Pause, Breathe, Reset: Swami Jyotirmayah Brings Inner Peace to Cyprus

Poster: High Commission of India in Cyprus (@indiacyprus)

Long shifts, late-night calls with family in India, the cost of living: life abroad has its own kind of noise. On 21 September, the High Commission of India in Nicosia offered a quiet alternative: an evening of guided meditation with Swami Jyotirmayah Ji, organised together with The Art of Living.

The session took place at the High Commission complex in Engomi from 7:30 PM and was open to everyone, whatever their background or experience of meditation.

What is guided meditation?

In guided meditation, a teacher talks you through each step: settling the body, slowing the breath and gently bringing your attention back whenever the mind wanders. It's a good starting point for beginners, because you don't have to work out what to do on your own. The evening combined this with time for reflection, in keeping with The Art of Living's focus on breath and mindfulness.

What this means for you: try it at home

You don't need a special venue to get some of the benefit. Here's a simple five-minute practice:

Sit comfortably with your back straight and your phone on silent.
Close your eyes and take five slow breaths, making each out-breath a little longer than the in-breath.
Notice the sounds around you and the feeling of your body on the chair, without judging anything.
When thoughts come (they will), simply return to your breath.
Before you open your eyes, think of one thing you're grateful for today.

Done daily, even a few minutes can help you feel calmer and sleep better. If stress feels overwhelming, though, please speak to a doctor or a counsellor; meditation is a support, not a replacement for care.

Source: High Commission of India in Cyprus (@indiacyprus) on Instagram