Student: How to stay calm in hectic daily activities? Master: When the situation comes up, one must first perceive the situation as it is. To do that, we need to have clarity and calmness of mind. We need to focus on what the problem really is. If we don't pay attention to the core message of a situation, we will generate a lot of emotions. The existing problem is a problem already. We need a hundred percent of our energy and focus in order to handle it. A single problem can easily be handled when we give it our full concentration. However, if we create a lot of emotions based on that one problem, it means we layer more problems on top of it. To do so only uses more time and energy. Worries and emotions rob a person of energy, and they consume effort. Instead, we need to figure out what the essence of the problem is and what we need to do in order to handle it. Look into the core of this problem, and you will see that we habitually over-react. Why do we generate so many emotions? Why do we have so many worries? It is because we want to handle the situation correctly and get rid of the situation. One way or another, our handling of the situation only makes it worse. So, the situation gets more serious because we constantly over-react to things. Sometimes in our family, we will create a huge conflict from just a small conflict if we become too emotional. For example, a couple has a little argument, but then they start to generate lots of emotions, and soon a tiny thing can generate a lot of misery. It is because we can never see what the true problem is. The reality is simple, but emotions are complicated. Focus on what is really happening right now. Do not think.
Comments (5)
Jennifer:
May 31, 2011 at 01:55 PM
I fought a battle with myself for years. Although it wasn't a physical condition, it took a lot of time and hard work to overcome it. I recognized that only I can change my thinking and my mind. By changing my state of mind, I was able to overcome my challenging obstacle. I would love to hear others stories!
emptikloud:
Jun 01, 2011 at 04:15 PM
Thank you for sharing! It sure can take a long time. It is not easy to make that connection between the body and the mind especially when we are taught to understand the body purely as a physical reality. Of course, it is still very important to see his or her doctor first whenever there is concern of one's physical health. I had also been working with a physical discomfort for several years - until I finally see what kind of shift in my thinking and emotion come with the physical symptom and that helped me connect the dots. Even though I am now better at managing the symptom by changing my state of mind - by paying attention to my own thoughts and physical being - it seems that a deeper layer is emerging as well. It is an on-going work but I think self-healing starts with self-awareness, and one path to self-awareness is mindfulness toward the body.
Jen:
Sep 05, 2012 at 09:53 AM
This is a very helpful reminder to stay calm and focused when life gets a little chaotic. Thank you for sharing!
Gary Gano:
Sep 13, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Am I correct to believe this is similar to the Japanese concept of mushin, or no-mindedness. In other words, free the mind of unnecessary distractions, fears, ego, emotions and so on, and instead focus singularly on the matter at hand in the present moment.
naishin:
Sep 14, 2012 at 07:07 PM
Yes. Per Master's teaching, calm mind leads to mushin and mushin leads to calm mind. Focus on what is really happening now. No definition. Only reality.
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