Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Dealing With Stress

Stress occurs because we struggle to deal with issues as they arise. Stress seems to be an almost inevitable part of modern life; the pace and demands of our modern lifestyle leave little scope for relaxation. However, if we can learn to let go of stress we can easily become more productive and enjoy life much more.

These are some suggestions for reducing stress.

Don't create More Problems

If we have many difficult issues from work, we should not create additional demands on our time, like deciding to move house. Wait until one issue is resolved before starting on more difficult issues.

Don't Create Arguments with Other people.

Alot of stress comes from disagreements with other people. However, if we are careful we can avoid alot of these unnecessary personality disputes. If people do something we disagree with, then we can just ignore it.

Don't feel responsible for Other People.

If we are honest we have more than enough difficulties in our own life, without worrying about other people's problems. If we feel responsible for solving other people's problems we are, in a way, inviting unsolvable problems into our life, which can only increase our stress levels. If people come to us for advice, we can offer it. However, we cannot be responsible for the life of others, even if they are a close relation.

Don't Exaggerate our Difficulties.

Often when we feel stressed, we feel there is no end in sight. Our mind tends to magnify our difficulties and make them appear bigger than they actually are. We should be careful about not following trains of thought, that only add to our stress. As Sri Chinmoy suggests on the power of thought:

The ordinary human mind
Is a container.
You can fill it
With good thoughts
Or bad thoughts.
It is up to you.
(1)

What is Important?

When we feel very stressed it is a sign we are not happy with a certain situation. If we are stressed about money issues maybe, in the long term, there are different strategies. For example, do we need to continue working in a high paid job, which places great demands on our time? Do we really need a second job?

Meditation

Meditation can undoubtedly be a boon for reducing our stress levels. Stress is always related to an overburdened mind; it can be difficult to switch off from our daily problems. However, if we practise meditation we can help ourselves to let go of our mental problems, even if for a short time. One meditation exercise that we can try, is to leave the mind and enter the heart. We can visualise ourselves leaving the mind and becoming aware of a consciousness inside our heart. If helpful, we can visualise a peaceful scene, such as, by an expanse of sea. If we are able to focus our sense of awareness on the heart, our thoughts will have less power; over time we can develop the art of not listening to our thoughts at all. This will give us a real sense of inner peace and relaxation. This is a powerful antitode to the stresses of the mind.


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(1) Excerpt from Twenty-Seven Thousand Aspiration-Plants, Part 3 by Sri Chinmoy.

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