 Divine Messages of the
saint as translated into English by Seema M Devan. They are:
1. Treating animals and birds with love
2. Protecting the helpless
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Sai Baba |
3. Taking pity and forgiving the wicked
4. Compassion for the physically sick
and handicapped
5. Not talking ill of others in their absence
6. Offering food to the unfortunate and hungry
7. Not giving way to temperature
8. Never betraying ones trust in you
9. Standing up for that which is right
10. Standing away from the untruth
The author has 21 chapters in this book each of which suggests
practical methods to solve problems and build productive relationships.
One chapter is ‘Breathing under Yoga’. I was particularly interested on
this subject.
This is what the author suggests: by taking a deep breath we could
step by step bring the mind to focus. This should be done slowly. By
this our brain becomes active and we could comprehend clearly. We could
also observe accurately and thereby store everything in our subconscious
mind. We inhale the air and keep it in the lungs and then release it.
He gives practical methods to practise correct deep breathing.
In explaining the reasons for grief or pain he lists the following:
disruption of close relationships, falling sick, loss of job, retirement
before the due date, deterioration of resources of wealth, loss of
things, pets, wealth, failure of plans, failure in love etc, in the
writer’s words: “Grief that is expressed and experienced has a potential
for healing”. The signs of unhappiness are hunger, no proper sleep,
tension, nausea, personal health deteriorates, body pain, anger, sorrow,
emptiness, guilt and anxiety.
To lead a stress-free life, we should refrain from smoking or drug
taking, pay attention to time management, practice reading habits, avoid
sleeping in day time, we misuse amenities available, longing to amass
wealth are some of the necessities.
In married life greater degree of toleration is expected from both
partners for family bondage says the author.
Although there is incoherence in editing this book, the writer brings
in evidence from Tamil literature and other sources to substantiate his
comments and suggestions. Some findings are universally acclaimed in
books on the subject in English, but the difference in this book is that
the writer writes more on mental health than on physical health.
The titles under which he writes would indicate what the writer wants
to spotlight: Let’s learn to develop relationship, for a contented life
let’s maintain good health, let’s develop the tendency to be tolerant,
basic reasons for grief, sorrow is a unique phenomenon, grief cannot be
relieved within a time frame, complex sorrows, problems regarding
health, should seek assistance always, separation and consequences, loss
of a dear person, let’s avoid solitude and greatness of family bondage,
release from impacts and necessity to have greater form of friendship,
ways to face problems, let’s learn to concentrate our mind to focus on
something, breathing in Yoga way, let’s learn to meditate, meditation on
light, mindfulness of meditation and let’s have a grand life.
The writer K Vytheeswaran had been for a long time a health
educationist. He has a lot of experience in counseling and information
technology. He knows the minds of the public and communicates with them
in an understandable way He also impart practical ways to solve
problems. He has written more than 15 books on the subject he is fond of
counseling. Although retired from his official duties he continues to
work for the betterment of society with counseling and writing.
Lankan writers in Tamil write fiction, poetry, drama and criticism
and also on important subjects like mental and body health.
[email protected]
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