Finding Peace of Mind

There is indeed a way for every person to find a place within them that is quiet and peaceful, rejuvenating and relaxing. There are lots of ways to find it, but you must take control over your own mind. To every person it is just a little bit different, and that is great. Here are some ideas to help you find your peaceful place.

Zen is not angry. It is not frustrated or loud or upset. Zen is peace. It is peace of heart just as much as it is peace of mind. If you are angry with someone, or if someone has hurt you, likely in your own quiet place disruptive thoughts of that person will consume your mind. Once you are emotionally at peace, you may find your relaxation.

Zen begins with quiet or nearly quiet atmosphere. There is a lot of oriental music that can be used to help procure emotional stability and balance of mind. Make a playlist on youtube or buy a CD if you choose. Or complete silence is an option, though it is more easily disrupted. Also, if ambient noises are better than music, I suggest Tim Hecker on youtube. Any music or noises you plan to use in your quiet place should be preplanned.

Find a location. This should be somewhere you are comfortable but not distracted. For instance, a room with a computer or television can be very distracting, whereas a quiet corner with no technology is not. Your music player should be out of view, be it a laptop or a stereo, and your room at a comfortable temperature.

Wear comfortable clothing. I suggest loungewear, or just loose clothing that doesn’t bother you. You’re not going to want a stiff pair of jeans. In fact, ladies, I suggest a sports bra if underwire bras are not comfortable for you. Another rule: no shoes. We keep our feet cooped up inside shoes and socks all day long and expect our feet to just deal with it. The purpose here is to release pressure from our bodies, and that includes shoes.

Now that you are ready, you are in your place, you are comfortable, and you seek relaxation, begin in a standing position. This will sound rather like yoga for a minute, and well, that’s what it is. Yoga is a release. As you inhale, swing both arms gently out sideways and up to above your head until they touch, hold them there for a second, then bring them down with an exhale. Do this five times. Now sit in a comfortable position. I do not recommend kneeling, as it is hard on your ankles. I also don’t believe you should sit with your feet right out in front of you, as your pelvis will be sore. Instead, cross your legs as best you can. If you lay down, it is too likely you will fall asleep, and if that is your version of zen, go for it.

Your mind will not automatically be at rest as soon as you sit down. For some people, it helps to visualize your mind and all the things running around in it. If you are religious, now is a good time to pray and meditate. That is your version of peace If you are not religious, visualize your mind like a blank room, and your thoughts like people. Hurry the people out of the room, like you would dispel your thoughts. Know that all your problems, your worries, your stresses, your things to do can wait a while for you to have some time away. The world will not explode just because you need some quiet time.

Have no high expectations. Just try this for 10 or fifteen minutes. Make whatever changes you need to, maybe it was the wrong music, maybe you picked an unrestful spot to find peace. Then try your revised version again. Eventually you should discover a place where all is quiet, and your mind slows down.

Peace to you.