Emotional hygiene

Modern education pays a lot of attention to physical fitness and hygiene and the study of academic subjects, but does not give importance to emotional hygiene and the practice of ahimsa, non-violence, and karuna, compassion. This has been the call to action of the XIV Dalai Lama, who has spoken extensively on these aspects, pleading for 'education of the heart'. It is not difficult to do this because, he says, basic human nature is to be compassionate and warm-hearted.

In troubling times when tempers are high and emotions get unleashed, we get frustrated, angry and even violent. If only one knew how to face challenges posed by all these emotions, one could cope better and arrest negative emotions before they turn uncontrollable and experience our true human nature that is to be warm, friendly and caring.

To achieve calmness and control, practice of meditation and deep breathing are immensely useful. Sages recommend letting go of all baggage that tend to drag us down - mainly regrets about the past and worries about the future. In the meantime, we tend to neglect the present moment, which is what will compose our past and pave the future. Living mindfully in the present and taking each day as a divine gift to be cherished, will infuse a sense of purpose and gratitude that will help build a positive attitude.


In such a state of equanimity, negative emotions have no place. They get washed away, just as we wash our physical body to clean it up. To live well, emotional hygiene is as important as physical hygiene.