One of the most exciting discoveries of the last 200 years is that
each of us has the ability to change our life by changing our
thinking.
Our attitudes of mind, our typical ways of thinking, our way of
looking at our life and our world….each of these impacts us
every day, in ways both obvious and unseen.
We live and operate in the physical world. Yet physical force or
effort is the lowest form of energy. Mental and spiritual forces
release the higher form of energy.
Your inner world of mind and spirit helps to drive and determine
your outer world of circumstances and results. If there’s some
aspect of your life that you would like to change or improve,
look to your inner world first.
A great way to do this is to sit still and be quiet for a few
minutes each day. Meditate, pray, or simply relax and let your
thoughts roam for a bit.
Release your worries, relax, and quietly think about what you
would like to bring into your life. You can think broadly
over various areas of your life….or you can focus on a
particular area that is vexing you, and picture the changes
and new reality you would like to have appear in that area.
We are all seeking “peace, sweet peace” as that old Christian
hymn says. We intuitively crave and seek peace of mind, because
we intuitively know that a peaceful state of mind leads more
easily to health, happiness, abundance, and spiritual growth.
Many people equate peace of mind with some ultimate or end
state of being – something we all aspire to, but never quite
attain, given our busy lives, the pressures of responsibilities,
the never ending quest for more.
Here’s a little secret: the people who are the most peaceful
are the most powerful.
In your peace lies your power.
In his book, “As A Man Thinketh”, James Allen writes about
the strength that comes with serenity:
“Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom…
self-control is strength; right thought is mastery; calmness
is power.”
You want to get into a calm, peaceful, serene state of mind,
particularly in times of stress and strain.
But wait a minute, Karen. When I’m stressed and strained is
exactly when I find it most difficult to become calm and
collected.
Ah yes, I know. I’ve been there! Just thinking you SHOULD
be calm and serene is a lot easier than actually BECOMING
calm and serene.
There’s an old saying, or story actually, in Chi Kung. A
student asks the Chi Kung master how often should she practice
in order to make progress. The master tells her she should
practice every day for 15 minutes.
But I lead a very busy life including work and other
responsibilities, says the student. What if I don’t have time
to practice every day?
“Ah,” says the master, “At times when you are very busy and
don’t have time, you should practice 45 minutes every day!”
In other words, the less time you have to focus on yourself,
to take a time out and get peaceful….the more you need to
TAKE the time and gift yourself with a few minutes of
peace.
Here’s where integration of your mental, emotional and physical
powers comes in. Combining breathing and energy exercises
with specific types of visualization, affirmations and
positive emotions can help you to master your emotional
state and carve out a zone of calmness, even in the midst
of chaos.
When your inner and outer selves begin to operate together in
a more organized and synchronous way, then you’ve really
started tapping into significant power.
The strength and mastery of your peaceful state of mind is
like a healing balm for the situation. It helps bring order
and right results.
Remember this: When you are in a peaceful state of mind, you
are the master of the situation, no matter how negative it
seems.
I often use the Prayer of Serenity as my cue to re-orient
my own thinking, focus and energy back to a more peaceful
and calm state.
Here is a way of interpreting that famous prayer, providing
additional meaning which I find quite helpful when I am
facing a particularly tough day or situation:
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change”
(calmness is power);
“Change the things I can” (Self-control is strength);
“And the wisdom to know the difference” (right thought leads
to mastery).
In such mastery is your strength and power for good.
You Can Do It!
“Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com
P.S. You can receive and benefit from even more breathing and energy
exercises and instruction, and deeper insights into the physical,
psychological and spiritual dimensions of abundant energy, health
and fitness – by signing up for my FREE monthly print newsletter,
the “Best Breathing Exercises Letter”.
In the next few issues, I will be exploring the fascinating
psychological and metaphysical background which informs and
contributes to the effectiveness of breathing and visualization.
And I will share more details on several of the most productive,
yet easy to learn, exercises that I have enjoyed over the years.
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Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2014