The symptoms of cherophobia or fear of happiness can often be confused with depression. While depression is a persistent feeling of anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), cherophobia is an active avoidance of things that might bring joy. Cherophobia can be culturally prescribed. For example, I remember growing up with the Bengali (or was it a…
As long as I can look back and say “There’s no way I could have been grouchier,” it was good day. Oscar the Grouch, The Pursuit of Grouchiness I aspire to Oscar’s about the author page… “Oscar the the Grouch doesn’t need to explain himself to you. He lives in a trash can on Sesame…
Like you, Hungyphil has many dimensions and manifestations: Wobblyogi and now Angstytherapist. This blog started as a way to retain and share food experiences, it grew to add yoga and mindfulness, and now counseling and therapy. Like the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Hungry Philosopher is munching away at life one leaf at a time. Not sure…
The following is dedicated to all my artists, poet, philosopher, weirdo friends who like me often feel like they don’t belong. Here’s to you! I particularly like number 5 🙂 1. Give up your vows of silence which only serve to protect the old and the stale. 2. Unwind your vigilance, soften your belly, open…
A long time ago there was a yogini, Giri Bala who lived without food – Yogananda tells us in the in the Autobiography of a Yogi. At age 12 responding to her mothers-in-law taunts that she eats too much, Giri Bala with the help of her Guru stopped eating in order to prove that humans…
I am an extra. I am a non-speaking character in a coffee shop background sipping coffee and staring at my laptop. There are raindrops on the windows, a blade of grass moving in the wind outside, cars moving past on the road, murmuring conversations, a large orange sculpture, a concrete floor, a sneeze, a ding,…
It was Valentine’s Day, 2013. I had waited all day in fear, as fellow tenure-bound colleagues celebrated with online posts conveying relief and joy. When I finally got the evening call from the dean of liberal arts, “I’m sorry, there just wasn’t enough,” he said. That was it, a quick and sudden death of my…
I don’t follow recipes. Why then you might ask, “Do you have so many cookbooks?” Fair question. Cookbooks are for me narratives, sometimes exotic, sometimes familiar, always poetic. Here is a fantastic example, from Bangkok: Recipes and stories from the Heart of Thailand by Leela Punyaratabandhu: My great-grand parents always greeted guests with a silver…
“Hold the sadness and pain of samsara in your heart and at the same time the power and vision of the Great Eastern Sun. Then the warrior can make a proper cup of tea.” – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche In her book The Wisdom of No Escape, American Tibetan Buddhist, Pema Chodron discusses the above quote…
An OSCE (Objective structured clinical exam). For, “social work?” you might be asking. Indiana University uses the OSCE exam to assess student’s clinical assessment ability. It is a way to document and measure how responsive, intentional, empathetic and helpful, I can be as a social worker. Of my first four classes in the MSWD program,…
The kids are heading back to school in West Lafayette, Indiana. And, just like that without fanfare, summer is over. Sigh. I hope you had some tasty things with your favorite people. Here are a few of my nostalgic and grateful summer food moments. 1. Eating anywhere unfamiliar makes familiar foods, fascinating. 2. Eating treats…
“The art of listening is the marriage of ear and space.” – Remski interpretation of Patanjali’s sutra 3.41 In my Theory and Practice Course for Social Work, we are learning the art of interviewing. Step one involves achieving a compassionate and empowering balance between attending and reflecting. Here is an ancient yogic way to develop…
Think back to memories where you were so immersed in the experience that either you couldn’t or wouldn’t stop to take a picture. For this reason, cherished memories of my recent trip to Costa Rica doesn’t make for a good social media post. For my own sake, I’ll try my best to share and reflect…
Yoga helps, “the seeker excavate the tensions of inner life in a self-directed manner” (Look inside) Â us be responsible for our own spiritual health (Be responsible for your own peace) “relocate the unseen within us, invites us to introvert, to open our eyes to why we are who and how we are.” (See your hidden…
Haven’t we all suffered nights of restless sleep? I still do sometimes, but now without the added anxiety and self-judgment. I don’t feel like a victim of my restless thoughts, emotions, and imagination. Knowing a few relaxation techniques gives us tools to try while lying in bed, eyes wide open, instead of stirring up anxiety…
