Deep Feeling

Mom, media entrepreneur, master meditator and mentor. That’s Mallika Chopra. She teaches kids and adults alike not just how to tap into their inner world, but also how to transform intention into living a life of purpose. In the midst of launching her second kids’ book, Just Feel, Mallika took a moment with me to reflect on the importance of emotional connection.

CN: Mallika Chopra, you are one of the deepest souls I know, but at the same time you’re completely relatable. I suspect this has something to do with your ability to tap into your emotional world without being overwhelmed by it. How do you achieve this balance?

MC: You know me very well and you are being incredibly kind because you also know how overwhelmed I get! I do credit learning how to meditate when I was nine years old as being transformational. Meditation helps one slow down, be comfortable with a quiet mind, gives perspective and helps one self-regulate.

CN: You and I often talk about how, as parents, we are inspired and motivated by our kids – both their successes and their struggles. Was there a particular inspiration for Just Feel?

MC: As a mother of two teenage girls, I have watched how so many of our kids are dealing with an overstimulated, over-worked, high pressure, sleep deprived and social anxiety ridden reality. How sad is that! I realized many of our kids don’t know how to deal with the range of emotions we all have every day, and they get overwhelmed by challenges and fear failure. There are many reasons for this: a hyperconnected fast paced world and the illusion of what life can be on social media. Just Feel is a social and emotional intelligence guide written for kids. It explores knowing the body and mind, how feelings manifest in the body, how to self-regulate, the power of making choices, how to ask for help, and the empowerment that comes from serving others.

CN: This is your second kids’ book in a couple of years – first there was Just Breathe and now Just Feel. Before this, you focused largely on parents in your writing, speaking, and online community building. Do you have a favorite audience?

MC: I truly love teaching kids! I find 8-12 years old is an interesting time to teach kids about meditation and mindfulness because they are curious, open, ask tons of questions, love to demonstrate yoga poses and laugh a lot. They make teaching joyful and fun.

CN: If you had to pick one pearl of wisdom from Just Feel, what would it be?

MC: You have the power to know how your mind works, and to make choices to be stronger, happier, and healthier.

CN: You provide such wonderful strategies for managing the craziness in the world around us. But you also do so much to try to change the world. Any favorite passion projects at the moment?

MC: I am writing the third, and final, book in this series which is tentatively titled Just Be You. It will focus on self-reflection and intention. My hope is to one day create a mind body spirit curriculum with the content from these three books.

For a little more Mallika, check out Living With Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy or pass these along to your kids: Just Breathe: Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement and More and Just Feel: How to be Stronger, Healthier, Happier and More