Vidisha KaushalYesterday, 10th October, happened to be World mental health day, and I thought what better time than now to talk about mental health. I am going to tell you a story that really had an impact on me. But before that let me ask you.
Has this ever happened to you – something happens that triggers you and you feel immense anger, maybe even rage. You then go to a friend, family member, or colleague to vent and they say to you – “Calm down, This was nothing, these things happen ,what is there to be angry about?” or “It’s ok, it’s not a big deal, just let it go”
Now that you have reflectected and I bet your answer is most probably a Yes, let’s move on to the story!
Once there was a man who went to a tribal area, he had gone there to shoot a documentary. By the time he got there, it was a little late and so the tribals at the village asked him to stay the night. Since he was in the midst of some really beautiful surroundings with lush greenery and some delicious and amazing food being offered, he decided to stay and soak it all in. He thought to himself – why don’t I try being with the tribals for a while.
That evening, as the sun was setting, he heard from the interpreter that there was going to be a community meeting and so he became very curious. When it was time, the entire tribe gathered together in this beautiful sacred circle, and right in the middle of this circle, they put this huge, ancient-looking branch that seemed like it was sacred. Whoever wanted to speak would have to go and hold the branch and speak. The rest of the circle would just hold space. The man was very impressed with the concept and he said “ wow, we have never heard of something like this in the world outside!”
There was a young man that went and held the branch and the elders asked him what he wanted to say and he said, “It looks like I am going to fall ill. I feel unwell today” To this, an elder asked him “what are you upset about?” The young man looked at everyone, thought about it and reflected upon it for a moment, and said “Oh yes. I was actually very angry last week because of…..” Everyone then listened to him vent. No one gave him a solution, no one had any advice for him, they simply sat and held space for him.
It occurred to this documentary maker that this was something unique and something special so he asked his friend, the interpreter from the tribe. The interpreter explained that the tribe believed that if someone is falling ill then it is because they have been unable to express some emotion. And that energy has gotten trapped causing some dysfunction in the body. They believe that something first occurs in the mind, then in the emotional level, and post that it comes down in the body. After the body, it can actually come as things in someone’s life. The journalist was simply gobsmacked. He had never heard something so wise.
The next morning the journalist woke up feeling like a shift had occurred within him. He reflected and realised something extremely profound from this experience. It was something the tribals understood so clearly and the outside world was oblivious about. It was so simple, scientific and so beautiful.
Would you like to know what that is? Click below to listen to the rest of the story!
Do stay on till the end for a mini-meditation and share your feedback in the comments.
