Christmas is a time to rejoice and let the festive mood heal you.

Often, when we are tense and stressed,we forget to rejoice and celebrate our achievements. Most importantly, we forget the immense power of the human body, mind and spirit.

Look at the incredible feats performed by man round the world - climbing mountains, walking in space or running the marathon. Then look closer to home. Just think of all the hard work we put into bringing up our children, looking after our families, working or going through college.

Christmas is a time to reflect, to ask yourself: "Who am I? What is the purpose of my life?" It is a time to remind ourselves that we have a far more powerful source of energy which brings this body to life, gives us strength, makes us talk, listen, speak, enjoy, love and hate.

One way to heal ourselves when life seems to be really unfair and hard is to read spiritual and religious literature - and Christmas is the perfect time for it. I find that reading one or two pages from the teachings of the saints and seers gives me so much strength and reassurance, it restores my confidence in myself and in life.

The saints remind us that life is a changing phenomenon. This material world is ephemeral. Nothing remains the same. Nothing is permanent here. The only thing that is permanent is the creative energy or spirit which is with God.

Each individual is on his or her own journey with the purpose of discovering their real self or spirit through their experiences on that journey. In order to restore balance and equanimity of our emotions and sensible thinking, it is vital we remind ourselves that our true form is the spirit within which is our spark of life.

It is formless, limitless and ageless. Our soul provides the energy to our brain and our mind and we can harness that energy.

In order to control the use of our senses and the vagaries of the mind, we need to strengthen our soul and our spirit.

To do this, we need to be in the company of mystics or saints from time to time and to meditate on the self.

From time to time, forget your worldly plight, sit quietly in a chapel, church or temple and simply savour the peace. Withdraw your attention from body and the five senses, still the mind from running with its millions of thoughts and slowly focus your attention within your heart.

Gradually you will learn to raise your awareness into the subconscious mind and feel the experience of true freedom and joy of a mind which does not desire anything from the material world - only peace within.

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." - St John (4:14 )

Dr Milind Jani works as a conventional and holistic GP and Dr Asmita Jani as Ayurvedic Consultant from 3 Eaton Gardens, Hove.

Call them on: 01273 777448 or email: milind.jani@ntlworld.com