NAVIGATING THE MIND AT SEA INSIGHTS FROM

LIFE AT SEA MEETS MINDFULNESS

- By Capt Sunil Nangia

Last month, I visited Capt. Amresh Kumar Jha, Master Mariner and Vice President of Kanoo Shipping India, in his office to congratulate him on completing his Master of Science in Yoga for Human Excellence.

Over coffee, surrounded by his warm hospitality and infectious friendliness, and amidst the excitement of his freshly earned M.Sc, our conversation quickly plunged from light-hearted greetings into the deep, uncharted waters of the mind, consciousness, and life balance at sea. Uncharted at least for me—yet he seemed completely at ease, or perhaps one could say, in full command.

"Life at sea is unlike any other," the calm and composed Capt. Amresh shared. "For months, we live on a floating bubble of steel and water. We face unpredictable weather, long watches, and immense responsibility. Yet, rarely are we trained to navigate the one vessel that truly matters—our own mind."

THE SUBTLE BODY: NAVIGATING THE INNER OCEANS

Capt. Amresh, radiating pride over his freshly earned M.Sc in Yoga for Human Excellence, enthusiastically introduced the concept of the subtle body—an idea central to his groundbreaking research:

Manomaya Kosa (Mind Sheath): Governs thoughts, emotions, and desires. "Every bridge team I've worked with showed me that leadership is as much about emotional awareness as it is about technical skill."

Vijnanamaya Kosa (Wisdom Sheath): The intuitive layer, guiding split-second decisions during emergencies.

Anandamaya Kosa (Bliss Sheath): A state of pure joy, often glimpsed in meditation or serene sunsets at sea.

"These layers are not abstract—they are practical tools for life at sea," explained the insightful Capt. Amresh.

THE EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS AT SEA