“You are very fortunate to live in Sydney,” says Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda with a beatific smile, “because the city presents such a constant challenge!”
Don’t we know it.

Swamiji - as he is affectionately known – is currently on a world tour, bringing his message of “inner peace for world peace” and teaching people his system of yoga called, Yoga in Daily Life as a means to combat everyday stress. There’s no shortage of that in Sydney, and the daily stress we face - could that person in front be walking any slower? – are enough to drive even the most patient person crazy!

We presented Swamiji with a few Sydney scenarios to get his calm view on how to manage our daily stressors!

The Scene:  You’re in a long traffic queue approaching the Harbour Bridge. There’s no alternate route, you are stuck and as the minutes tick by, you know you’ll be late for your meeting.

Swamiji’s Solution: Take three long deep breaths and remind yourself, this is temporary, you are not stuck on the Harbour Bridge forever. The most important thing here is to focus on your breathing. When inhaling, guide the breath awareness from your navel to your throat. Exhaling, guide the breath awareness from throat to navel. With each breath your body and mind will become more relaxed.

The Scene:  It’s the festive season and you’ve taken your family to Darling Harbour for a celebration meal. Your favourite restaurant has no free table and the maitre d’ informs you there’s at least an hour’s wait!

Swamiji’s Solution:  First you must realise there are many people in the world who do not have any food and you are very fortunate to have the opportunity to dine at such a lovely restaurant. Due to the wait, you will become hungrier and thereby enjoy the meal even more. You have time to really explore the menu and make a careful decision about what to eat. Of course, I believe all living creatures deserve the right to live, so you have time to consider a vegetarian meal. Look at the patrons already enjoying their meal – they’re not fighting or killing each other – consider yourself lucky you will soon be joining them and that you are fortunate to be in an environment of such positive energy.

The Scene:  You’re single and beginning to wonder if you will ever find the perfect partner.

Swamiji’s Solution:  It’s important to keep a positive attitude. Positive, balanced energy is contagious and people with a similar disposition will be attracted to you. At home, practice yoga poses a few minutes each day to keep health. Reading a spiritual book will help you keep everything in perspective.

The Scene:  It’s one of Sydney’s hottest summer days and as you step onto the train at peak hour, you realise the air-conditioning is not working. The carriage is jam-packed!

Swamiji’s Solution:  You can look at all the beautiful people. Remember this is temporary and you do not have to ride the train forever. Focused breathing is essential. Close your eyes and consciously relax your abdomen, lower jaw, forehead and eyes. If you have a mantra (a pleasant, calming word or sentence), repeat it to yourself. You will notice the repetition of your mantra allows your mind to de-stress, become focused and clear away the other thoughts and distractions which divert your energy.

The Scene:  You and some mates have just been to watch the State of Origin grand final. You patiently file out of ANZ Stadium and wait in the taxi queue. Just as the next taxi pulls up and a drunken jerk pushes ahead of you and gets in.

View Swamiji's spiritual lectures online at swamiji.tv