by Roland Majla | March, 2024 | Roland Majla
Pain, a part of your life How do we see pain? Physical, mental, spiritual… there are all sorts of pain. While we may go through seasons of suffering, most of the time if pain is not fatal, we will survive and go through it. A little depersonalization does no harm when one has failures and disappointments. A friend of mine went through a lot of surgery and pain, and I once asked him: how can you endure so much physical pain? And he said to that: You know, I depersonalized myself. In other words, I didn’t let myself to sink in trouble. I didn’t think, I didn’t take the disease to the extremes, I didn’t consider it fatal. As a result, he did not sink into his personal doubts, but he was able to look at himself from the outside with the help of depersonalization. This technique is often not easy, especially when and where our media often bombard us with subtle messages of personification and identification. One may require superpower to get out of the charms of identity and ego, or a dose of ketamine! Listen to the audio version of this article But you can manage it and thrive Fortunately, there is a way out of pain with the help of Positive Psychology. Positive psychology can play a significant role in pain management by focusing on enhancing well-being, resilience, and overall quality of life. While it may not directly eliminate physical pain, it can contribute to a more positive mindset and improve the individual’s ability to cope with pain. Here are some ways in which positive...
by Roland Majla | March, 2024 | Health, Roland Majla
Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, a paradigm shift has occurred, moving beyond the traditional focus on treating illness to a more holistic approach that emphasizes overall well-being. Positive Psychology, a field that emerged in the late 20th century, has played a pivotal role in reshaping the healthcare landscape. By concentrating on the positive aspects of human experience, Positive Psychology has introduced a refreshing perspective that not only complements traditional medical approaches but also enhances the overall quality of healthcare. Listen to the audio version of this article Understanding Positive Psychology in Healthcare: Positive Psychology in healthcare is founded on the belief that health is not merely the absence of disease but also the presence of positive emotions, resilience, and a sense of purpose [Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000]. This field explores the factors that contribute to a fulfilling life and aims to integrate them into healthcare practices to promote better patient outcomes. Role of Positive Psychology in Healthcare: Enhancing Patient-Cantered Care: Positive Psychology places a strong emphasis on understanding the individual patient’s needs, preferences, and values. By incorporating patient-centred care principles, healthcare providers can foster a more collaborative and empathetic relationship with their patients. This approach not only improves patient satisfaction but also contributes to better treatment adherence and outcomes. Preventive Healthcare: Positive Psychology promotes a proactive approach to healthcare by focusing on preventive measures. Encouraging individuals to adopt positive lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management, helps prevent the onset of various health issues. This approach aligns with the adage “prevention is better than cure” and has been proven...
by Roland Majla | January, 2024 | Roland Majla
I’ve always been the odd one out. A square peg in a sea of circles. Growing up, I never quite fit into the societal moulds neatly shaped for acceptance. But you know what? I’m all right with that. You may wish to listen to the audio version of this article My story begins in the small town where everyone knew everyone else’s business. Childhood days were marked by raised eyebrows and hushed whispers as I explored the world with a different lens. While my peers strived to conform, I revelled in my uniqueness. Perhaps it was the twinkle in my eye or the way I saw beauty in the unconventional, but I was always drawn to the edges of the picture where things seemed a bit blurry, a bit imperfect. I saw the world in all colours, but people around me often saw in one or two colour. I mean that’s ok, as long as you are aware that you have chosen deliberately to see the world bi-coloured (and not trying to prove you wrong). I too sometimes see the world in a black and white way, but most of the times life comes to me in different colours and feelings. One vivid memory encapsulates the essence of my journey. It was a school talent show, an annual event where conformity reigned supreme. The stage was reserved for singers, dancers, and those with “acceptable” talents. Amidst the polished performances, I decided to take the stage with a guitar and play a mixture of music styles all jammed together… there was jazz, classical, heavy metal, pop, folk, you name it....
by Roland Majla | January, 2024 | Roland Majla
Listen to the audio version of this article In modern society, there is a prevalent emphasis on the left brain hemisphere, characterized by its logical, analytical, and rational thinking processes. This bias can be attributed to the prioritization of subjects and skills that align with academic and professional success, such as mathematics, sciences, and structured problem-solving. While the left-brain functions are undoubtedly essential for cognitive development and decision-making, the overemphasis on these aspects has led to a relative neglect of the right-brain hemisphere’s intuitive, creative, holistic capacities and surrender to total emotional states. This imbalance can result in negative consequences for individuals and society as a whole. I see all these happening right in front of my eyes, as I look back to my childhood, I remember many people around me kept talking about IT-related jobs with awe and respect. In high school, my classmates who were good at math and physics were highly respected both by teachers, parents and the general public. While, I saw and understood the reason why, I felt that there was something that’s missing. As a matter of fact, I saw people literally being hungry for intense emotions and longing to surrender to sensationalism and passion. No wonder why, I guess, no wonder why indeed. In a world of numbers, emotions are useless. East vs West, or Left vs Right brain hemisphere In the Western world, particularly in Europe and North America, there has historically been a tendency to emphasize left-brain hemisphere attributes, such as rationality, individualism, and analytical thinking, in the interpretation of the divine. This has led to the development of...
by Roland Majla | December, 2023 | Roland Majla
Listen to the audio version of this article The air hung heavy with the weight of uncertainty as I navigated the winding road of adversity. Life had a peculiar way of throwing curveballs, and the pitch was becoming increasingly unpredictable. Yet, within the ebb and flow of challenges, I discovered a profound lesson—one that transformed my approach to adversity and resilience. It all began during a time when the rhythm of life seemed to falter. I found myself standing at the crossroads of unexpected setbacks, a story familiar to many who have felt the sting of adversity. The road ahead was clouded with doubt, and I yearned for a beacon to guide me through the shadows. As the days turned into weeks, the weight of adversity pressed upon me. The mundane became a struggle, and the future seemed shrouded in uncertainty. It was in this moment of vulnerability that I stumbled upon a lesson that would change the course of my journey—a lesson in positive coping. But first, let me tell you what caused this adversarial situation to me. It was speed. Well, no this is not a story of addiction, so I’m not talking about amphetamines or any other illicit drugs on the streets. I am talking about the speed of life. If I were a type of devil and I were given an assignment by a greater devil, e.g., from Beelzebub, to destroy the world. I would speed up the supply of information and emotional enhancement. Because this is effective. After a while, one would go crazy, emotionally exhausted. The Western man has the power of such...
by Roland Majla | October, 2023 | Roland Majla
Listen to the audio version of this article In a world marked by rapid technological advancements, interconnectedness, and cultural diversity, the human desire to witness a global spiritual enlightenment is a natural and profound aspiration. While spirituality is often considered a deeply personal journey, the yearning to see humanity collectively embark on a path of spiritual awakening is not only valid but also holds the potential to foster unity, compassion, and holistic growth. Are we fostering unity? And compassion? And what about holistic growth? When you feel the dark night overwhelming bright light, it’s hard to feel empathy and a sense of thriving. Yes, I am talking in the name of all those folks who work the “brilliant” 9 – 5 work, all those who qualify as low-class people. But they are not alone, if only they could see and embrace their similarities. It’s hard though, because in a free world of myth producers, there is way too much emphasis on uniqueness, distinctiveness and individuality. The Inherent Connection At the heart of the desire for global spiritual enlightenment lies an understanding of the inherent connection that binds all living beings. Spiritual teachings across cultures and traditions emphasize the concept of interconnectedness – the idea that we are all part of a larger cosmic web (Gonzalez et al., 2021). This shared interconnectedness extends beyond geographic, cultural, and religious boundaries. The desire for global spiritual enlightenment stems from recognizing this universal bond, transcending divisive factors, and acknowledging that a collective awakening can lead to a more harmonious existence. Indeed, a universal bond of unity, closeness and togetherness. The irony...
