There is this feature now on the latest update of IOS (apple) where the user gets alerts to log in their moods once during the day and at the end of the day. It is a part of the mindfulness feature on the IOS system that they have been trying to incorporate for a few years. 

When prompted to log in the mood, the notification asks the user how are you feeling right now?

One can log in their response as either:

• Very Unpleasant
• Unpleasant
• Slightly Unpleasant
• Neutral
• Slightly Pleasant
• Pleasant
• Very Pleasant

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Next, it asks you to describe the feeling in detail. It gives a host of options, such as happy, joyful, excited, brave, proud, annoyed, indifferent, angry, etc. 

After that, one is prompted to log in to what is having the most significant impact on their mood right now, such as health, tasks, work, fitness, etc. 

I have been trying to actively use this feature ever since the update arrived. Apple has done a splendid job of working with mental health professionals to develop this update. This is because when we can identify what we are feeling and why we are feeling that way, it becomes much easier for us to regulate our mental health and inner environment. 

I connected this feature as a spiritual tool when I heard a recent lecture by one of my spiritual icons, His Holiness Srila Radhanath Swami Maharaj. In the lecture delivered on 24th September 2023 at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple in Mumbai, Maharaj spoke about the importance of connecting with the heart space. 

He mentioned how humans have evolved their material capabilities to such a stage where we plan to set up human colonies and so on on other planets. Maharaj said that our endeavors to go far and wide in the universe are admirable; however, it is worth ruminating that we miss connecting with the Lord within our hearts, who is closest to us. 

I resonated deeply with the words of the realized master. I felt that it is not just the scientists, the entrepreneurs, and the industrialists who are constantly looking to expand their efforts towards the outside and enhancing the external environment; even common and ordinary folks like me are so engrossed in my day-to-day work that we miss connecting to our essence and working on making the inner space better.  

Does that mean we should stop focusing on improving our external environment?

Not at all. 

What I understood from the message delivered by His Holiness was that we must be balanced in our approach to the material and spiritual. That also is one of the key lessons of Bhagavan Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

तस्मात् सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च

Keeping tabs on our inner state and working consciously to enhance it helps us perform our material activities better. Also, being aware of how we’re doing internally can help us avoid burnout if we are too consumed by our work. 

In the next section, let us discuss some of the ways and techniques I have discovered, experimented and benefitted from to connect to my inner space and enhance it. 

PRACTICAL STEPS TO CONNECT TO THE INNER SPACE

1. Gratitude

When teaching our young ones the English alphabet, rather than saying G for Giraffe, we can say G for gratitude. It is one of the simplest yet profound ways of grounding yourself in the present and connecting to the inner space. I have shared much about this amazing practice in my previous write-ups. But it can never be enough to talk more about the practice of gratitude. I’ll share one quick tip and reminder on adopting the practice of gratitude. One of the ways I have used gratitude in my life is to generate fresh gratitude for each day I have lived to see. In other words, I reflect on the good I have experienced and observed in my day before hitting the sack. Doing so helps me see the light even when I may not have the best days.

2. Journaling

Journaling is another incredible practice that helps uncover your suppressed emotions and elicit new ideas. It is one of the best ways to be mindful and connect to yourself. There is no particular technique to journaling; there is no good or lousy journal entry. All one needs to do is jot down the unfiltered expression of our thoughts— which our mind constantly keeps generating anyway. I have been journaling for several years now, and the practice has grounded me in the present and helped me express my emotions. It has also served as a personal record of my life events. Highly recommend it to one and all. I do guided journaling journeys once every year. You can consider joining that to start your journey.

3. Meditation

This is no secret or profound truth. There can hardly be a practice or, say, a state as helpful as meditation to connect to the core of our being. I have delved into various meditation practices and employ them daily for my well-being. I suggest always approaching a master or experienced teacher to get initiated into meditation. And experiment with different forms until you find one practice you can adopt in your daily life.
My favorites in years of experimentation and practice are mantra meditation on the names of my beloved deity, Shri Krishna, and the beautiful yogic practice of Shambhavi Mahamudra taught by Sadhguru.

4. Prayer

Prayer is a beautiful practice adopted by the theistic to enhance their connection to divinity or God. True prayer helps us get into a space of humility, acknowledging our limits and enables surrender. Prayer can also lead to a state of silence, which is far more enriching than any other practice. The silence that is borne of stillness and connection to spirit is magnificent. Prayer should not be about gaining material favors or achievements but as a tool to create a time and space for loving dialogue with God.
As the wise have said, prayer is when you talk to God, and meditation is when you listen.

5. Yoga and Pranayama

Both as a practitioner and teacher, I can vouch that consistent practice of yoga sadhana can lead to a happy and healthy inner space. Yoga is one of the six key philosophies of the Vedic way of life, and the goal of it is liberation from the bondage of birth and death. Yep, yoga is meant to do more than cure your back pain, lose a few kilograms, and get in shape. But even when we may not have such lofty goals as liberation or mukti, we can use yogic practice to connect more to our inner space. The Sanskrit word yoga itself means to connect or unite. Pranayama, or regulation of breath to attain a state of peace and stillness, is something each human being must include in their daily routine. Even if you do not adopt pranayama practice, simply taking a few deep breathing breaks for a few minutes throughout the day can help tremendously. I imagine a world where, if we were educated in such practices, we would live in much more peaceful times and experience more stable mental health.
If you are not a yoga practitioner or have yet to find it to your liking, activities like running, long walks, weight lifting, etc., can be beneficial means to ground oneself.

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In addition to the above, I have found a few other activities, as mentioned below, to enrich our inner space.

• a heart-to-heart conversation with a dear friend
• a Japa walk— wherein you take your beads and chant the names of God as you walk in and around nature
• receiving an ayurvedic massage from a trained therapist
• Even a trip to someplace new where you are mindful and present to soak all the new information that you receive via the senses

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Essentially, there is a need within the human civilization to increase our efforts to explore the inner as much as we are extending our efforts outwards. You can either employ and begin with any of the above tools suggested by me or try them all at different junctures and when needed. Be a spiritual scientist and experiment it out. 

Do you have anything to add? 
What do you do to connect to your inner space? 
What is your preferred practice? 

I am looking forward to hearing your reflections, ideas, and opinions. 

To Summarise:

• While expanding out in the material world is appreciable, we need to take out time to connect with ourselves.
• Logging in our moods can help us navigate our emotions better. We can make use of technology for the same.
• There are a host of techniques that can help us connect with ourselves better like yoga, journaling, prayer, meditation etc.
• Endeavour to learn what works best for you when you seek to connect to yourself.

Thank you so much for reading until the end of the blog. 

God bless you with peace and joy. 

Kushagra