Insight

Gunas: Map Of Evolution

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : A ncient Yogic philosophy views all of the nature including human mind being governed by three fundamental forces called Gunas, Tamas, Rajas , and Sattva. Although they are the philosophical principle..

Would Picasso have made Guernica today?

By Prantik Banerjee Picasso’s Guernica was displayed for public viewing even before the paint had dried. This was important for the exhibitors, the audiences, and the artist himself. The Nazi bombing had po..

She is Shakti

By DR RACHANAA DATEY Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devatah, yatraitastu na pujyante sarvastatraphalah kriyah (Where women are honoured, there the divine rejoices; Where they are not honoured, all actions remain fruitless) T his ancient Sanskrit ve..

Woman, it’s ok!

By BIRAJ DIXIT :Swept off your feet,Or groundedGently nudged,Or houndedLeaning-in,Or left outIn a shroud of silence,Or lunging out to shoutWoman, tell yourself its okThe wings, the wounds; It’s okOwn the world“...That was never yoursR..

From Thinking To Knowing

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Yoga philosophy treats thinking as subtly different from knowing. In Yoga philosophy, thinking is the movement of the mind, while knowing arises from the stillness of awareness. Thinking involves a process where..

EMOTIONS ‘Making career is dedicated hard work’

By RITA AGGARWAL : Q. I am a 20- year old Engineering student. I want to prepare for UPSC, but I am not sure from where I should start. I'm also worried about whether I'll be able to crack the exam or not and that makes me anxious...

Being Alive, Quite Different From Being Aware

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Many believe that both being alive and being aware are the same. But Yoga and Neuroscience show that they are quite different from one another. A person is alive biologically, walking, breathing, thin..

Expressions There’s sunshine on my flowers

By Dr Tapati Dey : There’s sunshine on my flowers; The rains battered them blue In the last few days! The crimson was lost To marshy greens; How Nature had lost its sheen! The sunshine glows today After a week-long rain,..

Samadhi: Neural Harmony

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : In Yoga, Samadhi is the highest state of meditation. It is the eighth limb in the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali. Samadhi is the state where the mind becomes still and awareness rests in itself. Tradition..

‘Sibling bonds are deep & meaningful’

■ By RITA AGGARWAL (Consulting Psychologist) : Q. I am a student of final year and I have been suffering from depression since many years. I am on medicines and feel better. But my concentration is not good and I feel very lonely and have..

Theta Flow - Silent Classroom

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Y ogic traditions treat silence not as emptiness, but a living space which enables learning at deeper levels. Modern neuroscience echoes the same view through the study of the theta waves of the brain..

Antarmauna - Science Of Silence

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : A ntarmauna is a profound Yogic practice of inner silence. It is not trying to stop thought waves, but to observe them without reacting. This simple shift transforms the network between the mind and awarene..

Spiritual Science of the Spine

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Yogic traditions of India treat the spine as not only a physical structure, but a sacred axis of consciousness. It is called Meru Danda in Sanskrit, linking the body, the mind, and awareness. Modern neuroscience..

Expressions Born to be free

By DR PRAGYA MATHUR KUMAR : When and where it left me, I cannot recall But it wasn’t walking with me anymore, After I recovered from that terrible fall. For many years I thought, I owned it And therefore held it close Till one..

Dhyana - Effortless Awareness

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Dhyana or meditation is the seventh limb in the eight fold scheme of Patanjala Yoga. Its initial state is Dharana or concentration. Dharana matures into Dhyana where awareness flows without any resist..

Expressions Be a master, not a slave

By DR SUCHITA MARATHE : We all know.. Deadlines are demonic, Always scary, villainish, Discipline is its innate tagline, With planning, action in the pipeline. We all observe.. Workaholics meet it eagerly, Idlers response is slovenl..

Humming-Silent Medicine Of Sound

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Humming is a very prominent Yogic self-regulating technique. It corresponds to the Bhramari Pranayama. Vibration is actually a linkage between inner sound awakening and neural change. During the practice of..

Abhaya Yoga: Neural Courage Circuits

A bhaya or fearlessness is extolled as the most important divine strength. In the sixteenth chapter of the Holy Geeta Lord Krishna lists fearlessness as the first and foremost divine attribute. According to the Yogic philosophy, fearlessness is born from the inner steadiness of the mind. Yoga treats fear not only as an emotion, but the contraction of consciousness, shrinking of Prana, and disturbance of mental rhythm. According to neuroscience, fear arises from the over activation of the amygdala ..

Expressions Oh! My Father

By NAVEED QUADRI : When Earth was hot, your arms were soothing, When the sun was blazing, your shadow refreshing. Your little nudges and silent care, Sometimes were seen, sometimes were there. While running down the road of life, Yo..

Yoganidra - AWayTo Neuroplasticity

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Yoganidra is one type of psychic sleep. It is a conscious descent into deep rest while awareness remains active. During Yoganidra the body sinks into deep relaxation. This ancient technique was develo..

Dealing with stress & post trauma stress

Q. My son recently got identified as an autistic child and the main issue is his behavior in school. No school wants to take him due to his behavior. He gets aggressive with class mates and even teachers. He also slapped one teacher the other day and the school authorities asked me to change the school. This is the third school we have changed and now I am worried. Please guide me...

Samatva Yoga - Pain Pleasure Baseline

Samatva or equanimity is considered the heart of Yoga. It means holding pain and pleasure with equal steadiness, without collapsing under suffering or clinging to delight. The Bhagavadgeeta defines Yoga as Samatva or a balance as the highest expression of self mastery. Modern neuroscience also echoes the same concept with remarkable clarity. The human brain is wired to constantly evaluate experiences as good or bad - rewarding or threatening. The limbic system, specifically the amygdala immediately ..

Expressions Take your heart out for dance tonight

By JOSHUA ANGLO : Stop decoding mixed signals And placing people on higher pedestals Resist your thoughts, time and emotions To hearts that are whimsical And cater complications Save your side of the story, You do not owe anyone ob..

Mahabandha: A Neuro-Yogic Perspective

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Mahabandha is a great practice of Hatha Yoga. It is a very profound Yogic gesture as it integrates the three essential Bandhas or Yogic locks namely Jalandhara Bandha, Uddiyana Bandh, and Moola Bandha..

Every word rewires your brain

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Yogic philosophy treats words as divine. According to Yoga, every word that we utter is just not a communication, but the vibration of the inner reality. Neuroscience also echoes that language patterns make..

Reaction is natural, notthe pause

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Studies have found that reaction is instinctive. It emanates from the oldest layers of the brain- reptilian and limbic. These regions of the brain are designed to protect us and ensure survival...

Can wereallyembracecyclingas a wayof life?

By DR AMIT SAMARTH : I had gone to Berlin, Germany for participating at Berlin Marathon - a World Marathon Major. European countries are known to provide the best cycling and pedestrian infrastructure across the world. Germany..

Brain is wired not to accept defeat

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...

Yogic Principles Of Leadership

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Leadership is not only defined by power and position. It is finely tuned with self control , vision, compassion , and balance. Modern studies in the field of leadership have outlined numerous guiding..

Happiness is always collective

T he true purpose of human life is to blossom in happiness, and to live with joy. But this happiness is not found in isolation. It thrives, when it is shared. Good gestures and kind words are found to have immense positive vibes. Studies have found that good relationships and connections are the foundation of happiness and health. Aristotle had remarked that humans are social animals. Ancient traditions have always emphasized community living. The famous Vedic MantraSangachhadhwam -- highlights the ..

EMOTIONS ‘Success in career never follows straight line’

By RITA AGGARWAL : Consulting Psychologist : Q. I have a lot of problems going on. My family, especially my mother is very unsupportive. I have opted for a job in desperation now which is good but not of my interest. I am confu..

Nada Brahma & Modern Theory of Vibration

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : According to the concept of Nada Brahma propounded by the sages of ancient India, God is sound and that sound is echoing in the entire universe. The whole cosmos is permeated with that sound. Th..

From Nadis To Neurons - Yoga & Neuroscience

A ncient Yogic texts describe Nadis, subtle channels through which Prana (lifeforce) flows. Modern neuroscience maps communication lines of energy flowing through the neurons, nerves and large-scale brain networks. Both Nadis and neurons are not identical literal equivalents, but they are powerful, complementary models that overlap in function and effect - and contemporary research is beginning to trace those overlaps. Yogic accounts (Siddha, Tantric and Hatha traditions, and the Swaravijñana lineage) ..

Contemporary geopolitical conflicts& their global impact

By PROF ANOOP KUMAR : The post-pandemic world has entered an era where geopolitics is no longer confined to diplomatic circles - it’sadaily disruptor of business, trade, and global stability. From the Red Sea to the Taiwan Strait, R..

Kumbhaka Pranayama& Hypoxia

By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Pranayama is the most ancient form of Yoga. It involves the regulation of breath to calm down the mind, leading to tranquility and bliss. The celebrated sage, Patanjali has described Pranayama as the..

Kundalini & Spine - A Neuroscientific View

K undalini Yoga is a very fascinating stream of Yoga practices. It mainly forms the part of Tantra and the Hatha Yogic traditions. Kundalini is said to be existing in the subtle body of humans. It is compared to a serpent and remains in a dormant position coiled at the base of the spine yogically known as the Muladhara Chakra or the root phlexus. It rises through purification practices followed by meditation, Pranayamas, Mantra chanting, visualisation, etc. The question arises whether it is just metaphoric..

NLP & Japa - A Scientific Perspective

Neuro Linguistic Programming is a neuroscientific technique where affirmations are used repeatedly to rewire the brain. With the emergence of neuroplasticity, it was found that repetition creates new neuropaths in the brain. Studies have discovered that repetitive activities cultivate new habits and change emotional set up also. NLP believes that language plays an important role in the field of neuroplasticity. Words and self affirmations impact our beliefs and mindset. Positive language affects our ..

Vision Of Viksit Bharat@ 2047 Can it be achieved without core Engg&Science?

By PROF (DR) GANAPATI D YADAV : Vision Of Viksit Bharat@ 2047 Can it be achieved without core Engg&Science? Recently, 71 of the top 100 JEE rankers chose IIT Bombay, while IIT Madras attracted candidates w..

monitoring-earth-with-nisar

By CHARVI ARORA : Monitoring Earth With NISAR : Accurate and timely data about changes on Earth is essential for everything from growing crops to managing natural disasters. That’s where space technology can p..

Visualisation& Brain Cells

Visualisation& Brain Cells : By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : Scientific studies have found that there are many neuroscientific techniques which help in the growth of new brain cells. Visualisation is prominent amongst..

Conscious Breathing & Rational Mind

B reathing is an autonomous and involuntary act. The medulla oblongata which is situated in the brainstem controls and regulates the breathing. The brainstem is our survival brain also known as the reptilian brain. As per evolutionary science, the survival brain is our oldest brain. Even when we are not aware, the process of breathing continues without any hitch. This respiratory function is not under our conscious control. Studies have found that when breathing is conscious, it enhances the overall ..

The Man Who Found Narmada Man

By DR ANJAN CHATTERJEE Onaquiet December evening in 1982, what first appeared to be a half-ringed bone on a Narmada riverbed would soon rewrite the subcontinent’s human history. It was Dr Arun Sonakia, a paleontologist with th..

Looking Beyond Tiranga Yatra

As an Army officer’s son my spirit soars when I observe the result of adrenaline rush in civilians due to the befitting reply given by our Defence Forces to Pakistan, post Pahalgam attack, by launching ‘Operation Sindoor̵..

ON BEING &BECOMING

ON BEING & BECOMING By NIDHI RUGHWANI One of the purposes of every human life on earth is to evolve. To evolve is to learn and to grow. And to do this there are so many things around us to which we c..

Yoga Of Liberation Through Renunciation

Yoga Of Liberation Through Renunciation By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA : The eighte..

Yoga Of Three-Fold Faiths

T he seventeenth chapter of the Geeta named Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga or the Yoga of three divisions of faith is a beautiful exposition of the three types of faiths found in the thoughts, words and actions of different individuals. Scriptures are the time tested words of wisdom by the sages over thousands of years. These words of wisdom are the ready reckoners to judge the propriety of our behavior. Living a higher standard of life based upon the noble ideas and virtues is the result of the faith ..

From Up Above To Down Under

From Up Above To Down Under By SHISHIR VERMA The Bird Our aircraft is now flying above Australia – a country with a population of Delhi NCR and area two and half times larger than that of India! Some lone clouds drift laz..

A Taste Of Shared Prosperity

A Taste Of Shared Prosperity By CHARVI ARORA What do blueberry sandesh and cranberry pulao have in common? They are both delicious examples of how food reflects the growing U.S.-India trade ties. The February 2025, US-India Joi..

Bringing history alive

Bringing history alive By DR RAJESH SHARMA : Reading a good history book enriches the reader with information hitherto unknown or only vaguely known, and retained and remembered equally vaguely. The Ghadar Movement, subtitled A Forgo..

The Divine &The Devil

The Divine &The Devil By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYAT The sixteenth chapter of the Geeta is known as the Daivasura sampad vibhaga Yoga or the Yoga of the difference between the divine and the devil. Ethics talks of a number of vir..