Integrated Wellness

In this episode, I explore a ScienceAlert article, “Meditation and Mindfulness Have a Dark Side We Often Overlook” (https://www.sciencealert.com/meditation-and-mindfulness-have-a-dark-side-we-often-overlook), which warns that meditation and mindfulness can spark anxiety, depression, or detachment. I share my take; how our fragile selves, shaped by dysfunctional childhoods and coping stories, get rattled by meditation's truth-revealing power. Drawing from my own journey through depression and neurodivergence, I explore why these challenges aren't a “dark side” but a path to authenticity, with a way forward to face them fearlessly.

Sometimes "a matter of principle" is just a polished excuse for stubbornness or ego. In this episode, I share how the notion of principles is misused, and how to tell the difference between standing up for truth and just refusing to grow. Three and a half minutes.

I think we don't really understand forgiveness. Or how to forget. And because we don't, everything else goes downhill from there - stacking up, layer after layer, into tall forgotten piles of the unforgiven and the unforgotten. Piles that, even though they're hidden from our everyday thoughts, still shape the way we move through life. They weigh us down, change the way we trust, the way we love, the way we hope. Quietly. Invisibly. Until one day, we find ourselves wondering why the world feels so heavy... without ever realising we're the ones still carrying the past.

This meditation helps manifest a future goal. Before starting please:Note a significant goal, and spent a few minutes considering it, its outcomes and more in some detail.Take a few deep breaths and focus on your breathing for a couple of minutes before starting the podcast track.Repeat this meditation regularly, either by yourself or by listening to this podcast, preferably once a day.

Stubbornness and persistence—two forces that feel alike but lead to entirely different outcomes. One traps you in resistance, the other propels you forward. But what if they weren't opposites? What if they were simply different expressions of the same inner strength?In this episode, we unravel the psychology behind these traits, exploring how childhood conditioning, social influences, and mindset shifts shape whether we become rigid or resilient. More importantly, we discuss how to transform stubbornness into adaptive persistence—to move with strength, not just stand firm.Because in the end, true power isn't in resisting change—it's in knowing when to flow.

There was a time when people lived with their doors open, not just physically but emotionally. A time when knowing your neighbour wasn't a courtesy but a necessity—when solitude was an occasional retreat, not a way of life. But today, we build walls, both seen and unseen, higher than ever before.

The more sources of happiness we have, the less any one of them can control us. When joy is scattered across passions, relationships, and simple pleasures, no single setback can shake our foundation. Diversify your happiness—build a life so rich that no storm can leave you empty.

Have you noticed how life seems to run in loops? How certain thoughts, certain reactions, certain choices keep showing up again and again? At first, we don't question it. We assume this is just how things are. Just how we are. But is it? Or are we simply caught in patterns we no longer see?

Imagine this. Imagine that everything we do, everything we touch, everything we experience, leaves something behind. A thread. A fine, delicate strand of silk that clings to us. Not heavy, not noticeable at first. Just a single thread. Until one day, if we're lucky, we realize something strange.

Survival mode is a mental and emotional state where mind and body focus on getting through immediate challenges. This is a natural response to stress, triggered by situations such as financial struggles, relationship conflicts, work pressure, or ongoing health issues. What are the signs?

Sometimes we wake up feeling invincible, as though the world is perfectly aligned, and everything we touch turns to gold. Other times, we can't seem to lift the weight off our shoulders, let alone get out of bed. That's life. It's not a straight line, nor a steady climb. It's a wave—up and down, unpredictable, and rarely, if ever, consistent. And peace, that elusive state of being we all crave? It's hardly any different. For most of us, peace doesn't come as a complete package. It comes in bits and pieces, scattered across our days, moments, and contexts.

Preventing children from developing narcissistic traits requires a balanced approach to parenting, one that nurtures their self-esteem while teaching them empathy, responsibility, and healthy social relationships. Since narcissism quite often stems from childhood experiences, it is important to create an environment where children feel valued without being excessively idealized or overindulged.

Have you ever told yourself, "I'll try"? Whether it's starting a new project, changing a habit, or taking on a challenge, this phrase is common in our vocabulary. But have you noticed something? More often than not, when we start with "I'll try," we also end up saying, "Well, I tried". Today, let's explore what this phrase means, how it affects our outcomes, and what happens if we shift our language to a bolder statement: "I'll do it." Along the way, we'll reflect on failure, how we process it, and how language shapes our effort and results.

Narcissistic behavior, characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for excessive admiration, and a lack of empathy, can be rooted in both innate personality traits and life experiences. Understanding this dual origin is essential for exploring the possibility of change, particularly as it distinguishes between what might be more deeply ingrained and resistant to transformation versus behaviors that are more adaptable and responsive to interventions.

Taking things personally is a habit that many of us fall into without even realizing it. It happens when we believe that someone's words or actions are directed at us in a negative way. What's actually happening is that we're interpreting their actions through our own lens, making it about us when it may not be. There are reasons behind this behaviour, that I'll cover in another episode. Also, please ignore the pigeons in the background. Noise removal has its limitations. :D

Chronotypes are classifications that reflect the natural sleep-wake patterns of individuals, helping to explain why some people feel more energized in the morning while others thrive in the evening. These patterns, deeply rooted in our biology, are influenced by the body's circadian rhythm, an internal clock that regulates when we feel alert and when we feel tired. Understanding chronotypes can be incredibly useful for optimizing productivity, well-being, and overall health by aligning daily activities with your body's natural rhythm.

Today, we're going to talk about something that many people encounter but might not fully understand: narcissistic admiration. Have you ever met someone who constantly craves attention and praise, seems overly focused on their achievements, and is always talking about how great they are? If so, you might have met someone who exhibits narcissistic admiration. In this episode, we'll explore what narcissistic admiration is, how to recognize it, and, most importantly, how to deal with it in a healthy way.

Today, we'll explore a topic that many of us struggle with at some point in our lives—finding a romantic partner. But not any partner; we're going to explore the idea of finding someone who makes us happier rather than someone who we expect to make us happy. A partner who complements us, rather than completes us. This distinction is important, and it's at the core of how healthy, lasting relationships are formed.

In Hindu mythology, deities are often depicted with human-like flaws—anger, jealousy, or impulsiveness—yet these imperfections do not diminish their divinity. Instead, they highlight a balance between good and bad, making the gods relatable to human experience. Conversely, when human figures are deified—such as spiritual leaders or cultural icons—their flaws are often ignored or suppressed, presenting them as paragons of perfection. This podcast explores the paradox of accepting flaws in divine beings while holding deified humans to impossible standards, and the cultural implications of these contrasting perceptions.

This is a technique for nearly instant happiness and calm. It is meant to be a refresher, to reinforce one to one individual sessions. This is a hypnotherapy recording. Please do not drive or operate heavy machinery while listening.

In our last episode, we talked about what to do when you experience a soul-to-soul connection. Today, we're going to take a step back and look at the bigger picture—how these connections fit into your overall spiritual journey. What role do they play in your personal growth and evolution? And how can they help you deepen your understanding of yourself and the world around you?

So far, we've explored what soul-to-soul connections are, when and why they happen, and how to recognize them. In today's episode, we're going to talk about what to do once you've identified a soul-to-soul connection. How do you nurture it? How do you navigate the emotions that come with it? And how do you grow from the experience?

In the last two episodes, we've explored what soul-to-soul interactions are, and when and why they happen. Today, we're going to talk about how to recognize them. How do you know when you're experiencing one of these powerful connections? What are the signs?

Welcome back! In the last episode, we explored what soul-to-soul interactions are. Today, we're going to into when and why they happen. What causes these deep connections? And why do they feel so significant when they occur?

What exactly are soul-to-soul interactions? Welcome to today's episode, where we explore something truly fascinating—soul-to-soul interactions. Now, this might sound deep, and in some ways, it is, but we're going to break it down in a way that feels real, easy to understand, and relevant to everyday life.

(A quick thought) In our everyday lives, we often interact with others through our physical bodies. We shake hands, smile, talk, and use gestures to communicate. These interactions happen on the surface, with what we can see, hear, and touch. But if we look deeper, there's another layer of connection that involves something more than just our bodies—our souls.

Some of us, when we talk to others, don't always have a clear point in mind. We tend to meander, going on and on, not knowing when to stop or how to bring the conversation to a close. This tendency doesn't just happen when we talk to others. It happens in our own minds as well. It's as if we're running on a treadmill—moving, but not making any real progress.

Life is a beautiful, messy adventure. Sometimes, we find ourselves walking a path that doesn't feel quite right, as if we've wandered off our true course. It's okay to feel this way. In fact, it's a common part of the human experience. Let's talk about how we might lose ourselves and, more importantly, how we can find our way back home to who we truly are.

Today we're going to discover a fascinating psychological phenomenon that affects many of us, often without our awareness. It's called learned helplessness, and it is a concept that has profound implications for how we perceive our ability to control our lives and respond to challenges.

This is in continuation of yesterdays episode. Procrastination can act as a "wrapper" around many challenges, including burnout, social media addiction, and poor time management. Often serving as a coping mechanism to avoid discomfort, procrastination arises from stress, fear of failure, overwhelm, or the daunting nature of tasks. Understanding how procrastination interlinks with these issues reveals how it both exacerbates and is exacerbated by them.

I received a request to speak on overcoming burnout, social media addiction, and poor time management, all of which are challenges that many of us face today. In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the stress of daily life, lose track of time on social media, and struggle to get things done on time. But with some simple strategies and a better understanding of these issues, we can take control of our lives and feel more balanced, productive, and happy.

Today we explore a timeless and relevant topic: fear. Fear has shaped our evolution, influenced our decisions, and sometimes held us back from our full potential. At its core, fear is a double-edged sword, serving as both protector and potential prison. We must first recognize fear's role in our lives. It acts as a warning system, guiding us away from danger, like cautioning us near a cliff or prompting us to look before crossing a street. In these moments, fear is our ally, our guide through life's challenges. However, fear can also overwhelm and paralyze us. Understanding this duality is essential for harnessing fear's strengths and mitigating its weaknesses.

Time doesn't fix anything; we do. Just because something happened a long time ago, doesn't mean it's resolved. Sometimes, we think that with enough time, our problems will just go away. But the truth is, time can actually bury our issues, rather than help us resolve or accept them. Buried issues are like rotten roots that silently suffocate our well-being. Left unaddressed, they fester and spoil, corrupting us from the inside out. Like a slow-moving poison, they seep into our thoughts, emotions, and actions, influencing our very way of being. They whisper negative self-talk, fuel anxieties, and fan the flames of fear, slowly eroding our happiness and peace. As time passes, the weight of these buried issues grows, casting a shadow over our lives and relationships. So, let's not just wait for time to pass, hoping our problems will magically disappear. Instead, let's face them head-on, work through them, and truly resolve them. That way, we can move forward with real growth and healing. By confronting and resolving things that bother us, we can reclaim our inner space, break free from their toxic grip, and rediscover the radiant joy and fulfillment that's been waiting to emerge.

Overcoming emotional eating is a journey that requires patience, self-awareness, and a willingness to explore and address underlying emotional issues. By understanding the triggers and developing healthier coping mechanisms, it is possible to break free from the cycle of emotional eating and build a more balanced and nourishing relationship with food. Remember, this process takes time, and it is important to be kind to yourself along the way. Celebrate your progress and keep moving forward, one step at a time.

There is a documented link between loneliness and procrastination. Research has shown that people who experience loneliness tend to procrastinate more often and struggle with self-regulation, which can lead to decreased productivity and motivation. Loneliness can lead to procrastination as a coping mechanism to avoid feelings of isolation and disconnection. People who are lonely may use procrastination as a way to temporarily escape from negative emotions and find solace in distractions. Loneliness can impair cognitive functioning, including attention and decision-making, making it harder to tackle tasks and leading to procrastination. Social connections and support can help mitigate procrastination, while loneliness can exacerbate it.

The Lion's Gate Portal is a powerful and sacred astrological event that occurs every year on August 8th (8/8). The Lion's Gate Portal is a cosmic alignment that takes place when the Earth, Sun, and Sirius (the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major) form a harmonic triangle. This alignment is believed to create a portal or gateway that allows for: Higher dimensional energies to flow in DNA activations and upgrades Spiritual growth and awakening Increased intuition and psychic abilities Connection to ancient wisdom and knowledge This portal is associated with the energy of the lion, symbolizing courage, strength, and inner power. It's a time for personal growth, transformation, and embracing one's true potential. During this period, many people report feeling intense energies, heightened sensitivity, and a deeper connection to the universe. Some even experience vivid dreams, visions, or spiritual downloads. The Lion's Gate Portal is a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth, self-reflection, and renewal.

This guided meditation brings peace through enhancing our faith in our own abilities, reducing our need for perfection, and allowing us to accept when things don't go our way. Listen each night before sleeping for ideal outcomes.

Self-deception involves convincing ourselves of falsehoods to avoid discomfort and maintain a positive self-image. This may include denying or distorting reality, making excuses, or rationalizing behavior. While it can offer short-term relief, it ultimately prevents us from facing problems, leading to a distorted view of ourselves and the world.

Romantic relationships can be exciting, fulfilling, and a source of great joy in life. However, being truly ready for a healthy romantic relationship requires self-awareness, emotional maturity, and personal growth. While there are many important factors to consider, the first and most important step towards being ready for a romantic relationship is developing a strong sense of self-love and self-acceptance. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

This podcast offers a gentle exploration of the connection between low self-worth, unhealthy boundaries, and the negative cycles they can create. It provides some insights and strategies to help listeners start valuing themselves more and setting better limits, but it's just a starting point. The journey of building self-worth is a personal and ongoing one, and this podcast is simply a compassionate companion along the way, not a definitive guide. My hope is that it offers some comfort, encouragement, and practical tips to those who need it, while always emphasizing that each listener's path will be unique. But above all, I want to remind you that you are the expert on your own life, and your inner wisdom should always be your primary guide. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

Are you living in a mental prison of your own making? Discover how your self-image shapes your life and learn to rewrite your story. This week on Self-Image Reboot. In just 5 minutes, you'll gain insights that could change how you see yourself - and the world around you. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

In this episode of Integrated Wellness, host Siddhartha Khullar explores how to balance meta-awareness with decisive action. Learn strategies to set clear intentions, structure reflection time, trust your intuition, and distinguish productive reflection from rumination. Discover how to use mindfulness, overcome perfectionism, seek external perspectives, practice self-compassion, and learn from experience. Tune in for practical tips on maintaining clarity and courage in your decision-making journey. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

In this podcast, we tackle a common question in mindfulness practice: How far into the past or future can our thoughts go before we lose touch with the present? We explore the benefits and pitfalls of reflecting on past experiences and planning for the future, while offering practical tips for maintaining present-moment awareness. Through examples and explanations, we discuss ways to strike a balance between being fully present and engaging in necessary reflection or planning. Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, this episode provides insights on navigating the complexities of time in our thoughts and staying grounded in the now. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

I find that, as a species, we often foster a diminishing sense of self and weakening ways of being by continually removing restraints and constraints, including simple social niceties. This gradual process can lead us to a profound stagnation of mind and spirit, leaving us with precious little to look forward to.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

In this podcast episode, Siddhartha Khullar delves into the concept of karma, exploring its impact on individuals and families. Prompted by a conversation with Tejaswini Kadam, Siddhartha addresses how karma influences our lives, regardless of belief, and the effects of our actions on those around us. The episode covers the essence of karma as a principle of cause and effect, emphasizing the importance of mindful actions and setting positive intentions. Siddhartha also discusses managing expectations and the benefits of focusing on the intention behind our actions rather than the outcomes. Listeners will gain practical insights into embracing karma positively to foster harmony and well-being in their lives. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

Just this morning, someone was sharing with me, how her partner runs from the room, both figuratively and literally, whenever the subject of their relationship comes up. And this isn't something new, and is a phenomenon that's been around for decades and more. So, what is it with Indian men and emotional intimacy? Many Indian men face significant intimacy issues, stemming from deep-seated emotional and cultural challenges. A prevalent factor is an unhealthy relationship dynamic with their mothers, which often results in an inability to achieve emotional resolution. This unresolved dynamic can create a dependency that hampers the development of healthy adult relationships. Additionally, societal pressures impose unrealistic feminine ideals and unattainable family goals upon these men, setting them up for inevitable disappointment and failure in their personal lives. The combination of these factors leads to a struggle to form and maintain deep, meaningful connections. Emotional intimacy becomes a battleground where unresolved childhood conflicts and cultural expectations clash, often resulting in the self-sabotage of relationships. Consequently, the prospect of genuine, lasting partnerships remains elusive for many, as they navigate the complex interaction of tradition, expectation, and personal growth. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

Loneliness is like floating alone in the vastness of space, where the warmth of human touch and the comforting sound of voices are as distant as the stars. In this solitude, we are reminded of the invisible connections that tether us to others, underscoring the intense need for companionship in navigating the dark expanses of our own emotions. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Dr. Nina Saxena, healer and physiotherapist, and learnt some things about postural health. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

When someone is ill, we tend to most fervently visualise what we do not want, rather than what we do. This visualisation helps with keeping our manifestations true to our heart's desires than our fearful minds. This guided meditation is aimed at the recovery of a girl child in hospital. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

Death is a universal aspect of the human experience, one that touches every culture, belief system, and individual in profoundly personal ways. Generally, we perceive death as the end of life, the moment when consciousness and physical activity cease. This finality brings with it a range of emotions and reflections, from fear and sadness to acceptance and peace. How do you see death and what perspective do you most resonate with, among those I've shared. Please do tell. :) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message

One of a series of pain relief meditations. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sidkhullar/message