Sponsorship image

The ageless adage “This too shall pass” strikes a chord within us, yet truly comprehending its profound influence on our brain remains a challenge. Venturing into its essence, it encapsulates the impermanence of all circumstances, underscoring that both favorable and unfavorable situations are transitory. Serving as a soothing haven during trials, it gently guides us to acknowledge that adversities hold a fleeting presence. This sagacity cultivates detachment.

Nevertheless, why is this sagacity predominantly associated with hardships? Happiness, in its own right, is transient, yet our struggle to detach from it exposes us to heightened vulnerability. Could it be that the magnitude of emotional peaks and valleys dictates their navigational difficulty? Unveiling this incongruity, we look deeper into why this maxim takes center stage during struggles, while its application to euphoria remains scant.

Empirical evidence supports our hypothesis. An intriguing proposition put forward that adopting a perspective extending beyond the immediate future, with a specific focus on recent stressors, can assuage emotional distress. Contrasted with a near-future or control outlook, this distant-future viewpoint mitigates anguish. The ramifications resonate deeply: particular phrases wield the potential to rewire our brain, mollifying stress and its triggers.

Introducing “neuroplasticity,” the brain’s capacity for reshaping and adapting. This phenomenon propels its perpetual evolution, employing verbal cues as catalysts. By harnessing the potency of neuroplasticity, targeted exercises facilitate positive rewiring. The crux lies in rewriting ingrained patterns, thereby augmenting holistic well-being.

Curiously, this insight propels us beyond mere repetition of “This too shall pass.” We grasp its core and the neurological metamorphosis it catalyzes. By adopting a lens that transcends immediacy, we engage in cognitive reconfiguration. The tumultuous emotional pendulum attains equilibrium.

Imagine a scenario where elation envelopes our existence. Conventional wisdom encourages savoring the moment. However, through the prism of neuroplasticity, we transcend customary notions. Engaging in exercises that imbue the passing of happiness fortifies emotional resilience. We discern that even within euphoria’s embrace, the present is a fleeting interlude. This isn’t always a straightforward process; can this possibly have adverse effects on humans? Do we necessitate emotional extremes, or is finding equilibrium and constancy acceptable? Must chaos remain an integral aspect, as balance might be perceived as mundane?

Conversely, in the throes of tribulations, “This too shall pass” transforms from mere solace into a cognitive toolkit. Amidst the tempest of hardship, this toolkit urges us to broaden our mental horizon, envisaging a future beyond the turmoil. It endows us with the capacity to endure discomfort by grasping its transient nature.

Our narrative culminates in the epiphany that wisdom transcends mere words. It constitutes a conscious act of rewiring, of reprogramming the intricate circuitry of the brain. The adage evolves into a navigational instrument, steering us through the maze of emotions. We transcend our evolutionary origins, employing cognition to chart our course.

In a world rife with distractions and instant gratifications, this understanding resonates profoundly. It propels us to a vantage point where we decipher the emotional undercurrents shaping our reactions. We cultivate the resilience to brave the emotional tempest, secure in the immutable verity (truth) that “this, too, shall pass”.

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25603380/

https://www.healthline.com/health/rewiring-your-brain

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/06/harvard-psychologist-if-you-use-any-of-these-phrases-you-are-more-emotionally-resilient-than-most.html

Author(s)

  • Ayesha Samji

    Holistic Wellness and Mindfulness Specialist

    Yoga for Wellness Tanzania (Africa)

    My life's purpose revolves around guiding individuals on their journey to unlock their innate capacity for growth and wholeness. I believe that seeking assistance in navigating life's challenges is a courageous step towards self-care and personal transformation. Through our therapeutic partnership, I am dedicated to helping people discover how to make meaningful behavior changes, reduce stress, and attain a heightened sense of tranquility, presence, confidence, purpose, and connection in their daily lives. My therapeutic approach is firmly rooted in mindfulness and is enriched by extensive training and experience in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), yoga therapy, meditation, somatic therapy, and health and life coaching. I am deeply passionate about self-care and find immense fulfillment in collaborating with fellow healing professionals, including acupuncturists, nutritionists, bodyworkers, and alternative medicine practitioners, to provide holistic support on the journey to healing. My exploration of the mind-body connection began over two decades ago when I embarked on a personal journey with yoga as a young adult. Through this practice, I discovered the profound ability to soothe my nervous system, find solace in my breath, and attune to the true needs of my body. As I continued my studies in counseling, mindfulness, and yoga, I felt an innate calling towards holistic therapy. My commitment to ongoing education centers on mind-body approaches, bridging the gap between functional and conventional medicine to tailor treatments for specific medical conditions. Over the past decade, I have provided therapeutic services in diverse settings, including schools, community mental health centers, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. In these contexts, I have created and led mindfulness and trauma-informed programs, broadening community access to wellness practices such as elderly yoga, therapeutic yoga groups, mindfulness training, and self-care for healthcare providers. Currently, I collaborate with private clients, assisting them in achieving their personal health goals. Moreover, I take pride in serving as the CEO and founder of Mukti Wellness Center in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and Yoga for Wellness Africa, an East African NGO. Through these organizations, we provide training programs to individuals from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to fulfill our vision of making wellness and holistic healing accessible to a wider audience