Events

June 21, 2015 By Suruchi Saini

Exploring Holistic Living

Women's group on June 10 2015

On June 10, 2015, an event was hosted by Bijay Minhas, LCSW where I had an opportunity to meet a group of wonderful women who in spite of their busy schedules as partners; mothers; colleagues; boss; caretaker; friend, got together in Morris Plains, NJ. Together we explored, learned, and shared how and what we can do to rise higher to take care of ourselves first and to help our near and dear ones. The group was very enthusiastic and very interested in “Holistic Living”. I admire them for who they are!!!

We discussed the three states of human mind Tamas (dark, ignorant), Rajas (active, pleasure seeking), Sattva (most powerful, peaceful), and how having knowledge about them can reduce daily psychological, family, and social stresses.

Benefits of meditation

We discussed how meditation can help almost everyone to have more clarity about our thoughts and actions and its effect on ourselves and others around us; to control our mind; to discipline ourselves; to know ourselves; to identify our real priorities; to make realistic goals and take appropriate steps to achieve them, while remaining unattached to them so that we don’t lose our real identity.

Yes goals are important but when we are not at peace from within; we tend to lose our spiritual selves in them or get too attached to them, we feel internal turbulence which eventually starts showing up in all our actions and relationships. In that state of mind, if we happen to succeed in achieving our goals somehow, we may feel pleasure for short term but happiness will continue to elude us.

We also discussed how transitions and traumas make us vulnerable. When we are mindful of our thoughts and actions, and are constantly working on them during daily meditations and self-reflections, we take steps to make it easy to get through them. However when we are on the autopilot or take mindless actions, we become part of the damage-brigade.

Meditation leads to mental and emotional cleansing; recharges our batteries; makes us more patient; helps us find peace and happiness within ourselves which means mental, emotional, spiritual, and social freedom. Above all, meditation helps us to be more accepting; less expecting; more forgiving, and be less judgmental of ourselves and others around us.

Individual and collective evolution will happen any ways. When we are mindful, the process is empowering but when we are mindless, the process becomes exhausting. The choice is ours.

May 31, 2015 By Suruchi Saini

Metaphors of Healing

On April 29th, 2015, I had an opportunity to represent Dr. Harish Malhotra, MD and talk about the importance of good Mental Health by using a Recovery Model. Dr. Malhotra is a great Psychiatrist and author of the books, “Metaphors of Healing” and “Pathways to Hope”.

We talked about the great Recovery Model that can come in handy while exploring and understanding what parts of our lives are doing well and what parts of our lives need some work, our strengths and weaknesses. It also gives a perspective to another person that when we make mistakes, that doesn’t make us the bad person; we just didn’t dig deeper in one of the dimensions. More importantly, if somebody makes a mistake, don’t dislike the whole person, just don’t accept the wrong behavior and if you have to, take a stand.

Sharing experiences

During the talk, a member in the audience mentioned that her partner is a Mental Health worker and that at times, “she comes to me for help when exhausted or emotionally burnt out”. “Is that okay, because I have my own mental health issues?” At that moment, I mentioned that it’s absolutely healthy to seek help when needed from family and friends.

However, it is also equally important to be aware of the support group/members’ strengths and weaknesses. For example, if in your support group, you have three people A, B, C and out of them A’s strength is financial matters. You encounter a problem and need emotional support. Will it be fair with yourself and with A to seek help from one another? You and A will end up getting frustrated, which will result in a strained relationship, when it could have easily been avoided. THINK!

During this event, the audience was a wonderful group of people who took time out of their busy schedules to share their journeys and to listen and participate in other people’s journeys. Every single person was an advocate or aspiring to be an advocate of well being with a special focus on Mental Health that evening. This evening reminded me of past group therapy sessions at Rutgers where I mentioned that every person who is seeking help is an advocate, not only for her/his mental health but also of her/his life.

Take care of yourself and then others

I believe when you take care of yourself, that doesn’t only help you, it helps your immediate family and friends. It also helps your community and on a macro level, the state, country, and the world. Yes, we are supposed to think on a macro level and work on the micro levels to achieve our goals.

Whatever we do, it contributes towards human involution and evolution!

When you take good care of yourself, whichever way that you can, you become the inspiring and aspiring drop in the pot (world) to fellow beings who will stay hydrated and afloat.

As a human being and a Mental Health professional with a Holistic approach, I am very grateful to you dear reader especially if you are taking good care of yourself or you are wanting or planning to do so.

Become that drop, keep filling the pot, and keep inspiring others!

May 24, 2015 By Suruchi Saini

To Teachers, with love and honor!

It was my honor to meet a big group of teachers and present, “Mindfulness with the help of Psychology, Neuroscience and Yoga Philosophy,” at one of the prestigious schools in Middlesex County in New Jersey during the month of November of 2014.

I clearly remember that afternoon. It was a nice sunny day, little bit chilly, and I entered the big parking lot of the school. I had the usual thoughts before beginning any presentation, until I started walking towards the main door.

Remembering my school days

While walking towards the door, I started feeling overwhelmed with the memories of my school days at Government Model High School, Sector 16 D, Chandigarh, India. In a flash of light everything came alive – the teachers, coaches, fellow students, playground, little canteen, water coolers, and parking lot. Basically, everything!

As I was about to enter the door, I thought about my teachers who motivated and supported me almost unconditionally, especially when I disagreed and couldn’t follow the instructions at times. Right there, I experienced and learned Compassion 101 outside of my home.

When I finally entered the door, I suddenly felt as if the air just travelled from Chandigarh to New Jersey. At that moment, my inner voice said, “Time to give back and share everything that you can in that one hour.” I believe I did as the presentation was well received!

Teacher’s going beyond their duties

That afternoon, this group of about 85 teachers, was there to make a serious attempt to learn about how the mind and brain chemistry can give them tools to manage emotions, improve focus, and be successful in disciplining children without making disciplining a punishing act or vice versa.

I honor these teachers for trying to make a difference in their students’ lives, not only through their subject of choice, but also through their compassion towards the students. Yes, I am fully aware of the fact that teaching has become more complicated over the years, yet this school wanted to go beyond their limitations to help the students as well as the teachers.

To some, it may appear that teaching doesn’t have so called “good returns.” The returns come in the form of respect, great memories, and the process of creating great minds whose creations influence the human race for generations. Research proved it; money doesn’t give happiness to a majority of people but respect, relationships, memories to cherish, and creativity does. Along with many others, I am grateful for my teachers.

I salute the leadership of this school for taking this much needed step. I hope other schools follow as well.

“ The Influence of a good teacher can never be erased”

May 19, 2015 By Suruchi Saini

My Experience at the NJCA 2015 Conference

Ah the Galaxy of mental health providers and educators on the planet reunited at the New Jersey Counseling Association (NJCA) conference for 2015 ! At the conference I was looking around and I realized that everybody was a star twinkling from within. They were spreading their light in their own unique way. The power of these stars not only gave light to others, but they also paved the way for aspiring counselors and educators. They get together at least once a year to celebrate their contribution and life!

Meeting up with my peers

Once again, I was there with my fellow counselors. The counselors come from all walks of life, different colors, and experiences. I got many opportunities to share and learn at the same time. It’s always satisfying to see the number of attendees increasing and above all, the enthusiasm steering in the right direction.

While attending presentations, every time I heard a story of great resilience or powerful humility, I got goosebumps and my heart began beating faster. Yes, even after being in this field for a decade, this hasn’t changed a bit. Occasionally, the stories of clients as well as counselors still bring tears of joy and sorrow.

It was an honor to meet women and men who have been tirelessly helping people for over three decades and still going strong. Their stories, words, thinking lines on the forehead, and smiling lines manifested their struggles as well as celebrations. What an inspiration!

“Holistic Living with Mindfulness and Neuroscience”

I presented on, “Holistic Living with Mindfulness and Neuroscience: Next Level Holistic Living.” The mind can heal the body, if we have the capability of understanding it appropriately. During the presentation, I felt the enthusiasm among the attendees and gratitude in my heart for having this opportunity to share what I have learned. Attendees actively contributed and were eager to learn. Most of us wished there would have been more time together. This will motivate me to go back in 2016 as well. It was a great experience!

Right after the presentation, a thought came to my mind; in the past 70 minutes, if that room would have turned into a high-tech Neuro-laboratory where I had a way to measure the brainwaves or the connections between everybody’s brains, I bet the room would have looked like a multi-level Laser show (without music). I could sense the positive vibrations.

It was an awesome experience and I am looking forward to the 2016 NJCA conference!!!