Breathing into Mindfulness: A Session on Mental Well-Being
Start 2025 mindfully with insights from IOCOD's transformative session on mental well-being. Learn gratitude, living in the moment, and breath-mind connection.
“Meditation is bringing the mind home.” – Sogyal Rinpoche
On the first Saturday of 2025, all of us at IOCOD got to experience this thought through a transformative session on mental well-being led by Ms. Saleena (Art of Living Corporate Trainer). She showed us how to reconnect with ourselves and live more mindfully through a blend of thought-provoking experiments and guided meditation.
The Mind’s Obsession with Negativity
The session began with a powerful experiment. Ms. Saleena called one of us forward and asked the rest to list 10 positive things about the person, followed by 1 negative thing. Despite the overwhelming positivity, the single negative comment lingered in our minds.
This simple exercise revealed a profound truth: the mind is wired to cling to negativity. But as Ms. Saleena pointed out, gratitude is the antidote. Whether it’s towards people, our jobs, or life itself, practicing gratitude brings abundant change.
Living in the Moment: A Game of Tom and Jerry
One of the most memorable parts of the session was a game called Tom and Jerry, played in pairs. In every pair, one person was Tom, and the other was Jerry.
- Round 1: Tom clapped loudly while Jerry tried to stop them.
- Round 2: The roles reversed.
The conclusion? Those who gave their 100% to the game felt truly happy at the end.
Ms. Saleena then pointed out how kids naturally embody this spirit. They live in the moment while giving their all to whatever they’re doing. As a result, they’re effortlessly happy. She urged us to adopt this mindset in our work and life. By staying present and immersing ourselves fully, we too can rediscover true happiness.
The Breath-Mind Connection
The session concluded with a powerful insight: the mind and breath are deeply connected. When the mind feels scattered, breath can bring it back into focus.
Under Ms. Saleena’s guidance, we practiced a breathing technique and a short meditation. The effects were immediate. Our minds felt lighter, our thoughts clearer, and our bodies more relaxed. It was a beautiful reminder that peace and calm are always within reach.
A Mindful Start to 2025
This session was more than just a lesson in mental well-being. It was an experience that urged us to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters.
As we embark on this new year, we carry forward these lessons. After all, as little kids remind us daily, happiness isn’t a destination. It’s a journey to live through – one mindful moment at a time.