Meditation can be used to handle problems

Oct 26, 2019

By Thomas Chua
Fr Charles Chin held a two and a half hour session on the topic Learn the art of destressing and creative thinking for a group of 60 students and 46 adults at the Church of St Michael on October 4. Since his retirement, Fr Charles Chin has been effectively engaged in teaching silent meditation in the Penang Diocese and other churches upon request. This session was organised by Fr Nelson Joseph, the Assistant Parish Priest, for the young people, especially students in the parish. As Fr Chin put it, “Catch them young and let them grow.”

Fr Chin started the session on developing one’s brain power to be successful. He stressed on the need to arrest the negative habit of mind wandering, so common among students, leading to an epidemic of distraction and thus failing to accomplish one’s goals in life. He also explained how to keep the brain in top working condition through watchful diet, regimented exercise, and eliminating negative habits. “Your brain is the organ of your personality, character and intelligence and is heavily involved in making you who you are.” Fr Chin quoted from Dr Daniel Amen. Throughout the first session, he engaged the audience with many parables and anecdotes.

The second practical session was held in the church where the participants were coached to experience the technique of mastering the art of de-stressing through the observation of one’s natural breath. As a tree sapling has to be tenderly protected and nurtured, so the participants were advised to devote fifteen minutes of daily practice to internalise the practice.

The Parish Youth Leader, Alexander Lourdes, 19, said, “ If only this were taught in schools, we would better handle students problems.”