Have you wondered how some people can easily and effectively quiet their mind and manage emotions others cannot or not as easily?
Which of the following ancient techniques do you use to manage your thoughts and emotions?
How do you know its time to quiet your mind?
If you’re anything like me you’ve probably experienced multiple thoughts playing in your head all at once. For a creative person it is easy to have more than one thought and ideas going through our heads and to get caught up in the way that requires more time and effort to silence thought processes, find meaning, value, and put it into a better product or service.
I have also experienced panic attacks that came from being in an extremely unhappy work situation. Those were one of the most difficult times of my life. As a kid I learned to manage my emotions by sharing, reflecting, processing, and even crying it out. As we grow up we begin to process these thoughts and emotions differently.
We start feeling the pressure and expectations to act and be mature that also means “staying strong” whatever that means! Dads cannot share and cry because those are signs of a weak man. Women should stay strong because we are supermums or super humans who need to hold the fort, otherwise how will others survive life challenges?
Have you experienced something similar?
What did you learn?
As you think of someone else who’s had similar experiences, what do you think happened with them and how are they dealing with it?
Whatever the reason, at some point in life, we lose touch with our soul. Trust me I have not met a single person who’s 100% happy…..all the time! If someone tells you they are or have…..that’s not normal and not true either.
When I started having panic attacks, life felt upside down. Too many thoughts would rush through my mind. It’s still so hard to comprehend and explain in words. It’s like multiple wires that are entangled occupying space in your head and all those wires are doing their work; electrifying neurons in our brains that are transmitting both wanted and unwanted information to our brains and complicating the matter.
Fortunately for me I was already practicing meditation and mindfulness at this time and it didn’t take me long to bounce back. I am sharing from experience why it is important to quiet our mind and what are the key four ancient techniques and twelve simple strategies to do so.
For millennia, people have sought methods to quiet their minds. Long before modern technology introduced new distractions into our lives, humans have pursued inner peace. If you’re seeking a method to quiet your mind and achieve inner peace, these four ancient techniques have proven effective even by today’s standards.
Practice Meditation - a total no brainer
#1. Breathing meditation – This is a simple and effective method for calming your mind. Start by keeping things lighter and with a simple routine. Find a comfortable and quiet place where you can sit and observe your breath. Focus on experiencing the moment rather than perfecting the outcomes from meditation.
#2. Develop single -pointed concentration – Visualise or rest your eyes upon your object of meditation whether it is a candle, symbols or a spoken mantra. Note any distracting thoughts but decline to pursue them. Bring your mind back to your chosen object.
#3. Learn to visualise – Select images that promote happiness and serenity. Perhaps you may want to picture snow-capped himalayas or sheep grazing in a meadow. For Australians during this summer, a cool summer breeze across the ocean. Looking at the brighter side of the object is the key here.
#4. Focus on positive thoughts – If your meditation is part of your spiritual practice, you can follow the prayers taught in your tradition. Alternatively, you can soothe your mind by repeating any thoughts or quote that is meaningful for you.
Soothing Qualities of Water
#1. Take a cold shower or enjoy a bath – Cultures all over the world have long appreciated the calming effects of water. My grandmother began her day waking up at 3am and taking a cold water shower. Taking cold shower in the morning is also called “Ishnaan” and is as simple way to improve blood circulation, boost immunity and electrical impulses to the brain, relieve muscle soreness, and much more. Or rest your head on a bath pillow and add some comforting scents like sandalwood or lavender. Turn the lights down low and play soft music.
#2. Surround yourself with the sound of water – Eat your lunch by a park fountain or install a solar device in your own backyard. You can find recordings of waterfalls online or get a CD with aquatic effects that you can play anywhere you go. For now, you may also enjoy the audio version of this post from the link below.
Get Back to Nature
#1. Go for a walk – In some eras, it was common for people to go on long retreats into the wilderness. Even a short break can do wonders to restore your peace of mind. Even during the lock downs we were able to enjoy virtual tours of museums and natural wonders from the comfort of our homes. Embrace innovative ideas and avoid excuses.
#2. Cultivate a garden – Gardening is a great way to slow down and appreciate nature. Devote a section of your backyard to growing flowers and vegetables. When we lived in an apartment we designed a balcony garden and our real estate agent couldn’t stop taking pictures. Buy artificial grass but use real plants and fill your balcony with colourful wonders.
#3. Get a pet – If possible, get a pet. This sincerely changes a lot for anyone wanting to share time with animals. It’s even been proven to help people recover from surgery faster. I got my dog when I was healing after a surgery which was a game changer.
Live in the Present Moment
#1. Put the past behind you – Dwelling on the past can make it difficult to feel composed. If you’re thinking about past misfortunes, decide if you’d rather devote your energy to more constructive activities.
#2. Adopt a positive view towards the future – The future always carries some uncertainty. Focus on creating a positive learning experiences and process information without judgements and with hope.
#3. Enjoy the present moment – Give your full attention to what is happening now. Take advantage of the opportunities before you and delight in the good things that surround you. Accept and encourage autonomy and reinforce positive life choices.
Many ancient techniques work equally well today for achieving a quiet mind regardless of external circumstances. Visit your local library or bookstore or even join a virtual book club to discover more information about the healing powers of meditation. With these methods, you can create a welcoming environment for yourself and others and train your mind to enjoy greater peace.
