29/01/2026

LYFE THURSDAY | JAN 29, 2026

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Mindprint , discipline of inner work o Book digs deeper into human pysche of ego, self, persona I N a world saturated with noise, urgency and constant self-optimisation, Mindprint: Engineering Inner Power for familiarity often feels safer than freedom. “Familiarity feels safer to the unconscious mind because it is predictable and many people choose emotional comfort over freedom because uncertainty requires Ű BY ASHIQIN AHMAD

Growth, Purpose and Regeneration by Dr Praveena Rajendra offers a quieter yet more deliberate proposition. Rather than promising instant transformation or external success, the book turns inward, guiding readers through the process of understanding how the mind is shaped and how it can be consciously reengineered for clarity, purpose and renewal. At its core, Mindprint is a self-help book but it resists the genre’s more familiar shortcuts. There are no quick hacks or motivational slogans. Instead, Praveena presents self-mastery as a gradual, layered process that begins with awareness and unfolds through reflection, discipline and intentional alignment. The structure of the book reflects this philosophy. Divided into two parts, The Mind and The Print, and the chapters read as a step-by-step journey that mirrors how inner change often occurs, first through understanding and unlearning, then through expression and action. While the book focuses on reawakening the mind, it also touches deeply on mental health, particularly the act of confronting one’s inner world with honesty. Praveena acknowledges that growth often begins when individuals feel safe enough to be seen, even by themselves. “I would say that my husband is one of my inspirations. He never rescued me but he was always beside me during my hardest times and that kind of presence changes how you learn to hold yourself,” she told theSun . Part one: Understanding the mind The first half of Mindprint focuses on internal architecture. Before growth can happen, the book argues, the mind must be understood in its current state, shaped by experiences, patterns and unconscious conditioning. The opening chapter, The Mindprint, introduces the central concept of the book. Just as a fingerprint is unique and formed over time, a mindprint represents the cumulative impressions left by thoughts, experiences and beliefs. Praveena positions this as the foundation for self-awareness, encouraging readers to recognise that many behaviours are learned responses rather than fixed traits. From here, the book moves into The Pattern, a chapter that explores repetition and habit. Rather than framing patterns as flaws to be eliminated, Praveena treats them as signals, clues to deeper motivations and fears. By identifying these loops, readers are invited to pause automatic responses and replace reaction with choice. This idea is reinforced in one of the book’s most striking reflections, where Praveena writes that ner s r s es es he nd on wth the its ces,

courage and responsibility,” she said. In The Anchor, the focus shifts to grounding. The chapter emphasises the importance of stability in navigating change, whether through values, routines or intentional pauses. Anchors, the book suggests, provide emotional reference points when the mind is overwhelmed or uncertain. Empathy and bias follow as paired themes, examining how perception is shaped not only by personal history but also by social conditioning. Praveena encourages readers to develop empathy not just towards others but towards themselves, particularly when confronting ingrained biases and internalised judgments. This inward focus becomes more pronounced in the chapter on emotional balance within relationships, where

Praveena during The Mindprint book launch at Taylor’s University recently. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN Pr

doing less with more purpose rather than more with less awareness. In The Radiance, the book explores confidence and presence as byproducts of alignment rather than performance. Radiance, Praveena suggests, emerges naturally when internal conflict is reduced and values are lived consistently. The Leadership is approached not as authority but responsibility. The chapter expands the idea of leadership beyond formal roles, positioning it as influence through example, integrity and emotional intelligence. As the book progresses, its scope widens. The Systems examines how individuals exist within larger structures, whether families, organisations or societies. The chapter reinforces the idea that personal growth and systemic awareness are interconnected and that conscious individuals contribute to healthier systems. The final chapters, The Regeneration and The Legacy, return to the book’s overarching theme of sustainability. Growth is not framed as linear or endless but cyclical. Regeneration involves rest, reflection and renewal, while legacy asks readers to consider what they leave behind, not just materially but emotionally and ethically. Reflecting on the process of writing Mindprint , Praveena

The final chapter of this section, The Alignment, serves as a bridge between inner understanding and outer action. Once awareness has been cultivated, the book argues, intention must follow. Alignment becomes the practice of ensuring thoughts, values and actions move in the same direction. Closing Part One is The Alchemy, a chapter that encapsulates the book’s spiritual undertone. Transformation is presented as an internal process, turning awareness into wisdom and intention into change. It is here that Mindprint most clearly positions growth as regenerative rather than extractive, a theme that continues into the second half of the book. Part two: Leaving a print If Part One is introspective, Part Two turns outward. Titled The Print, this section explores how inner work translates into presence, contribution and legacy. The Voice opens this section by addressing expression. Praveena encourages readers to find authenticity in how they speak, write and engage with others, linking clarity of voice to clarity of thought. The Efficiency follows but not in the productivity-obsessed sense often found in self-help literature. Instead, the chapter reframes efficiency as intentional energy use, T b o b i

describes a profound shift in her relationship with herself. “I am the happiest I have ever been because there comes a point in life where external validation fades and your relationship with your own happiness becomes the only thing that truly matters,” she said. Measured approach to self-help What sets Mindprint apart is its restraint. Praveena does not promise transformation within a fixed number of days nor does she frame growth as a competition. The book respects the reader’s pace, offering structure without pressure. Its language is calm and reflective, making it particularly suited for readers who feel overwhelmed by more aggressive self-improvement narratives. While the concepts may feel abstract at times, the step-by-step progression gives the book coherence and direction. For readers seeking a deeper, more contemplative approach to personal growth, Mindprint offers a thoughtful guide. It does not tell readers who to become. Instead, it asks them to pause, observe and consciously decide how they wish to evolve. In doing so, Mindprint positions self-help not as self-fixing, but as self-understanding, a process that begins quietly and unfolds with intention.

the author introduces the idea of becoming a “family barometer”. Reflecting on this, she suggests self-awareness often lags behind judgment of others. “It is always easier to recognise flaws in others because accepting that we are also flawed requires humility. That is where ego must give way to acceptance and that shift is one of the hardest inner transitions we make,” she said. The later chapters in Part One slow the pace even further. The Consciousness, The Stillness and The Detachment explore awareness beyond thought, advocating for moments of silence and observation in a culture that rewards constant engagement. Detachment, in particular, is framed not as withdrawal but as clarity, the ability to separate identity from emotion and outcome. Mindprint is an invitation to sit with your inner world and confront the habits of thought you often overlook.