Everyone can attain peace of mind


FRIDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2012 00:23
Article from The Pioneer

We enjoy inner peace and feel happy and satisfied when life is sans conflict and we have good relationships, good health, a good job and good financial conditions. We are usually at peace when there is nothing to worry about, no tensions and no need to hurry. Nevertheless, we can enjoy peace regardless of our circumstances, says SANA RIYA

Peace of mind is an inner state of a human being and is independent of outer conditions. True peace of mind is when a person stays in a state of inner peace. In this state, there are no thoughts in the mind, or only a few that get easily ignored. There is awareness and consciousness, alertness and happiness, and no worries or stress. Everyday life isn't always like that. There is always something that causes worry, tension or fear, and which does not let us feel peaceful and calm.

We enjoy inner peace and feel happy and satisfied when life is smooth and we have good relationships, good health, a good job and good financial conditions. We are usually at peace when there is nothing to worry about, no tension and no need to hurry. Nevertheless, we can enjoy peace regardless of our outer circumstances.

Inner peace is within the reach of everyone. It is not dependent on outer conditions, riches or poverty, health or sickness, physical freedom or the lack of it. Everyone possesses the potential to enjoy it here and now. It is independent of outer circumstances and a trained person can enjoy it even under the most trying of circumstances.

Garima, a student of Class XII, says, “I used to get stressed when thoughts about exams came to my mind. I used to shiver with over excitement and fear but meditation on daily basis helped me to stay calm even during the exams.”

Thoughts arise in us and we think them. We may choose to ignore them and experience real inner freedom, or we may choose to water them with the power of our attention and make them grow.

Ojaswi, a student of Canyon School, says that she offers prayers when she needs to have peace of mind.

The attainment of serenity of mind, which is actually freedom from the compulsion of incessant thinking, is open to everyone, provided proper training is undertaken. Inner peace actually arises when you understand its value and have a true desire to succeed; nothing can stand in your way. Though this is an inner state, work, time and persistence are required, just like the attainment of any other tangible goal.

Dr Rashi Jain of Yoga Centre at Koh-e-Fiza says, “This is a world of competition and people stay tense due to their work load. In these circumstances, situations arise when they choose to go in search of peace. For this they opt for yoga and meditation. The different asana of yoga not only improves their health but also increase the power of their mind and soul.” She further says that she has “planted saplings in my yoga centre as it creates an environment of peace and harmony”. Nature too plays a very important role in the peace of mind and body.

SLAVES OF MENTAL HABIT

Most people are slaves of their habits and thoughts. It does not occur to them that they can become free from their grasp. From the moment they wake up in the morning to the moment they fall asleep at night, the chatter of the mind continues incessantly, giving no moment of rest. The habit of constantly thinking futile thoughts that pre-empt inner tranquility is very deeply ingrained in the human race. Nevertheless, this habit can be undone. The mind is a great and useful instrument, but it should not be allowed to rule our lives. It has to be obedient to us.

To change or get rid of an undesirable habit, we have to be aware of it, and consciously and attentively act in a different manner. Whatever new skill we develop, we have to train ourselves, until it turns into second nature and becomes easy to use. The same is with control our mind and thoughts.

Sri Ramana Maharshi, the great Indian sage, has said: “Mind is only a bundle of thoughts, stop thinking and show me the mind”. When one becomes really free from incessant thinking, he or she becomes free from slavery to the mind. One also comes to understand the illusiveness of the mind.

MINDWATCH HELPS

Try to calm your mind when you feel agitated. Mentally, take a step back and watch your mind, as if looking at someone else’s mind. This has the tendency to calm and relax it. Develop concentration power and meditate. All these actions calm the mind and make it peaceful. True control over the mind is not just the ability to concentrate on one thought and disregard other thoughts. It is the ability to cleanse the mind completely and make it silent. For achieving this goal one needs to brush up their nature of thoughts and action.

DO NOT CONTROL OTHERS’ LIVES

Ceasing to seek power over people and outcomes in your life is the first major step to living peacefully. Trying to control people is about seeking to impose your will and reality on others without ever trying to see their side of things. A controlling approach to relationships will keep you in conflict with others.

MODERATE YOUR CONVICTIONS

Thinking in absolutes and holding to convictions without ever considering the viewpoints and perspectives of others is a sure way to live a life without peace. This type of extremist thinking usually leads to reactive, hasty, and driven behaviour that lacks the benefit of reflection and deliberative thinking.

BE TOLERANT

Tolerance in all that you think and do will make a difference in your life and in the lives of others around you. Tolerance for others is about appreciating diversity, the plurality of modern society, and being willing to live and let others live too. When we fail to tolerate others’ beliefs, ways of being, and opinions, the end result can be discrimination, repression, dehumanization, and ultimately violence. Practicing tolerance is at the heart of living peacefully.

GET RID OF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

Rather than jumping to negative conclusions about other people, change your own perspective and nourish the good in others. In changing your perspective of others, you can initiate change in their own self-perception. For example, instead of seeing someone as stupid or incompetent, start calling them intelligent, effective, and clever. This will nourish them and encourage them to live up to the good you perceive in them. Seeing others as interesting, special, and caring beings underneath their bravado, anger, and torment, can bring about a great change for the better.

“I am a single parent to my five children, I face everyday challenging complexities. Even sometimes my mind does not stay stable, I get furious. But the best peace of mind for me is when I meditate early in the morning and go for a nature walk in my surroundings. I release all the negativity out of my soul at that point of time,” says Bilquis Dastagir.


Article from The Pioneer