‘In Conversation with’: BK Shantanu Mandal on Mindfulness in Times of War

In this section, BK Shantanu Mandal, Youth representative of the Brahma Kumaris to UN Environment Program Major Group for Children and Youth, gives us his insights about the importance of ‘mindfulness’ during the war:

1. Situations of war and conflict tend to make an individual far more emotionally vulnerable, as they live in constant fear of violence and a sense of unpredictability. Do you believe that mindfulness can enable you to navigate through such circumstances?

BK Shantanu: Yes, I believe that any form of meditation and some form of spiritual practice can support an individual during a crisis. The reason is simple. Such a practice or meditation helps our inner vision, it sharpens our intellect and helps us make better decisions in a lesser amount of time. Moreover, it makes us emotionally stronger and empowers our emotional immunity. When the core is more stable and stronger it helps one to focus on what needs to be done during any situation. Generally, it’s seen that people lose focus in times of disturbances, so it becomes one of the most crucial advantages of such a practice.

2. As Catherine Hingley, a gender-based violence specialist put it, “A lot of the people who want to help survivors are also survivors themselves.”. How do such individuals who are there to assist others to overcome such adversity, and deal with the dilemma of they tended to get lost or disoriented?

BK Shantanu: Survivors are the treasure house of experiences. They have experienced trauma and know how to get over it. Even though it varies from person to person, yet, getting over the trauma has made them learn many lessons and has made them wiser. So, them supporting other survivors is a great way to support the vulnerable community. Secondly, there is a danger of them losing their motivation while coming back again into such a situation. However, I believe the intention to serve, the intention to care and to support, acts as a shield of protection to face off any negative emotions and memories that may get triggered due to visiting such situations once again. I believe that intentions are the best drivers, only if they are the best intentions.

3. Can you briefly explain if there is any intersection between war, mindfulness, and the environment?

BK Shantanu: Absolutely. Every war is first planned and fought in the mind. Every action that we do, comes out of a decision that we make, every decision comes from certain choices, and those choices are a result of our attitude. Our attitude is a result of the consciousness or awareness that we carry, and our awareness is a result of the thoughts we create. So, if the mind is busy making positive thoughts, it will be positively aware and consciously carry a positive attitude that leads to better choices and wiser decisions and compassionate and considerate actions that serve the world. Our environment is impacted by our awareness and hence, if one wants to make the world a better place, they must start with their inner world. Our intentions have an impact on matter and this is a well-known of a fact.

4. How will connecting with nature help us attain mindfulness?

BK Shantanu: Nature is the eternal reservoir of calm, relaxation, solace, contentment, and flourishment. It is the eternal provider; it is always giving. These values in nature are seen in its actions like sunshine, rivers flowing, rains enriching our lives. Every sunset and every sunrise has the power to make a hazy mind become still. The sounds of flowing water of a river have the power to calm our minds. I can give plenty examples. but the key here is our awareness. Are we aware that these healing properties of nature are always active and available for free? Are we taking out time to provide ourselves with these opportunities to heal? Are we willing to rebuild our relationship with nature? If the answer is Yes, then connecting with nature will be helping us to be more mindful.

5. On one hand, we see the environment getting destroyed during the war and on the other, we identify it as the source of peace and hope. How do we deal with the perplexity engendered in such a scenario?

BK Shantanu: Our wars destroy our home. No war is a solution to any problem. One who thinks that war can solve a problem is actually either scared or is ruled by greed or ego. Ego and greed have destroyed our natural habitat as well. Animals and biodiversity loss are a result of human greed and ego. Hence, when we work on ourselves to get rid of our greed and ego, we start restoring our world. To work on our greed and ego we have to practice certain values like simplicity, contentment, and compassion. Non-Violence must start from within. My greed is harming my spiritual immunity and humane integrity, and then it also harms others around me. Working on myself, checking my life and my actions give some an opportunity to really make a difference in the world.

6. What are some of the practices which individuals and organisations can employ to stay connected to themselves and have a positive outlook in these difficult times?

BK Shantanu: We can collaborate at organisational levels to support vulnerable communities during such times. At the individual and inter-organisational level, we can focus on developing a routine in which we meditate, pray, and offer vibrations of healing and peaceful energies. We can also reflect and be creative in bringing more positivity through social media and reduce hate messages.