It was 5 a.m., the time of stillness when the world rests in quiet slumber. As usual, I began preparing for my morning meditation and exercises, a sacred ritual that I valued for balancing my body, mind, and soul. The air was crisp, with a faint scent of dew, and the horizon was gradually blushing with the promise of sunrise.

Suddenly, my solitude was interrupted by the rhythmic hum of a loudspeaker. The chants of mantras echoed through the streets, their repetitive cadence breaking the silence. Curious and slightly disturbed, I peeked out the window. The LIC ground nearby was buzzing with preparations. A spiritual group was organizing a grand function, promising to teach healthy living practices through their methods.

I remembered the day before when a group of their volunteers had approached me, brimming with enthusiasm. They had invited me to join the event and "experience the transformative power of their spiritual teachings." Politely, I had agreed to an interactive session with their gurus, intrigued by their claims of connecting spirituality to health.

The session was impressive on the surface. The gurus were articulate, well-trained, and adept at captivating attention. They spoke eloquently about the power of the mind, the role of faith, and the benefits of certain practices. Their words were sprinkled with anecdotes and promises of mental and physical well-being.

Yet, as I listened, a gnawing question kept surfacing in my mind. They spoke passionately about what and how—the practices, rituals, and routines they advocated—but something essential was missing. The "why" of health was absent. Why should people care about their health beyond the immediate benefits? Why does self-awareness matter in health? Why is it essential to integrate personal responsibility into wellness?

This "why" has been the cornerstone of my journey with GSHER (Global Self-healthcare Education and Research). Our initiative does not merely prescribe practices but emphasizes education—teaching people the science of their bodies, the intelligence of their cells, and the art of listening to their inner wisdom. GSHER's mission is not just to heal but to empower individuals to take charge of their health through knowledge, awareness, and conscious living.

As the session ended, I politely thanked the gurus and excused myself. Their approach, though well-intentioned, felt incomplete. It was like planting a tree without nurturing its roots. The competitive zeal of linking spirituality to health seemed to overshadow the deeper purpose of fostering genuine self-awareness.

Now, standing by my window and watching the preparations unfold, I couldn't help but reflect on my path. I realized I was walking a road less traveled—a road that didn’t rely on grandeur or loudspeakers but on silent, meaningful transformation. It was a challenging road, often lonely, yet deeply fulfilling.

As the chants grew louder, I closed my eyes and returned to my meditation. The world outside would continue its cacophony of competing voices, each claiming to hold the key to wellness. But within me, I knew my truth: health is not about following; it is about understanding. It is not about being taught; it is about discovering. And above all, it is not about competition; it is about connection—connection to oneself, to others, and to the essence of life itself.

The path of self-healthcare education might be less glamorous, but it was one of substance. And for that, I was grateful

Dr Biswajit Mohapatra

We frequently expect healthcare systems to deliver excellence, yet self-healthcare has the distinct advantage of being under our control. The inner environment of tranquility, motivation, and purpose, rather than the external demands of incentives or penalties, drives us to sustain good health. We build a sustainable approach to optimal health by instilling in people a mindset that views self-care as a lifetime responsibility. A caring inner environment promotes good health in the same way that serene, inspiring surroundings do for productivity and joy.

You didn’t come this far to stop