Overcoming Setbacks and Building Resilience - Abhisshek Om Chakravarty | Holistic Life Coach & Mindfulness Mentor

When I meditate each morning, watching the sun rise over, I'm reminded of the profound wisdom our ancient traditions have gifted us. Today, I want to share a deeply personal journey that began when destiny redirected my path from the Indian Navy after an accident affected my eyesight.

When my dreams seemed shattered in that moment of darkness, I discovered what our ancient texts have always taught us: dukkha (suffering) is often the doorway to profound transformation. As the Bhagavad Gita teaches us, "Change is the law of the universe. You can be a millionaire or a pauper in an instant."

The Ancient Wisdom of Emotional Understanding

At the tender age of 10, sitting cross-legged in my room, I first discovered the power of meditation. The gentle fragrance of incense, the soft morning light filtering through the window, and the peaceful silence taught me my first lessons about emotional mastery.

Now, after guiding over 500 individuals through their transformations, I see how these ancient practices hold the key to modern healing.

Let me share the story of Ravi, a software engineer from Hyderabad. Working in a high-pressure IT company, managing global teams across time zones, Ravi came to me feeling completely overwhelmed. Like many in our fast-paced corporate world, he was struggling to balance his professional demands with his family's expectations.

"Sir," he said in our first session, his voice heavy with exhaustion, "I feel like I'm disappointing everyone - my parents who live with me, my wife, my team at work. The stress is eating me alive."

Through our sessions, we integrated ancient breathing practices (pranayama) with modern stress management techniques. We started with simple Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) practice for just 10 minutes each morning. Gradually, we incorporated more advanced meditation techniques from our vedic traditions.

The Path of Emotional Healing

During my NCC camp days in college, our commanding officer often said, "Shabdo se zyada karm bolta hai" (Actions speak louder than words). This wisdom has guided my approach to emotional healing. It's not enough to understand our emotions intellectually - we must work with them practically, daily.

Let me share Puja's journey. A 19-year-old college student from a traditional family in Hyderabad, Puja was struggling with the weight of expectations. Her parents wanted her to pursue engineering, while her heart yearned to explore classical dance. This internal conflict was causing severe anxiety and self-doubt.

Through a combination of Overcoming Setbacks:

Meditation Practices: Each morning, Puja began with 15 minutes of silent meditation, focusing on her breath. As thoughts of worry came, she learned to observe them like clouds passing in the sky - a technique drawn from ancient Buddhist wisdom.

Family Dialogue: Drawing from the wisdom of our joint family tradition, we created a space for open dialogue between Puja and her parents, helping them understand that dharma (purpose) can take many forms.

Understanding Family Dynamics Of Overcoming Setbacks

In my years of guiding families, I've seen how our unique Indian family structure brings both profound support and complex challenges. Take Mayalatha's story - a 40-year-old mother living in a joint family in Pune, struggling to connect with her teenage daughter while managing relationships with her in-laws.

The wisdom of our traditions teaches us that family is not just about blood relations but emotional attunement. As it says, "The family that eats together, prays together, stays together."

We worked with Mayalatha's entire family unit, creating:

Morning Prayer Rituals: The family began starting their day with a simple 10-minute prayer session, creating a sacred space for togetherness before the day's rush began.

Active Listening Circles: Drawing from the ancient practice of family councils, we established weekly family meetings where each member, from the eldest to the youngest, had a voice.

Mindful Communication: By incorporating the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) into communication, family members learned to express themselves without blame or judgment.

The Journey of Teen Transformation

Young Sunil's story particularly touches my heart. A 15-year-old from a middle-class family in Delhi, Sunil was struggling with anger issues. His parents were worried as his outbursts were affecting his studies and family harmony.

In our sessions, we discovered that Sunil's anger often stemmed from feeling unheard and pressured to fulfill everyone's expectations. Drawing from our traditional understanding of the four ashrams (life stages), we helped Sunil's family understand that the teenage years are a crucial time of self-discovery and learning.

Through regular practice of:

Guided Visualizations: Using stories from our epics, we helped Sunil visualize himself as a warrior, learning to channel his energy positively, like Arjuna, who focused on the eye of the bird.

Physical Discipline: Incorporating yogic practices suitable for teenagers, helping them channel their energy constructively.

Emotional Expression: Creating a daily journal practice inspired by the ancient tradition of self-reflection and contemplation.

Healing Relationships Through Ancient Wisdom

The transformation of Anita and Raj's marriage beautifully demonstrates how our ancient wisdom can heal modern relationships. This couple from Hyderabad was on the verge of separation when they first came to me.

Drawing from the concept of Ardhanarishvara - the half-male, half-female form of Shiva symbolizing perfect union - we worked on creating harmony through:

Joint Meditation: Start their day with 15 minutes of sitting together in silence, practising conscious breathing.

Sacred Communication: Implementing the principle of satya (truthfulness) with ahimsa (non-violence) in their daily conversations.

Shared Spiritual Practice: Creating small rituals of connection, like lighting a lamp together in the evening or taking a moment to express gratitude before meals.

The Power of Community Healing

In our tradition, we understand that individual transformation ripples out to affect the entire community. Prabha's story illustrates this beautifully. A school teacher from Chennai, she came seeking help for classroom stress but discovered a deeper calling.

Through our work together, Prabha not only transformed her own emotional patterns but became a source of wisdom for her students and their families. She integrated simple meditation practices into her classroom routine, creating a ripple effect of calm and focused learning.

The Path Forward: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Lives

As I guide others through life's unexpected turns, I'm constantly reminded of what my spiritual mentor once told me: "Beta, happiness is not about having no problems; it's about having the wisdom to navigate them."

Whether you're dealing with:

• Professional stress like Ravi

• Family expectations like Puja

• Relationship challenges like Anita and Raj

• Personal growth like Prabha

• Or emotional mastery like Sunil

Remember that our ancient traditions offer profound wisdom for modern challenges. Each practice, technique, and piece of wisdom has been tested over thousands of years and countless lives.

A Personal Invitation

As we conclude our time together today, I invite you to take one small step toward your emotional mastery journey. Perhaps it's starting with five minutes of morning meditation or practising one conscious breath before responding to stressful situations.

Remember what the Bhagavad Gita teaches us: "Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

If you're feeling called to begin this journey of transformation, know that the wisdom of our ancestors is here to guide you. Every challenge you face is an opportunity for growth, and every setback is a setup for a comeback.

Until we meet again, may you walk in peace and purpose.

Om poornamadah Poornamidam |

Poornaat Poornamudachyate |

Poornasya Poornamaadaya |

Poornamevaavashishyate |

Om shanti, shanti, shanti hi ||

Hari Om Tatsat!

Warm regards,

Abhisshek Om Chakravarty, (Coach Abhisshek)

Holistic Life Coach | Mindfulness Mentor | Family Mindset Coach 

"Within each soul lies infinite wisdom; I simply help others uncover their light."

Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter