The world is now facing an unexampled mental health crisis. Technology advances and global connectivity deepens. Yet humanity finds itself increasingly disconnected from what truly matters — ourselves.
Stress, anxiety, and depression have become the defining ailments of our time. Economic upheavals, technological revolutions, and societal changes aside, the rise of mental illnesses has become the order of the day as a silent epidemic. Millions struggle with emotional turbulence that feels almost impossible to handle.
Sharon Salzberg This idea of mental illness is not new. Its prominence has shifted from physical diseases like heart attacks to invisible ailments, ones that are hard to measure, diagnose, or even recognise. Mental health issues are challenging to detect as they do not manifest outwardly.
The complexity lies in the fact that people, even the most successful, are silently suffering from stress and anxiety, often without awareness. Dr Sunil Kariyakarawana, Buddhist Chaplain to British Armed Forces, points out the humanity’s alienation from itself is at the heart of the problem. What makes this crisis particularly dangerous is its invisibility.
Unlike physical diseases that manifest through symptoms and are treated with clear medical protocols, mental health issues can hide behind smiles, success, or a calm exterior. The busiest, most successful individuals can often be the ones suffering the most inside, plagued by an internal storm they may not even recognise. Labour estrangement Alienation is originally a term referred to in Marxist school to analyse the workers’ estrangement from their labour.
It has contemporarily taken on a new meaning in this context. Alienation now means the internal disconnect that many people feel from their own minds and emotions. “The irony,” Dr.
Kariyakarawana notes, “is that while we seek solutions from external sources — pills, therapy, meditation apps — the answer lies within us. The key to tackling this alienation is Sati, the ancient Buddhist practice of mindfulness. Dr.
Kariyakarawana explained that Sati, or mindfulness, is not merely a trend in Western wellness culture, but a deeply rooted practice from the East, particularly in Buddhism. Dr Sunil Kariyakarawana “Mindfulness teaches us to be fully present, to engage with the current moment rather than being trapped in the past or worried about the future. However, it is often the case that those who live closest to the source of mindfulness have overlooked its value.
” The West celebrates mindfulness and the East, where the practice originated, keeps the very practice revered and locked away – underutilised, to be precise. Mindfulness is more than just meditation. It is about living fully in each moment, whether it is paying attention to our breath or savoring the taste of our food.
It is the antidote to the modern world’s afflictions of stress, anxiety, and depression. As Dr.Kariyakarawana noted, mindfulness is not reserved for monks in monasteries.
It is a practical tool that can help people overcome everyday stress. “When the world is searching for solutions to mental health issues, we already possess the answer. It is a matter of unlocking it.
Mindfulness helps us combat the alienation that modern life brings. In a world where we are more disconnected from ourselves than ever before, this ancient practice offers a path back to wholeness,” Dr Kariyakarawana notes. Revolutionary art The teachings on mindfulness closely align with the principles of loving-kindness (Metta) in Buddhism, as explored in Sharon Salzberg’s Loving kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness.
Salzberg emphasises that the practice of loving-kindness allows individuals to cultivate compassion and joy, both for themselves and others. In essence, mindfulness, loving-kindness, and Sati all converge to create a harmonious, peaceful way of being, where the mental afflictions of anxiety and depression can be alleviated. Both Dr.
Kariyakarawana and Salzberg stress the importance of reconnecting with our inner selves. According to Salzberg, loving-kindness is not simply an emotion, but a deep, intentional practice of extending compassion, care, and goodwill. Salzberg writes: “We long to love ourselves more deeply and to feel connected with others.
Instead, we often contract, fear intimacy, and suffer a bewildering sense of separation.” This sense of separation is at the root of much of our suffering, whether it manifests as loneliness, anxiety, or depression. Salzberg also points out that true happiness cannot be found in external achievements or material success, but rather in nurturing a loving heart.
She explains that love is not a conditional, transactional state, but an expansive force that transcends our immediate experiences. This kind of love—free from expectations and judgments—creates a foundation for healing and wholeness. It bridges the gap between ourselves and the world, allowing us to overcome the alienation that often defines modern life.
One of the most interesting aspects of Salzberg’s teachings is the idea of “relearning loveliness”—the process of rediscovering the intrinsic worth within ourselves and others. In her view, the practice of loving-kindness is a way to remind ourselves that we are inherently worthy of love, no matter how flawed or disconnected we may feel. Self-judgment Through meditation and intentional practice, loving-kindness helps us break down the walls of fear, anger, and self-judgment that keep us from recognising our own value.
Salzberg offers practical exercises, such as sitting quietly and reflecting on an act of kindness we have performed, or recalling a moment when we felt connected to someone else. These practices can help shift our perspective and allow us to see the goodness within ourselves and others. Salzberg explains that this recognition of loveliness is not about denying the difficulties or imperfections we face, but about embracing them with compassion.
The practice makes us begin to soften the harsh judgments we hold about ourselves and others. It leads us to a greater sense of peace and acceptance. This is particularly important in a world where mental health issues are worsened by feelings of isolation and self-blame.
The practice of loving-kindness extends beyond formal meditation. Salzberg encourages us to integrate it into our daily lives. She emphasises on a genuine connection with the people around us.
This can be as simple as offering a kind word to a colleague or listening attentively to a friend in need. One of the most beautiful aspects of loving-kindness is its inclusivity. Salzberg explains that metta is not limited to those we feel close to; it can be extended to all beings, even those we may feel distant from or conflicted about.
This aspect of loving-kindness challenges us to expand our hearts and practice compassion even in difficult situations. In the words of Salzberg, “Loving-kindness is the antidote to fear, alienation, loneliness, and despair.” It is through this practice that we can reconnect with the wholeness within us and experience the true happiness that comes from living with an open, loving heart.
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