Dr Reema discovers how purposeful, immersive activities like art become your powerful, transformative path to meditation and profound “flow,” for Different Truths.

Being a person with a background in Psychology, I have always and will advocate meditation. However, the saying, ‘Practice what you preach,’ would arouse feelings of guilt inside me, as I am not very regular with dhyaan. This held till a dear aunt highlighted that when one is deeply immersed in any purposeful activity, it’s almost akin to meditation.

Before delving into that, let’s run quickly around the benefits of meditation, which, goes without saying, are numerous. For one, meditation increases alpha waves in the brain, promoting a relaxed, meditative—but active — state of mind. The waves boost well-being and, in fact, enhance cognitive performance.

Secondly, it builds mental (and even physical) stamina for the stressors of life. I add ‘physical’ here because the mind-body connection tells us that every pursuit to improve any one aspect (either mind or body) automatically contributes to betterment in the other.

Thirdly, the process awakens our spiritual side and helps us connect with the Divine.

Speaking for myself, though I don’t reap direct benefits of meditation, I dabble in art comparatively frequently. And during the painting/writing/singing/dancing, I seem to lose the sense of time, I feel calm, composed and in a way, liberated yet grounded – all at the same time. According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist, this is the state of flow, in which an individual is deeply immersed in an activity, highly focused, and enjoys the process. This state is conducive to productivity, too. Research has shown that the flow state also produces alpha waves and provides benefits like increased levels of happiness, satisfaction, plus enhanced mental well-being – all the end-products of meditation, too. My aunt was right after all.

Also, a friend once remarked that when life begins to feel too chaotic, just pause. Artistic pursuits are somewhat like that pause for me, a breather away from the mess and confusion. A rest phase that allows me to make sense of ‘the rest’. Plus, I get an additional advantage if the outcome of my endeavour is good enough – a sense of achievement; but I must add a word of caution here – it will always be the process that will matter more than the outcome – always. The process awakens us, helps us and soothes us.

Using the words I came across on social media recently, ‘Write, draw, paint, photograph, sculpt, dance, sing. Create the art that sleeps inside you, good or bad; it helps you grow.’ I will add gardening to the list, which, in any case, still won’t be exhaustive because anything that we can give our wholehearted attention and interest to deserves a mention here. I feel inspired, Shri Krishna wields His flute magically, unaware and unbothered by the result, oblivious to the surroundings, totally engaged and engrossed… I dream of being able to do it with paints and colour-laden brushes, with music and with people.

A simple yet profound way of achieving this comes to my mind as I pen these words. Being present. When we are truly present, it’s the supreme kind of art (and a ‘scientific’ one, at that!). Being there for people, living in the moment, getting focused on the task at hand, staying true to the duties given and an honest approach with one’s own self, which, speaking symbolically, eases facing the mirror – all are meditative stances.

We need not compartmentalise, giving our cent per cent – present moment, the person in front of us and the willingness to be of service to others, get totally devoted to these. Lastly, we need not follow strict rituals; little changes and consistent efforts every day can compound to huge results over time.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Dr Reema Bansal

Dr Reema Bansal is an assistant professor of Psychology at Rajiv Gandhi Govt. College, Saha (Ambala). Her articles have been published in the Hindustan Times, Woman’s Era, Psychology, etc. She enjoys reading, sketching, painting, and writing in her spare time.