Life is a journey of struggle and challenges. These struggles and challenges are intermingled with defeats and victories. Pain and pleasure are the two sides of life.

 

Defeats are crippling and victories lead us to the pedestal of joy and glory. We are the witness to the continuing and indefatigable journey of human life from the time immemorial. Both ancient wisdom and modern science believe that the brain is wired not to accept defeats.

 

The scientific theory of neuroplasticity suggests that the brain continuously adapts and forms new neural networks to face challenges and solve the newly emerging problems. Yoga considers the mind not onlyabiological entity, but a mass of vibratory energy. Stability and equilibrium are its inherent nature.

 

Through Yogic practices, this mental stability is regained and the mind is ready to go ahead in the inner journey of consciousness. Philosophy teaches us to maintain resilience in face of suffering.

 

The inner core of the mind is full of resilience. So this resilience can be invoked to face the challenges of life. Our true nature is not to surrender, but to persist and struggle. Neuroscientific research has found that the reward and motivation segments of the brain keeps it going and do not allow the brain to shut down.

 

It has been found that the prefrontal cortex always pushes us towards goals and achievements. Neuroscience propounds that in face of challenges the brain rewires itself to face the new crisis. Post traumatic studies have found that even after setbacks , the brain reshapes itself and creates new neuropaths to adapt.

 

The brain bounces back with the exceptional capacity of regeneration. Evolutionary science also tells the same stories of struggles and survival. Species survived because they did not accept the defeats and were always ready to face adversity.

 

The brain has been found to learn from failures and recover to discover new strategies. According to Yoga, the mind itself is not the cause of suffering, but its uncontrolled fluctuations lead to misery. When these mental modifications are calmed down by the practices of Asanas,

 

Pranayamas and meditation, the mind is restored to its stability and purity. Meditational practice helps to regulate the activities of the prefrontal cortex, reduce stress, improve resilience, and harmonise both the hemispheres of the brain. In the Geeta Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna that true self is ever shining. It becomes a source of suffering because it is clouded by ignorance and illusions.

 

Humans are made to face adversity with equanimity. Momentary defeats turn into an opportunity for inner awakening. Philosophy treats defeats just as a pause on the path of growth and development. Defeats exist on the surface not at the core of pure self. Thus the body, mind, and the brain are made to adapt to new circumstances.

 

Neuroscience has found that the brain is structured to keep on fighting. Thus the trinity of neuroscience, Yoga ,and philosophy inspires a life vision which believes that the brain is adaptive, courageous and purposeful. (The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) ■