𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐡𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐙𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐤

…𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍-𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔

By Tenzin Euden

Dhyana Zhisthok, a local meditation center in Thimphu, addresses the growing concerns of stress, anxiety, and depression in today’s world. The center emphasizes the need for accessible mindfulness programs, particularly secular options that cater to a broad audience. Acknowledging the allure of materialism in our globalized world, they offer a solution to the anxieties of modern life through mindfulness training. Their message promotes a shift in focus, prioritizing mental well-being over the pursuit of material wealth.

Chung Trulku Rinpoche, founder of Dhyana Zhitshok, advocates for meditation as a form of “mental exercise” to combat stress and anxiety, emphasizing the parallel between physical and mental well-being. Just as neglecting physical health leads to weight gain, neglecting mental health allows stress and emotions to accumulate, creating a burden. Rinpoche describes meditation as a cleanse and a path to freedom from stress. He illustrates a domino effect, where unresolved stress leads to insomnia, anxiety, and ultimately, depression. Inspired by a desire to serve society, particularly during the isolating times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rinpoche started his first online meditation course in 2021. The program attracted a diverse group, including young people struggling with drug addiction, abuse, and mental weakness. The positive feedback, with participants seeking inner peace and stress reduction, fueled Rinpoche’s commitment to offer daily meditation sessions, promoting mental fitness.

Kinley Namgyel credits meditation with helping him overcome anxiety and achieve mental well-being. Inspired by his relatives, Kinley attended his first meditation session in Perth, Australia, while struggling with low mood and mental disturbance. The session offered a welcome sense of fun and relief. Back in Bhutan, he joined the center, managing stress, overthinking, and emotional burdens. Kinley describes a period of intense anxiety while living overseas and found the meditation sessions helpful in managing his symptoms. One of his most profound takeaways from the meditation center is a quote from Rinpoche, “If you are anxious, you are in the future, and if you are depressed, then you are in the past. If you are happy, you are in the present.” For him, meditation is about achieving present-moment awareness and inner peace through sound and practice, and the positive impact on his life is undeniable.

Similarly, Sangay Zangmo, a 34-year-old housekeeping supervisor, finds solace and mental clarity through meditation at the center. She describes joining the center to train her mind and achieve inner peace. “For me, the center goes beyond stress relief. It’s a space for self-discovery, where I overcome negativity and learn techniques for mental calmness,” said Sangay. The positive impact extends to her emotional well-being and overall health.

According to Rinpoche, the statistics until last year showed that almost 3500 people took part in meditation classes, including youths, housewives, civil servants, senior citizens, and many more. The classes are free and run from Monday to Friday. He stated the main purpose of the center, which is to provide peace and calm to the self. The location is at the heart of Thimphu, purposely chosen so that people can observe various aspects of life and easily reach the center.

Furthermore, mental health concerns are on the rise in Bhutan, with a notable increase in registered cases of anxiety and depression between December 2023 and April 2024, standing between 1713 and 1889 according to hospital data. It’s important to note that while meditation can be beneficial, for those experiencing severe anxiety or depression, seeking professional help from qualified mental health professionals is crucial. Moreover, the root cause of depression and anxiety is panic. “We are born with anxiety due to overthinking and judgments. There needs to be self-love and practice meditation for inner happiness, which literally means happiness,” added Chung Trulku Rinpoche.

Another participant, Thinley Wangmo, began her journey with meditation with a desire to understand its benefits firsthand. She found a welcoming community at the center, led by the respected Trulku Rinpoche. Meditation not only provides a sense of calm but also empowers individuals to manage personal struggles that have been causing mental distress. “Through the class, I gained valuable insights into stress management, its root causes, and how to effectively handle it,” said Thinley. She emphasizes that meditation is not just for those facing mental health challenges, recommending it for everyone due to its profound impact, describing it as ‘’meaningful, helpful in every way, very effective, and life-changing.”

Chung Trulku Rinpoche, the founder of Dhyana Zhitshok, offers valuable insights into mental well-being. In his wisdom, Rinpoche extols the virtues of detachment and gratitude as antidotes to mental disturbances, urging individuals to embrace positivity and appreciate life’s blessings. He advises against dwelling in the past, as reliving negative experiences can cause further distress. Gratitude is presented as a powerful tool. Appreciating what you have, rather than self-criticism, is encouraged. “Always try to be happy and positive. That’s the seed of happiness,’’ said Rinpoche. By cultivating a sense of gratitude and detachment from negativity, Rinpoche believes individuals can cultivate inner peace and mental well-being.

As the center continues to serve as a sanctuary of serenity amid life’s chaos, its message resonates loud and clear: amidst the trials and tribulations of modern existence, inner peace is not just a luxury but a necessity.