Our recent episode of Idanim inspirations features a thoughtful conversation between Raman Mittal, co-founder of Idanim, and Nithya Shanti. Nithya Shanti is an ex-monk, TEDx speaker, book author, and spiritual teacher renowned for his teachings on happiness and mindfulness. As one of the esteemed teachers at Idanim, his insights are truly enlightening. this blog post highlights Nithya Shanti's remarkable journey from embracing monastic life to transitioning out of it, offering invaluable advice on managing negativity and cultivating a fulfilling, mindful life. Read more to explore his wisdom and experiences.
How is a monk’s life different from ordinary life?
Nithya Shanti explains that while monks and ordinary people share basic daily activities like sleeping, eating, meeting others, and bathing, their mindset is what sets them apart. Monks don’t focus on achieving future goals like getting a degree, earning a promotion, or acquiring material things. Instead, they concentrate on finding peace and harmony in the present moment, no matter their circumstances. The main idea is that solutions to problems are found in the here and now, rather than waiting for some distant future when things might be better. This focus on the present is what makes monastic life unique.
How did your understanding evolve to recognize that fulfillment isn't a future achievement but something present in the here and now?
Nithya Shanti discusses how his perspectives on spirituality and meditation have evolved. He describes a dual sensation: one part of him feels like it’s constantly approaching something, while another part feels like it’s already there. This indicates that we often possess what we're seeking but fail to recognize or appreciate it. Even before becoming a monk, he felt a natural inclination towards meditation, suggesting an inherent sense of spiritual awareness. He believes that achieving deeper mindfulness and emotional balance can enhance life, but he also learns to release the need for life to meet ideal expectations. He references Thomas Traherne’s concept of "man's world" (what we imagine) versus "God's world" (what actually is). He concludes that true spiritual awakening involves transcending our imaginations to fully embrace reality, likening it to dancing around and occasionally stepping into a transformative fire.
Why did you choose to become a monk?
Nithya Shanti talks about how sometimes life’s choices seem to choose us just as much as we choose them. He reflects on his early interest in spirituality, sharing stories from his youth, like how his classmates called him “Swami Harshananda,” hinting at his natural spiritual side. He highlights that true happiness often comes from helping others. Shanti also recalls a key moment with a Buddhist monk who inspired him to live in the present and suggested that anyone could try being a monk, even if just for a short time. This experience eventually led Shanti to explore monastic life himself.
Why did you choose to leave monastic life?
Nithya Shanti didn’t leave monastic life on a whim; it was a thoughtful decision based on deep inner changes. He felt that life was guiding him beyond just the Buddhist view. While he valued different Buddhist traditions like Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, he was also drawn to other spiritual paths, such as Sufism and Advaita Vedanta. He realized that no single spiritual path was the ultimate answer for him. After a lot of reflection, he chose to leave monastic life to explore a wider range of spiritual experiences and contribute in new ways.
How can we avoid resisting negative thoughts and emotions?
Nithya Shanti explains that our deepest self doesn’t fight against our experiences but accepts them. While our senses might find things uncomfortable, our core awareness simply takes it all in without resistance. He suggests a practice to change our perspective: instead of saying "I am sad," we say "I am feeling sad," and then "I am aware that I am feeling sad." This helps us observe our emotions rather than being caught up in them.
He highlights the importance of welcoming emotions by acknowledging them, which helps reduce resistance. He compares awareness and emotions to a mirror and its reflection or the sky and clouds, showing how they are connected. By moving from identifying with emotions to just allowing them, we can achieve greater acceptance.
He also shares different ways to reduce resistance, like deep breathing, tapping acupressure points (EFT), and embracing the experience as it is. He encourages using various methods to stay flexible and in flow with life.
Nithya Shanti tells a story about a friend whose father was a high-ranking official and kept his strict, authoritative attitude even at home. This made family life feel rigid. He explains that while being authoritative and strict can be good, it's equally important to relax and embrace a loving, playful approach as a parent at home.
He relates this to his own life, explaining that his friends still call him by his old name, Harsh, even though he chose the name Nithya when he became a monk. He doesn’t mind being called Harsh by old friends and stresses that it’s important not to be stuck in just one identity, whether it’s a spiritual teacher or anything else.
Nithya finds it refreshing to visit new places where no one knows him. It lets him be himself without any predefined roles. He compares meditation to shedding all these different personas and simply being who you are.
Why should one consider practicing meditation or mindfulness?
Nithya Shanti talks about his meditation journey and how personal experience matters. He suggests trying meditation out of curiosity because it offers many benefits, but acknowledges it might not be for everyone. Some people might find other practices, like active engagement or devotion, work better for them.
He sees himself as a beginner in meditation, appreciating how it continually teaches him new things. He has experienced personal growth through meditation, such as overcoming self-judgment, gaining clarity about life, and facing deep fears, including the fear of death. Meditation has helped him move from self-criticism to self-compassion and become more focused on helping others rather than seeking approval.
While he was once very enthusiastic about meditation, he now believes everyone has their own unique path. He encourages trying mindfulness if it feels right but advises against criticizing oneself if it doesn’t. He expands the idea of mindfulness to include any activity done with full attention, like music or sports, as long as it involves questioning the self doing the activity. This approach, he says, can lead to greater wisdom and flow.
What are some common mistakes people make when practicing meditation or mindfulness?
Nithya Shanti addresses common misconceptions about meditation, emphasizing that expecting immediate, significant changes such as a completely silent mind or the absence of negative emotions is unrealistic. He advises a more practical and compassionate approach, where meditation is seen as a process of observing and accepting one's thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Key points include:
1. Realistic Expectations: Meditation is not about eliminating thoughts or always achieving peace but about becoming aware of the mind's activities (metacognition).
2. Acceptance: Whatever happens during meditation is beneficial, whether it's noticing a restless mind or experiencing physical sensations and emotions. It's essential to accept all experiences as part of the process.
3. Misconceptions: People often have unrealistic beliefs about meditation, such as expecting to levitate or never feel anger again. These myths can lead to disappointment and discourage practice.
4. Kindfulness: Approaching meditation with kindness and compassion towards oneself, rather than with strict expectations, is crucial. Nithya suggests meeting oneself without pressure, akin to meeting a friend without demanding they make you feel a certain way.
5. Dealing with Criticism: He also addresses the expectation from others that meditators should always be calm and agreeable. Meditation does not eliminate human emotions or the need to assert oneself.
How can one develop discipline and consistency in their practice?
Nithya Shanti discusses his personal struggle with consistency and discipline in his meditation practice. He acknowledges that he is not naturally disciplined and has had to create external systems to support his meditation journey. For instance, he joined meditation groups and scheduled regular meditation programs to maintain his practice.
He emphasizes that consistency in meditation should not be about rigid daily routines but rather a long-term, flexible approach. He compares it to running a marathon instead of a sprint, suggesting that meditation should be seen as a lifelong practice rather than a daily obligation.
He shares that short, repeated moments of mindfulness and clarity throughout the day can be as effective as long meditation sessions. This approach accommodates varying levels of discipline and allows meditation to integrate more naturally into daily life. He believes that mindfulness and awareness are always available and cannot be lost, even if one is not constantly meditating.
Nithya Shanti’s reflections on meditation highlight the importance of adapting practices to individual personalities and circumstances. He stresses that true consistency in meditation is not about rigid adherence to daily routines but about maintaining a long-term, flexible approach. By viewing meditation as a lifelong journey and focusing on the underlying peace of awareness, one can cultivate a more sustainable and fulfilling practice.
Check out the full interview here:
Our podcast series, Idanim Inspirations, dives into enlightening conversations with spiritual leaders exploring their remarkable journeys toward mindfulness. Here, we share the profound insights and life-changing experiences that have guided them on their paths. Through these conversations, we uncover insights and experiences, offering enlightenment and inspiration for all. Get ready to discover a wellspring of inspiration and wisdom as we bring these conversations to your screen. Idanim Inspirations is now available on our app. Check out the full interviews, along with other mindfulness practices.
