Facing Emotions Head-on
Everyone experiences anxiety, particularly when facing new challenges. The ability to deal with these feelings can be developed over time, as demonstrated
by actor Raghav Juyal. In an interview, Juyal highlighted methods performers utilize to deal with their emotions and anxieties. He mentioned an acting exercise where one asks oneself, 'How are you feeling?' This self-awareness is the initial stage of open-eye meditation. By identifying emotions such as nervousness, individuals can begin to handle them.
Juyal's Coping Strategy
Raghav Juyal relies on a technique he calls "open-eye meditation" to handle stage fright. He advises acknowledging one's feelings before a performance or any daunting situation. This involves openly admitting to being anxious or afraid, which initiates a process of self-awareness. By acknowledging these feelings, one can start to understand them better and use them to move forward. This practice is likened to open-eye meditation because it keeps the eyes open and the mind calm, allowing for focus without being distracted by external elements.
Effectiveness Unveiled
Vivek Vashist, a therapist and perception architect, offers insights into the effectiveness of this approach. He explains that when one identifies their emotions by saying, 'I'm feeling nervous,' the feeling shifts from the limbic system, the brain's reactive area, to the prefrontal cortex, the area that handles reasoning. This shift creates a distinction between the person and the emotion, reducing its impact. This method helps people transition from being overwhelmed by feelings to observing them, which leads to increased agency and a reduction in anxiety. Vashist emphasizes that becoming aware of one's emotions is interpreted by the brain as a sign of safety.
Meditation Explained
Open-eye meditation provides a unique approach to managing emotions and staying present. It is like watching a movie without interruptions or distractions. According to Vashist, open-eye meditation is more effective because it trains calm within an environment that is active, in contrast to closed-eye meditation, which isolates the individual from external stimuli. In open-eye meditation, the individual stays present in the situation without getting detached from it. Therefore, during the practice, the individual's body stays relaxed, regardless of the intensity of the scenario, which allows them to stay alert and unperturbed, which facilitates them to stay engaged in the moment.
Staying Present
The objective of open-eye meditation is not to suppress feelings but to maintain focus. Vashist highlights that it is comparable to quickly flipping pages in a book without comprehension. He provides three anchoring techniques to deal with anxiety: the 3-2-1 Reset (naming 3 things you see, 2 you can touch, and 1 you hear), Micro-breath anchoring (exhaling slowly before speaking or entering a room), and Single Point focus (choosing a cue like a person's eyes or your breath to stay grounded). These methods help individuals to stay anchored in the present moment by engaging their senses and controlling their focus, providing a home base for the body during high-pressure situations.
