Have you ever wondered how some people manage to stay calm and composed, even when everything around them seems to be falling apart?
I used to think that peace was something you found in a quiet, secluded place—away from all the noise, distractions, and chaos of everyday life. But then I encountered a teaching during my Yoga Teacher Training that completely changed my perspective.
I remember one particularly intense session when our teacher, Bikram, kept saying, "If anyone can steal your peace, then you are the loser." It was a powerful statement, but it wasn’t until a fellow student asked a question that the lesson truly sank in.
The student raised his hand and asked, “How can I maintain my peace when the room is so hot, the mirrors are distracting, other students are fidgeting, and the teacher is shouting at us?”
Bikram’s response was simple yet profound: “That’s the point I’m trying to make. It’s easy for anyone to move and retreat to the Himalayas, find a cave or a jungle, and discover silence and peace. But that’s not reality. What happens when you’re driving on the busy 405 freeway and someone cuts you off? Or when your spouse says something that triggers you? Or when your boss or colleague upsets you? Where is your peace then?”
"Peace is not the absence of chaos, but the ability to remain calm amidst it." - Unknown
His words hit me like a ton of bricks. The real yoga, he explained, is about maintaining that inner peace in the midst of all situations, not just when everything is calm and serene. The hot room in yoga, with all its distractions, is designed to push your buttons, to get you triggered. It’s there to help you notice, observe, and learn the tendencies of your mind. Only then can you begin to reshape your mind with awareness.
This lesson resonated with me deeply, especially because of my upbringing in Bombay (now Mumbai). Growing up in a bustling metropolis, I was surrounded by constant noise, distractions, and chaos. Bombay is a city that never sleeps—a place where people are packed like sardines in buses and trains, horns are honking incessantly, and beggars follow you down the street. At first glance, it might seem like the last place on earth where you could find peace.
But here’s the thing—despite all the external chaos, people in Bombay adjust. They’re not easily disturbed. It’s as if the mind, once it accepts the outer chaos, adapts and becomes quiet. I’ve seen people meditating on a packed train, completely oblivious to the noise around them. It’s not that the noise stops; it’s that they stop resisting it. When you stop resisting the outside noise, it ceases to disturb your mind. It has the power to become a great meditation.
I’ll never forget the time when I was stuck in a massive traffic jam in the heart of Bombay. The streets were flooded with cars, people were shouting, and there was no escape. Initially, I felt my frustration rising—my heart rate quickened, and I started getting agitated. But then I remembered Bikram’s teaching. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes (well, just for a second—after all, I was still driving!), and instead of focusing on the chaos around me, I turned my attention inward. I began to notice my breath, the tension in my shoulders, and slowly, I started to let go.
It was like a switch flipped in my mind. The traffic, the noise, the chaos—they were all still there, but they no longer had power over me. I found a pocket of peace amidst the turmoil, and it felt like pure freedom. This experience taught me that true peace isn’t about escaping the world; it’s about finding stillness within, no matter what’s happening around you.
Bikram’s hot room is a metaphor for life. We all face situations that challenge our peace—whether it’s a heated argument, a stressful work environment, or just the everyday grind. The key isn’t to avoid these situations, but to use them as opportunities to practice maintaining our peace. Just like the people in Bombay who learn to navigate the chaos with grace, we too can train our minds to find calm in the storm.
So the next time you’re caught in a situation that tests your patience, remember that peace isn’t something you find—it’s something you create. It’s not about running away from the chaos; it’s about embracing it, letting it be, and finding your center amidst it all.
When you stop fighting the noise, it stops fighting you. And in that moment, you realize that the true power of peace lies not in the absence of chaos, but in your ability to remain unshaken by it.
"The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence."
Jiddu Krishnamurti
As you reflect on this, ask yourself:
How do I typically react to chaos or stressful situations, and how does that affect my inner peace?
What can I do to cultivate more awareness and resilience when I’m feeling triggered or overwhelmed?
How can I use challenging situations as opportunities to practice finding peace within, rather than seeking it externally?
These questions can guide you toward deeper self-awareness and help you create a lasting sense of peace, no matter what life throws your way.
Love your thoughts
Namaste
Sumit Banerjee
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