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Beauty is the total impact of
all these aspects. Mind and body are inter-related; the state of one
reflects on the other.
Yet another dimension is the soul, the inner beauty. It is more a part of us
than mere body and mind; it is indestructible. Beauty includes inner beauty.
To be a complete person, you have to work on not only your external beauty;
you have to develop your inner beauty also.
When we look around us, we find that all creation is filled with the beauty
of the soul. Look at the colours of nature and see how the different greens
blend together. Look at the setting sun — how the different hues of orange,
yellow and red blend in harmony. So too a harmonious combination of body,
mind and soul makes us more complete and at peace.
When I talk of the soul or the spiritual aspect, I refer to the inner self
and its discovery. When you find it, you will also discover that inner
beauty is far more impressive than external beauty. Then you will find that
make-up, grooming, clothes, jewellery, and etiquette are all superficial. In
fact, there is no need for these. Your inner beauty is actually the
foundation of your personality and external beauty. In fact, the discovery
of the inner self is in itself a kind of empowerment. Inner beauty creates
harmony; it balances the inner and the outer self. Beyond the cacophony of
the mind, there is a silence within which is the key to the self, harmony
and peace.
Ancient Indian sages advocated yoga, pranayama and meditation to find this
inner beauty, or self-realisation. Easily adapted to a modern lifestyle, one
should learn these from a qualified teacher. You can begin with simple
breathing exercises and see if it helps silence the mind and bring about
tranquillity. Remember, silence and tranquillity already exist within you.
You just have to discover it. Relaxing your body and mind helps in the
endeavour.
Breathing helps. You do not need to adopt a yogic posture. You may sit in a
comfortable chair. Close your eyes and begin breathing, slowly and with
ease. Allow your mind to follow your breathing as you inhale and exhale. You
can continue breathing this way for two minutes, normally and easily,
focusing your attention on your breath. If you begin to feel relaxed,
continue for another few minutes. You will notice that your mind and body
have relaxed — and you may even find that your mind is much quieter. Focus
your attention on breathing, pushing away all other thoughts away for a few
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Breathing exercises and meditation are like putting on make-up. You have to
keep improving upon your skill. As you practice your conscious breathing
everyday, you will get better with it, find relaxation, calm and peace. To
go deeper into pranayama, it is best to learn it from a qualified teacher.
Swami Vivekananda has said, "The science of breathing is the working through
the body to reach the mind."
When you have practised breathing and meditation for some time, your mind
will become much more alert and clear. You will have more physical and
mental energy. Your dealings with people improve. As your perspectives
change, you begin to look at problems and issues differently, with more
clarity and less ego. You will become more calm, regardless of
circumstances. Indeed, meditation is the way to the fountain of youth and it
is much more effective than all the beauty potions and cosmetic treatments
to preserve youthfulness. You will not only look younger, but actually feel
the vim and vigour.
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